TW: There's a duel in this chapter. There's violence. Not a lot of blood but still... Just wanted to give you a heads up!


For someone about to head into a duel, Lexa appeared to be calm. Too calm. So calm in fact, it was starting to bother her beloved girlfriend. Clarke had been trying to talk to her all day about what was going to happen. Lexa continued to dodge her questions and soothe anxieties.

"Why are you not more concerned?" Clarke glared at her.

"Meizen," Lexa sighed.

They'd had the same conversation a dozen times since they had returned from the Yiron Swega the night before. Clarke had been so upset she'd insisted on sleeping alone again. She ignored all Lexa's songs and texts too, at least until she woke up in the morning. Now, they were in the living room of Clarke's apartment, pretending to watch Orphan Black and cuddling.

"No!" Clarke insisted, sitting up and pulling herself out of Lexa's arms. "It is a duel!"

"There's no need for you to be this upset," Lexa assured for the millionth time. She reached up to cup Clarke's cheek.

With an icy glare, Clarke stood from the couch. "I'm going to go take a nap. You probably should too. I'd imagine you'd need to be rested if you want to survive the duel."

Lexa deflated. She dropped her head onto the arm of the couch and pressed a hand to her forehead. Meeting Clarke's eyes, she tried to smile but it came out a grimace. "You're right."

She'd been hoping to catch up on a little sleep while they cuddled. She hadn't slept well the last few nights because she hadn't been in Clarke's arms. After months of sharing a bed for most of their nights, not having Clarke there, a solid and comforting presence, always meant tossing and turning for Lexa. She watched the blonde move toward her bedroom, waiting until she was almost over the threshold before pushing herself up and off the couch.

"Where are you going?" Clarke asked. She'd glanced toward the couch to see if Lexa had followed her, only to find her standing by the front door, grabbing her coat from the closet.

"Bed?" Lexa replied, confused by the question.

"You can't even be bothered to take a nap with me? Really?" Clarke scoffed. She shook her head and glared, "Worried it'll mess up your mental preparations or something?"

"Meizen!" Lexa exclaimed when Clarke marched into her room and slammed the door. She dropped her coat, running to Clarke's door. She tried to turn the knob and found it locked. "Come on Love! Let me in!"

"Just go take a nap Lexa."

Lexa shook her head and rested her forehead against the hood. "I'll sleep better in your arms."

She could hear Clarke sniffling through the door, "I'm sure you have some strategy you need to work out or something."

"Clarke," Lexa turned the knob frantically, "are you crying?"

"No."

"Meizen, let me in," Lexa pleaded.

A hand on her shoulder had Lexa glancing back. Raven stood there with her lock picking tools. With a jerk of her head, she signaled for Lexa to get out of her way. The Latina had the door open before Lexa fully understood what was happening.

"She's just scared for you Lexa," Raven whispered before heading back to her bed.

"She doesn't need to be!" Lexa hissed after her.

Sometimes Lexa forgot Clarke hadn't grown up in the Kongeda. The blonde had taken to their ways and their language so naturally. She'd seamlessly stepped into the leadership role she'd been born to, never looking back once she knew it was all for real. Lexa, and her family, took that for granted. Clarke, Raven, and Octavia openly wanted to learn about their heritage. Monty and Jasper had shown more than a passing interest too. Bellamy had already read most of the books Titus had recommended.

But Clarke… she was Lexa's to help and to guide. In this instance, she'd failed her girlfriend. She hadn't helped her to understand what was going to happen in just a few hours.

"Meizen?" Lexa opened the door.

Clarke was already in her bed, curled up on her side and cuddling the pillow Lexa used when she spent the night. The blonde shifted, lifting her head and met green eyes with tears in her own. "Really Reyes?"

"I'm trying to relax too Griffin!" Raven called back.

"Can I come in?" Lexa asked from the threshold.

"I thought you were going to bed?" Clarke buried her face in her pillows again.

"I didn't think you'd want me here. That's why I started to leave," Lexa explained. She really hadn't thought Clarke wanted her around. "I thought you wanted space."

Lifting her head again, Clarke stared at her. Then she sat up and threw Lexa's pillow at her. "Lex, we've been together for almost four months. When have I ever wanted space?"

"True," the brunette smiled sheepishly as she caught the pillow. "But I don't think you've ever been this upset with me either."

"What about that one time with Costia?"

"I try not to think about that," Lexa admitted. She'd felt sick thinking Clarke hated her or something.

"That fight over the flowers."

Lexa sighed, "maybe rehashing all our fights is a bad idea."

"I'm not mad at you Lex," Clarke whispered. She moved to her knees and shuffled to the end of her bed. Closing the door and locking it again, she grabbed the pocket on the front of Lexa's Polis hoodie. She pulled until both her hands were fisted in the sweatshirt and her forehead was pressed against her abs. "I'm scared."

"Love, there's nothing to be scared about." Lexa's fingers threaded through blonde locks. She rubbed Clarke's scalp, bending down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"Because you're such a badass fighter?"

Nodding, Lexa allowed Clarke to pull her as she moved back on the bed. The blonde shifted until she was on her back with Lexa on top of her.

"Clarke," Lexa whispered.

"I don't want to talk," Clarke shook her head. She leaned up and pressed a hard kiss to Lexa's mouth. "I'm still mad but I want to sleep. You need rest."

"Meizen, if you'd just let me expl-"

"You're still talking," Clarke said against her lips.

Lexa pulled back and studied her girlfriend's blue eyes with a soft sigh she dropped her head to the crook of Clarke's neck. After pressing a kiss to the pulse point beating rapidly under her lips, Lexa murmured, "I sleep better when you hold me."

"I'm holding you now," Clarke pointed out, squeezing her emphasis.

Nipping at the beat this time, Lexa rolled her eyes, "Can I be the little spoon?"

"You're always the little spoon," Clarke snorted.

"Meizen," Lexa whined.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else your secret," Clarke giggled. Then she tilted her head, granting Lexa more access to her neck, "If I say yes, will you stop trying to leave the mother of all hickeys on my neck?"

Lexa bit softly, smiling when Clarke moaned, and released her neck. She slid off of Clarke and turned so her back was to the blonde. She let out a satisfied sigh when Clarke moved in behind her and wrapped both arms around her.

"Clarke?"

"Lex?"

"There's already a hickey there," Lexa smirked at her girlfriend groan.

Shuffling around, Clarke managed to grab her phone and used the camera to check her neck. Groaning again, she dropped her phone and swatted at her girlfriend. "How am I supposed to cover that?"

Lexa shrugged, "well it is February. So a scarf? Or you could just leave it on display. I'd like that."

Instead of responding, Clarke latched leaned up and over Lexa. She latched onto Lexa's thumping pulse point, sucking and nibbling until the brunette was squirming against her.

"Clarke!"

With a pop, the blonde released her neck, "Now we're even."

"Seriously?"

"If I can't hide mine, you can't hide yours," Clarke pressed a kiss just under Lexa's ear. "And yes, I'm still annoyed. But go to sleep Hodnes. You look like hell."


Three resounding smacks had the heads of the dozen or so people on the field turning toward Lexa and Clarke and their friends. The Sorakru friends were glaring at their significant others, hands fisted on hips and feet tapping.

"Ouch!" Anya hissed as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Did you practice that?" Lincoln asked, rubbing his ear, where Octavia's hand had soundly connected.

"Meizen?" Lexa whined. Clarke's smack to the back of her head had been hard enough to almost bring tears.

"Foam," Raven glared at her girlfriend.

"Fucking," Octavia bit out.

"Swords!" Clarke shouted.

Octavia marched to the side of the circle that had been painted on the grass. She wouldn't even look Lincoln as he spoke to her in hushed tones. Raven hurried to catch up to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and ducking her head when Anya called her name.

"I told you it wasn't to the death!" Lexa defended.

"Did the words 'Clarke, Meizen, Love, the swords are foam and have lipstick on the edges' ever cross your lips?" The blonde bit out. She'd made up her mind. She was angry. Relieved, of course, but still mad.

"Well…" Lexa glanced to her sister. Anya shrugged, "No?"

"No! They did not!" Clarke crossed her arms over her chest. "How could you let me worry like that Lex?"

"I didn't think-"

"That's right!" Clarke interrupted. "You didn't think. Was it a joke? Were you four laughing at us? Where is Tris? Of the four of you, I'd have thought she'd tell me!"

As if her name summoned her, Tris appeared next to Clarke, Monty just behind her. "What about me?"

Another smack upside a head rang out.

"Hey!" Tris objected.

"Foam swords!" Clarke thrust a finger toward Titus and Gustus, who were holding the offending items.

Tris rubbed the back of her head. "Why am I getting hit over that?"

"Did you tell them the swords were foam?" Monty whispered, knowing the look in Clarke's eyes wasn't a good thing.

"No, why would I?" Tris replied, still glaring at Clarke. "That's Lexa's job right?"

"You would think so," Clarke growled before shooting a glare at her girlfriend. Then she stomped across the grass to sit by Octavia and Lincoln.

"Why is Clarke mad at you? And why are Raven and Octavia ignoring Anya and Lincoln?" Tris asked. At the guilty look that flitted across her older sister's face, she shook her head. "Really Lexa?"

The brunette took a deep breath and released it slowly, "I didn't think about it?"

Tris shook her head again, "Alexandria Beth Woods!"

"Theresa Andria Woods!" Lexa growled right back.

"Hey! Not cool!"

"It never occurred to me to tell her! I told her it wasn't a duel to the death or anything. Every time I tried to explain, she'd cut me off and tell me she didn't want details!" Lexa defended.

"All she heard was duel," Monty said. He shot a disappointed look at his girlfriend and her sister. "How could you forget to tell her? How could the four of you just not mention it?"

He walked away then too, joining his friends. Lexa watched as the girls took turns hugging him tightly. With an ache in her chest, Lexa turned and headed toward Titus.

"Troubles?" Gustus asked when she reached them.

"I may have forgotten to mention the swords are foam to Clarke," Lexa's shoulders slumped.

"You must get all of that out of your mind Heda," Titus cautioned.

Gustus chuckled as he replied, "Easier said than done."

"Heda must clear her mind. She has no time for distractions," Titus insisted.

"Don't start on your 'love is weakness' crap," Gustus rolled his eyes.

"It's fine Gustus," Lexa took her sword and started practicing with it. She needed to get a feel for the balance and weight of the weapon.

Roan appeared on the other side of the circle, his mother and sister next to him. Costia was already walking toward Clarke. Lexa sighed. She was happy her ex-girlfriend was friendly but with Clarke already so upset… she didn't know it the blonde would appreciate Costia's company.

All too soon, Titus called for Lexa and Roan to come to the center of the circle in ten minutes time. Nodding to Anya, standing behind her still fuming girlfriend, Lexa tried to find Clarke in the growing crowd. She was nowhere to be found. Shoulders dropping, Lexa's eyes fell to the ground. She walked back to Gustus and Indra.

"Lexa?" Her aunt spoke softly.

"I'm fine," Lexa reassured her. "Just concentrating."

"Come on," Gustus wrapped an arm around his niece's shoulders. He led her to the locker room.

Knowing she needed to focus, Lexa allowed herself to be moved. She needed tape on her shoulder and knee and hands. She needed a bit more stretching. She also needed her war paint.

Gustus shoved her into the locker-room. "She's all yours!"

"What?" Lexa turned to find the door closing in her face.

"Lex?"

Whirling back around, Lexa found Clarke standing by the trainers table. She took a careful step forward, "Clarke?"

"Not telling me the swords are foam was dumb Lexa Woods," Clarke sniffled.

"I'm sorry! I forgot that you don't know these things," Lexa whispered.

With another sniffled Clarke nodded and opened her arms for Lexa to stay under her. Their arms wrapped around each other, noses brushed tenderly before mouths met in soft kisses. Then Clarke's face was hidden in Lexa's neck.

"I was so scared Lex," Clarke whispered.

"I told you it was no big deal," Lexa replied.

"It is a duel!"

Lexa sighed, "It is symbolic Meizen."

"If you win, what happens?"

"I get to punish Nia."

Clarke nodded against her shoulder, "And if Roan wins?"

"I'm no longer Heda." Lexa explained. She felt Clarke stiffen in her arms so she rubbed up and down her back to try to pacify her. "They claim they'd name you Heda but I think Nia would stake her own claim on a throne."

Shaking her head, Clarke shuddered, "I don't want to be Heda."

"I don't plan on losing," Lexa promised her, pressing a kiss to Clarke's blonde hair. "Raven and Anya already have part of Nia's punishment planned and prepared. I gave them permission to do so last night."

"I'm still a little mad at you for not telling me," Clarke whispered. She lifted her head and sighed. "Still, you better win. My girlfriend is too badass to lose to that ape-man."

"I love you Clarke Griffin," Lexa smiled down at her.

"I love you too," Clarke winked at her. "Alexandria Woods."

With a groan, Lexa dropped her forehead to Clarke's shoulder. "I'm going to kill my sister."

"You mean Theresa?"

"You do know that I'm about to go fight a duel right?" Lexa huffed.

Nodding, Clarke stepped out of Lexa's arms. "Let's get you taped up and ready to go Hodnes."


"Good luck," Clarke whispered as she pressed a kiss to Lexa's plump lips.

"Don't need luck," Lexa responded with a kiss of her own. "You're here. That's all I need."

"You're gross," Raven interrupted their moment. "Good luck Heda."

"Please don't kill my sister," Lexa replied, her eyes never leaving Clarke's.

"Oh don't worry," Raven laughed. "She's going to get punished but she'll love it."

Lexa winced at that, "Not the image I need in my head just before I go into the ring Reyes."

"Not sorry. You're too badass to lose," Raven shrugged before walking back to Anya's side. "Oh, Lexa?"

"Yeah?" Lexa sighed, just wanting to talk to Clarke just before the duel.

"Why is that guard following Clarke again?" Raven pointed to the mountain of a woman who was ten feet behind Clarke.

The blonde glanced back. She hadn't even realized she was being followed.

"Oh, Ana's going to be Clarke's guard now. Her and Langdon," Lexa explained.

"Guards?" Clarke arched a brow.

"Just being safe," Lexa replied. "And it isn't all the time. Just when there are a lot of people around or I can't be with you."

"School?" Clarke asked.

Lexa's eyes dropped, "well… Langdon is premed too so…"

"Why does Ana look like Costia but on steroids?" Octavia asked.

"She's Costia's older sister," Lexa answered. She felt Clarke stiffen in her arms at that.

"What do you - " Clarke started to ask something but was interrupted but Lexa's uncle.

"Lexa," Gustus tapped her on the shoulder, "it's time."

"We are so talking about this after you win," Clarke warned. She pressed another kiss to Lexa's lips. "Good luck. I love you!"

With a nod to her sisters and brother, and one last kiss from Clarke, Lexa stepped into the ring. Roan kissed Costia, hugged Ontari, and nodded to Nia before her joined her.

"You ready?" His rough voice met her ears.

"Are you?" Lexa asked.

"You have no idea," Roan nodded. He glanced at Costia, who had moved to stand next to Clarke. "I've been waiting years for this."

"Your mother?"

Shaking his head, Roan glanced at the tall woman on the sidelines. "She's completely in the dark, just like always."

Titus moved to stand between them, ending their conversation. He looked around at the large crowd that had gathered to watch the fight. There were more than three thousand people in the clearing, many who lived in Polis and some who had stayed an extra day after the Yiron Swega just so they could say they were there. He held up his hands, asking for silence. It was unneeded of course; he had a microphone in his hand.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and other esteemed guests, I welcome you to one of our most sacred places. The Geda kom Membas (Field of Memories) was the place where Nat kom Jus en Chopas (Night of Blood and Teeth) took place. Where Dria killed her own mother and brother so she could return to her love. On this day, we gather to witness the challenge issued by Nia kom Azgeda. Her son, Roan, will fight Heda until one surrenders or is knocked unconscious. While in our past they may have fought to the death, today we fight to submission." Titus shouted the words into the microphone. He glared around the circle, as if he thought someone was going to stop the duel or speak out in protest.

"Heda, are you prepared?" He asked, turning to Lexa.

"I am," She replied. She managed one last glance at Clarke before she met Roan's gaze and allowed Heda to take over.

"Roan kom Azgeda," Titus turned to her challenger, "are you ready?"

"I am," He answered, his voice low and gravelly.

With a nod, Titus raised a hand in the air and dropped it quickly, "let the bout begin!"

Lexa hadn't been prepared for Roan's leaping attack. He was on her before Titus had fully stepped out of the way. Even with the unexpected move, Lexa countered the swing of his sword with a block, throwing her left hand out to strike him in the side of his head. Roan stumbled through the landing, gaining his feet just as Lexa thrust her sword at his stomach. With a flick of his wrist, he redirected her blade, dancing to the right and smirking at her growl of frustration.

"Annoyed already Heda?" He asked. "We just got started."

"You should be glad these aren't real swords," Lexa bit back. She watched him take a step to his right, then another. She turned with him, refusing to give him any opening.

"I think we both know I'd win that fight too," Roan replied.

"Let's just get this over with," she ordered. She took a short step forward and thrust again, making him jump back to avoid the fake blade.

Smiling, he countered with a quick jab to her face, splitting her lower lip. Lexa thrust again, this time anticipating his side step and dropping into a crouch before spinning on the ball of her foot and sweeping his legs out from underneath him. The thump Roan made when his back hit the frozen ground, followed by the groan of a man who had just had the wind knocked from his lungs, made Lexa smile. He wheezed and knocked his chest with his fist, trying to restart his lungs.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Lexa kicked his sword out of his hand. She hadn't expected him to punch the side of her knee, causing her to drop down next to him.

"Really?" She groaned.

"You started it," He responded.

"Get up!" Nia yelled from her place with the other leaders of the Kongeda. "Finish her!"

With a sigh, and a not-too-subtle eye roll, Roan sprang to his feet. He looked around, trying to find his sword. When he couldn't see it, he met the eyes of one of Lexa's bodyguards. The dozen guards had been dispersed around the ring to make sure no one tried to influence the fight. Without stopping to think, Roan approached the man and punched him hard in the nose, tearing the collapsible baton from the man's hand as he went down. Then, a dozen or so feet away, he saw one of the guards had a shock baton. A few steps in the woman's direction had her growling and tensing. Another punch and the shock baton was his.

Turning back to where he'd last seen Lexa, he found empty space. Instead, she was to his left and fast approaching. She took had a collapsible baton in her hand. Roan met her blow for blow. She'd go high, he'd block and swing low. She'd go low and he'd try to take her head off with his counter move.

Even with the stress of watching Lexa fight, and seeing her bleeding from her lip and her nose, Clarke had to admit there was a beauty to the fight. It was almost like a dance. Lexa would swing and Roan would block or vice versa. The give and take of the whole thing was quite a sight to see.

"Why have you not killed her?" Nia's questioned soared over the crowd.

"I thought this isn't to the death?" Clarke asked Anya. "Just submission right?"

"It's supposed to be," Anya replied, her brows were furrowed as she watched the duel. "It's just a figure of speech I guess."

"End this!" Nia ordered.

As if he'd only been waiting for his mother's orders, Roan knocked Lexa over with a hard shoulder to her sternum. He tossed aside the baton in his left hand and knelt over her, ready to end the duel now. Lexa grabbed the baton with one hand and Roan's hand on the handle with the other and growled up at him. Without realizing what he was doing, Roan activated the shock baton. The sizzle of burning skin distracted him long enough for Lexa to bring her legs up to kick him in the chest. Scrambling to her feet, she spun in a wheel kick, knocking the baton out of his hand. Then, jumping into the air, she spun again, hitting him just above his ear with her foot and sending him sprawling to the ground.

"No!" Nia screamed as she surged to her feet. "Get up!"

Moving over the man before she'd fully landed, Lexa was snarling and ready to finish the fight. She dropped a knee to his throat and pressed down slightly. He brought a hand up, trying to push her away but she didn't budge.

"Are we finished yet?" Lexa hissed as she bent over him.

"I think we've done enough," Roan answered.

Taking a moment, Lexa checked him over. He had a cut running down through one of his eyebrows that was slowly leaking blood down his face. His left ear was bleeding. His nose was definitely broken. She didn't want to think about what she looked like.

"Let's do this then," She nodded and stood, offering him a hand.

Nia jumped onto the field then, furious and ready to fight herself, "What is this?"

"We're done," Lexa answered.

"You need to finish her!" Nia turned to her son.

"No," Roan replied.

"We've agreed this duel was brought about by your greed and desire for power. We're done fighting," Lexa explained. She took a step forward, moving into Nia's space. "Unless you'd like to finish the duel in his place of course. I'll gladly fight you."

Shaking her head, Nia shoved Lexa back, "You agreed to the challenge!"

"You will not touch Heda!" Ana roared and moved to step between the women.

"You issued the challenge because you want to be Heda. The people don't want you," Lexa said. Placing a hand on Ana's shoulder, she silently ordered the guard to move. "The Kongeda know I am Heda. They know my love is Wanheda. They know what it would mean if something were to happen to one of us. I'm not going anywhere."

"And we don't want you to go anywhere either!" A voice called out from the crowd somewhere.

After a rousing round of applause and whistles, Lexa held up her hand. "You have lost this challenge Nia kom Azgeda. I have decided your punishment."

"You cannot punish me if you did not win!" Nia countered.

"Then I submit," Roan shouted. "I submit to Heda and acknowledge her victory!"

"You're just as useless as your father!" Nia roared. "You had one job! All you had to do was – "

A sudden boom cut the Nia off. Suddenly, she was drench from head to toe in honey. Then, as the crowd looked around, a thumping sound from over the field caught their attention. Over the heads of Heda, Nia, Roan, and Ana were four drones. One was moving off the field and toward the parking lot. The other three sank lower until they were only a few feet over Nia's head.

"What is the meaning of this?" Titus shoved his way through the crowd.

Another splash of honey fell over Nia's head. Then, before she could even clear the honey from her eyes, a shower of brightly covered feathers rained down over her. Soon, a brightly colored human shaped bird stood on the field before Heda.

"I thought it would be sweet revenge for Sorakru to plan part of your punishment since you tried to destroy Wanheda through subterfuge with Mount Weather," Lexa laughed at what she was mostly sure was a glare from Nia. "You attempted to end Clarke's academic and professional careers because you wanted to ensure Mount Weather would join with Azgeda Tech and not Arkadia College. You thought you'd gain more power with more students, more followers."

"I didn't do – " Nia tried to argue but couldn't really speak around the feathers that fell into her mouth with every word.

"Don't bother trying to deny anything Mother," Roan said, his chest aching with barely contained laughter. "I've already given Heda all the proof she needs. It's time Azgeda had a leader that cares about Azgeda and not just themselves."

Lexa moved to take the microphone from Titus. He tried to ask her what was happening but Lexa just shook her head. She didn't have time to explain. She wanted this over with. She'd been dealing with Nia for far too long.

"Nia Ashdown, Wocha kom Azgeda, you are banished. You are not welcome on any land or in any home or business of the Kongeda. Any who violate this order is subject to punishment. You have two days to pack your belongings and leave. Three of my guards will accompany you home and help with arrangements. You are not permitted to take anything belonging to Azgeda or the Kongeda. You may only take what my guards allow," Lexa spoke clearly into the microphone, her eyes never leaving Nia's. "You may speak to your children of course, on the phone or through email or if they wish to visit you. You will never darken my doorstep again."

Without waiting for the feathered covered woman to reply, Lexa dropped the microphone and walked off the field. The people parted for her, some reaching out for a handshake or to pat her on the back or shoulder. She moved as quickly as she could, wanting to be away from the field and Nia. Thankfully, Ryder and Gustus found their way to her side and escorted her into a waiting car.

"Let me see," Clarke said as soon as the door closed behind Lexa and the car was moving.

"Hello to you too," Lexa winced when Clarke reach for her hand.

"Hey," Clarke smiled softly.

"I won," Lexa said.

Clarke snorted and met her eyes, "your fake duel? Those batons weren't fake Lex. These burns are bad."

"I'll be fine Meizen."

"We're going to Mom's house. She'll fix your hand," Clarke placed her hand back in her lap before reaching up to cup Lexa's face with both her hands. She tsked at the slight of Lexa's perfectly plump lower lip being split. Then she prodded at her nose, happy to discover it wasn't broken.

"I'm fine," Lexa grasped Clarke's wrist with her right hand.

"No more duels," the blonde replied.

With a nod, Lexa leaned forward enough to press of soft kiss to Clarke's mouth. Even with the sting from her split lip, it was worth it.

They settled into the seat, their fingers laced together and Clarke's head on Lexa's shoulder as the car headed toward Abby's house. The ride was mostly silent. Occasionally Lexa would gasp when a bump jarred her sore ribs or she'd wince when a bounce sent waves of pain through her aching head. Every time Clarke would squeeze her hand and press a kiss to her shoulder.

"You mother wasn't at the duel?" Lexa finally asked when they were only a few minutes from Abby's house.

"She was. She said she was going to wait for us there because she knew I'd want you to see a doctor," Clarke answered. She lifted her head and rested her chin on Lexa's shoulder. "Want to explain to me why that seemed sort of staged? Your fight with Roan I mean?"

"Because it was. We've had it planned for years."

"What?"

"We knew Nia would issue the challenge eventually. And we knew she'd choose Roan as her champion because of Costia," Lexa explained. She grinned at Clarke's eye roll. "Nia thought I'd go easy on him so Costia wouldn't be effected by the results. But that wasn't why Roan and I worked it out beforehand. We just wanted Nia gone. With her gone, there aren't any big manipulators left to try to take me down. So now Roan is Wocha kom Azgeda and I get to have a nice and mostly relaxing life with my beloved Wanheda."

Clarke laughed. Lexa had thought of everything. Except one thing, "And you never thought to tell me all of this?"