Never Leave Me Alone

Chapter 8

Katniss

I sit in my room, writing a letter to my mother. She wrote to me, saying that she was hoping for good news and that I was settling in well. I carefully write to her in French, knowing most spies who wish me harm only speak my native Spanish or Peeta's English.

'Dearest Mother,

I am glad to hear of your pleasent spirits. I was welcomed to my new home with open arms and a warm family in the Mellarks. His Highness does everything he can to make me feel the most welcome and we often look out of the garden to see the warm fires of the Coal Land.

I have confided in my betrothed about the threats upon my life back in the Seam and has taken actions to protect me here. He goes through rigorus checks of any person who wishes to join my service and has had one of his own guards placed outside my door at all times and just outside any room I might enter. Our food is brought out in one solid meal and tasted in front of us. I do believe that I am under the upmost care here. I just do feel safer here with the heir and his family.

I hope that you understand that I wish I could come home, but as we both know, there are many of our lovely land who wish ill against me. So I must ask that you please send matters here through a trusted embassador. I will do my best to keep them secret and take care of my duties as the Queen of Seam as well as planning my marriage here.

I am very happy here and wish the very best life and health to Your Magesty.

Katniss, Queen of the Seam and Lady of Ashes.'

I sign with a flourish and quickly fold and seal it. I leave it with the guard at my door and hear my ladies giggling.

"What on Earth are you Laughing at?" I ask. "Surely you aren't giggling at my expense over some gossip?" They stop and I say. "We'll, out with it then!"

"We were just speaking about His Highness's visit last night," one of them says and I look at her.

"What about it?" I ask. "He was simply concerned about me screaming in the dead of night."

"He was in your bed," another comments and I sigh.

"We were both clothed and he left after I had fallen asleep," I say. "Nothing was done that was inappropriate. I will not be intimate with him until after our marriage. And when I am bed with my husband, it is our business what occurs and I will ask that you neither question nor speak about my interactions with the prince in our bed." They both nod and I turn to head down the hall towards the main courtroom.

"Your Magesty," the King greets me as I enter and I bow to him.

"My Lord, you summoned me?" I ask and he nods.

"Yes, I was wondering if you would like to play something for us," he says. "His Highness speaks often to me of hearing your musical talents from your rooms." I look uneasily at Peeta and then nod slowly.

"You are correct, I do enjoy playing music. But I am not prepared at the moment as all my instruments are still in my rooms," I say nervously. His Majesty signals for one of the musicians to come forward. They hand me a fiddle and bow and I carefully position it under my chin. I draw the bow across the strings to check the tune. Once I have it, I start a jonty tune from my Homeland, and carefully play despite the tightness in my belly at the stares in the room. I glance uncomfortably at Peeta as I finish, my body bowed as I end.

"Will that be all Your Magesty?" I ask. "I was thinking about taking my horse for a short ride before the feast tonight. I know that I am to serve over the room as my first official duty here." I look at Peeta pleadingly.