Plunge

His lips were eagerly pressing against her neck, so tenderly that he might have well been whispering secrets to her skin. She sighed, the sound coming from parted, swollen lips, and he gave a small sound akin to the rolling-click purr as he nuzzled against her as he coveted the warmth of her blush.

They lingered longer then they should. Annie knew this, and Finnick must've also realized it. But neither of them wanted to be the first to pull away. No matter how much they dreamed, they would never really be married. She had been told her whole life that being kissed and touched by a man outside of wedlock was morally wrong, and enjoying it was a sin. But ever since Finnick had begun to open up to his own emotions, they had found it hard not to be together like this. This was something natural, something beautiful.

But eventually it did have to end. After an internal argument with herself, finally Annie gave up, pulling away from Finnick.

"I've got to go home." She said quietly, and Finnick pouted.

"You must?" He asked, sounding terribly disappointed. Annie resisted the urge to bury herself back in his arms.

"I must." She said, beginning to pack her satchel.

"I will not see you for a day or so, and I wished to keep you here longer." Finnick sighed, catching her hand in his, rolling her fingers between his own in the interest he always had.

"It's because of the ball. I have to attend, even though I wish not too." Annie said, "I don't like the loud music, or the dancing, and especially not the corsets."

"Dancing? What is dancing?" Finnick asked in that curious tone that Annie had come to adore, and Annie smiled in response as she tried to think of a way to describe dancing.

"It's like rhythmic walking." Annie tried to explain before she got an even better idea. "Do you want to try?"

"I…can't walk." Finnick said confused before Annie got up and held out her arms.

"Here. Let me steady you. Just steady yourself on your legs-There you go!" Annie said as Finnick bent his frog legs forward as if bracing himself and allowed Annie to pull him up and completely straightened his legs. At full height, Finnick was at least one head taller then Annie was. His shoulders were broad and muscular, good for swimming, and he looked down at her obviously concentrating on staying up right. Annie placed one of his hands on her hip and her own hand at his elbow, taking his other hand in her and straightening it out. "Good so far?"

"Yes." Finnick said, still concentrating.

"Now, normally the man leads, but it'll be fine if I lead for now. It'd be silly to have you lead a dance you don't even know, wouldn't it? We'll do a very simple dance, it's basically walking in a box formation to a 1-2-3 rhythm." She explained, "Ready?"

"Ready." Finnick chirped.

Of course it was easier said then done, Finnick was extremely clumsy on land. He hadn't been made for land walking by any stretch of the imagination and had to rely on her heavily to keep up right so his legs would bend backwards and send him toppling over. But eventually Finnick got the rhythm, and as soon as he did he began to beam as if he was a child given an amazing present. Soon enough he was waltzing well enough that Annie didn't need to worry about him stepping on her foot and just focused on keeping him up right.

Finally Annie stopped, needing to take a break from holding his weight and he bent down, hands on the ground and smiled.

"Is that what you do at those balls?" He asked, "I wish I could go."

"That's not all it. It's a lot of politics, and gossip, and courting."

"Courting?" Finnick asked sounding suddenly very alarmed. "Your kind court at those sorts of events?"

"Yes. Why?" Annie asked confused. Finnick's eyes suddenly narrowed and his nostrils flared.

"It bothers me that another male could try to court you and I won't be there." Finnick said flatly. "I don't like it when people touch my things."

"Finnick, that may be endearing where you come from, but I'm not your possession. I'm another person." Annie pointed out to him embarrassed at how easily he could just announce something like that. "But don't worry. No one is interested in me like that. My sister is the fairest out of us. In comparison to her, I don't really garner that much attention."

"Well males on land obviously have no good sense about them, just like males in the sea." Finnick said bluntly, "You're pretty, smart, and understanding. I don't know what else a lad needs."

"Most men need only the first and none of the later."

"True. But like I said, no good sense." Finnick said with a shake of his head.

"I'm happy with you." Annie said gently and Finnick smiled pressed a gentle, cold kiss against her lips.

"I'm happy with you too."

"I love you." She said and Finnick kissed her again.

"I love you too."

And then he was gone, back into the ocean were he really belonged.

Annie went back home, trudging up the beach with her satchel and blanket. She snuck in the servant's door and quickly went up the servant's staircase into her room, only to find Cora there. She was sitting on her bed, legs crossed so very unladylike that Annie had to resist the urge to laugh.

"Where have you been sneaking off too?" Cora asked with a wicked smile as Annie put down her stuff and hung her coat upon the little rack. She quickly unlaced her kirtle, undid her chemise, before pulling on a warm linen nightgown and quickly snuck into bed, her sister lying beside her.

"Nowhere. Just outside."

"Oh boo! I know that's a lie." Cora said, lightly hitting her arm. "Tell me the truth. It's a boy, isn't it?"

Annie thanked the Gods for the darkness of nighttime so Cora didn't catch her blush.

"It's not-"

"Don't lie. Come on. You can tell me anything." Cora said, earnestly.

"Really?" Annie asked, thinking of how Cora would take it if she told the truth.
"Oh come on, just tell me."

"Well…yes, it's a boy." Annie said and Cora squealed in delight.

"You've got to tell me now. Is he a strapping young local? A servant?"

"No…he's…not from around here." Annie said quietly.

"A passing trader?"

"Something like that." Annie said quietly. "I…love him. I really do. But we can't be together."

"Oh Annie." Cora said, grasping her hand. "If you really love each other it will work out somehow."

"Cora…we both know that's not true." Annie said, as she curled over on her side.

Cora didn't say anything, but gently held Annie's hand as she began to cry.

The morning went as always. Annie was awoken by her maid, her sister having gone back to her own room some time after Annie had fallen asleep. She was quickly shooed out of her bed that was made by two more maids that quickly came into the room with fresh linens. She groggily got to her feet, wincing at the feeling of the cold hard wood floor. She began lifting up her arms and hair at the right times, until she was put into her chemise, a petticoat, and then laced into her kirtle. Today's kirtle was a vivid rose pink, a color she didn't normally wear. Her color palate was normally much more subdued, greens, light blues, grey, and perhaps dark red. Her sister was normally the one in the purples and dark blues and pinks. Had her mother asked for her to try a richer color? For what purpose would that achieve?

She almost shook her head. It was too early to be thinking of such a trivial issue. She'd rather be thinking about the day at hand.

"Have you been sleeping well, young Miss?" Her maid asked, waking Annie from her daydream as Annie sat down in front of the mirror. The maid began to comb her Annie's hair as she continued to speak, "You've been looking terribly tired."

"I still have nightmares sometimes." Annie said, and that wasn't a lie. She did have nightmares of that night, but more often then not her dreams became more about Finnick's lips then the tempest ocean water.

"Perhaps we should have milord and lady excuse you for more rest." The maid said, the comb tugging at a tangle.

"No, no. I'm fine. No one to impress, anyways." Annie said with a small laugh and the maid touched her chin and forced her to look forward.

"I doubt we are looking at the same young Mistress." The maid said, "Beautiful dark hair, flawless pale skin, elegant long fingers, quick-witted green eyes, impeccable posture, a fine knowledge of the sciences, languages, histories, and math of the world, an appreciation of the arts, and a find hand at three instruments. You are as much a prize as the elder young Mistress and are only becoming more beautiful by the day."

"Doubtful." Annie said with a shake of her head.

"And of course, humble and well-mannered. You will be a wonderful head of a home, young Miss." One of the younger maids said.

"Oh shoo. Get back to work." Her maid said causing the other girls to giggle and continue on with their cleaning. Her hands were upon Annie's shoulders and she squeezed them gentle. "Young Mistress, I must tell you something. The cook overheard your parents talking."

"My parents?" Annie said just as quietly.

"Yes. There has been…an offer for your hand." She said quietly. Annie gaped and turned to look at her.

"What?" She hissed. "You're kidding. This must be a lie. The cook must have heard wrong. It had to be an offer for my sister's hand."

"No, no, Young Mistress. It was an offer for you. By the Archduke's son himself."

"Archduke! Why would he marry so below his class? And to me?" Annie said shocked.

"There has been talk. You survived the storm, and being adrift for two whole weeks. They say the God of Good Fortune has blessed you. Most of those upper class men would kill for good fortune to keep away diseases, attempts on their lives, and the birthing of strong sons." The maid said and suddenly Annie felt her face burn with embarrassment. She didn't want a man to want her just because of good luck; she didn't need another man to love her. She had Finnick, who liked her for her. And she didn't need anything more then that.

"I believe I would rather not have this discussion." Annie said in a rather clipped tone.

"Of course, Young Miss." Her maid said just as professionally, she took a step back and Annie stood up, fully prepared for the day.

She was walked to the dining room along with the maids, the door opened by two butlers. The dining room itself was made up of a long table of rich wood, walls hung with the richest of tapestries woven with gold and silver, portraits of past Dukes and Duchesses, with a crystal chandelier that held fat golden beeswax candles to be lighted for nighttime meals. Her family was currently in the process of sitting down as she entered, allowed the servant to pull out her chair and was seated between her sister and brother. Her father smiled at her.

"Good morning, Annabel." He said, unfolding his napkin.

"Good morning, Father." She said, folding her hands upon her lap.

The food was brought out, dish by dish. A platter of fresh fruit, bowls filled with vibrantly colored jams, warm breads, opulent pastries, scrambled eggs that were filled with herbs, ham glazed in honey, and their glasses were filled with tea or fruit juices. Each of them was served, food and drink tasted by servants to ensure no poisoning, before they engaged in the daily prayer to Gods of the pantheon, and her Uncle began to speak of the happenings of the day.

"Tonight is the Royal Embassy's ball we host every year. This year, we have been blessed with the presence of my brother and his family. Let us remember how to act accordingly as hosts and ensure another successful party this year." The Duke said, "Our honor is our history."

"Yes, Duke." They all murmured in response, before beginning to eat. However, Annie found that she hadn't much of an appetite. She just couldn't shake the sinking feeling she had in her gut. She just kept trying to convince herself that the cook had heard wrong. There was no offer for her hand. If there had been, her family would be rejoicing.

Or maybe you just aren't facing the truth. You knew this would happen eventually. Another part of her told her as she slowly spread butter upon a piece of bread.

Annie took a deep breath to calm herself before taking a bite of bread. She felt a small tug on her dress, only to see Kai looking at her worriedly.

"Are you okay, Annie?" He asked and Annie gently touched his hair, stroking it.

"I just haven't been sleeping well." She told her little brother who nuzzled into her touch.

"Should we send for the healer, Annabel?" Her mother asked and Annie looked up, startled.

"No. No, I should be fine." Annie said, feeling uncomfortable.

"Well, why haven't you been sleeping?" Her mother interrogated.

"Nightmares." Annie said immediately.

"As long as you are alright for tonight." She said with a small smile, "I'm sure you'll be feeling better soon."

Annie clutched her hands into her dress before saying quietly,

"I hope."

"You look very beautiful in that color, dear." Her father said approvingly. "My wife, did you choose that for her?"

"No, I did." The Duchess said with a smile, "Annabel always chooses such plain colors for herself. The girl should be dressed in the most beautiful of colors, as she is a guest in my house."

"Thank you for your kindness." Annie said bowing her head.

"Of course, dear niece. Your respectfulness is always refreshing when dealing with two silly girls who only expect the finer things in life." The Duke said looking at Rae and Ariel in their rich purple and sunrise yellow dresses. Cora herself dressed in a rich dark blue giggled as Rae and Ariel both protested. "Tell me, brother, how did you go raising girls without them becoming silly creatures? As of course you know most women are inclined to become."

"They know to respect their father for I give them respect. And my respect is earned, not expected." Annie's father said, sipping at his tea. Annie ignored the twinge of insult that she took from the comment and began to take bites of fresh strawberries.

"Father, can I go to the ball tonight?" Kai asked in a doleful tone, almost causing giggles to erupt from Annie's throat.

"No, not until you are older. You must catch up upon your lessons that you have had obstinate disregard for these past couple of days." Her father said with a small smile.

"But Father, fractions hurt my head." Kai whined and Annie ruffled his hair.

"Perhaps if you listened to your tutor you would be able to understand." Annie teased her little brother who pouted. "Mother, would you give me permission to go outside for a stroll and have a bit of fresh air?"

"Yes, I do believe the air would be good for your constitution. Get some color back in your cheeks. Bring your sister along as well." Her mother said cutting up something upon her plate.

"Rae and Ariel, you go as well. Perhaps your cousins will teach you some manners before tonight." Their Uncle said and both her cousins just huffed.

After the Duke finished, they were excused from the table and then changed into their riding habits to cover most of their skin. The heavy, too-warm outfit included a tailored jacket and matching skirt and petticoat and chemisette, low heeled boots, necktie, gloves, and of course the ridiculous looking wide-brim hats with feathers and ribbons and pearls and flowers decorating it. Finally each of them was given a lace parasol and sent along their merry way.

"I asked for a spot of fresh air. I can barely feel anything but dreadful in all of these layers." Annie muttered pulling at her heavy pink skirt. "Why not just wrap up in head to toe in linens?"

"Oh Annie, everyone knows that a proper lady must not be tanned. Pale, and full-bodied is how a man wants a woman." Cora said before smiling devilishly, "Unless of course the man you so desperately try not to reveal likes you better with you clothes off!"

"Cora! How vulgar!" Rae giggled.

"Cora, it's not like that." Annie said, though it was very much like that. If Finnick saw her on all of these layers, he would be absolutely confounded and in tears of laughter. He barely understood why she wore the kirtles she did when she visited him, nor why she didn't find it appropriate to just take it off. Merfolk were used to undress, after all.

"Oh it isn't? Then enlighten me on what it's really like." Cora said walking beside Annie.

"He and I…we just talk. There's nothing else to it." Annie said twirling her parasol in her hand.

"Have you kissed him?" Ariel asked excitedly and Annie blushed. Cora immediately smiled.

"Oh you little liar! You have kissed him haven't you?"

"Well yes, but I barely see how that's your concern." Annie said, "It's not like I've done anything bad."

"Of course you haven't. No one said you did." Cora said, sitting down beneath a large maple tree. "In any case, we all know how it goes. We must marry who our father deems fit, and then we don't have much of a choice about it."

"I know." Annie said heavily.

"So don't fall too deeply. It'll just hurt you in the end." Cora said, before she suddenly said, "Do you remember that rhyme the maids used to sing to us?"

"Oh! I know it." Ariel said before beginning, "To be a fine lady some things must be met, skin white as snow and hair never fret."

"To be a true lady one's voice is never loud, one has to be demure yet stand out in a crowd…" Rae continued,

"To be a fair lady, one walks in time, understands music and masters the rhymes." Cora began and motioned to Annie as she finished the rhyme grudging.

"To be a proper lady, the truest rule of all…To listen to thy father, and for his choice you shall fall." Annie said quietly before giving a very unladylike sound of exasperation, "It's just that…it's unfair."

"Oh Annie, you never know. What if a prince fell in love with you? Wouldn't that be wonderful? I've always dreamed of marrying a prince." Rae said dreamily and Ariel laughed beside her,

"That dream won't come true if you don't start doing all of your lessons." Ariel teased caused Rae to tug on her hair playfully. Annie almost laughed as technically a prince was in love with her. But not really the prince that Rae imagined sweeping her off her feet.

"And that goes for both of you." Cora said in a motherly tone.

They all erupted into giggles until they had forgotten what they were laughing about in the first place and their maids had to summon them back.

"Young Miss, stay still!" The maid ordered as they yanked the ties on her corset so hard she saw stars.

"Can't it go any looser?" Annie gasped, as she attempted to fight the desire to just curl over and cry. "I think I'm about to expire."

"No, Young Miss. Beauty is pain." The maid said, finally lacing her in. Annie just focused on continuing to breath as she did so, as another maid patted her forehead with a handkerchief. "There we are."

Annie attempted to breath as the maids began to style her hair. She was wearing a blue hoop-skirted dress, the skirt decorated with a hand-sewed flower and vine design of ivory and shot with silver, while ivory colored ties were tied at the front of her dress, and at her shoulders. Her hair was styled into a teased front with a braid that fell over her shoulder, while a headband made of pearls and ivory flowers was pinned to her hair with silver hair combs in the shape of flowers sculpted of pearls, silver, and encrusted with sapphires. The maids powered her face to almost snow pale, before of course adding the blush, her lips were painted to accentuate the redness. It was at this point that she was splashed with the floral water, fresh with the notes of freesia, jasmine, lilies, and rose.

"Oh Young Miss, not a more beautiful girl lives in the land." The maids cooed and she pointedly ignored them, as they placed heavy dangling earrings of silver and pearl at her ears.

"Where am I off too?" Annie asked as she stood up, "The main stairs to get introduced?"

"Yes." Her maid said quickly.

"What of my sister? Is she already off?" Annie asked, knocking on her sister's door. Immediately she burst out, her maids in a tizzy as they tried to finish powdering her as she moved out the door, in a royal purple dress with golden hand sewed details. Cora's hair was styled into a crown of braids, with what looked like gold braided in and it was pinned with golden leaves making her hair look like a crown of autumn fire, but perhaps most impressive of all with the necklace, clasped at her neck that was crafted in an open lace pattern with gold and amethyst. Annie doubted she had ever seen a more beautiful piece of jewelry.

"Isn't it spectacular?" Cora asked giving a twirl and touching her necklace as if to draw attention to it. Not that it needed it. "A suitor sent it to me."

"What suitor has the means to create such a thing?" Annie asked in awe touching the necklace that was warmed by her sister's skin.

"The son of the Jewel house, the royal jewel merchants." Cora said excitedly, grabbing Annie's hands and spinning her around. "Isn't it grand, Annie?"

"That's wonderful, Cora." Annie said honestly. Annie was happy that her sister had found someone that she liked and her father would most definitely approve of.

"Oh yes, certainly. Let's go, Annie. A ball awaits." Cora said, looping her arm through Annie's and they began to walk in time.

They walked to the entrance to the grand hall, where they waited in line behind their father and mother to be introduced.

"Of the royal merchant house, house Cresta Lord and Lady Cresta." The servant introduced and their mother and father walked through the door to a generous applause. Her sister's arm almost tightened on her and she looked at her hopefully.

"He'll be here tonight." Cora said excitedly.

"And you're so beautiful that I doubt any man will be looking at the silly necklace." Annie said with a smile that Cora returned.

"Of the royal merchant house, house Cresta, Lady Cora and Lady Annabel." The servant introduced. Both Cora and Annie walked through the open door to applause and descended down the stairs together. She heard the whispering of course from all the fellow ladies about her sister's necklace, but immediately two young men came up with their father and another man, a much sterner looking man.

"The jewels I sent look most magnificent, Cora." Lord Marvel said, with a smile and a bow, which Cora returned with a curtsy. He held out his hand, "Would you care for a dance?"

"I would be honored." Cora said, and they walked out to the dancing together. Her father looked most serious standing beside the two men.

"Annabel, let me introduce the Archduke and his son, Gloss." Her father said and Annie curtsied respectfully as "Gloss" bowed before her before holding out his hand which Annie took.

"I have heard many tales, but none did justice to your beauty." Gloss complimented, but Annie found no comfort looking into those cold blue eyes.

"You jest." Annie said curtly.

"Ah, a young lady with some fire. I do appreciate that in a woman." The Archduke laughed. Gloss gave a smile that was much more forced.

"Would milady honor me with a dance?" Gloss asked and Annie tried to not be visibly unnerved.

"The honor would be mine." Annie said with feigned politeness, and Gloss quickly whisked her out to the dance floor. She tried not to be repulsed by his hot, callused hands, and imposing gait, but instead tried to imagine it was Finnick's endearingly clumsy footsteps and cold, gentle touch as Gloss leaded her around the dance floor with practice ease.

"Tell me, everyone says you survive two weeks out at sea. Is this true?"

"Yes." Annie answered shortly, hoping to put him off. However his pleasant smile stayed plastered upon his face.

"How did you survive out there, milady?" He pressed, and this time Annie didn't bother to hide her contempt.

"It was a terrifying ordeal that haunts me nightly, and if you are trying to court me interrogating me on the matter will get you no where." Annie said sharply. Gloss chuckled, the sound grating to Annie's ears.

"I like my women like I like my horses, feisty. It just makes breaking them all the more fun." Gloss said in a humored tone that had Annie nearly steaming.

"If you wish for a feisty woman look somewhere else. You are the most ill mannered beast I have ever met."

"Do insult me more. It endears me to you." Gloss said, and Annie felt the hand on her hip travel down. If looks could kill Annie was murdering him in ten different ways by this point.

"Get your hand off of me." She snapped.

"Do you tell all of your suitors that?"

"I have no suitors." Annie said, "And I will not marry so far away from my home."

"What choice do you have in this matter, woman?"

"I am of noble blood. Do not address me in such a discriminatory fashion."

"Barely. However, you are of use to me. A girl so blessed by the Gods in my house would secure good fortune, a thing my family requires. Besides, I've grown fond of your looks over these few moments." Gloss said much more quietly. "It's a very good offer you know. I am in line to be a very powerful man, and I do need a wife. All you would ever need to do for me was birth sons and serve as a beacon of hope."

"How dare you." Annie hissed feeling close to tears. She didn't want this. She just wanted Finnick, she wanted his touch and to hear his voice. She wanted to forget about this encounter and never see him ever again.

The song ended and Gloss bowed, and immediately Annie hurried away.

She stood at the edge of the dance floor by herself for a while, gazing at her sister and her enamored love. Why did her love have to be so difficult? As she was wondering this her eye was caught suddenly by a specific table. A slight young woman, of olive skin and a simple braid sitting with a man much her opposite with a merry appearance, blonde curls and eyes like morning glories.

"Aren't they a strange pair?" Marvel's sister Glimmer giggled.

"Who are they?" Annie asked, intrigued. There was something about the woman. Something that hit her much in the same way as Finnick did.

"Count Mellark and his wife Katniss." She said.

"She has no title?" Annie asked confused, had a Count married a commoner? Well, that would explain Glimmer's obvious disdain of the poor woman.

"Her title is Katniss, Huntress of the Old Wood." Glimmer said before leaning in close and saying in a hushed tone, "They say she's an elf."

"An elf!" Annie said, "You mean one of the fair folk?"

"Oh yes. But notice how her ears are covered. Others have asked and she nearly gutted them on the spot. I can't imagine what it took for Count Mellark to tame her. And certainly he could have done better." Lady Clove giggled and Annie immediately flushed with rage.

"Well, I believe Katniss, Huntress of the Old Wood is beautiful, and certainly she is above entertaining cruel court jokes." Annie said sharply and Glimmer and Clove giggled and walked away leaving Annie to sigh heavily and look back over at Katniss and Count Mellark only to see them looking back at her. Had she spoken more loudly then she had intended? She immediately blushed to her ears and tried to look away, only for a few moments later of the incessant feeling of eyes upon her she walked over and sat herself down at their table.

"Why hello. I'm Count Peeta Mellark, I normally just go by Peeta." He said with a smile that Annie could tell was honest.

"Annabel of House Cresta, I normally go by Annie." She said with a smile. Katniss just continued to stare at Annie openly for a few moments before Peeta got up,
"I have to go make my round to exchange pleasantries. It was nice meeting you Annabel." He said before leaving the table, only with Katniss and Annie there. They sat in an awkward silence for a few moments before Katniss cleared her throat.

"Thank you." She said quietly, "I normally hear such things, insulting my character and things of the like, and it does grate upon my nerves after a while."

"It's not a problem…I'm sorry to ask, but is it true? Are you an elf?" Annie asked, her own curiosity getting the better of her.

Not answering aloud, she pushed back her hair to reveal tapered ears, ears that looked uncannily similar to Finnick's. She only allowed a glance before her hand went back to rest upon her green skirts.

"You do not seem to be in disbelief. Does it have anything to do with the scent of fairy upon you?" Katniss asked, and before Annie could answer she felt a touch at her arm and looked up to see her sister.

"Annie, mother is asking for you." Cora said and Annie got up. She curtsied to Katniss, and Annie could swear she felt her eyes on her a long time afterwards.

Her mother sat with most of the older court's ladies. Cora and Annie took their turn curtsying before they sat down with them. Viscountess Effie was sitting among them, her powered wig so high that Annie had to almost crane her neck to see the top, and pinned with pink feathers and shaped like a tower of cakes that much matched her ensemble. So was the style of the Capitolise, where she hailed. She fanned herself with a fur and feather fan.

"My dear Cora and Annabel, how lovely it is to see you again." Viscountess Effie said with a smile.

"It's lovely to see you as well, Viscountess. How is your husband Viscount Abernathy?" Cora asked and Effie smiled.

"Very well thank you." She said before smiling, "I do believe I saw Annabel dancing with the Archduke's son."

"Oh yes. Isn't it wonderful Annie? Tell me, did you make a good impression?" Her mother asked and Annie sighed.

"I wonder." Annie said quietly, and Viscountess Effie just smiled.

"Well no matter, the feast is about to begin!" Viscountess Effie said, "All you need is a little food in you to get your hopes up."

Annie sighed and shook her head and hoped she would never see Gloss ever again.

Her mother and father's gazes were both locked on Annie as she fidgeted in her seat. She had been called from the library where she been attempting to find all she could on fairies, or mermen, but had severely disappointed. Most of anything there was on the merfolk was fairytales about mermaids. There wasn't even a single mention of mermen. But of course, it seemed that most encounters with mermen ended up in death so there probably weren't that many tales to tell. And yet again she wished she had had more time to speak with Katniss, Huntress of the Old Wood.

But then she had been escorted by the maids to a sitting room, where currently she was squirming under the gaze of her mother and father.

"The Archduke and his family are coming tonight for dinner." Her father said, and Annie clutched at her skirts with shaking fingers.

"Why would you be talking to me alone about this?" Annie asked quietly.

"The Archduke's son has made an offer for your hand. He tripled what we asked for a bride price." Her father said and Annie stared at him.

"You're wrong. This must be some sort of joke. Why would he do that?" Annie demanded, and her mother wiped at her eyes with her embroidered handkerchief.

"Because he wants to marry you! Isn't it wonderful?" Her mother said, choking on her joy, "I never thought the day would come so soon. Oh, Annie, this is just so wonderful! I have got to get the ordered begun for your dress."

"This isn't wonderful!" Annie said forcefully, "I refuse to marry him!"

"Annabel, now why on Earth would you say such a thing?" Her father said and Annie tried desperately to keep back her tears.

"Because, he insulted me. He was rude, and touched me inappropriately! I refuse to see him!" Annie snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"The Archduke's son? Annie, are you sure you aren't just saying that?" Her mother asked in an insinuating manner and Annie stared at her, appalled beyond belief and insulted.

"Mother, I would never lie about something like that! How could you say that, considering I've known you for all of my life? Are you just going to trust a man who you've known for a few days over your own daughter?" Annie demanded, her eyes now leaking the tears she had desperately tried to reign in.

"Annie, I'm sure whatever offense that Archduke's son made to you wasn't on purpose." Her father tried to soothe, but Annie just wasn't having it.

"I absolutely, positively refuse to see him. I refuse to marry him. I refuse to even be in the same room as him! Now I shall excuse myself to my chambers!" She snapped before storming off, despite the protests of her parents. She got into her room and locked all of the doors, before sitting upon her bed, covers drawn over her shoulders.

Her heart was so heavy and she felt so cold. But it wasn't the cold of Finnick's lips nor his hands, it was the aching, desolate cold of loneliness. She was, after all, breaking her promise. She had told him that she would be there tonight. Wouldn't he be worried about her? He would sit there all night waiting for her, whatever trinket he had brought clutched in his hand. Finnick was smart though. He wouldn't linger until morning when someone could spot him. But would he stay near? Would he wait for her?

What if he thought she wouldn't ever come again because she hated him?

She lay there, curled in her blankets and sheets, trying to brace herself from the waves of sadness and despair that threatened to send her into the dark. He wouldn't think that. They loved each other. No matter how ill conceived it was, Annie could tell he did.

"Finnick." The name formed from dry tongue and longing lips, and then like a ripened fruit it fell again, "Finnick."

She let her eyes drift close, and in that place between wakefulness and sleep she could feel him. She felt his hands touching her face, his lips softly pressing upon the hollow of her neck. Reverent hands pulled her to his naked form, and held her there gently. She was slipping away, into his touch, that was so loving that she could barely stand to be apart from it.

She let her head lull back as his lips dared the edge of her dress. She could hear his purr, the teasing hand pulling up the hem of dress.

"Annie." His voice was low and seductive, it send a primal shiver through her body. "Dreaming about me? You naughty girl, you should be here with me."

Yes, she thought, the pleasant haze of sleep and desire numbing her ability to think. Yes, she should be with him. She should be touching him, kissing him, loving him. But there was something…she couldn't-

She was distracted by the feeling of his rough, cold hands squeezing her thigh. She felt his other hand slide back, lifting her leg to allow his mouth to press against the arch of her foot, as it had all that time ago. She couldn't stop the squeak, nor the shivers of helpless delight from wracking her nearly limp body.

"Finnick…I love you." Annie sighed, the words so effortless, as if made to flow together.

"And I love you."

The voice wasn't Finnick's, it was taunting and filled with scorn. Annie's eyes flew open just as Gloss's hands closed over her throat. He was straddling her, blue eyes glared at her with a killing look; his mouth was drawn back into a grin of hatred, madness, cruelty, and glee. His hair was tousled, and his lips were swollen as if with kisses.

And he was choking the life out of her.

She could feel his hands around her neck, and the weight of his body crushing hers. She smelt wine on him, and perfume. In a blind panic, fueled by her desire to live, Annie tried to claw at his arms. Flailing with her arms, legs, even her body, but she just couldn't breathe. She couldn't, couldn't, couldn't; it was as if she was being crushed by the cold, black waves, pressed under by the force of the storm as she drowned again, sucking in water instead of air and expelling it forcefully to let out a scream-

Annie flew up in bed, soaked to the bone with sweat, her stomach churning. It was considerably darker then when she must've fallen asleep, and she realized the knocking on the door must've been what tore her from her nightmare. Blankets still wrapped around her shoulders, she walked to the door, but made no move to open it.

"What is it?"

"It's been decided." Her father said. "You shall marry Gloss."

"Father…" She croaked, her legs giving out as the weight of this announcement crushed her. She pressed her fingers against the door. "Do I get no choice nor voice in the matter regarding the rest of my life?"

"This is the best choice, love. This way you won't have to go back across the ocean. You will be protected and provided with everything imaginable. And eventually, my dear Annabel, perhaps you'll fall in love with him." Her father explained and Annie didn't even bother to hide the choking sobs.

"I could never fall in love with him, Father. I'm already in love with another man." Annie admitted, "Please. Don't do this to me."

"I know. You have been sneaking out and I knew. I tried not to see. But Annie, we cannot play any games anymore. This is the way it must be. Say goodbye to him tomorrow night."

"Father-"

"No arguments! Be grateful I am allowing this." He father said forcefully. "I will allow you to go and say goodbye to him on my blessing, then after that you will be married to Gloss."

"When? When shall I be married to him?" Annie asked, suddenly panicked.

"You shall be married to Gloss upon the next full moon." Her father told her, his tone resigned. "After tomorrow night you will not be allowed out past sunset. I shall have guards posted at your doors to keep any visitor from entering that is not one of your family, or your maids. And someone shall accompany you to all things."

"But father…that is too cruel." Annie sobbed. "Haven't I been through enough? Can't I be allowed some happiness? If I weren't a woman I would-"

"It's because you're a woman I must make sure you are taken care of. You and your siblings mean more to me then anything else, but Kai will always have the easy route. Cora had already made a fine choice. But Annie, how do I protect my daughter who refuses to be protected by her family? Even if you won't allow me, let a man who is worthy of you do so." Her father demanded but Annie just cried harder.

"I will be miserable all of my days with him." Annie told her father, "If you force me to do this, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"This is the best choice, my wonderful, strong daughter. Please, respect my decision." Her father said shortly, before she heard his footsteps fade away into the distance.

Annie cried until eventually, completely exhausted by her misery, she plunged into darkness and felt no more.

The ocean mocked her with its calmness. She sat staring out at the sea, wondering if this was how she would spend the rest of her days. Annie would probably never be allowed to see the ocean again up close, just as she would never see Finnick again. Annie would only ever be able to gaze from afar, dream about him.

It was going to end eventually. She tried to comfort herself. Maybe it's better this way.

"Finnick!" She called, and almost as soon as the name left her lips Finnick popped up above the water. Unlike usual he held back, gazing at her with a typical bored expression.

"I felt you yesterday." He said, "But you didn't come down to the ocean."

"Felt me?" She asked and he held out his hand to point over her heart.

"Here. You called me here, and I felt you. I felt sadness, love, and then panic. And then, you were gone. What happened?" He asked, drawing his hand away. Annie swallowed the lump in her throat and a strange laugh.

"You know how I told you that our kind court at balls?" She asked Finnick who nodded slowly. "Well…a man asked for my hand."

Finnick tensed up, every muscle in his body becoming stiff and rigid with rage.

"And you refused, didn't you?" He demanded and Annie nodded and wiped at her tears.

"I did. I vehemently refused. But it doesn't matter. I have no choice." Annie said quietly. "And I've been forbidden from ever coming here again. This is…the last time we can ever see each other."

Finnick touched her face, bringing her face to his as he began to kiss her tears.

"Don't cry. Please don't cry." Finnick begged, "Your tears hurt me."

"I can't help it, Finnick. I'm so sad. I'm never going to see you again! I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life married to a man I hate." Annie sobbed, and Finnick pulled back.

"There has to be a way to stop this. There has to be." Finnick said gently, but Annie grasped his hand.

"There's no way." Annie whispered.

"Then don't leave me." He said gently, touching her lips sending shivers down her spine.

"I don't have a choice." Annie said, covering his hand with hers. "We couldn't be together in the end. Even though I would do anything to change it. I am human. And you are a merman. We are two separate species."

He grasped her wrist and pressed her hand against his. His fingers were so long they could've easily folded over hers. They were scaly, webbed and finned, but they were hands just like hers. He smiled an almost desperate looking smile at her.

"Not too different." He said quietly, and Annie laughed a laugh that sounded more like a sob.

"Finnick…I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." She said, wiping away all of her useless tears. Finnick suddenly grasped her hands again, looking very serious.

"How long do I have?" He asked and Annie stared at him.

"How long? Until the next full moon but…Finnick…we can't do anything about this. It's over." Annie said and Finnick shook his head suddenly looking livid.

"It's not over. I just need to know how much time I have."

"No more time." Annie said hysterically, "I have no more time! This is it. The last moments of my life, my real life. For the rest of it I'll be married to a man I don't love. I'll be forced to warm his bed and have his children. I can't live like that, Finnick. I can't. I can't-"

"I won't allow him to touch you." He said forcefully, and Annie shook her head.

"What can you do to stop him?" Annie asked curling up into herself. "I don't want him to touch me, but I won't have a choice. He'll force me."

"He won't touch you." Finnick snapped, his teeth clenched. "He won't touch you if you don't want it. I won't let him."

"You can't do anything about it Finnick." Annie whispered. "So…before I have to go, can you kiss me? Can you kiss me good bye?"

He looked at her, and Annie's heart ached. He touched her chin, tipping it up so he could press his lips against hers. Finnick pressed his lips against hers, softly at first, before gaining passion. She was soon underneath him, her hands tangled in his hair, their mouths melded together as his tongue coaxed hers. He pulled back, grasping her hand by the wrist and turning her hand palm-up.

"Do you trust me?" He asked gently, pulling back her sleeve.

"Yes." She whispered,

"Then I shall give you something to keep you safe." Finnick said gently, "It will only work upon men who are not me nor your lifeblood. They will not be able to touch you.

Annie was about to say something just as Finnick pressed his lips upon her wrist. A gasp escaped her lips, and she completely forgot what it was. It felt as if a gossamer blanket of pure warmth and comfort settled over her shoulders. Finnick smiled at her and Annie smiled back wobbly.

"You will save me, won't you?" Annie asked, drawing her hand back from Finnick's touch her fingers tracing over the tingling skin where he had just kissed her. Finnick nodded, looking resolute.

"No matter what the cost, I will save you. So believe in me." Finnick said, "And fight back with all of your strength."

"I will." Annie said, her throat feeling as if it would close with the strength of her emotion.

"I will love you until the end of my life. Don't ever doubt it." Finnick said, holding her hands in his.

"I love you too."

"This isn't goodbye." Finnick promised and Annie bit her lip.

"Then why does it feel so much like one?" Annie asked and Finnick tipped up her head forcing her to look at him.

"This isn't goodbye until we make it so." Finnick said strongly. "Believe in me."

"I do. I'll believe in you." Annie said, grabbing his face and kissing him desperately. He kissed back just as strongly before Annie pulled away. She began to walk back to the house, not daring to look back until she was all the way up the sand and almost at the door. When she did, Finnick was gone and she was grabbed by the arm by a guard and led away back to her bedroom.

I bet half of you saw that coming, and I bet you can all guess what Finnick is going to do…but for the sake of cliffhangers,

DUH DUH DUUUUUUH!

I hope you all enjoyed the latest installment of Adrift. I believe there shall only be two more chapters after this, so just to prepare you guys!

Oh and by the way, researching fashion for ye olden days is difficult. When the conversations about color comes up, back in the olden times colors like purple and blue were only for the rich and powerful as to get your hands on the dye to make it was expensive, the same goes for bright colors as well. Also the design behind Cora's necklace was majorly inspired by Satine's necklace in Moulin Rouge. That necklace happens to be the most expensive piece of jewelry ever made for film and it featured a total of 1308 diamonds.

Thanks for all the amazing support in writing this story, please leave a review to tell me what you think, and if you want to read more from me check out my other Odesta fic Reaching You, but until next time ~OMGitsgreen