Beth absent mindedly stared at the ring on her hand, it was like everything else in the Capitol - outrageous. The thin, almost fragile looking, silver band that wrapped around her ring finger had a single huge diamond sitting atop it. It looked alien on her slender hand.
Her move to the Capitol had been swift. There had been no goodbyes or explanations. For all she knew the people of District 3 probably thought the earth had opened up and swallowed her whole. It sure felt that way to Beth. But that was not entirely correct. On her way out of Victor's Village Beth had noticed Wiress' face peeking out of a crack in her blinds. Beth wished she could have hugged her but she knew that a wrong move would have put herself and others in danger.
There was an interview scheduled for later that day. Beth would attend it together with her soon-to-be husband President Snow. The interview was his way of announcing their engagement. It would be her first appearance in public since that day in her study. The entire marriage was a publicity stunt so there was no other way to announce it then to do so with an interview broadcasted to all of Panem - the viewing was of course mandatory. Beth was sure that it would be the same for her wedding day. She had never really thought about her wedding day or marriage in general but this was not the way she would have ever imagined it to go.
Beth sighed and leaned back in her chair. She was sitting in the library of the presidential palace. She had become quite fond of it in the couple days that she spent here and it had been easy enough to find without having to wander too far. Snow had been busy - something Beth was thankful for - so throughout the day she only saw him for meals, the nights were a different story. Of course they had been sharing a room and a bed. Beth wasn't surprised by that. It did surprise her though that he had not made any big moves on her since she had been here. Had she done something wrong? Beth chastised herself for letting her thoughts go down that path. She should be happy that Snow had left her alone but instead she wondered what mistake she had made for him to give her the silent treatment. Maybe he had just gotten bored of her?
Not long after, a Capitol employee found Beth in the library and led her through the maze that was the presidential palace. The room she ended up in had been converted to a workspace for her stylist and his assistants.
Beth was met with questions and exclamations of joy and congratulations from the assistants. Her stylist shushed them before putting his hands on his hips.
'Beth, Darling, I had no idea! We are all so excited for you!' A huge smile was plastered on his face as he hugged her and then looked her up and down. 'All of this is making me so giddy. I can't wait to talk about it. We've of course been sworn to secrecy until after the announcement. But don't you worry, I have everything planned. You're going to look absolutely stunning every step of the way.'
The time to relax was officially over. From this moment on Beth would have to be absolutely and utterly in love with President Snow.
'I'm so happy to see you, Sven! I've missed you.' Beth gave both his assistants a little wave and smile.
'Let's get you ready then, you have somewhere very important to be.'
Beth zoned out while the assistants undressed her, did her makeup, and applied a variety of lotions to her skin. The dress they put her into was a light gray strapless mountain of tulle. A belt cinched and accentuated her waist. The fabric ended just above mid thigh. Her hair was combed back, clips, adorned with light gray pearls, on both sides of her head held it in place. The heels they put her into were of the same color and had massive tulle bows attached to the back of the heels. Sven seemed very pleased with his creation. Beth on the other hand barely got the time to turn in front of the mirror before she was led to her next destination.
When the doors to the luxurious living room opened to reveal Caesar Flickerman, a small camera crew, and President Snow, Beth imagined that this had to be how actors felt on their opening night. She felt the kind of nervousness that made your voice and your knees shake - not enough to be noticed by others but just enough to make you question if it would have been wise to invest an additional hour into learning your lines.
The setup was cozy compared to the huge stages she had gotten used to during the Games. It was intimate and that made the whole thing even scarier. Snow had made it unmistakably clear that she had to convince everyone, especially the people in the districts, that her love for the Capitol, and Snow as its leader, had no limits. Beth mentally gave herself an encouraging pat on the back before she entered the room.
Beth focused on Snow, a smile appearing on her face as she made her way over to him. She was reaching for him before she had taken her last step and laced their fingers. Snow reacted instantly, lifting her hand to his lips before pulling her closer. Beth buried her face in his chest for a second before turning and greeting Caesar. It was interesting to see how down to earth Caesar Flickerman seemed when the cameras were not turned on. It was equally interesting to Beth to see how Caesar's demeanor changed instantly when the cameras were in place and a blinking red light indicated that the countdown had started.
'Good afternoon, I have very exciting news to share with you today. News about a very special engagement.'
The camera panned over to show Beth and Snow sitting on the couch while Caesar introduced them and Beth had to stop herself from laughing as she thought about the faces everyone she knew was probably making at the revelation that she would be marrying Snow. Instead she linked her arm with Snow's and leaned into him. She looked up at him dreamily while he was making small talk with Caesar.
'She is an incredible young woman, how could anyone not love her.'
President Snow seemed genuine and if Beth hadn't known that all of it was a scheme she would have believed him. He covered her hand with his and squeezed it tightly before continuing.
'We're all very lucky to have her.'
Caesar inhaled deeply before agreeing with Snow. 'You are of course right, President Snow. And I think I am speaking for everyone when I say that we are delighted about the news and the fact that we are allowed to share this. You make a great couple, radiating the happiness we all strive to achieve. Would you share some details with us, Beth?'
The cameraman zoomed in on their hands before focusing the camera on Beth.
'Well Caesar, you mentioned 'looking forward to surprises' when we last spoke. I have to admit I am probably as surprised as you are.' Beth let out a little laugh. 'If you had asked me back then where I would be right now this would have been the last place I would have thought of.' She looked over at Snow again, studying him, a soft smile playing on her lips. 'But I also have to admit that I am happier than I could ever accurately express. My heart is just so full. So full of love. It almost feels overwhelming. And I am incredibly grateful to be able to spend my life with the person that means the world to me.' Beth closed her eyes for a second, tightening her grip on Snow's arm, before looking back at Caesar.
'Thank you for sharing it with us, Beth.'
Snow's free hand was slowly stroking up and down Beth's thigh as if to reassure her that she had done well. She felt relieved that her part in the interview had been small and the focus was back on Snow who was discussing the upcoming wedding with Caesar before the interview was over.
When Beth entered the dining room later that evening Snow was already seated at the table. She looked at him briefly before sitting down and spreading the napkin over her lap. Beth had been in a daze the last couple hours, the weight of the situation setting in and making itself comfortable on her chest. Beth felt that breathing shouldn't be this hard and tried to ignore the lump in her throat that made it increasingly hard to swallow. The food that was set down in front of her by an avox looked delicious, but the veggies looked a bit too bright in color, the meat smelt a bit too good, it almost seemed fake and Beth's breathing sounded too loud to her own ears in the room that was otherwise silent save for the clanking of cutlery against the plates and the noise of glasses being lifted and put back down on the table.
Beth had taken a few bites in between poking her food with her fork before she set the fork down. Her breathing was fast and angry sighs kept escaping her lips against her will. She took a big sip of her wine before setting the glass down on her table a bit too forcefully. Beth was angry, angry at the situation, angry at herself, angry at Snow.
The noise seemed to get Snow's attention. He folded his hands on the table, inclined his head, and for the first time in days actually looked at Beth. His gaze held hers for a few seconds before he started speaking.
'What seems to be the problem, Miss Black?'
Beth huffed and bit her lip. 'Nothing.'
'And here I thought you were a good liar. How disappointing.' Snow's calm words cut Beth deep. She didn't even realize that she stood up. Clenching her fists at her sides she opened and closed her mouth. Her mind was racing yet her head was empty at the same time. It almost seemed like she was arguing with herself, begging herself to apologize, sit back down, and eat her dinner.
Beth wasn't sure if she wanted a reaction out of Snow but for some reason the fact that he seemed so calm and so unphased while she was struggling to breathe made her even angrier. Her voice was nothing more than a shaky whisper when she opened her mouth, her words cutting through the air between them 'You disgust me.'
All of Beth's anger washed away and a feeling of dread overtook her the second she looked at Snow's face. She had never seen him angry and she wanted nothing more than to take back what she had said. He slowly pushed his chair back, neatly folding his napkin and placing it on the edge of the table before standing up and taking his first step.
'I'm sorry…' Beth's sentence was cut off when her front met the table, Snow's hand around the back of her neck held her in place.
'You should choose your next words wisely, Miss Black. I've been very patient with you.'
Snow slowly ran his hand over Beth's butt before flipping her dress up. Beth was trying to wiggle away but soon realized that it was of no use. The first slap took her by surprise, a sob tore itself from her lips as his hand made contact with her butt.
'I'm sorry, I didn't…'
Beth was cut off again by another slap.
'You didn't mean to? Really, Miss Black. I had hoped for something more creative.'
The soft touch on Beth's abused butt cheek did little to soothe the stinging pain and the third slap made it far worse. Her skin was turning bright red and felt incredibly hot.
'Please, I didn't think…' This time Beth stopped herself before the fourth slap made her whimper. Her eyes were watering while Snow's hand rubbed up and down her thigh. She tried to wiggle away again but that only made Snow hold her tighter.
'I can tell.'
By the fifth slap Beth's whimpers turned breathy, she was pressing her butt into his hand that was drawing circles on her abused skin. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and soaking into the fine tablecloth.
The sixth slap made Beth moan. She was backing herself into Snow's hand. Focusing on what he said became harder and harder.
'None of this has to be hard, Miss Black. You simply have to do what you're told.' Snow's voice was like a lifeline to Beth.
'I promise I'll behave.' Beth's voice was shaky and her words transitioned into another moan as the seventh slap hit her butt.
'Very good.' Snow seemed pleased and it made Beth smile. Snow slowly released his grip on her neck and ran his hand lightly over her skin. He wiped away the tears that were slowly drying on her cheeks. 'It seems, all you needed was a good outlet for all those confusing feelings, doesn't it?'
Snow didn't give her the time to answer his question before he continued speaking.
'But you still interrupted the main course, so we might as well make use of this little intermission and enjoy dessert.'
Beth's eyes widened when Snow hooked his arm under her leg and flipped her over. He grabbed both sides of her underwear and slowly peeled it off of her before he slid the drenched fabric down her legs. Her hand made its way into his hair when his lips closed around her clit and her back arched off the table when he sucked hard. Beth distantly registered the sound of something hitting the floor as she clawed at the table cloth.
Snow wrapped one arm around Beth's waist to hold her still while his other hand carefully spread her open for him. He took a moment to take the contrast of the red on her butt and thighs and the pink of her cunt in before he leaned back in. He pressed his tongue to her core and slowly licked up her folds until he reached her clit again. Beth's moans bounced off the walls of the dining room. She tightened her grip on his hair and hooked her legs over his shoulders. She was desperate to keep his mouth on her.
His tongue left her clit and his fingers took its place, rubbing back and forth slowly, and Snow breathed in deeply before he pushed his tongue into her. Alternating fast kisses, slow broad strokes of his tongue, and his fingers on her clit made Beth's toes curl. The string of sounds leaving her mouth was as unintelligible as her thoughts.
When Beth fell over the edge her moans sounded choked and her vision turned blurry.
She had no idea how long it had taken her to catch her breath but when her heart rate was finally back to normal she slowly turned her head to look at Snow.
Snow gently removed Beth's hands and legs from his body and got up. He was staring down at her and took her in before he flipped her dress back down.
'Finish your dinner, Miss Black.'
Snow didn't wait for Beth to move. When Beth finally peeled herself away from the table and slowly walked back to her seat on shaky legs, Snow was already focused on his meal. The room was silent again save for the sounds of cutlery and glassware and Beth's sharp inhale when her butt made contact with the chair.