For the Drabble Game Challenge (Clexa, warning, for Em)


"You may be a queen, Nia, but you are not the Commander," Lexa says firmly, her eyes narrowing.

Nia smirks. "And you may be the Commander, but I can still destroy everything you love without fear of treason," she says, her sweet voice laced with venom.

Lexa closes her eyes. She can still see Costia's head presented to her in a basket. Her heart aches. "You dare threaten me?" she snarls, wanting nothing more than to draw her sword and remove the woman's heart- assuming she still has one.

"Of course not, Heda. Think of it as a warning."

Lexa thinks more and more about that day as scouts return, all with the same news, or lack thereof. No, Wanheda has not been found. No, the people outside of Polis have not seen her.

Only Roan brings back something worth her while. "My mother has a much larger price on your lover's head than you do, Heda," he says. "Azgeda doesn't have scouts. We have hunters."

Lexa shudders and steps to the window overlooking the city. Her eyes fix upon the distance, as though she will somehow see Clarke from here.

She had been foolish to fall for Clarke. After Costia, she had promised herself that she would never allow herself to get so close to anyone again. Nia had made sure of that with her constant threat of destroying anything that Lexa loves.

"Find her," she says at last, turning again to face the banished prince.

Roan smirks and stands tall and proud. He's a pain in her ass, but Lexa has to admire his nerve. Few people would dare to even consider an alternative to a request. "Find her," he laughs. "And what's to stop me from handing her over to Azgeda?"

"I can grant you your freedom," Lexa says. "Bring Clarke to me, and it is yours."

"Who says I want it?"

Lexa snorts. "Do not play games with me," she says. "You seek to lead. If you were a Natblida, you would find a way to take the Flame from me and rule all the clans. Don't try to deny it."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Heda," he says innocently.

She scowls. Roan has a good enough heart, but he reminds her too much of his mother sometimes. So insolent, so stubborn. "Your banishment will end the second you bring her to me," she tells him. "You may return to Azgeda and wait for your mother to die and take the throne. Hell, you can speed the process along if you'd like."

Roan laughs. "The great Wanheda must mean a lot to you if you're willing to stop punishing my clan."

"Your return will be punishment enough for them."

With smirk, he offers her a mock salute. "Whatever you want, Heda," he snarks before disappearing.

When he's gone, Lexa turns her gaze to the wilderness beyond the city. Somewhere out there, Clarke is on the run. Azgeda hunters will continue to seek her until they have her in chains.

"I can destroy everything you love."

She only hopes that Roan can find her before his old clan does.