Chapter Ten

Lexa's breath caught, and for a good minute, she swore she forgot how to breathe at the sight of her once-love.

There, standing with a hip cocked and platinum blonde tresses mussed in a purposeful manner, was Costia Hiess. She was dressed in an intricate, silver shirt with multiple layers of sewed on fabric. The shirt was skimpy, however, and ended just an inch above her belly-button. Tight pale blue jeans hugged her legs in what could only be described as a delicious manner, hugging her curves in perfect spots, accentuating her fitness and overall bodily beauty. But her face was where much beauty lied. Her skin was fair, having come from a land of ice and snow, and not a single freckle or scar could be seen on her smooth skin, much unlike Lexa's own scarred body. Plump lips, decorated with blood red lipstick perked up into an inviting smile.

Costia's eyes trained on Lexa's own, the startling pale blue sending a shock down Lexa's spine.

Costia was beautiful, but did Lexa still love her? Was it possible after everything that had happened?

Clarke watched the scene unfold beside Octavia and Lincoln, her jaw clenched so viciously that it had begun to ache. Her body thrummed with energy, energy she wanted to use to pummel the other girl into Oblivion just for hurting Lexa the way she did. How dare she break Lexa's heart and then come back after she had moved on?

Was that the only reason?

No. It wasn't. They had become so close, and this threatened to push them so far away. No doubt Costia would be displeased if Lexa spent more time with Clarke. The blonde's upper lip curled ever so slightly at the sight of the Ice Nation student. Lexa wouldn't go back.

Would she?

"Hey Lexa," Costia breathed, sauntering up to the tall brunette. "I've missed you."

Lexa was almost confident that she was about to piss her pants. Ex-girlfriends and girlfriends were not supposed to meet.

Shit. Shit. Double shit. Fuck.

Costia had all but invaded every ounce of personal space Lexa had when she replied quietly, "I've missed you as well, Costia."

Play it cool, Heda. Remember Nyko's letter.

But when Costia stood up on her toes to give Lexa a kiss, the warrior stepped back, placing a hand up to stop Costia's confused advance. There was nothing between them any longer. She should know this, considering news of the duo that made out in the middle of a war game had traveled around the student body of many schools, even Reaper Born, and they were full of savages who took steroids all day.

"What is it? Babe what's changed?" Costia asked, her worry seemingly genuine as her eyes glistened with confused crocodile tears.

Lexa's features hardened, she needed proof of reasoning before she could smile or frown at her and Costia's situation. "I know why you left, Costia."

"I didn't leave! I was taken!" Costia cried. Clarke was grateful that many students had taken off with scoffs once her and Lexa's kiss had begun. It meant that there were less people there to see Lexa involved in such a scene, a leader did not need conflict like this.

And there's less people to watch and stop me when I kick this chicks ass.

Lexa let out a dry chuckle, not believing a word, "Sure you were."

Anger blazed in ice blue eyes as Costia snapped, "Damn right I was! My father had me sent back to be tutored by mother! Then I was forced to enroll in INH! Haven't you been reading my letters?!"

Shock overruled Clarke's feelings of anger and quite more than a hint of jealousy. Lexa had been receiving letters?

Lexa's jaw clenched, the muscles there flexing viciously as she tensed. That was not something she had wanted Clarke to find out from the likes of Costia. This was something Lexa had been planning to tell Clarke the moment they first kissed on the battle field. She hadn't even read the letters! The moment she received one she threw it in the trash with a scoff. Every single time. Why? Because Costia had left to help tell the Ice Queen about the plans Grounder High and Ark High had made. No doubt she was back to supply the Queen with information on Alliance High too.

One letter from Nyko, an old mentor of hers, came to mind.

Dear Lexa,

One of my informants in the Ice Nation has warned me of Costia's possible arrival in the City of Light within the next week. Rest up child, and tend to your bruises. I hear you kissed that blonde Sky Girl you've been ranting about? Nice one child. I have no doubt that you'll treat her right.

Beware of Costia, Lexa, she is here on a mission. The Ice Queen wants information on your school, and even more importantly, you. Being the next Commander in spirit makes you a valuable asset, or even slave. We both know that the Queen is willing to go that far, or farther if need be. Costia is not the girl you think she is, Lexa, she's changed. Rumors of a promised seat on the Council and access to the riches of the kingdom are abuzz over there. She is no longer your childhood friend. There are powers at play that many of us can barely comprehend. It's a series of backstabs and secret tripwires everywhere in the Clans and the Skaikru organizations. Mount Weather and the Ice Nation are sewing us up as puppets to control with strings they tie to their limbs. Oatu is dead, the Queen had him stretched by war horses. He was buried in five pieces, Lexa.

Tear stains had stained the page here, from Nyko and later, from Lexa. Oatu was Nyko's brother, and she considered them both to be the Uncles she had never had. The Queen was an icy bitch, all right. Lexa would kill her if it were the last thing she did. For Oatu, for Nyko, for Costia, who Lexa refused to fully believe that she did this all because of riches and power.

Be careful Lexa. The Fog Wars are occurring in three months time. Mount Weather is planning something big, as is the Ice Nation. Be ready, ready your friends and ready your soldiers. Many of the troops are spread so thinly that I doubt any of us could go to aid the City should it be attacked. Thankfully you are separated by an ocean by both, so you have time. But do not be surprised if you end up leading this battle, and then later leading this war. I wish you luck, child, and I wish you Godspeed.

Use your head, treat your girlfriend well, have fun, be safe.

Sincerely,

Nyko

P.S. I love you kid.

"I have not read a single letter. Why? Because I cannot bring myself to care about a traitor." Lexa spat, hands clenched into tight fights as the wrapping pulled tight against bruised knuckles. "And yes, I have found someone of a higher caliber. Her name is Clarke and she is the most amazing person I have ever met, and I wouldn't trade her for the world. I have moved past us, Costia, and do not think you will obtain any information from myself or anyone at this school. Branwada like you are not welcome here any longer."

Clarke smirked at the girl, confidence having returned upon Lexa's insult. She returned her arms to their place around Lexa's neck, and pressed a kiss to the side of her jaw. The blonde artist flashed a glare at the white-haired girl, "Cat got your tongue, Heiss?"

Costia sneered, eyes gleaming with tears that seemed more crocodile than honest. "Listen up Sky Bitch, this won't last long. Do you really think you can keep up with Lexa?" Costia smirked, pulling out lipstick to apply as she continued, "Because even I sometimes needed a break, but no doubt you'll be done for in a few minutes."

Clarke gaped while Lexa growled, breaking away from her girlfriend to step closer to Costia. "Don't you dare to speak to my girlfriend in such a manner." Lexa snarled, the muscles in her shoulders rolling and flexing as she tensed. "Your jealousy is a hideous sight to behold, and one I'd prefer not to look at anymore, much like you damn traitorous face."

No one insulted her girlfriend, or her friends. That was something Lexa would never stand for, and once again, she needed to make that apparent, to both Costia and the others in the usual tenth grade hall. She was a war team leader for a reason, and she proved herself every day. Such is the life of a leader.

Clarke's smirk widened, and the tightness and warmth in her stomach spread.

She had a hot girlfriend.

She had stupid girlfriend.

Her fucking mother had asked Lexa to show Costia around, and she had accepted. Clarke was going to murder this girl, because as she watched Costia place a hand on Lexa's bicep, she could feel her blood pressure spike. Sure, the expression on Lexa's face showed how unhappy she was, but it was her fault anyway! Why on Earth did she except?! Clarke growled, and jumped when Octavia placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't let it effect you. She's doing this because the Fog Wars are starting in three months now, Mount Weather wanted it to happen during the school year. The whole city underground is humming with rumors of war this summer, or late in the winter. Rumors are also going around saying that this will become a nuclear battle. The Fog Wars are an assessment, Clarke," Octavia sighed, knowing how this was affecting her friend, "we need the upper hand right now, especially with Costia feeding the Ice Queen info. The announcement is being made at lunch today. Get ready for war Princess."

Clarke's breath hitched. Get ready for war, Princess. This wasn't good. The artist inhaled, calming herself as she nodded. To obtain victory, sacrifices had to be made, right?

"Fine, but it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"No, it doesn't at all. But she'll be gone in a week, Clarke, and on the last Sunday we can trip her down some stairs as you make out with Lexa."

"Shut up Octavia."

"Just a suggestion."

"That'll be Plan B."

"What's Plan A?"

"I stick her in a cage with a Hawal Pauna."

"Plan B is now officially Plan A."

"You're no fun."

"You're crazy when you're jealous."

"Too true, O."

Clarke refused to look Lexa in the eyes when the brunette came over to her home after school. The announcement had been made, and the reaction was an expected one. The Grounders let out a simultaneous roar, ready for the battle while many of the Sky People turned green, but not the 100. The 100 joined in the Grounders roars, eager for the real competition, even though many had yet to fully recover from their injuries. They were all incredibly experienced, not as much as the Grounders, but experienced enough not to shake in their boots at the idea of the Fog Wars. They were ready for them, ready to prove to the competition that Alliance High was a real threat to their reputations and, on the real battlefield, their soldiers.

Clarke had said nothing for the past ten minutes, opting to stare at the ground, a look in her eyes that Lexa couldn't place.

"Clarke!" Lexa pleaded for the fifth time that minute, "Say something."

Clarke gave her girlfriend of only a week a blank stare. 'What is there to say? That I understand why you humor Costia? That I hate that she puts her filthy hands on my girlfriend? Yeah, I hate that Lexa, because she's trying to take what's mine."

Lexa grew quiet, before she walked over to Clarke, down on her knees. She wrapped her arms around Clarke's waist, pressing her lips into her lower abdomen. She rested her cheek against the muscle there as she said softly, "Sometimes we have to forgo our feelings in favor of victory, Clarke. But know that in no way do I wish to be with Costia. I care for her as a friend, because of our pasts and that only. But I care for you because you are my girlfriend, and I will love none more than you."

Clarke bit her lip, blushing. "You love me?"

Lexa in turn rested her chin on Clarke's belly button, "I love you with my mind, body and soul, Clarke Griffin."

Clarke threaded her fingers through Lexa's loose brown locks, reveling in the gentle purr she received. With a quick, gently tug, Lexa rose, and Clarke kissed her fiercely. Spinning them both around, she pinned Lexa to the wall beside her bed, continuing the bruising kiss. Lexa moaned, her hands coming down to grip Clarke's waist as she gave up control. Clarke had never been like this, and Lexa couldn't help but enjoy the closeness she was able to have with the blonde. Each moment with her was a gift that Lexa was sure to treasure.

When Clarke finally decided to break away, Lexa was heaving for breath, and her lips were swollen and bruised, just like Clarke had wanted them to be. So what if she was jealous, you could sue her if you wanted to, she didn't care. The blonde pressed against Lexa, hands still tangled in Lexa's hair as she whispered hotly against Lexa's lips. "I love you too. And I'm eagerly awaiting the love I'll receive from your body."

Lexa shivered, smiling as she stared into swirling, dark blue oceans full of sensuality.

Yeah, she definitely didn't want Costia back.

I didn't really like this chappie much, but I have such nice plans for the next few ones that I'm giddy just thinking about them. You really think Costia's an evil Ice Bitch don'cha? Ha. Just wait a few chappies.

You can expect an update for Unwritten Rules by either tonight or tomorrow, and maybe another one for all three of my stories by Saturday or Sunday. Remember: No updates for anything on Monday, I've got MRI's and checkups. Also, updates won't be as frequent as usual ;( but I've got a lot of homework and other crap that I need to take care of. But don't worry! Update schedules will go back to normal in a month or so, or they might not even change if I manage time well.

Bai guys!