HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 102

Obviously, it was, because Lilith was currently choking on it.

Snow's somber expression was tempered only by a weak smile as he nodded.

"I'm glad you understand."

Since her voice was destined to be out of commission for a while, Lilith forced herself to nod in response.

With a deep breath, Snow's manner brightened, and he said, "Since you're here, and since you're the apprentice, I'll let you have the news first: I'm giving everyone the day off tomorrow. The Crowning will be set on Friday. Three days is usually enough time for us to get everything together. You don't have to come with me to address the sponsors. Go get some rest. Unlike your friends, it's not just a party you'll be needed for."

No, the apprentice would be involved until the Crowning, then enjoy the closing ball with the rest of the students. With her additional role as the Head Gamemaker's assistant, however, Lilith would also be responsible for organizing the Gamemakers' feast—held the day after the closing—he threw to reward their efforts through the tournament.

Lilith nodded.

When nothing else happened for a few seconds, Snow added, "I'll see you at the Citadel on Tuesday."

She had been quiet too long. She had been standing here too long. She was being impolite. This was her cue. Her brain grasped all of these facts, but it was hard to get her body to work as it should.

"Yes, sir," said Lilith at last.

Leaving was another feat altogether, and after just one step, she paused, turning back and staring again at those tortoise-shell discs.

"You should..." It was as if all that hope lodged in her throat was a solid obstruction. Lilith gulped, and it hurt. "You should do something about your hair before you get back."

Then she commanded herself to walk. Walk, and not run. She could walk as briskly as she wanted, but she could not run. And she could not cry. She would have to face friends, classmates, colleagues. People who knew where she had been—and with whom. What would they think if she returned in tears?

Nothing, because she didn't.

Cora was making the exact announcement in the Gamemakers' box, where every single Gamemaker on site had assembled.

"...so Head Gamemaker is giving us tomorrow off." She waited for the murmurs of delight to die down before continuing. "This also means it's time to say goodbye to our young friends from the University. It has been a wild road to the arena"—everyone chuckled—"and we thank you for your service. Please give our mentees a round of applause."

Led by Cora, the Gamemakers obliged with a warm one that stretched at least half a minute.

"The next time we shall meet will be at the banquet, and we hope it will not be the last." Cora beamed. "Long live the Games!"

"Long live the Games!"

As everyone packed up, Lilith stuck to her best friends like glue, suggesting they stayed over to make up for last night. Regulus trumped this by proposing they all went on Liberty; his crew could get it stocked and fueled within an hour. It wasn't an issue for Lilith. As long as she could be with Athena, her thoughts would be in check.

Everyone already had their overnight gear from the previous day. The guys could wear their undergarments or shorts as trunks, and both Olympia and Athena had at least half a dozen swimsuits each at Lilith's place ready to go. So the girls made a stop at the lake house to collect them and Lilith's things, then boarded the yacht for dinner. It wasn't particularly fancy, but the Kingsley kitchen's beer-battered cod and thick-cut potato fries had always been equal parts sinful and comforting.