The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games)

but she had a sweetness, a vulnerability that invited abuse.

The Capitol may not value her, but he did. Hadn’t he just poured his heart out to her?

“You do matter,” he said.

Oh, Lucy Gray, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry about all of this.”

“It’s not your fault,” she said.

“You must hate me. You should. I would hate me,” he said.

“I don’t hate you. The Hunger Games weren’t your idea,” she replied.

Obviously, he was dealing with a lunatic who should be handled with extreme care.

All the things, Coriolanus thought as he dabbed his eyes, that were so annoying about her and had ultimately brought on her death.

For about a minute, a painful sobbing made his chest ache, but then it passed, and he wasn’t sure if it had to do with sorrow over her death or unhappiness over his own difficulties. Probably some of both.

And you didn’t have to like your family. The bond was a given.

His terror was a private thing, not meant for public display.

Spoken like a Snow.