The Sterling Nightingale ⟷ Finnick Odair/OC

My power does not lie

A/N: Chapter warning - more smut ahead

Chapter Sixty | My power does not lie

"Was the fragrant breath of the breeze suddenly caused by the flutter of angel's wings, bringing tidings of unearthly joys to her, after all her suffering, or – faint and ill – was she the prey of delirium?" Emma Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel

Sil wakes up to a most peculiar sensation. It is undoubtedly composed of a combination of many things, including perhaps the lack of bright sunshine pooling into her face from her bedroom windows, and the muscles made sore from the day before during her long jaunt through District 1, and maybe also that she is not alone.

The realization comes to her slowly, as if she is breaking free of some trap that had kept her tied to only one reality. It's rather hard not to notice, though. Besides the incredible amount of warmth she's comfortably nestled against, she can feel light breathing against her hair.

She's only been in a position such as this with a handful of men in the last seven years, and none of them had been of her choosing. She's been lucky enough to not have be manipulated in such a way by President Snow. She's been to the odd hotel room, of course, but it had never been a regular occurrence like it had been for...

"Finnick," she breathes, and the floodgate of memory bombards her with last night's events. She opens her eyes, wanting to ensure that said memories aren't just wayward dreams conjured by a silly heart, but she needn't worry so much. Finnick is right there, breathing lightly with one arm strewn behind his head and the other wrapped around her waist. And...he isn't as asleep as she thought he was.

Sea green eyes flash down to hers as a mischievous grin takes hold of his features. The sound of his name seems to pull him out of whatever thought he had been embroiled in, for he turns to catch Sil's wide eyes with a daring smirk.

"Silver," he murmurs back. His eyes flicker over her, taking in the mussed up white-blonde hair and the flushed cheeks. Her lips are bruised, and she's got a love mark that she's probably unaware of on her collar. He purses his lips to stop himself from grinning and decides not to inform her of its existence, lest she cover it up.

As if she is utterly shocked that he's really here, and that her memories aren't just a dream, Sil pushes herself up on her elbows and stares at him. He stares back with casual apathy, watching the emotions flickers across her face in interest. After a moment of this, Finnick can't help but drawl, "It's alright, take it all in. I'm used to this type of response."

His words make Sil jerk a little, pushing back. She feels at once unsure of what she should do. This is...irregular. She doesn't think she's ever experienced a morning after – certainly not with someone she actually loves.

For the first time in her life, Silver Lamprey Cornelius has absolutely no idea what to do. What happened to the suave seductress she'd been last night, when she had fearlessly stripped down in front of him and boldly touched him? Is she suddenly incapable of those brazen passions? All she feels able to do is stare at him.

Finnick seems to find her reaction amusing. He's already chuckling to himself as he lays there, watching her like she's the most hilarious creature on the planet. His laughter doesn't exactly help her cause. With a jolt, Sil sits up, turning away from him to search for her clothes. She blushes a bright red when she realizes that they're by the pool.

"Gracious!" she exclaims, her posh accent coming out at full force. Finnick thinks it's adorable. Also very amusing.

"You alright, sugar?" he purrs from the pillows, nudging her with his knee. She jumps up at the sudden move and he laughs, "You don't look too good."