Hi all! Sorry for the wait. The new chapter is finally here!

ALSO HAVE YOU ALL SEEN THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES MOVIE TRAILER?! I AM SO HYPED!

Also Rachel Zegler is my fav so I can't wait to see her as Lucy!

Now go read!

Lucy's heart races as her lips part from Coriolanus's in the midst of their soft kiss. Her mind clouds with desire and longing as a small smile creeps onto her face. She pulls away slowly, keeping the distance between them small. She still feels his breath on her neck when she looks up at him, finding that he's smiling too. "Coriolanus," she whispers, her voice quivering. "Please stay with me. We can find a way to make it work. I don't want you to leave."

She sees Coriolanus's face turn contorted with what seems to be a blend of affection and anguish as he searches Lucy's eyes for understanding. "Lucy," he puts his hand over hers. "I wish I could stay, but my family needs me. Tigris, and grandma'am—they rely on the money I'm making back at the Capitol." Coriolanus sighs. "They must be worried sick about me. I've been away from them for too long."

Lucy's pleading gaze meets Coriolanus's, she squeezes his hand tight. "I understand your responsibilities Coryo, but can't we find a way to help your family while you're here? We can support them together. Please, you can't leave because…because I love you too Coryo."

Coriolanus's expression softens. Lucy sees the gratitude and sorrow mingling in his eyes as he speaks again. "Your feelings overwhelm me. I can't express enough how thankful I am that you forgive me. But I can't burden you with the responsibility of my family. They are my duty, and I need to be there for them. I have to go back."

Lucy's shoulders slump, her disappointment mingling. A heavy sigh escapes her lips, carrying the weight of her unfulfilled desires. "I understand. Your family needs you, and I can't ask you to choose between them and me. It's just... it's difficult for me to let you go again."

Coriolanus's grip on Lucy's hand tightens, his thumb gently traces circles on her skin, as if trying to convey his love and remorse through his touch. "Lucy, you mean the world to me. This decision tears me apart as well. But I cannot ignore the needs of my family."

Lucy slowly nods her head. "I understand."

"Do you know of a way that I could get back?" Coriolanus asks.

"I'm not sure." Lucy looks back towards the camp, squinting her eyes. "Ms. Kiera says that they cannot send a transport back, it is too risky. And she is right, Coryo. What if the Capitol finds out? We cannot afford to get discovered."

Coriolanus takes a deep breath in. "I know you won't like what I am going to ask but…do you think you could perhaps…get her to reconsider?"

"Coryo, I–"

Coriolanus squeezes her hand harder. "Please. For me?"

Lucy looks into his eyes. She sees them filled with nothing but love and compassion. "Okay. I will try."

Lucy's heart sinks. But, determined to assist him, she guides herself through the forest trees to their camp leader, Ms. Kiera. As she approaches her tent, Lucy feels a nagging feeling that something is amiss. She quickly shakes it off and goes inside.

"Ms. Kiera!" Lucy calls out.

"Lucy! Where did you run off to earlier?" Ms. Kiera's eyebrows raise.

Lucy pauses, unsure of how to proceed. She cannot tell her the truth: that she is in love with Coriolanus. The camp will never help her, they will think she is too lovestruck to see common sense. So Lucy says: "Oh, I ummmm…just wanted to be alone." It isn't a complete lie, it just isn't the truth either.

"And what brings you back here?" Ms. Kiera crosses her arms and approaches Lucy.

Lucy takes a deep breath. This is the moment of truth. "I talked to Coriolanus–"

"Oh yes. The boy we found."

"Yes…I think we should send him home." Lucy looks up at the camp leader with begging eyes.

"Lucy," Ms. Kiera sighs, pity spreads all over her face. "You know why we can't do that."

"I know. But, please, Ms. Kiera. He has a family back home, and they need him. He doesn't deserve to be left behind." Lucy looks down at the ground, unsure on how Ms. Kiera would react.

Ms. Kiera's face tenses, her brows furrow in concern. "Lucy, we have to be cautious. Transporting the boy back to the districts could put the entire camp in danger. We've worked hard to keep our location a secret from the Capitol and using one of our transports might reveal our whereabouts."

Lucy understands the gravity of the situation, but her compassion for Coriolanus burns brighter than her fear. She looks into Ms. Kiera's eyes with unwavering determination. "But Ms. Kiera, Coriolanus is missing his family. We can't turn our backs on him when we can help. There must be a way to get him home safely without endangering the camp."

"Lucy, I have always admired you for your remarkable heart," Ms. Kiera says, her voice tinged with a mix of reluctance and admiration. She sighs and seems to give in. "I'll consider your words carefully. How about we gather the camp leaders and discuss this further."

Lucy's spirit lifts, grateful that Ms. Kiera is open to considering a solution. Together, they assemble the camp leaders, explaining the situation and seeking their input. The atmosphere is tense, but the collective desire by all the leaders to assist Coriolanus prevails.

As ideas are shared and debated, Lucy's determination never wavers. She proposes a plan that involves reaching out to a trusted contact that Ms. Kiera has outside the Capitol's radar. This contact has the means to transport Coriolanus back home discreetly, without compromising the camp's location.

Ms. Kiera speaks, her voice filled with cautious resolve. "Lucy, your plan seems viable, and it aligns with our principles of protecting those in need while safeguarding our camp. But I just have one issue. How well do you know this boy? How do we know he won't give up our position?"

Lucy thinks long and hard before answering. She knows deep down that she has lied a bit. Coriolanus lives in the Capitol, not the districts. The leaders will never trust a Capitol boy. But can she trust a Captiol boy to keep the camp a secret? After all, he can easily turn them in. In fact, it will probably allow him to gain more power because of the loyalty he shows. But Lucy feels that he loves her, and love will always overpower loyalty, because love conquers all. "No, he will keep this place to himself. I swear it."

"Okay. I think it is settled then. I will reach out to our contact and make the necessary arrangements. Everyone is dismissed."

Lucy lets out a gasp of relief. Lucy runs up to Ms. Kiera and quickly wraps her arms around her. "Thank you so much Ms. Kiera!"

Lucy realizes she probably should have asked before hugging the camp leader. But surprisingly, Ms. Kiera returns the hug. "You are welcome Lucy, just don't make me regret it."

"I won't. I promise." Lucy smiles before quickly running off.

In the heart of a sprawling forest, Lucy finds herself running with unbridled determination. Her chest heaves, her feet pound against the leaf-covered ground, and her heart beats wildly with every step. As she runs, she can hear the rustle of leaves, the distant songs of mockingjays, and the rhythmic babbling of a nearby brook. Then she stops when a sight beholds her.

There he is waiting. He stayed for her! His messy blond hair blows in the wind as he attempts to play her guitar. Lucy giggles softly at his playing. He could use some lessons. "Maybe she can teach him a few strums," she thinks to herself.

She shakes those thoughts off. She cannot hold in her excitement anymore. "Coryo!" She shouts, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and elation. He turns to her, his smile bright. Lucy smiles back. "I've found a way to bring you home!"

Coriolanus' eyes widen, and Lucy sees a surge of emotions course through him. "Lucy, you've done it! Thank you!"

Unable to contain her overwhelming happiness, Lucy runs to him and falls into his tight embrace. Their bodies meld together, and their hearts beat in perfect synchrony.

Lucy's love overflows. Without hesitation, she leans in and presses her lips against his, sealing their reunion with a passionate kiss. The world around her fades away, leaving only him. She knows that this means he will go, but Lucy cannot wait to spend every last moment she has with him. She cannot wait to be truly happy for the first time in forever.

Will love conquer all? Find out soon. Thank you all for reading!

-23LucyGrace