HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 68

Something caught Lilith's eye, and she slipped herself free, leaving Coriolanus empty-handed and pondering just what on earth he was doing. Rooted to the spot, he tracked her as she roamed the cabin curiously. It was as if she wasn't surrounded by such opulence on a daily basis.

"Hang on—" Lilith was bent over the aisle seat, scrutinizing the Snow crest embroidered onto leather headrest. Then she turned to him in astonishment. "This is your hovercraft?"

"Why do you think we're on it?" His voice came out too harsh, and he saw her practically shrinking into herself.

Meekly, she mumbled, "I just thought the military would provide transport since its their event we're attending."

"They do," said Coriolanus, more evenly now. "I just prefer to run on my own schedule."

There had been a period he had to travel back and forth quite a bit, both for his role in the military and as heir to Plinth Industries. Strabo had relied solely on the company jet, which was shared between the executives. Coriolanus didn't like sharing; he never had. Once he considered the time savings and translated that into monetary value based on his hourly wage, it made perfect financial sense for him to get his own plane.

"Of course."

One half of his crew emerged then, introducing himself to his new passenger as their attendant and welcoming them onboard. Pegasus Rogers, however, like his partner, Caelus Barnes, was actually a captain. Both had been exceptional pilots in the air force until Coriolanus lured them into the private sector. In accordance with aviation law mandating all aircraft to be operated by at least two qualified persons, they functioned as a tag team, with one acting as the steward while the other flew the jet and then swapping for the return leg.

"Our flight time today will be approximately one hour and forty-eight minutes, with an estimated time of arrival in District Two at six thirty-eight p.m. The weather should clear up as we head down south, so we should expect quite the sunset on our right flank as we make our descent. If I could get you two to take your seats and fasten up, we'll begin our taxi shortly."

When Coriolanus bought the aircraft, he never intended for it to be much more than a flying car. So, while the seats were plush and luxurious, each capable of reclining fully and being transformed into beds, there were only two of them. Situated adjacent to one another and midway down the fuselage, both faced forwards and were flushed to the side away from the door. Back-lit by three round windows, a sofa he never used lined the wall space between them and the sixty-inch screen mounted at the front. A matching coffee table was screwed into the carpeted floor. Toward the back was a bathroom fitted with a shower stall and the galley, which was really a series of lacquered mahogany cabinets concealing everything from a minibar to necessary safety equipment.

As Rogers sealed and armed the doors, Coriolanus gestured to the window seat. Obediently, Lilith settled herself in, but seemed confused by the seat belt situation.

"Have you never been on a hovercraft?" he asked, the notion just dawning on him.

"No, sir," admitted Lilith. "It's my first time."

Coriolanus tried not to let the dread drown him. "But Gaia tells me you don't get airsick."

"My parents used to take me on the helicopter and I was fine." Her eyes dimmed the same way they had when she claimed it wasn't a Gold family tradition that dictated flowers in her hair only when it was worn up, and she frowned. "That was a long time ago, though. I could be wrong."

Before he knew it, Coriolanus found himself on his feet, reaching into an overhead compartment he knew housed the first aid kit. It was neatly packed, and he located what he needed easily. He had to rifle through several cupboards, however, before conceding that a lollipop was his best bet. In possession of candy, medicine, and a bottle of room-temperature mineral water, he returned to his seat.