Ok, so this is the first chapter of the story I plan to update during the summer because when the 100 goes on hiatus so does my story Loving You is a Bloodsport since I follow the show's storyline and twist it as my plot.

I won't update this probably for another two weeks but I had time today to post it and I wanted to give you all a little taste of it! Before you ask… yes this story will contain smut. I will try my best to make it good but go easy on me!

Basically, this is an AU story where I change all that happened to the Earth after the Cataclysm. I wanted to set the stage for the drama to come so I moved pretty quick to introduce most of my characters, but tell me if you think it's too rushed. I read and take in all your reviews; it helps me be a better writer!

One

The Cataclysm had been a bloodbath, to put it mildly. ¾ of the Earth's population was lost from the nuclear fallout and battles themselves. In the end, a limited number of areas were survivable and the diminished human population agreed to lay down their bombs and create four kingdoms with their own peoples, lands, and boundaries.

The four kingdoms split the remaining land of the East Coast of the North American continent, the region that had once boasted world supremacy. Now, it was a ragtag collection of territories distributed to four rulers.

The kingdom furthest north, susceptible to harsh winters and storms, were known only as the Grounders and they refused to choose a king and queen, writing it off as superficial and ridiculous. Instead, they had a chiefdom with heads who spoke for the people accordingly.

The kingdom located near what was formally mid-Virginia enjoyed a variety of rivers and plant life, as well as some lethal animals mutated and hardened by the Cataclysm. This kingdom was known as Phoenix and was presided over by King Jake and Queen Abby Griffin.

The kingdom closest to Phoenix was called the Ark as an ironic reference to the Bible event since in the Ark, there was constant rainfall and flood. King Thelonious Wells ruled alone as his wife had died during the chaos of the Cataclysm and he'd vowed to never love another in respect to the woman he'd met in his boyhood.

The fourth kingdom closest to the south of the country was Arcadia, a territory of mostly farmers and laborers born on the land and accustomed to harvests and tilling crops. It was the poorest of the kingdoms, but had the greatest population.

The four kingdoms were in no way a permanent solution to the World War turned Apocalypse and was only a way to salvage the Earth before humans were forced to take to the skies. There were still many problems not dealt with. For instance, if one kingdom threatened to take over another, would the remaining two have to intervene? Would that escalate the conflict?

As it was Arcadia was fond of playing around the borders of the Ark's territory and angering King Thelonious by never actually stepping into his land but aggravating nearby villagers. The Ark had complained to Phoenix but the Griffins were unsure how to proceed. They offered to send more of their troops to serve as guards in the Ark, but beyond that they did not want to add to tensions.

The Grounders kept to themselves in the north and political affairs were left to the Ark and Phoenix where most of the pre-Cataclysm lawyers, activists, doctors, and scientists had ended up. Arcadia, like the Grounders, did not have a formal monarchy. Instead, there was a council of five men who made the decisions in an oligarchic fashion.

Fifteen years after the Cataclysm, the Phoenix kingdom was flourishing and on that September day, the entire kingdom was preparing for a grand celebration: the 18th birthday of Princess Clarke, who was not only coming of age but entering the world of womanhood. Unfortunately, the princess was not enjoying her party.

"This is a load of crap." Clarke grumbled in her bedchambers.

Her best friend, Raven Reyes, braided her hair humming in agreement, but letting her rant to get the pent-up frustration out.

"My parents want the world to see I'm on the market not because turning 18 apparently means I'm a baby machine open for business."

Raven snorted.

"It's not funny, Raven. They want to marry me off to Wells."

"Wells Jaha? The stuck-up Ark prince? God forbid."

"I know! Wells criticizes everything and anything. He's terrible to his servants and basically anyone he considers below him. I'm not too fond of King Thelonious either."

"Yeah, but your parents are."

"Hence their excitement to pack me off to the Ark without even asking for a dowry."

"Damn, the Griffins are losing their daughter and not gaining a good cow or yak in return? The travesty." She shook her head dramatically and Clarke burst into laughter.

"Clarke, honey!" her mother's voice sounded from behind the door.

"I'll be out soon. Raven's finishing up my hair."

"Are you in your dress?"

"Not yet, but I promise I'll get there." Clarke rolled her eyes and Raven grinned, finishing the intricate braid and tying it into a crown-shaped bun on Clarke's head.

"The guests have arrived. Thelonious traveled all morning to make it to your party. Make sure you give him a warm welcome and spend time with Prince Wells."

"Yes, Mom, fine."

"And, Clarke, hurry!" Abby reminded her, her heels clacking down the corridor.

"Are you ready for this, girl?" Raven asked and Clarke took a deep breath as she slipped into the crimson ballroom dress and dark heels that added four inches to her petite size.

"I feel nauseous, honestly."

"Do not vomit on that dress; it is a masterpiece! I helped you choose it, remember?"

Clarke stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror in the corner of her room and sighed.

"It's beautiful, Rae, but knowing that this dress is for this party and this party is the start of an arranged marriage makes things too depressing to enjoy."

Raven came up behind her, still a few inches taller in her own heels, and put her chin on Clarke's shoulder giving her an encouraging smile.

"If tonight is your last night as a single girl, you need to enjoy the hell out of it. Drink. Laugh. Let your hair down. Fuck a stranger."

"Raven!"

The tanned girl laughed at the flush that crept over her friend's pale skin.

"What? You really want to lose your virginity to Wells?"

"I don't want to have sex with Wells or anyone else for that matter."

"Fine, be the demure virgin, you do you. I turned 18 two weeks ago and my parents are on the same wavelength as yours. You think I'll make it that easy for them? I'm getting some tonight and nothing's gonna stop me."

Clarke remembered that Raven was probably feeling the same way she was. Clarke may have been the princess of Phoenix with a duty to her people, but Raven was being forced into marriage as well. The Reyes were the most skilled mechanical engineers in the kingdom and probably the Earth. Clarke had polite interactions with Matthews and Amara Reyes, but nothing more. They were strict and kind of hypocritical, but they were prime advisors to Clarke's parents and through them Clarke had met her best friend in the world as toddlers huddled in underground bunkers as their parents fought in the Cataclysm.

Clarke supposed they should be thankful they weren't dead or mutated from the Cataclysm, but the thought of spending her life with Wells Jaha in the Ark kingdom reminded her she had plenty to argue about.

"You know what, you're right."

"I am?" Raven's almond eyes widened comically. "How unexpected. What exactly am I right about?"

"Tonight. It is my birthday, isn't it? I deserve one last night of freedom before my parents make this decision in my life."

"Atta girl! Sex and booze time!"

Clarke laughed.

"Hold it there, crazy, we have to be discreet about it. All of our parents will be there as well as various distinguished guests from two of the kingdoms. We have roles to play before we indulge in any fun."

"It sucks being so beautiful and admired. If we were peasants, we could marry whoever we wanted."

"Are you asking to be a peasant?"

She thought about it but then scrunched her nose in distaste.

"Then I wouldn't live in this castle and have access to all the technology I want. What's a mechanic without tools?"

"That's what I thought. We'd better hurry before my mom comes back and decides to use her key on my bedroom door."

"Hold on." Raven straightened the tight black dress so it properly adorned her sleek shape and grinned devilishly. "Party time."

Octavia Blake groaned as her brother fidgeted in his suit for the millionth time.

"Bellamy, quit messing up your collar!" she chastised, arranging his dark jacket and white shirt underneath as it was before he fiddled with it. "Can you act your age, please?"

Bellamy grumbled under his breath but dropped his hands to his sides stiffly. He hadn't wanted to come to this damn ball, but Octavia turned her puppy dog eyes on him, going as far as crying fake tears and he'd caved like she'd known he would. Technically, they were invited to events at the Phoenix castle because Bellamy was a rising cadet in the ranks of the Phoenix Guard. His commander praised him constantly and told him he's make a great military leader before long. He had made amazing progress in the mere year he'd been training as a cadet.

The Blakes had not been a wealthy family and they'd lived in a small cottage on the outskirts of the castle and main village, but after their father abandoned them and their mother fell sick, Bellamy stepped up for his sister. He got the position as an entering cadet into the guard and by the time his mother succumbed to the cancer, he and Octavia were sharing a modest chamber in the Guard Wing in the most removed area of the castle.

Bellamy had been a guard a year but he had never met the king and queen he served or their daughter for that matter. He heard stories of their benevolent rule and the unparalleled beauty of the princess, but he had no time for gossip. His sister had turned sixteen and she was too free spirited for her own good. She wanted love and money and a prince charming and he just wanted her to attend the village school and pursue some sort of career.

The Princess' coming of age ball had caught Octavia's attention in the village square and she'd screamed at her brother for not telling her earlier. She used all the money she'd saved from the side job she did as a seamstress to buy a modest dress she could spiff up and wear to the ball. He had to admit she had done a nice job. Octavia had pulled her brown hair over one bare shoulder and applied some shine to her face that accentuated her bright blue eyes, which matched the color of her dress.

While Octavia preened and giggled at the attention of all the young men at the ball, Bellamy was glaring at anyone who strayed too close to his baby sister while shifting in the suit Octavia had made him wear.

"You can't wear your damn cadet uniform!" she had said and he wished he hadn't listened.

He felt like an idiot in the black suit with his messy brown hair on display. Octavia had assured him the distraught waves were attractive and though Bellamy had never had trouble getting girls, he had never been near these type of girls. Girls in high heels with tight dresses made out of materials he wasn't aware existed.

"Are you listening to me, Bell? No, of course you're not. I guess I'll just be going then." Octavia said but he grabbed her arm before she could wander off.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Closer to the front of the crowd. I want to be able to see the princess and back here I can barely see you."

"O…"

"I don't want to hear it, Bell. Nothing will happen to me in the main hall of the Phoenix castle! Come on, we're surrounded by high ranking military officers and political leaders. King Jaha is here with his son, did you see?"

Bellamy scowled. He was not a fan of the Jahas but that story was not one he wished to relive in that moment.

"Stay where I can see you."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes, darting through the crowd, her brown hair whipping behind her.

He eventually lost track of her but he knew she wouldn't appreciate him making a scene to find her. Besides, she was right. This was the safest place in the kingdom and Octavia could use some excitement. He acknowledged it was hard for her being raised by an overprotective older brother without much company or social interactions except for the few hours she went to school or worked in the seamstress' shop.

"There she is!"

"The princess!"

Voices rose in volume so a euphony of tones were blending together at the appearance of Princess Clarke Griffin at the head of the main staircase.

Bellamy felt his jaw drop and he was grateful his sister wasn't there to see it. Still, he couldn't bring himself to care if anyone else saw his reaction because he was seeing for himself that all those rumors about the princess were more than true. She was exquisite, really from the golden hair to the ocean visible in her eyes to the regal ballroom dress she wore, the color of vermillion doing wonders for her fair skin. She was smiling beautifully and holding on to the banister as she descended the stairs in what he assumed were high heels.

She accepted the applause and shouts with small nods of her head and approached the area where the royal families were gathered, extending a hand to Prince Asshole Jaha and his father.

He kept his eyes on the princess after that, from when she took a glass of cool champagne from the banquet table to when she danced with Wells and some other eager men to when she grabbed a dark haired girl and whispered a flurry of words in her ear until they were both giggling idiotically.

"Hey, handsome, up for a spin on the wild side?" a girl in a too tight yellow dress had sidled up beside him while he was distracted and had her hands on his biceps before he could respond.

"Actually, I'm taken. For the night."

"Who by?" she was pouting but he only found the act immature.

"A princess." He grinned, moving into the crowd to approach Clarke where he had last seen her.

He was disappointed to find that the girl the princess had been talking to was still by the live orchestra, but Clarke had disappeared. He didn't think asking the friend would be a smart idea, so he surveyed the room to find Clarke himself. She wasn't there.

He frowned and was about to give up and give in to one or more of the available girls in sight when he saw a flash of a red dress and blonde hair exit through a side door. He followed Clarke outside and saw he was in the castle's garden.

The princess had strolled down the marble walkway until she reached the stone bench at the center of the rose bushes and sat with an exhale of air. Bellamy wondered if he should turn back because maybe she wouldn't want to meet him or she might be scared to see some guy had stalked her through the party.

"Who are you?"

He was startled by her gentle yet husky voice and realized it was too late to back out now. She had seen him standing awkwardly behind her and logically asked him a question.

"Uh, I- I'm a cadet for the guard."

"Did my mother send you? God, I step out for a second and she's trailing me with guards. What is it now, does Wells want another dance or perhaps a kiss? You give it to him." She glared and he was taken aback by the hostility in her words.

"Actually, I'm not on duty tonight. I just wanted to… meet you." He said, feeling stupider by the minute.

Clarke's cerulean eyes narrowed on him, seemingly evaluating him. She had some sort of internal monologue going on but he didn't interrupt until she was finished and finally patted the seat beside her.

"What's your name?"

"Bellamy Blake. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess Griffin." He bowed before taking the offered seat and she laughed.

"Clarke. I don't need titles out here with only the roses for company."

Her laugh was infectious and Bellamy internally cursed as his pulse jumped with the sound.

"Why are you out here alone, Princess? I mean, Clarke?" he amended at her glower.

She sighed.

"If someone told you, you had one night to live out your dreams and hopes and in that one night nothing was unreachable, would you make the most of it?"

He considered her question.

"What happens the next day?"

Her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"How perceptive of you, Mr. Blake. You wouldn't die or anything, but the next day let's just say things would change and most likely not for the better."

He sensed there was more to the question than she was revealing, but didn't push the matter. Instead, he said

"I'd do whatever the hell I wanted."

Clarke grinned.

"That's what I plan to do."

Time seemed to blur as one minute Clarke and Bellamy were sitting with normal conversation on the garden bench and the next minute they were pressing up against each other, her legs around his waist as he pushed her up against the stable wall.

Clarke had been the one to suggest the stables, not only for their discretion but for their nearness. When she decided to take Raven's advice she knew Bellamy was the ideal candidate. He was extremely handsome and kind and like a guy she would have chosen for herself… if she had any choice.

Clarke moaned as he bunched her dress up to her waist so he could rip her underwear off. He threw it to the side and rubbed his growing erection to her exposed core. Even through his pants she could feel the bulge touching her. Wetness grew between her legs as Bellamy unbuckled his pants as he kissed and nibbled along her neck and collarbone.

Clarke saw him slipping his pants down his legs and made the rash decision of dropping her legs from his waist and choosing to kneel in front of him instead.

"What are you doing?" he asked, eyes half-lidded with lust.

"Why don't you wait and find out?" she said in a husky murmur he felt in his groin.

Clarke grabbed his throbbing penis in her hand, stroking him slowly as he groaned. She licked her lips before parting them to take him into the warmth of her mouth. She alternated the pressure with her lips and intermittingly blew cold air onto the tip of his penis before bobbing back down on his impressive length once again.

She was frankly shocked she was capable of this. She had zero experience in the romance department and had only had her first kiss because the other kid had dared her and she was no coward. That had been five years ago, though, and only in private conversations with her best friend did she discuss sex. Raven would have been proud of her. Clarke had pushed all future worries to the side and was genuinely enjoying herself. And they hadn't even started yet.

Bellamy was in heaven, feeling his orgasm approaching much too soon. He wanted to come with the princess and though her lips were as perfect as they looked, this wasn't the time for that.

"Enough of that." He whispered and she released his cock with a small pout that did things to him the desperate girl from earlier could never hope to achieve. "No pouts, Princess, the main attraction is overdue, don't you think?"

He was smirking devilishly and suddenly she was on her back, the dress mixing with strewn hay and grass near the back of the stables. Bellamy hovered over her, his lips as tempting as before. She leaned up to kiss him but he pulled away.

"It's my turn to lead now, Princess." He winked and she wondered what he meant before he began the torturously slow process of entering her.

She whimpered in mingled pleasure and pain. Her virginal walls were adjusting to his considerable length and he must have felt this because he began tenderly kissing her beck and ghosting over her lips, cheeks, and forehead until she tentatively rolled her hips against his, making them both groan.

After that, Bellamy took the liberty to speed up the pace of his thrusts and Clarke met him each time, crying out when he began hitting the most intimate spot of a woman's body. She felt the orgasm wash over her unexpectedly and dug her nails into his back. He hissed as she clawed at the skin exposed by his shirt, but rode out her orgasm with all the control he possessed.

Clarke was panting but Bellamy only paused for a second to kiss her before changing their positions so she was on top, her dress flowing around their intertwined bodies.

"Ride me, Princess. That's an order." His low voice made her shiver and she put her hands on his broad chest to push herself up and down.

Every slam of her hips down intensified the pleasure and she began rocking back and forth faster each time, feeling her second orgasm approaching.

"Bellamy." She moaned and for his part, he almost lost control and came right there.

Clarke had looked beautiful all regal and mysterious from across the room but having the royal princess whimpering his name, blonde locks falling from the bun and wonderful chest heaving as she rode him was something far more satisfying.

"That's it, Princess. Come for me." He urged, moving a hand between her legs to rub her sensitive clitoris until she was moaning unabashedly and losing the order of her movements to erratic jolts against him.

Bellamy grabbed her hips and took over the thrusts so she was holding on to his shoulders as he led them both to bliss.

When it was over, Clarke laid there next to Bellamy in the horse stables and gazed up at the ceiling. Neither had spoken since their shared orgasm and Clarke hated to ruin the moment, but the party would soon be ending and she had guests to wish farewells to before anyone got suspicious.

"I should be getting back."

Bellamy turned to watch her carefully stand on slightly wobbly legs to find her underwear and slip it on as she fixed her dress and hair as best she could.

"You look like you were rolling around in a barn." He said smugly and she glared at him.

"Not the look my parents need to see."

"Here." He stood after pulling his pants back on and began dusting off her dress so it regained its former glory.

He pushed the hair out of her eyes and made the ruined hair style look semi-decent. Maybe they'd think she tripped on a walk or something.

"Thank you." She said softly, her sweet breath drifting over his face.

Their eyes met and he leaned down to kiss her one last time on the plump lips he'd enjoyed so much.

"Thank you, Princess."

"Bellamy… this-

"Was a one time thing that can never be discussed?" at her guilty look he just smiled. "Don't worry I can keep a secret. And I won't hold anything against you."

"I needed a respite from my life and you were so good to me. Thank you again, Bellamy."

"Wow, a beautiful girl who happens to be princess of this kingdom is thanking me for sex? I'm really living the dream."

She laughed and he chuckled with her. There was a moment of silence before she kissed his cheek.

"Good night, Bellamy Blake."

"Good night, Clarke Griffin."

She turned to walk back to the castle but gave him one glance over her shoulder. He was still there watching her. She smiled and rushed back to her parents, awaiting the moment the guests had left and she could delight Raven with her out of character love affair.

The next morning Bellamy showed up at the commander's station for the day's assignments and found the desk empty. He waited nearly twenty minutes before Commander Young finally showed up.

"I apologize for the wait, cadet. The King summoned me."

"I understand, sir. The King comes first."

"He wanted to inform me of the security detail he'll be needing for his daughter."

"Princess Clarke?" Bellamy asked, memories of warm skin and breathy moans plaguing him.

"She will be taking a brief trip to the Ark and the King wants to ensure her protection on the journey and upon arriving at the Ark. It will be about two weeks and then she will return briefly to Phoenix."

"Briefly?"

"Yes. The Princess will be wed to Prince Wells Jaha of the Ark in less than a month! She will be visiting her future castle and returning to collect her things and plan the wedding with her parents. Isn't this exciting? A formal alliance with another kingdom! Do you know what that means for us, cadet?"

The commander began rambling about trade routes and economic surpluses and all sorts of jargon Bellamy could not focus on. His mind was stuck on the commander's first words.

'The Princess will be wed to Prince Wells Jaha of the Ark in less than a month.' The Princess will be married. She will move to another kingdom and she will be another man's wife.

He knew it was foolish to think their brief night of passion constituted a relationship or anything meaningful. She was after all a princess and he a lowly cadet. Princesses didn't marry their staff or their servants. They married a prince. And Bellamy Blake was not a prince.

"Cadet Blake!"

Bellamy blinked and met the stare of his commander.

"I apologize, sir. I was lost in thought. You were informing me of my assignments?"

"Actually, I was giving you one very important assignment, an assignment that can prove to me you're worth an immediate promotion to Captain."

Bellamy's brown eyes widened.

"Sir?"

"You will be one of the guards appointed to Princess Clarke's visit to the Ark."

Shit.