Never Leave Me Alone

Chapter 27

Katniss

I watch with Johanna as Prim dances in the den of my Chambers with a couple of her handmaid's. I smile softly, wishing her brother were here to see what a beautiful young woman his younger sister was becoming.

It's been almost the whole fall since Peeta left, even a snowfall or two. He's sent beautiful silks and drawings of his Eastern trek to the neighboring kingdom. But that doesn't mean I miss him any less. I pull my long red robe tighter against me and clap happily as Prim finishes.

"Well done Lady Primrose," I say. "It's been such a joy to have you and your sister here for the harvests." I look at Johanna and she nods.

"Yes, it is quite a complicated dance for you," she says. "You'll get quite the husband with those talents." I look at Johanna and sigh.

"Ladies, please take the Princess to the garden. Let her collect as many herbs for her experiments as she pleases," I say. Prim smiles.

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty," she says and I hug her as I send her off. Johanna looks down.

"What is it that you want to speak to me about now, Your Majesty," Johanna asks and I slide her a letter.

"You don't need to push your sister to court so much," I say. "I know you are just worried due to your father's rejection of several suitors for yourself." She looks down.

"I should be able to live my own life by now, surely," she says. "I'm nearly 20 and here you are with my brother at just sixteen, living your own life. I chuckle and sigh.

"I wouldn't call it living my own life, but I see what you mean. The reason Peeta and I never went to court yet is partly because your father's court is a little overwhelming for me," I say. "But I might be able to help you if you wanted."

"You could?" She asks. I nod, sliding the letter to her.

"My cousin, Marcus, Duke of Pines, has written to me about you," I say. "And since he serves me, and I am married to your brother, has asked permission to court you." She blinks at me.

"Really?" She asks. "That is kind of him to offer."

"I've invited him to Christmas to meet you here, without your father's watchful eye," I say and she smiles.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand," Johanna says. "I've been so cold to you." I shrug.

"You are still my husband's and thus my sister," I say. "You deserve Happiness." I look at her pointedly. "Shall I inform him that you wish to meet him?" Johanna chuckles, picking up the letter.

"If you don't mind, I think I might like to see this one through myself," she stands up, curtseying to me. "I take my leave, M'Lady."

"Princess," I return, as she leaves. I pull away from my seat and smile, running my hand across the small swell to my belly.

"Alone at last, eh little one?" I whisper. "Today, your father's due to return and you don't have to be a secret anymore." I smile to myself as I stand up carefully, pulling my robe closed to cover up again.

No one not my maids, my advisors, not even my family, know that I am carrying a baby. I didn't want to be too rash, seeing how easily I lost the last child. I wanted to be sure that it was indeed healthy and growing strong before I got anyone's, even my own, hopes up of a child joining my family. I walk to the window and sit down, waiting for Peeta's carriage.

"He's arrived, Your Majesty," I hear a guard say and I stand up, following him out of my chambers and down the stairs to seeing him waiting for me. I don't hesitate to wrap my arms around his shoulders.

"I've missed you so much, Peeta," I say. "Not that your sisters are bad company, but I was lonely without you here." He smiles, clearly happy to see me feeling better than I had before he left huddled on the floor crying.

"I missed you too, Katie," he says. "Believe it or not, Lord Hawthorne is not the best company compared to you, Katniss." He looks at me and brushes hair from my face. I kiss him gently and hug him.

"You must be starving," I say. "Come, dinner should be ready." He nods following me back up to our rooms. I sit down next to him and we are served dinner. It's rather eventful, and making me anxious to share my news, seeing as everyone wants to keep speaking with Peeta about his travels. But one by one, people filter out and we are finally alone.

'You liked the robe?" He says and I nod.

"Yes, it's very warm," I say. "Thank you." He stares at me a moment before reaching out to touch my face. "What?"

"Something looks different about you," he says softly. I nod.

"Yeah," I say. "There is."

"You're so much happier than you were," he says and I nod.

"I have reason to be," I say laying my as around him.

"Other than me being home?" He asks. I stand up and uncross my arms so that my robe falls loose and you can see the outline of the beginning of a large belly. Peeta sits there, open-mouthed.

"You tell me," I say. He gets up and carefully reaches out to touch my slight belly.

"How long-" he sounds confused.

"There must have been a reason you came back to our room the night before you left," I say softly. "You're the first person to know. I wanted to be sure before I got too excited about it." He smiles and hugs me.

"This is so amazing, Katniss," he says and I hold him tight back.

"We're finally going to be a family," I say happily. He presses his head to mine.

"We already were a family," He says. "We're just growing."