Wyatt paused a moment, recalling what Venus had told him in the arena, when he'd been so sure of his own death.

"This last arena was my ninth," he said finally, slow and thoughtful. "An' I was certain it was finally gunna be my turn to be one'a those that didn't come back. A friend'a mine said I was sure to come back 'cause the Capitol likes me so much."

Liked, she'd said, seeing him and Max together. (The Roman a guard even so far away.)

"An' here I am." His shoulders rose and fell as he turned away from the victor's court. "Whether or not that's really got anythin' do with it, I couldn't tell ya... but it does make a man think."