Rising Storm

Chapter 8

Katniss

"A little birdie told me that you are going to be getting a diamond today," Cinna says as he tightens my corset. I look down at my freshly painted toes, the acrylic ones glued to the prosthetic glittering green next to the others off leash and blood.

"Did you?" I ask.

"I didn't think that it would be a surprise," he says as he goes back to the corner and unzips one of the many black bags that have held my banquet gowns. "Haymitch said you had planned it this way, for it to be a public spectacle at the feast."

"We did," I say.

"I figured you would be more excited," he says. "I mean, the two of you love each other." I nod, smiling.

"Yes, we are happy," I say. "But this is all just a show. The diamond he's going to slip on my finger doesn't mean to us what it's going to mean to Panem." I turn around to face him. "Can you keep a secret?"

"I would hope so," he says. "You've told me enough things that people shouldn't know."

"Peeta and I were engaged five days ago," I say. "He gave me the emerald ring from his District 5 suit. We intended to elope in a secret ceremony after the snow melts at home." He laughs.

"Well that explains the whispers and the glances for the last week," he says as he pulls the long green gown from beneath the black bag. "I'm sure you'll make something very special of it." He slips the silky fabric over me and the dress is form fitting as he pulls its drawstrings secure against me.

I look down at shining green fabric. I run my fingers over the intricate blue embroidery and look into the mirror as I feel Cinna sewing in place a train of the most percolate feathers I have ever seen. The long plumes are green and spindly, topped with a flash of indigo at their tops like piercing eyes.

"It is like they are staring at me," I whisper. Cinna laughs.

"The eyes of Argus," he says. "They help a peacock show of, to make a bird the size of a turkey look as large and magnificent as a god. Or a goddess in your case." I chuckle and fiddle with the ring around my neck.

"I only hope I don't outshine what is happening tonight," I say. "It's so important that we get this right."

"Everything will work out," he says and his eyes move to my fingers around the emerald. "Can I see that?" I reach around my neck and unclasp the necklace, handing my most precious possession to him. He looks it up and down and then closes it in his hand.

"I'll get this fitted and cut so you can wear it properly when you leave, he says and I smile.

"You are too kind to me, Cinna," I say softly.

"I only want my inspiration to finally get what she deserves," he says and with that, he takes his due and leaves. I look into the mirror again and turn slowly, watching the eyes spread and settle on their iridescent green pillow. I stop as I hear a knock on the door. I step off the small pedestal and go to it, opening it just a crack before Peeta barges in.

"What on Earth are you doing here?" I ask and he stops at the small vanity in the corner.

"Haymitch is driving me crazy about how this thing is supposed to go down and I just, I needed to get away from all that," he says talking to me through the mirror. I step towards him, the earrings I wear tinkling softly in my ears.

"I'm scared too," I say. "I'm a horrible actress, you know that. How am I supposed to pull of fake tears and happiness about all this? I mean I know I have to but, it's just all so terrifying."

"Katniss, we'll be fine, I'm just so-,"He gets up and turns to see my full dress. "Wow."

"What?" I ask. "You've seen me in a million ball gowns this week. What's the big deal?"

"I just haven't really seen you look so," he pauses a moment, trying to pinpoint the word. "Emphasized before." I look down at my cinched waist and pushed up bosom and cross my arms over my chest.

"It's just tight," I say.

"It looks good on you," he says. "It makes your eyes sparkle." I feel myself blush and laugh nervously.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I say. He wears a smart black suit with a type matching the blue in my embroidery and a dress shirt matching the shade of my gown. "Although I prefer you with curls." I say as I gently touch his hair that's been slicked to the side.

"I think I like yours too," he says and I shake the dark trendles Cinna made my hair into.

"Well, enjoy them while they last because when we get home, my hair won't look much like this anymore," I say and he smiles.

"I don't mind looking at you no matter how you look," he says and as I'm about to answer, there is a knock on the door. Haymitch looks in and frowns.

"It's time guys," he says. I nod and together, Peeta and I walk towards the stage, parting ways as we reach the steps so that we can enter separately.

The proposal is nothing special, just Peeta calling me beautiful and asking for me to be his wife. I carefully pretend to wipe my eyes, scratching the edge in the corner with my nail to cause a perfectly timed tear to slip down my cheek in perfect view of the camera as I clutch my chest and say yes. Not a dry eye in the room at Peeta and my performance.

The cold diamond slips on my finger as President Snow makes a surprise appearance to congratulate the happy couple. He shakes Peeta's hand and kisses my cheek with his puffy overblown lips. I look at him as he pulls away, asking him the silent question and he gives a shake of his head. I turn back to Peeta, my heart dropping to the bottom of my gut as I join my fiancé for a soft sweet kiss, fearing for both our futures and the horrors on the horizon.