Peeta POV
Of course my mother was reveling in my misery. Undoubtedly her little minions had reported back my misery at the lies and deceit of 'Miss Delly Cartwright.' The news of yet another failure on my part most likely infuriated her at first and then when she realized undoubtedly the pain I am in she probably giggled with glee.
I dread this evening; all week I've been dreading this evening. I haven't had to try to play the part of the heartbroken prince…I'm living it. I attend dinners here at the Cresta's and I try to smile but it's all fake. Everywhere I see Katniss and I am reminded that she will never return my affections.
But tonight I have to push all of that aside. Tonight is the Queen's ball and we have been preparing all week. Right now everyone is dressing in their absolute best, or dressing as servants accompanying their noble masters.
I can hear the scurry of excited feet as the women prepare for the ball. Occasionally I hear Annie and her mom squeal. I swear I've heard Johanna groan as she often does when she is forced to attend such upscale events. 'A bunch of uptight, corset wearing, obnoxious old hags who have their noses permanently stuck in the air…or in the asses of the other women.' I believe that's one of the calmer rants I've heard from her. She truly despises these hoity-toity events and pretty much everyone who attends them. I've never seen her happier than when we were living out in the woods and there were no responsibilities or manners.
I sigh deeply as I finish dressing. I comb out my unruly curls and attempt to keep them tamed back. I stare into the mirror into my dull blue eyes. I try to smile but it is just a grimace. At least I won't have to act that I'm heartbroken. I can already hear my mothers voice "Get yourself together you useless boy. It's no wonder she couldn't love you…look how pathetic you are. Act like a man for goodness sake and stop moping over a girl who could never love you anyways. I hate that she's right even though she isn't even here.
"Peeta," Annie's soft voice sounds from the other side of my door, "we must be going. We can't be late."
"I'll be right there Annie." I call back and look at the mirror one last time. I brush off imaginary dust from my coat and turn to leave the room.
Annie and Finnick are already by the carriage with Gale. Finnick looks every bit like a gentleman and his eyes are alive with mirth and love. Annie looks simply radiant. Love is a good look on these two.
Madge and Johanna stroll out next with Katniss and Rue trailing behind. Katniss has a bonnet tied low over her face but it could never hide those piercing grey eyes. Her eyes land in mine and I notice that they aren't raging like lightening in a thunderstorm. Rather they are gloomy like the clouds on a rainy day. She holds my gaze momentarily before she lets her eyes flit back to the ground.
We all step into the carriage, and those who are pretending to be our servants hold on to the back.
The ride to the castle is to long and not long enough. Before I am ready the carriage comes to a jolting stop and the tension in the carriage reaches an unbearable high.
"Shall we?" Annie timidly asks and with a terse nod we leave the safety of the carriage.
From the moment we walk through the door we are swept into the whirlwind that is the spring ball. My mother has certainly held no restraint this year.
I believe that everything is going well, my mother gave me a polite greeting and pretended to be the caring mother who was deeply upset by the betrayal of her beloved son. No one recognized Gale from the previous ball where he had attended with 'Delly Cartwright.' However one tense moment arose when Finnick was recognized as Sir George, one of the escorts that had accompanied the 'traitorous wench Delly Cartwright.' No one had anything good to say about her. Amazingly though Finnick played it off with ease.
"Oh! What a silly misunderstanding. My middle name is George, it was also my father's name, and my parents always insisted I go by it however my dearest wife much prefers to call me Finnick. And who am I to resist such a beautiful woman!" Everyone chortled at his comment. "As for the betrayal by Miss Cartwright…I must say it came as just a great of a shock to myself. She fooled us all. That night she robbed me and my companion," he gestured to Gale and I saw a few faces light with recognition.
Dutifully I dance with every willing lady. But I can always feel Katniss' penetrating gaze.
The night grows later and I know we must take action soon. I chance a glance around the room to my companions. Haymitch gives a nod. I notice that the guard is changing. It is the perfect time to capture my wicked mother.
Quickly I bow to my current dance partner, whoever she may be. I notice that everyone is discreetly beginning to surround the Queen, who appears completely oblivious.
I move my way around the room, nodding politely, trying to appear inconspicuous. Haymitch, Chaff, Gale, Finnick and Annie are closing in. Finnick and Annie approach from the front pretending to seek conversation with the Queen.
The others are close, nearly there. My heart beats erratically; my stomach has become permanently lodged in my throat.
"Excuse me my dears," My mother sweetly says, her eyes change…before they were bright and kind as she pretends to be, but now they are dark and malicious. It doesn't sit right with me.
"Guards!" She screams. "Imposters! Traitors!"
Dread. Pure unhindered dread. She knew. Just the look in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. She knew we were coming, and she knows why.
"There!" She shrieks and points to Finnick, Annie, and those who had been nearing her. "Grab them!" Suddenly out of the halls bursts forth a large force of armed guards. They immediately surround everyone but myself and Katniss who I see standing not far from me.
"And grab my useless, traitorous excuse of a son and that wench behind him."
I stand in shock as more guards swarm Katniss and I.
The large crowd of guests is murmuring in confusion. My mother, with a triumphant smile climbs halfway up the grand staircase. "My esteemed guests, today is a remarkable day. These people you see before you now are traitors to the crown. Among this group of betrayers and thieves is the most wanted man in all of Panem, Everdeen. Look closely for today I have captured him. He will be punished for his crimes. Take them all to the dungeons." Her lips curl up to show her yellowing teeth and her eyes glint with wickedness.
The guards roughly push us forward and down deeper into the castle where the air is dank and stale. Where the sent of blood is nearly overwhelming to the senses. I know my mother has killed many a man or woman down here. Many that she suspected were Everdeen, only to be proved false but then she killed them in her failed rage. Or others who committed grand, or even small crimes but she is completely unforgiving.
With shackled hands we are thrown into the dungeons. Each of us are in a separate rooms, with only the sounds of shallow breathing to alert us that the others are even nearby. The iron gated doors provide little visibility except to the dungeon across from your own. Across from me is Katniss. Her bonnet and dress have been thrown aside in favor of her hunting clothes she was wearing underneath.
It is a long while before my mother comes down. I suspect the entire night has gone by and only now in the early morning does she decide to grace us with her presence. We however spent the entire night trying to figure out what went wrong and what we can do now. No solution was found and we are all tired.
She stands before us now, her blood red gown matching the shade of her blood red lips. With her pale skin and the torchlight cast upon her she is truly terrifying. She intends to kill, but how many of us is an entirely unknown question.
A/N: Finally! Sorry for the delay everyone! Life has been crazy between finishing up my last two papers, working two jobs and attending a family wedding in Vernon last weekend. For the next month it will still be busy but I'm hoping to update as soon as possible. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement it really means the world to me! Please review!