So incredibly grateful to the reviewer Luke777. This chapter is for you! And if others like it as well, please review. It makes me happy :)
Chapter 3
There is a gentle knock and the door silently opens. It is midmorning and I don't receive many visitors during this time of day. I look up from my writing desk where I have been writing a response to one of the many letters that I receive every day. A young messenger walks in carrying a single white envelope. He hands it to me before bowing slightly and leaving as quietly as he entered. I took a look at the envelope and see my husband's handwriting on the outside in a beautiful cursive, Analeigh Snow. I quickly open it and see it is an invitation to lunch in the sunroom with him. It is strange for him to invite me to dine with him, especially with everything that happened this past week, but I barely have time to think about it before Valeria enters to help me get ready.
The Hunger Games ended six days ago. I was watching along with the rest of the Capitol as Katniss and Peeta lifted the nightlock berries to their mouths to commit suicide rather than have to kill each other to become the victor. It was a terrible trick by the Gamemakers…to promise that both would survive only to retract their statement. And perhaps these were just two young people in love who could not survive without each other. But I saw something else in their actions that day: defiance. And I know my husband saw it, too.
All of the city has been a whirlwind of activity since then. The winners gave their final interviews as star-crossed lovers and headed back to District 12, but that hasn't stopped the partying here. It will last another week or so before everything finally calms down.
I suppose I showed more interest than I usually did. I attended the final taped interviews of my own accord. I spoke enthusiastically and offered cautious praise for the victorious tributes to other Capitol women. I never thought much of it. But after the disappearance of Seneca Crane and the deaths of several other prominent citizens who spoke too highly of the latest winners of the Hunger Games, I wished I had watched my words more carefully.
Just as Valeria helps me slip into my shoes, Ian enters.
"What are you doing here? I'm just going to meet Coriolanus in the sunroom," I smiled, surprised but not unhappy.
Ian nodded, a grim look on his face. "I would just prefer to accompany you, Mrs. Snow, if that's okay."
I shrugged. "It's fine."
Coriolanus is waiting for me as I arrive. He gives a confused look to Ian but wraps me in a hug. I stiffly return it. It's strange to share affection when nobody who cares is watching, and this is out of my husband's character.
"Ah, my darling, thank you for coming on such short notice. Please sit down." The President holds out a chair and I sit across from him. Ian takes up a post behind me along the wall. The table is small, enough for four people, and is a white wicker. The entire south wall is full of windows, and sun radiates through the room. The gardens are in full bloom and are as beautiful as ever. This was the room we were married in, and it's one of my favorites in the whole mansion.
"So, how have you been?" Coriolanus asked, sipping his tea. There is a cup in front of me also, but I feel too warm for hot tea. I pick at the bread in the center of the table instead.
"I've been good. How have you been?" Such a normal question for what is supposed to be a normal activity. But nothing about this seems ordinary.
"I've been…fair," the President answered, choosing his words carefully. "Did you enjoy the Hunger Games?"
"I enjoyed parts of it," I said, also being very careful in choosing my words.
Two servants enter bearing dishes full of a lamb and carrot stew. It smells wonderful. I immediately pick up my spoon and start eating it.
We share small talk for a short while, talking of very unimportant things. I eat hungrily while my husband gingerly takes only a few bites and sips his tea.
"How is your tea, darling?" Coriolanus asked suddenly.
My mouth is still full of stew. It takes me a few seconds to swallow, and in that time, Ian has come to my side.
"The tea has cooled down, too much, hasn't it? I will go get a fresh batch," Ian said quickly. Before I could protest, he has scooped up the tea in front of me and hurried away. Coriolanus is staring him down, his slanted eyes even smaller. Ian returns quickly, two servants following him closely carrying a pitcher of hot tea and two tall glasses. They start to pour us both a glassful.
"Ah, I just remembered I have a meeting to attend to. I'm so sorry for cutting our lunch short, darling." Coriolanus stands abruptly. He rounds the table and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off.
The strange encounter leaves me puzzled, and I realize I have lost my appetite. I eat a few more spoonfuls before pushing my bowl away. Something seems incredibly…off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
"Mr. Sunderling, let's take a walk in the gardens." Ian nods and opens the door for me as I walk passed him.
I sit down on a stone bench towards the back wall. The aroma of flowers is heavy but sweet. The air is warm and a cool breeze lifts my hair. I pat the cold stone and scoot over for Ian to sit next to me. He does so somewhat unwillingly, his back rigid.
"What do you think that was?" I asked, staring back towards the house.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mrs. Snow," Ian answered slowly.
"Nothing about that seemed strange to you?"
Ian looks over at me, his eyes full of something that he wants to say but cannot. A bird chirps overhead. I remember the jabberjays the Capitol created long ago and how they could record whole conversations. There must be ears even in the garden.
"Oh well," I smiled, standing up. "Such a wonderful lunch, though."
As we walk through the mansion, Ian stays close behind me. We have just rounded the top of the stairs and entered the narrow hallway leading past many empty rooms until mine at the end when Ian grabs my arm and pulls me back.
"What are you doing?" I asked angrily as he flings me into a small hall closet, full of sheets and towels. His face almost looks crazy with intensity, his eyes maniacal, staring deep into me. He grabs my shoulders so hard that it hurts. I try to wrench away from his grasp, but he only holds on tighter.
"You know what that was back there. The President has kept you around for this long only because you make him look good. You have kept your head down and your mouth shut, too, which was smart. But your usefulness has run out to him. You're not safe anymore, Analeigh."
"Let go of me," I said, barely even paying attention to what he said, still in shock that he had thrown me in a closet.
"Open your eyes! It's time to wake up to everything that is going on around you!" Ian is nearly yelling at me, shaking my shoulders with each word. I have never had anyone raise their voice to me, much less lay a hand on me in such a way. A fury rises inside me I never knew.
"Let go of me!" Ian has a tight grip on my shoulders, but in a single move, I lift my right arm and slap him across the face as hard I can. It makes a satisfying smacking sound in the small closet. He turns away for a moment, his jaw clenched, but when he faces me again, his eyes have calmed and he releases his grasp.
"Don't you ever put your hands on me again," I hissed, a power behind my words that have never come from me. "I will remind you only this once that I am the wife of Coriolanus Snow, the President of all of Panem, and you must treat me as such. If you refuse, then I will turn you in myself." I see his shoulders slump and a look of defeat wash across his face as I push pass him and stomp back to my room.