Peeta's P.O.V.

A month passes smoothly for the human, but for me, not so much.

I watch as another dove-white petal slowly unfurls into a red one, the velvety texture taunting me with it's beauty. My days are drawing to an end, it seemed, that death hovering so close over my head, even in my immortal years. I have no hope of anyone falling in love with me and breaking the curse - not in this castle; not in this lifetime. Only the people who have stayed by my side would make this death less lonesome, the servants and Careers alike. I know they hate me as much as I do, since I'm not the most caring Master. I got that from my mother.

I hear something unfamiliar to me, something I'd never heard in the castle before. Curiosity drags me into bat form, a single flash of light hiding the painless transformation. I hover for a few moments, adjusting to the wings and smaller body before I swiftly swing to the source of the sound.

And there - Katniss freely walks, laughing at something one of the two vampires said. The only sign I get that Johanna and Finnick notice me is a small glance to my hiding spot in the shadows, high in the alcove of the ceilings.

How? I ask myself, staring at Katniss's bright face. How can she be so happy? It defied all logic. I had taken everything from her: her home, her friends, her family, and any possessions. Even her life is now held between my cold hands, the phantom blood that stains them making me feel more shame than ever before.

I push the thought from my mind, drifting down until I shift right in front of Katniss. A thrill runs through me as she jumps, eyes widening.

"What is this?" I ask, looking to the vampires bracketing her.

"Oh, Milord," Finnick says, nodding his head in greeting. "We are showing Miss Everdeen the many great accomplishments of your line, Milord."

The great accomplishments of my line? You mean the people who doomed me to this fate, doomed me to a rose that is going to end my life?

"Ah, I see," I say anyways, voice tight. All I can see is that rose, a living timer of my lifespan. I would have to kill Katniss before that happens, spare her from the fate of the Careers taking her.

"However, she is a prisoner, and you're my slave's....so take her back to her cellar and go back to your work," I say sharply, staring at the human woman. She stands straight, staring right back into my blue eyes. I look away.

Finnick and Johanna dip their heads, the only amount of a bow I allow them as they grip onto Katniss's arm gently.

"Yes, Lord," one says.

I watch them walk away, Katniss obediently following. Yet, the mortal turns back around, waving her hand and offering a small smile. Without noticing, I smile back. As soon as her gaze dipped to my mouth - to the fangs I'd unknowingly bared - it turned into a tight-lipped grimace.

What are you doing Peeta? a voice in my head asks me. I quickly walk away from the hall.

A few hours later...

Should I go talk to Katniss? She had seemed happy before, even willing to be nice and smile at me. Should I be nicer to her? I knew that my demeanor hadn't been exactly welcoming to the mortal since she'd arrived, but being near her always made my stomach churn with bloodlust. I supposed that I shouldn't actually like my prisoner - that I shouldn't cater to her needs like my servants.

Maybe I should just go talk to her. Yes, I'm going.

As soon as I stand from my chair, the door swings open, emitting a smiling Delly.

"Hey Peeta, what are you doing?" she asks, face tilting up to mine as she walks up to me. Delly's smile widens, her fangs gleaming in the light, pale skin seeming even paler. She stands in my space, closer to my chest than was comfortable.

"Just going to go for a walk," I say as coldly as possible, trying to hide my discomfort at her close proximity. I step smoothly away from her, but she shifts along with me imperceptibly.

Inwardly, I sigh. She has become very... clingy ever since Katniss arrived, the poor vampire possibly feeling threatened by the presence of another pretty person. I know Delly has feelings for me, though the ones she has are ones I do not return. From her actions, however, it appears she thinks that I care for her as well, though I don't think I could be more obvious in my rejection.

"Then I will come with you," she says and grabs my hand.

"No," I say loudly and yank my hand away, teeth baring slightly. Her face contorts into confusion, and I quickly wipe the slate clean, face becoming impassive. "No, uh, I want to go by myself," I say and quickly walk out of the room.

"I'll be here waiting for you!" she yells after me, waving at my back.

Please don't, I say in my head and fly up to the dungeon.

~

I shift back into my vampire form, nodding to Finnick who stood watch at the door. Nerves jittered through my system as I pushed through the door, walking into the dungeon. Why am I so nervous? I'm just going to talk to her. I take a deep breath and walk to her cellar.

Katniss is sitting with her knees up to her chest and her back is against the wall. Her eyes are trained to the window. I unlock her cellar silently before walking in and situating myself in front of her. She turns her to face me and gives a confused look as soon as she realizes who it is.

"Hey," I say. God this is already so awkward.

She smiles slowly, as if still deciding whether she should be scared or not. "Hi, why are you here?" she asks me, gray eyes shifting behind me even though no one was there. Checking, I realized, to see if today was the day she was going to be eaten.

"To talk, I guess," I say with a sigh, and her eyes come back to mine, the relief in them almost making me smile. "I know I have not been...the nicest, but I have never had to be. I'm just saying that I feel bad for being such a cold-hearted vampire when you are always so kind to me," I say, the words spilling out as I glance to my shoes.

She peers up at my face, a frown narrowing her eyes. "It's okay," she says slowly, but not condescendingly, "I really don't expect you to be."

I don't know whether that was an insult or a compliment, so I just settle on asking, "Are you hungry?"

She nods her head and I continue even more nervously. "I..uh.. well, I was thinking if you're truly hungry....you would maybe want to join me for dinner tonight?" I ask, toes wiggling in my toes as butterflies flutter in my stomach.

She smiles widely, cheeks turning rosy pink as she looks away. "I...I would love to," she says.

That wasn't so hard was it? I think to myself. "Well, maybe to buy some time, I could show you what I like to do around here." I say. "But only if you want to," I add on quickly, noticing the look on her face.

Yet her smile only grows wider on her face, her eyes lighting up. Such pure, unhindered joy... I offer a small smile back as she replies. "Yes, I think that would be an amazing idea," she says.

I stand up and offer her my hand to help her. She stares at it for a second, then at me. Slowly, she grabs my hand.

A thrill runs through my system at her warm touch, but I try to push it aside. "Do you have anything you'd like to eat? I can have the chef make any food you prefer," I say, smiling pleasantly even though my blood thundered in my ears.

"My father made us lamb stew with dried plums when I was younger." Katniss looks at me, ears turning red. " It was my favorite thing in the world, but he only made it on special days. I haven't had it since he passed away," she says, and undertone of sadness in her voice.

I nod instantly, trying to smile and lighten the mood. "My chefs will make it right away," I say.

She smiles softly at me, eyes drooping half closed as she lays her head on my shoulder. It fits perfectly for some reason, and the warmth that cascades through me is unusual. "Thank you, Peeta," she says quietly.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

Peeta sits at the head of a long table, the banquet hall around us quiet and mostly shadowed. Candelabras decorate the table, casting everything in a flickering display. Even with the chandeliers lighting the domed ceiling, darkness still clings to ever nick and cranny. Everything was cast in golds and pearly whites, the floor a dark contrast of black marble. Beautiful - Peeta's castle and all of his servants were absolutely stunning, the very architecture of the building breathing wealth.

So different from the house that I lived in, with the plain people and plain walls and plain everything. At the time, people had seemed pretty and the houses' decorative. But now, surrounded by ageless vampires toned with light skin and dangerous red eyes - it seemed everyone back home paled in comparison.

Peeta seemed to try and make me happy in his neverending manor and sometimes-brooding friends, but what he didn't notice was that I was. Sure, I miss my friends and family and familial hunting grounds, but there I was just a hunter. Here, I am supposed to be a prisoner and yet I have never felt freer. I have so much time on my hands, new people to meet and new things to do.

People back at District 12 probably think me dead. Maybe I even have a grave in the cemetery, and am mourned by people. I know Gale and Prim will probably still look for me even after my presumed death, perhaps be deemed insane since they would tell everyone I am alive. But they wouldn't give up - even if I told them I would rather stay here.

A bowl is set in front of me, an impassive servant instantly stepping away. I nod my thanks before carefully picking up a spoon and blowing on the food. A glance at Peeta reveals him to be doing the same.

Slowly, I take a bite of the stew.

The meat melts in my mouth just like how Father used to make it, the vegetables somehow still retaining a slight crispness. I almost feel like... I am home. It reminds me of all those years ago, when Prim was just learning to walk and Mom was still happy and Father still alive. The memory almost brings me to tears, the pang of how much I miss those days hitting harder than I thought. I try to contain it, though, not wanting Peeta to notice.

A servant steps to my side, asking patiently, "Everything to your liking, Miss Everdeen?"

I snap out of my trance of nostalgia, nodding slowly. "Yes, very. Thank you," I say. My throat closes up as tears burn my eyes again. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get some air."

I stand up and walk to the door.

Peeta instantly stands, concern on his face. "Katniss, wait! Are you-" I leave before Peeta can finish the rest of his question.

I go out into the hall and pace around, breathing deeply to try and contain my sobs. I know I have been strong, but everyday that passes, my strength ebbs away like the tide. I want to stay, and I want to get to know everyone and live a life of ease here. But my family... I have to keep strong. For Prim, for Gale, for my Mother. Even as I list off everyone I am doing this for, I know that I can't do this anymore. I know it is needed. I just feel so.... God, I'm being weak.

I try to fight back the tears but they roll down my cheeks. I slip into an alcove, sitting on the cold ground as I hug my knees to my chest. I need to be strong. I need to be brave. I need to be strong - I chant, until I notice a group of vampires standing in front of me. Fear drowns out the chant as I look up into their red eyes, the darkness of the alcove almost making it seem like they were glowing.

"Who... who are you?" I ask, though I feel I already know the answer. Scooting back against the wall, I cower, trying to dredge up some semblance of the Slayer I used to be.

They all share looks with one another. "I'm Clove, this is Cato," Clove says pointing to a giant man. "That's Glimmer and Marvel," she finishes. As soon as a smirk lights up her face, she grips my arm and drags me away. I'm all but shrieking and struggling as they lead me outside, the cold night pressing around me.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

They all laugh. "It's more like where are you going," she says and throws me onto the dewy grass. They all run towards me with their eyes glowing in the dark and their fangs sticking out, their mouths watering at the thought of my blood on their tongues.

Peeta's P.O.V.

Katniss just left and I don't know what to do. I....did I do something? Say something?

I get up from my seat and walk through the hall Katniss had disappeared through, staying in vampire form so I can call for her.

"Katniss?" I shout, peeking into alcoves and closets that I pass. "Where are you? I'm sorry....if I said anything to upset you. I can make the chefs to mak-"

Just then, screaming filters into my ears, the scent of blood stuffing up my nose. Instantly, I flash into a bat and fly down the hall, following the sounds of struggle until I end up outside. There, on the ground, and mass of wrestling Careers and the source of the screams. Katniss - they're trying to kill Katniss.

I flash back into my humanoid form, bearing down on the Careers with a burning fury. "Get off of her!" I yell, cursing at them. Only two of them actually look at me and pull away, all the rest still trying to sink their fangs into her skin. Anger razes across my senses, and I yank the rest of the vampires off of Katniss's still fighting form, my inhuman strength almost throwing them.

A few instantly scramble up, backing away. Yet, one lays on the ground, whimpering. My blood curdles at the sight. "Why are you trying to kill her!" I yell at them. Every step they take back, I meet with a long stride, the vampire that was on the ground dragging themself away.

"W-we were just-t really thirsty a-and having a-a human here isn't h-helping," Clove stutters, hands raised before her protectively. I stare into each of their eyes, conveying the talking-to they are going to get later.

Without a single word, I throw all of them inside and pick a few vampires to escort them to the dungeon. I quickly rush back outside to the still-trembling Katniss afterwards.

"Katniss? Are you okay? What happened?" I ask her, gently pulling at her arms to try and see her face. She refuses to look into my eyes. "Katniss. Please talk to me. I can help." Her shaking stalls, and I whisper, "Please."

She turns her face to me, her grey eyes wide with fear. Blood is smeared across her face, and bruising blemishes her skin, but - not her blood. One of the Careers.

I look down at her worriedly before she launches at me, her arms crossing around my neck. I freeze. "Thank you," she whispers. I nod, arms slowly encircling her warmth. I'm unsure of what to do. I've never... comforted anyone before. She stays in my arms for several moments, only pulling away when her breathing evens out.

"Can we go inside?" she asks me, no longer meeting my gaze. I stare at her until she snaps me out of my daze. "Peeta?" she says, shaking me a little.

I blink, trying to remember her question. "Yes of course," I say and we start to walk inside. I tense up as she reaches for my hand, her fingers folding into mine. I think she can feel me because she quickly removes her hand from mine and crosses them over her body.

Without thinking, I lead her to the stairs that go up to the dungeons before stopping suddenly. I tug her to a pause too, rubbing the back of my neck. "You know what, I have some spare rooms. You can have one." She looks at me curiously, as if trying to decide what I was doing. "After all that has happened, it is the least I can do," I explain. Katniss nods, smiling softly.

I lead her up the stairs but turn down a different hallway, taking her to one of the many rooms. She looks mesmerized as I open the door, the room instantly brightening. She sits on the giant bed and runs her fingers over the furry blankets, eyes traveling over the paintings and decor. She walks over and inside the wide wardrobe before looking out the window over the castle grounds. Slowly, Katniss sits herself in the window seat.

"Do you like it?" I ask her, standing awkwardly on the threshold still.

She stands up and walks over to me."I don't like it - I love it!" she says with a big smile and turns around, admiring the room again.

I return her smile. "Well, I'm going to go... " I say. I'm about to leave when she grabs my hand, pulling me back to face her again.

"Why did you help me with the Careers back there?" she asks me, taking her hand off of me as she nervously looks at the ground. As I notice her cheeks turning pink, my own start burning.

I don't actually have feelings for her, do I? I can't. But if I didn't, I wouldn't have helped her. Stop Peeta.... just stop.

"I don't know. I don't like seeing you, hurt. I guess." I look away, too embarrassed to see her reaction.

When I hear no reaction from her, I look back. Her face is still red, but she also looks curious. "When you first took me prisoner, and Gale punched me by accident... you looked like you were longing for my... blood." She pauses for a minute and I look into her eyes. "Did you?" she asks me.

I stare into her eyes, trying to read her. Her blood... no. I'd never wanted her blood - not in that way.

My hand grips her chin gently, and her mouth parts deliciously with a gasp. Her eyes flicker up to mine, an invitation and question there. Slowly, I lean down.

She freezes at the first press of my lips before slowly relaxing into me. Her mouth opens to deepen the kiss, and my hand cups her nape to tilt her face up to mine.

I can feel the quiet rumble in the back of Katniss's throat as I shift closer, tangling my fingers in her braid, my other hand slipping around her waist. Her lips are cool, but they're also soft and full and sure against my own, her tongue only hesitating briefly as they encounter my fangs.

She's one of the better kissers I have encountered, to be honest. Maybe even the best. And vampires are very good kissers.

Katniss breaks away from the kiss first, her breathing heavy and eyes molten with emotion. I trace her jawline gently with my thumb, enjoying the way her throat bobs as she swallows. Katniss licks her lips, her hands slowly circling around my neck. I smile.

I move my mouth to her neck, pressing slow kisses there before gently tugging her earlobe between my teeth. My blood pounds in my ears, begging me to take more - to taste more. I tilt my head into the crook of her neck, relishing the way her grip tightens on me, her chin lifting up so I have better access. However, as soon as my fangs brush against the throbbing pulse of her vein, she freezes.

"Katniss..." I breathe onto her skin. "Can I?"

Her fingers dig into my back as she nods. Carefully, I lick her neck with a long sweep of my tongue, tasting her - smelling her. My fangs split through her skin with ease, but instead of flinching as I would've expected, Katniss moans. I can feel the hot blood - her blood - trickle down her neck, running over the curve of her shoulder and beneath the collar of her clothes. It tastes even better than I imagined, the sweet yet irony tang of her washing over me and starting sparks in my own blood. I suck at her skin greedily, my tongue laving over the tiny wound.

Her arms wrap around my neck, practically begging me to take more. Gods, I wanted to take more. But I don't know if I could stop myself from draining her dry. I pull away, licking my now bloody lips. "I'm sorry, I...I should go. I don't want to hurt you," I say, quickly backing up. Shame sluices through me at the trickle of blood still on her skin, even as another part of me wanted to lick it away.

I exit the room before any other ideas enter my head, leaving Katniss standing alone in her new room.

I slam the doors to my own bedroom before scrubbing at my face.

What did I just do?