Never Leave Me Alone

Chapter 17

Katniss

We enter into the Merchant lands, Mechan where Peeta gathers his title. I take a breath. This is the truest of the grandure of his country, not the diversity of his father's court. I look out at the fields of sheep grazing and cattle with them, feasting on the tender grasses left behind as they prepare for calving. The orchards are full of laborers and I watch as baskets are brought towards a great palace of black and grey stone. The Peeta's coat of arms hangs as great banners leading up to it and I place my hand up on the window.

"You look nervous, Your Majesty," Peeta says and I look over at him.

"I am, Your Grace, for I have only ever known the Bread Basket," I say, referring to his father's mixed bag of a court. He smiles softly at me. "I fear that they may not like me much. Seam in this state, I would be seen as a liability. I caused my mother's death. I could very well cause yours." Peeta tucks my hair behind my ear.

"You have the support of my father and I. Our country is happy to see us married. I assure you, the country would be happy to greet you as the dauphin's, their heir queen." He says. We stop in front of the palace and he stands up. "Come on. I'll help you out. He steps down and holds up his hand to me. I take it and I walk off the step and onto the paving stones. I look at the small group of Peeta's court. Peeta smiles and holds out his hand to a tall gentleman with dark hair and curls.

"Your Majesty, this is the master of the palace in my absence, Lord Hawthorn." He looks at me softly. "My father's other son." I look at him and dip my head.

"Majesty, how lovely it is to finally meet my legitimate brother's bride," He kisses my hand and I look between them before biting my tongue to exchange the pleasantries.

"The honor is all mine, M'Lord," I say. "You have well taken care of my Prince's house and grounds. I am pleased to visit such a fine place." We turn and begin our way into the palace. I notice the low, gentle bowing of the people. I nod to some of them and enter the palace.

It is lovely and quaint and Peeta looks at his brother. "I would like to show the lady around quietly. See to it that the upper rooms are kept quiet, Gale."

"Yes, Your Grace," He says bowing and leaving out the door behind us. I look up at the painted ceiling and turn over the beautiful mosaic floor.

"You didn't know about Gale?" Peeta says.

"No," I reply not looking at him. "News of your Father's Bastard did not reach me. I only ever heard what you or my mother told me."

"Are you surprised?" He asks and I shrug.

"No," I say. "Lots of Kings take mistresses and produce noble bastards. Your Father is noble, but he is still a king." I look back at him. "Do you consider him your brother or just your father's son?"

"Well, my brother I suppose," he says. "I do see my father in him and myself as well. I do not really know, as he is just a simple land owner and not recognized by everyone else." I look at him again and fold my hands.

"It's nice, that you employ him here," I say. "I know that any offspring of royal blood must be treated with the upmost respect."

"Katniss have no intention to disrespect you in that manner," he says and I place my hand on the railing. "Or in any manner."

"Does any king intend to disrespect their marriage?" I ask. He shakes his head.

"I wouldn't," he insists. "If we are to be married, I will be intimate with only you. I will give my heart to only you. We will share our chambers and live as a husband and wife would. As if you were nothing and I were too. Just a boy and just a girl."

"You would be happy with that?" I ask. "With only me, a disgraced, poverty stricken Queen?" He smiles and walks up to me, kneeling at my feet and taking my hand.

"I will be the most happy of all men on this Earth to take you, Katniss Everdeen of Seam, as my one and only wife and love. I have waited and worked long to have you. I wouldn't neglect such a beautiful soul that is bound to mine," he kisses my hand and I sigh.

"Are you really so certain that I am worth the liability?" I ask and he nods.

"Yes, Katie, you are worth every risk just for one hour in the glow of your light," he stands and tips up my chin. "Let me show you towards your apartments. Where we will be very soon together." He helps me up towards the stairs and I lift part of my skirt so I don't trip as he brings me to the apartment.

It is very beautiful, with thick, sturdy furniture of black wood and tapestries of blue. A grand bed in the corner with blue velvet veils around it. I look at some of Peeta's gorgeous paintings in my rooms and run my fingers along the spines of Spanish books. I notice that the single tapestry in the corner of my Mockingjay and turn to Peeta.

"My belongings, how on Earth did you get them here?" I ask.

"My spies raided your Seam Apartments in the palace, to save what was yours," he says. "In fact, I've another surprise." He grabs a large wooden box and opens it for me to see. I carefully draw my fingers across my mother's jewels, the Queen's jewels of Seam.

"You risked much in bringing me this Peat Moss," I say. "For I heard that they were destroyed."

"Rather brag that than that they were smuggled away," he says. "I knew you would want them for the ceremony if you could have them." I smile and pick up a ring. The redish stone glitters in the sun and look at him.

"You have done more than your service, Your Grace," I say. "And I will have you wear this, the kingship of Seam upon your hand for your duties and sacrifice to not only me, but for Seam itself." I place it on his thumb and dip my head to kiss it. "I shall never be able to repay this kindness." He brings me up and kisses me on my lips.

"Marry me, and I will call it even," he says and I nod.

"As you wish," I take the box and hide it under my bedding. I look nervously at the beautiful blue bedding. This would be my wedding bed. I hadn't thought much to look at it. "This is very grand, and well done. The softest shade of blue and such luxurious black fur. You needn't have spent so much for my comfort "

"I had to provide comfort to you, Katie," he says. "The bed is supposed to make you feel safe. Secure. It is deep and warm as the Summer's night. I did have to." I understand what he is saying and nod. "And you needn't worry about using it for it's intentions. We shall when we are both in comfort, no matter how long it takes for us to go as far as we need." I nod and turn to him.

"Thank you, for always being the light of dawn," I say. "The precious sun of summer."

"And you are the moon which guides the very tides of my heart." He kisses my forehead. "Now come. Let me show you a way to help you navigate the twists and turns of another new home without climbing a trellis down the windows. " I chuckle and take his hand as he starts dragging me through the halls.