HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 98

Lilith wasn't sure how the thirty minutes had passed, but Snow was bidding her good night. She bade hers, too, but then they just stood there, each on one side of the entrance hall's threshold, gazing at each other. She didn't want him to go. She didn't want to have to watch him leave. Neither did she want to shut the door on him. If time stopped now, trapping them in this moment, she would be content.

She knew their days were numbered—the Games wouldn't go on much longer. She had until the end of the month at most, but even that seemed a stretch with what was in store. Although she had already enjoyed far more than her fair share, for the first time, she wanted more. And when he gazed at her like that, it almost felt as though she could have more.

The hope that swelled in her chest whenever the thought surfaced was like a vice tightening around her heart, around her lungs, around her neck—painful, and she couldn't breathe. Lilith strived to push it away altogether, knowing he would see, knowing she would have no more excuses, no more explanations, and utterly terrified that she would accidentally blurt out the truth.

Criseida's voice made her jump.

"Lilith? Is that you?"

Her head popped out first, her hair falling away from her face as a shiny ebony curtain as she peered around the wall. Then her eyes lit up and she emerged in a sleeveless copper-coloured silk blouse paired with high-waisted black palazzo pants—her home clothes.

"General Snow, what a surprise," she said, bustling over in her bare feet. "Lilith, are you inviting the Head Gamemaker to join us for dinner?"

Speechless with dismay, Lilith just stared at Criseida.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gold," interjected Snow, "but I wouldn't want to impose."

"Oh, not at all. Our chef always makes plenty."

"So does mine," he said humorously. "I shouldn't disappoint her with my absence. Maybe some other time."

"Some other time, then," echoed Criseida. "Good night, General."

"Good night, Mrs. Gold. Good night, Lilith."

"Good night," whispered Lilith.

Flashing her a smile, Snow pivoted without hesitation and descended the steps. The rear lights of his car had curved around the fountain in the middle of the drive and vanished around the gate when Criseida closed the door. She gazed at Lilith with a solicitous look.

"You okay?"

After a second, Lilith gave up and shook her head. Criseida sighed and immediately wrapped her in an embrace. The prickling that developed spontaneously in Lilith's eyes could not be quelled by the stroking of her back. Lilith gritted her teeth to hold in the tears, and the question escaped her in a hiss.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?" asked Criseida.

"How did you...?" Lilith faltered, unsure how to phrase her queries so as not to seem rude or nosy. So much for being a genius.

Criseida drew back to see her face, which was moist despite her efforts. She wasn't appalled, just sympathetic as she guided Lilith onto the leather bench built into the alcove used for wearing shoes. Lilith wiped her own cheeks and tried again.

"You and Daddy... How did...? You were his... How did you...? How did...?" Lilith couldn't tell if she was sobbing from her aching insides or just pure frustration with herself for not finding the words.

"How did we decide to be together?" asked Criseida, still rubbing soothing circles behind Lilith's back. Lilith nodded keenly. "I'm not sure there was really a decision for me. It just felt more like walking down a path."