A/N

Hey, guys, I would just like to say that I am in fact new to writing on. My main account with my other stories (Including this one) are on Wattpad which you can find me under the same user: DevotedCasualty. I posted an A/N at the end of my last chapter that just clears up a few things because I forgot to post it at the start of the Prologue. I originally planned for this chapter to be a lot longer but I decided to upload what I have. If you wish to have longer chapters please let me know, they will take longer to write which means updates will be every few days. I am currently working 2 jobs so I don't have much time to write. Hence why my chapters are not longer.

With that being said, I hope you guys enjoy the story! :)

P.S: Is the cover for the book showing for you guys? I have it uploaded but I can't see it.

The ride back to Polis was silent, nothing but the sound of the horses' hooves filled Clarke and Lexa's ears. Witnessing the aftermath of Skiakru's attack on her army - the army she sent to protect them - ate away at Lexa's conscience.

"Jus souda nou don jus." Rung in the back of her mind, blood must not have blood. The one sentence alone that betrayed the beliefs of the past commanders. All Lexa ever wanted to achieve as Heda was peace; peace for the twelve clans. She knew that her goal was unachievable, especially with the Ice Queen, Nia alive. However, at this current moment, her main priority will be convincing the other Ambassadors of their new policy, blood must not have blood. Especially after Skiakru rejecting her coalition by slaughtering 300 of her men.

As they approached the main entrance into the capital, the grounders in sight bowed before their Heda. Clarke watched in astonishment, still baffled by everything Lexa was able to conquer in her reign as Commander. The stories she's heard about the wars between the clans, and how chaotic their world was before Lexa rose as Heda made her realize just how far they've come and how close they were to achieving peace. Clarke knew how difficult it was for Lexa to accept Jus souda nou don jus herself as well as convincing the other clan leaders but if anyone were to do it, she knew Lexa would be the one.

"Heda." A large, bulky man with a scar running down the left side of his face bows in front of Clarke and Lexa. Clarke recognized his as Ryker, a Polis guard who watches the main entrance. The Commander nodded her head in approval.

"Ryker," She acknowledges him before signaling her horse to continue forward. They approached the capital building of Polis before hopping off both of their horses. Lexa took Clarke reigns and handed them to a guard. "Teik em back kom the stables." She ordered him. Obeying her command, the guard turned on his heels and led the horses back to the stables.

Two men stepped aside, opening the large doors of the building. Clarke followed pursuit behind Lexa. One foot in front of the other, both women made their way up the stairs, the heels of their boots sending an echo through the halls. If today were like any other, Lexa would use the shaft to transport her to the highest floor, but that's not the case today. She stayed silent, but her mind was speed racing around a track, going in circles about the limited consequences her new adopted policy will have. The other leaders may reject, resulting in a bigger, more bloodier war than what is nearly at hand. The Queen's ambassador may try to slit her throat, just like the last one before he had but instead that man found himself falling over 200ft onto the hard ground below.

"Lexa." Clarke breathed, her voice shook with concern. Lexa has remained quiet the entire three-hour ride back to Polis. Even though her tongue danced around in her mouth, pleading to speak to the Commander, Clarke kept quiet, afraid to upset her more.

"I know you're concerned for your people, Clarke." Lexa finally cut in, motioning her head to the side slightly towards Clarke who trailed behind her. "We are at a standstill until the arrival of the leaders of the Twelve Clans."

"Do you believe they will accept this notion?"

"Only if peace is what they wish to achieve as well."

Lexa sat on her throne, Titus standing beside her with Clarke. Guards lined the walls around the room, swords strapped to their backs and blade to their side. The young Nightbloods sat in a circle on the floor, listening closely to their Heda.

"Yu laik each worthy gon yu Nightblood." {{You are each worthy of your Nightblood}}

Titus stepped forward, clapping his hands together for the children to stand. Each stood behind one another, facing the door as Titus led them out of the room. Lexa stood, her hands cupped behind her back. Her long black clothed shirt nearly reaching the top of her boots at her kneecaps, her hair long hair laying behind her ears, a few braids pinned back. Making her way to Clarke, Lexa watched as the young Nighbloods exited the room, smiling to herself. She knew her people would be in good hands when her death arrives - whenever that may be.

"You look bothersome." Lexa words rolled off of Lexa's lips. Clarke followed Lexa's movements closely, paying attention to the way she held herself; strong, confident.

"What if the other clans reject?" She asked. A sigh escaped the Commander's lips as she brushed passed the blonde, walking over to the men against the wall throwing her hands up before demanding them to leave.

"Bants osir." {{Leave us}}

Turning around they exited the doors, leaving Lexa and Clarke alone. As the door slammed shut Clarke watched as Lexa's face fell from its mask, knowing other than Titus, she was the only one to see what lies beyond Heda's core. "If they reject the coalition will fail. I assume each leader will return home and what's to come of that I cannot say." She sighed, her voice detached and clinical.

Suddenly, the doors swung open interrupting Clarke's words. Lexa's head snapped towards the guards who barged in, unwelcomed. Her eyes narrowed, she could have them tortured for entering without being granted access. "Ai apologies, Heda." {{My apologies, Heda}} The man intertwined his fingers and bowed before his Commander. "Osir don a honon kom Skiakru." {{Prisoner from Skaikru}} Clarke's head snapped towards the guards at the mention of a Skiakru prisoner.

"Bring em kom me." {{Bring them to me}} The Commander ordered. The first man stepped to the side, looking back through the door and called out for two men to bring the prisoner in. A bag was thrown over their head. By the slim body, and long dark hair, Clarke, and Lexa knew the prisoner was female. They jerked left and right, throwing their legs up and kicking the air trying to break free from the grounder's strong grasps. Ryker, the guard Clarke saw at the main gate kicked the woman's knee from behind making her fall to the floor. A muffled grunt escaped the girl's lips.

In a swift motion, Ryker yanked the bag off of her head, revealing the gagged person underneath.

"Octavia." The words left Clarke's mouth before she could fully comprehend it. Octavia's head snapped in her direction, her eyes unreadable. The air around them suddenly became thick, making it hard for either of them to breath. Clarke knew Octavia was in raged by the sight of her beside the Commander's side once again, and she didn't blame her. Clarke was willing to sacrifice her life in Tondc, and now she's standing next to the one who left them at Mount Weather just three months ago.

Ryker latched his hand around Octavia's arm, standing her up before removing the cloth that bounded her words. Slowly, the prisoner moved her head to face the Commander who stood just a few feet in front of her.

"What business do you bring?" Lexa questioned; her once soft and harmless demeanor that Clarke witnessed yet again vanishing in an instant. Droplets of blood splattered onto the floor from Octavia's mouth as she spat the words out.

"Pike." Lexa's eyes transform to that of a demon at the mention of the name behind the death of her men. "He's destroying villages surrounding Arkadia, burning them to the ground." The nightblood that flows through Heda's veins boiled to her core.

"How have you acquired this information?" She clenched her jaw.

"I've seen it."