Lexa could always remember the screams. Nightbloods had been told showing pain meant you were weak, however there was very little that stop them from screaming out when they were struck down and inches from death.

She stood in the entryway- the last to be called to conclave- aware of Costia's gift hanging around her neck. The necklace was beautiful- a braided chain with a flame pendant. Lexa wrapped her hand around it, praying hard that it might protect her.

Today was the first day of the conclave. Conclaves were usually split over two or even three days- depending on what the flame keeper decided was appropriate. By the end of the day there would be only three or four nightbloods left. Lexa took in a shaky breath. She had to hope she'd be one of them.

The horn sounded loudly and there was a jeer from the surrounding crowd. Lexa raced out into the clearing, but unlike the others she didn't scream as she ran. In the distance, she noticed the bodies of two of the nightbloods- a female one of around seventeen and a male one of around twenty. The eldest of the nightbloods- Garon, who was twenty-three- was the first to notice her. Good, Lexa thought to herself, she'd made sure to train often with Garon, and she'd always played her cards right to appear weak in front of him.

"Yo gonplei ste odon, Lexa kom Trikru," Garon announced as he swung his staff in Lexa's direction. Lexa quickly backflipped out of the way, keeping her sword in her hand and using the momentum of the move to position herself into a better fighting stance. Seconds later the blade of her sword clanged down on Garon's staff with an incredible force that rang through the stadium.

Garon seemed a little phased, Lexa thought, and a little breathless. She immediately knew that he'd been the one who killed Kora and Soren. Lexa took comfort in that knowledge, he was tired, Kora and Soren were skilled warriors. He would underestimate her. She had to believed that.

Garon was quick to respond to Lexa's attack however, he twisted the end of his staff to try to collide with Lexa's ribs but she dodged quickly, sliding her sword up into the unprotected area of his chest and landing a blow between his ribs.

Garon's face showed that he's registered the pain and black blood poured down his garb and armour in a quick stream. Lexa hadn't thought she'd cut that deep.

Now, Garon was going to make her pay. He was like a monster. But a desperate monster. The pain was clouding his judgement and the movement of his staff was erratic and unpredictable. Lexa was quick on her feet, and agile, and her low muscle tone and shorter stature helped her immensely. Whilst Garon was a lumbering bag of muscle and slowed down because of that, Lexa had far more options, not only could she run and dodge- but she could also climb.

She let Garon back her into the corner of the stadium, the man's facial expression filled with curiosity. Surely, she wasn't going to make it that easy?

When Garon was only a few yards from the corner, Lexa began to climb quickly, her sword still held in her hand. Soon she was a good ten or so feet above Garon and she knew what had to happen next. Without hesitation, she jumped landing on top of the eldest nightblood.

Garon fell back to the ground and Lexa wasted no time in dispatching him with a quick blow to the sternum. Garon feel back against the concrete, not even having the time to register his own death.

It was only after Garon uttered his final breath that Lexa noticed the dagger in her hip. It was pulsing black blood around it and Lexa looked sickened. There was no doubt that Garon had used the full length of that dagger.

Lexa cussed under her breath. Before she had even felt sorry for Garon for the briefest moments, he was her first kill after all, but now, now she was just enraged, the bloodlust rushing through her veins. There'd be time to deal emotionally later, right now she needed to survive, and needed to believe she could- even if she had a massive dagger stuck in her side.

Lexa pulled herself up wearily to her feet, and turned to see Luna. She noticed two other bodies- Garon, Kora, Soren, Erina, Marko- they were now all dead. It was just her, Luna, Christopher- Luna's brother- and Walton left.

Lexa cast her eyes around looking for Walton. He stared back up at her wearily from the ground, a massive spear sticking out of his abdomen. Yes, he was as good as dead.

Lexa turned back to Luna and that was when she noticed the young woman standing, with a sword pointed at the chest of her brother. Tears glistened in the Floukru girl's eyes and similar tears were running down Christopher's cheeks. It was rare that siblings were both nightbloods, and Lexa was glad for that, but it was far too late for the Floukru siblings.

Lexa knew what she should do, but she just couldn't. She stood, her vision growing fuzzier and fuzzier by the moment as the blood loss began to take its toll, and just looked on. Yes, she could probably rush Christopher and maybe even defeat him, he was the weaker of the two and had an annoying habit of leaving his right side undefended, but… but the moment between the siblings seemed oddly private and something she didn't feel she could intrude on. Not only that, the pragmatic side of Lexa's mind added as it managed to kick in, but those siblings would just partner up to kill Lexa, she knew that. Even if their sibling bond had been weakened by years of being told that love was weakness.

No, Lexa thought, as she allowed herself to drop to the ground, relatively unnoticed by Luna and Christopher, she would just play dead until they'd finished with each other. Then she'd jump up and take on the final nightblood. Yes, that would be the best option. They wouldn't doubt she was dead with a wound like hers. In fact, Lexa was wondering herself how she was still alive.

So, Lexa let herself rest on the ground, her eyes closing, waiting for that moment.

Only it never came.

BREAK_BREAK_BREAK

"Lexa!" a familiar voice yelled in panicked tones, "Lexa, wake up!"

Lexa blinked groggily, her eyes opening slowly, aware of a dull light somewhere above her. Well, Lexa realised as she took in the light above her and the severe throbbing at her side, this clearly wasn't the afterlife. Which meant that she wasn't dead, and that meant that the panicked voice belonged to…

"Costia," Lexa said tiredly, her throat dry, she looked up at the worried face of her dearest friend.

She looked so pale, Lexa noticed, and she'd lost weight too. She hadn't noticed it over the weeks, but now, now it was so obvious. Lexa placed a hand over Costia's own small thin one and gave her a reassuring smile.

Costia smiled at her sadly, "I saw you, Lexa. At the conclave. You were so brave, you fought so well. But… but you should have never attempted that jump…"

Lexa gave her a tiny smile, "It worked though."

Costia rolled her eyes, "You scared me."

Lexa's smile immediately disappeared, "I didn't mean to, Costia. I swear I didn't."

Costia nodded, reaching for the necklace that was still around Lexa's neck, "I know. You've only ever wanted to protect me. I ask too much of you. Your life- it doesn't make exceptions, you can't just avoid danger if you don't want to face it. I saw that today- you, Luna. Neither of you wanted to make those kills. Lexa, please, please promise me you'll change things if you can, when you become Heda, please, you can't put other nightbloods through this."

Lexa sighed, "Costia. It's not because I don't want things to change… I just don't think that the other clans would allow it."

"Lexa," Costia said, taking both of Lexa's hands, "Just promise me you'll try. When you become Heda, they'll listen to you."

Lexa sighed, "Ok. I swear I'll try. What happened, after I, passed out?"

Costia stared at the ground, and Lexa was sure she could see tears forming in the young girl's eyes, "I…I thought… I thought you'd died, Lexa. Walton too. But no, you both survived. Luna and Christopher. She killed him, she had to kill her own brother! And then… then Luna disappeared, we don't know where."

"She disappeared?" Lexa asked, intrigued. How on earth did Luna managed to get away? More importantly what did that mean? Would she forfeit her right to be the next commander? Would she be hunted down and suffer death by a thousand blades? And who would make that decision?

Costia nodded, and Lexa noticed the tears running down her face, "I thought it would all be over. But… but now they want you to fight Walton tomorrow and I know he's injured and you're technically less injured. But… I begged Titus, I begged him to get the generals and clan ambassadors to see sense…"

"Hey," Lexa said, wiping away Costia's tears, "It will all be ok. If Titus thinks I'm ready to fight then he'll let the second stage of the conclave go ahead."

Costia let out a shaky sob, "I wish you could run away too. I wish we could both run away."

"I know," Lexa said. I wish we could both run away. Lexa hoped she wasn't reading into anything but the look in Costia's eyes wasn't a look she associated with friendship. It was something… something more.

Costia let out another sob, "I can't lose you, Lexa. I can't. Titus…. I spoke to him…. He told me I should stay away from you… that I was a danger to you…. That meals out and visits and presents were one thing…. But that…. That love… love was wrong."

Lexa felt her face flush red. Love- so Costia did love her! But how dare Titus, her most trusted advisor, how dare he say that to Costia. Costia, who wasn't even a danger to an ant. Costia, who needed her protection, especially as her health appeared to be fading every day.

"I wanted to wait until after the conclave to tell you," Costia admitted, "But Titus wants to send me away."

Lexa felt her body fill with fury, as she pulled herself into a sitting position, the pain clouding her vision and turning it grey momentarily. She experimentally tried to place her feet on the ground and see how much wait they could take.

"Lexa, Lexa, no!" Costia yelled, panicked, as she moved to stand in front of Lexa, placing her hands either side of Lexa's body forcing the nightblood to remain seated on the bed, "You can't!"

"He can't say that to you!" Lexa yelled, "I won't allow it! I won't allow him to send you away!"

Costia shook her head, "It's no use. And I… I can't keep on working here… I'm too ill now. You'll still see me, Lexa, when you tour as Heda, and visit Trikru."

"No!" Lexa yelled, "I don't want to just see you once a year. When I become Heda, you will live with me, and I don't care what Titus or anyone has to say about that. And I'm going to make him aware of my plans, right now!"

"No, Lexa, please don't," Costia begged, "You need to rest. Lexa…"

Lexa leaned up, kissing Costia passionately. At first the girl was surprised, and Lexa could sense the weariness she'd been trying to hide from her. Yes, Lexa had been stabbed, but something was going on for Costia too, something that was almost on the same level. And Titus should have fixed it! Lexa yelled mentally.

But still she didn't want to think of her mentors or anyone at that moment because she just wanted fill her mind with Costia. With her sweet scent, with the way that her delicate hands rested on Lexa's shoulders, with the way the young girl relaxed in her arms.

"Lexa, we shouldn't," Costia murmured, "It's not that I don't want to…"

"When I came to the capital they told me I'd want for nothing," Lexa told her, "They shouldn't have made that promise if they didn't intend to fulfil it."

Costia grinned, before kissing Lexa and this time it was even more tender, because whilst Lexa was a warrior, used to showing her passion through force and fire, Costia was more like water, gentle and calming, but still with the same intensity, and Lexa felt at ease in her embrace until…

Rough hands pulled Costia away from her and the girl let out a yell of surprise.

Lexa opened her eyes to see Titus holding Costia tightly by the arm, in a way that caused her severe pain. Lexa immediately jumped up from the bed, racing towards him as quickly as she could, ignoring the searing pain and the tug of the stitches. Titus gave her a horrified look.

"Don't you see, nightblida? Don't you see the weakness she is already inflicting on you?" Titus asked angrily, "You should be resting, instead you are risking your ability to perform well in the conclave by attempting to-"

"Shut up, Titus!" Lexa yelled, using her knowledge of martial arts to break Titus's grip on Costia, who immediately darted behind Lexa, "Don't you dare ever put a hand on Costia again!"

"Love is weakness, Lexa," Titus yelled, "She will be the death of you!"

"No, you might think that," Lexa replied passionately, "But I will prove you wrong! I will show you that love is never weakness!"

BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK

"Lexa," a voice said, and she felt someone shake her shoulder gently, "Lexa, they are here."

Lexa blinked, allowing her memories of her conclave to fade away and giving Clarke a tiny smile.

"I talked to Roan," Clarke said, and Lexa could tell that she was blushing just a little, "He won't say anything. I promise. I told him you'd run him through if he even tried."

"Good," Lexa said, "Because that is the truth."

Clarke grinned.

"Heda!" one of the guards yelled in Trigedasleng, "Should we allow them in?"

Lexa nodded, before replying in the same language, "Yes, let them enter."

Clarke took her place down in the circle of ambassadors and Lexa felt a pang in her heart as she saw Clarke take her seat amongst the members who were now flooding into the room. Lexa couldn't help but feel that Clarke didn't belong there, that she belonged with her, by her side, right next to her. But it would look bad in the eyes of the other clans if she was seen to favour Skirkru too much- if they knew she was dating the ambassador…

King Roan was the last to take his seat and she noticed Ontari trailing behind him, head held high, arrogance dripping from her shoulders as if she were Heda, and not Lexa. How Lexa wished that she could force the girl to train in Polis, then she and Aden would get an opportunity to knock her down a few pegs. Even if she won the conclave, no one would respect a leader like her, she wouldn't last long, and she needed stability, and someone to carry on her reforms. Ontari would never do that.

"I hope you don't mind me bringing our natblida," King Roan said, "I just feel that she ought to attend this meeting, considering it concerns her and her kind."

Lexa gave a polite nod.

"I think we ought to be considering our situation with Arkadia," another ambassador said, "They cannot be trusted, Heda. The man known as Pike, he is volatile…"

"He is being dealt with," Lexa reassured him, "Or do you not trust me to make the right decision in that case?"

The ambassador quickly shook his head, likely recalling the last person who had questioned her authority in the council room.

"We are gathered here today to discuss a change in the ascension laws," Lexa began, standing up, noticing that the pain in abdomen had increased in severity from earlier that day, but dismissing it, "As you all well know, during the conclave nightbloods must fight to the death until there is one Heda. I feel that this is wasteful- and especially with the current situation with Skikru we need as many warriors as possible. With the nightbloods no cost is spared with regards to their training- they would make excellent region guardians. What I propose instead is that the conclave rules be changed- so instead of being a fight to the death, it is a fight to the surrender. The last to give up, will become the next Heda."

A loud chorus of protests erupted from the ambassadors and generals in the room and Lexa listened closely. Most of them were calling her soft, saying she was a disgrace to her lineage, some even blamed Clarke, saying Skirkru had manipulated her into making a weak decision. But out of the all, the one she worried about most was Ontari, who stared at her with a look of disgust her eyes never losing their steely focus.

"The nightbloods must fight to the death," the Floukru ambassador said, "It is the only way to ensure that they train hard and take their fighting serious. Next you will be telling me they should still see their parents, play with toys, have a normal happy little childhood. Their nightblood makes them different, Heda, they are not simple children. They share the blood of the first Heda, they are closer to gods than children, and must be treated as such."

"No, I agree with Heda," another ambassador said, "The threat from Arkadia is too much to allow us to lose warriors to ceremony and tradition, we must adapt- to survive. Our entire civilisation is forged on survival, doing what is necessary. We need to adapt or we will die!"

"I agree," Clarke said taking a stand, and Lexa wished she could stand with her, or show some sign of her affection for her, but she knew it would too dangerous, "I understand that your traditions are important…"

"You understand nothing, you are Skikru," the Floukru ambassador replied.

"Shop of!" Lexa yelled, "Clarke kom Skikru, please continue."

Clarke let out a tiny smile, which fortunately only Lexa noticed, "But the nightbloods are the best trained of all of us. Tell me, would you kill your best generals, for nothing more than a ceremony? There will always be a threat to your survival, be that the mountain men, the reapers, or even… my people. If you want to survive then you need to protect the strongest of you. Imagine what your life would be like if you had nine Lexas instead of one. How much better off you would be, how much better protected. You have that option."

"One's too many, in my opinion," Ontari said as she walked towards Lexa.

Lexa gave her an incensed look, the girl had just committed treason, nightblood or not she would be punished.

"I challenge you, Lexa kom Trikru," Ontari announced, "If I win, your motion will not pass. If you win, you can have your vote. But understand this, if you win, you will dirty our traditions and you will never be a true Heda in the eyes of your people!"

Lexa put up a hand to stop the girl, before moving closer to her, her eyes fixed on Ontari's dark ones, "You will have your challenge, but with one alteration, if I win, you will never compete in the conclave. Your first oath as a nightblida is to honour and protect your Heda. Your words now show that you do not take your oaths seriously, we have no room in our society for a Heda who does not take her calling seriously and cannot honour a simple oath."

Ontari didn't waver, "And we have no room in our society for a weakling like you."