AZGEDA
Reign sat on her horse silently as her nomon rode next to her sneaking glances every so often. They had been riding for twenty minutes before they stopped at Lexa's request.
"This is it." Lexa beamed, getting off her horse and Reign did the same. "The glass river."
"Just like from your stories." Reign said,
"That's right, when you were younger." Lexa smiled remembering all the times she's lulled Reign to sleep with what the young girl used to call 'stories from her head'. "The lake that never melts."
The glass river was legend amongst all the clans, no one knew why or how but the river hadn't melted in over fifty years. Some think it's from radiation from the world ending others think it's cursed.
"It's beautiful during sunset, I thought we could enjoy it together." Lexa went to her horse grabbing her bag where she packed blankets and warm drinks for them to sip on.
They sat in a comfortable silence as the sun started setting above them and Reign had to admit it was one of the best sights she's ever seen. She leaned into Lexa's arms who was surprised at first but then she wrapped her arms around her tightly.
"Thank you for bringing me here nomon."
"Of course, my love, I did say I would."
"When I was 5." She smiled,
"I kept my promise didn't i?"
"You did, you always keep your promises nomon." Reign replied,
"Can I ask you something?" Lexa asked and Reign nodded against her chest, "Why do you feel more comfortable talking to Raven or even your mom when something is wrong? Did I do something to make you feel like you couldn't come to me?"
"No!" Reign said quickly, "I know I can come to you nomon but sometimes it's easier to talk to Raven because she not you or mom and what I say can't hurt her the way it will hurt you. Like yesterday I could see how bad my words hurt you and I didn't want that. I wanted to tell you what was wrong, but I also didn't want to hurt you either."
"I understand but I need you to know that I always want to know how you feel no matter what. You're my daughter and I love you more than I can describe and seeing you the past few months struggling with all of this in silence hurt me. Knowing you weren't ok hurt me your words didn't, I needed to hear them so we can work on it together. Do you understand?"
"I do." She nodded,
"From now on you will come to me, no matter what?"
"I will, I promise." Promising in their family was a very serious statement, they never broke promises ever, and no matter the circumstance they always follow through.
"Now what's going on with Freya, you two seemed to be getting along well." Lexa said suspiciously secretly hoping her daughter wasn't about to confess any romantic feelings. It was too soon!
"She's nice, I think we could be friends." Reign said honestly, "Raven even likes her but that may be cause she hooked her up with some Azgeda warrior."
"What? Hooked up?" Lexa turned to her daughter,
"Hooked up means sleep with." Reign said as if it were obvious,
"I know that Reign but why do you know that?"
"Nomon I'm 14, I'm not a kid anymore." She laughed,
"I knew it was a bad idea allowing Raven around you." Lexa sighed, "I should've put it to an end after you made your first explosive together."
"It was a fire work and she's my favorite aunt."
"That's the point." Lexa said, "Hooking up? Never say that again!"
"It does sound lame, next time I'll say something like getting busy or having sex, maybe the devils tango?"
"It's official no more Raven." Lexa says ignoring Reign laughs, this girl was going to give her a heart attack one day.
"I'm teasing you nomon." She laughed,
"I know and I hate it please stop."
"Fine, fine." She surrendered, "But I'm really not a kid anymore."
"You'll always be my little baby Reign I don't care how old you get." Lexa smiled, she hadn't seen Reign joke or laugh much in months so even if it was at her expense she didn't care. "I still remember when you were scared to ride on your own and would only ride with me. I miss that."
Reign smiled remembering her old fear, at a young age the horses did frighten her, but Lexa would never let her give up on learning to ride. It wasn't until a pearl white horse with a grey and black mane was born that she would even get within two feet of one by herself.
She didn't know what it was about the horse, but she wasn't scared and eventually she learned to ride but only on that horse.
"Thank the heavens for Skaikrasha or you would've probably never got over that." Lexa smiled looking over at the horse,
Like her Skaikrasha was born during a week of rain and storms and Reign was sure it was fate, that this horse was born for her. So, on the last day it stormed Reign snuck out of her house with a bowl of carrots and apples making her way to the stables. None of the horses liked the storm but Skaikrasha wasn't bothered at all hence the name. From that day forward Reign claimed her, and they've been together ever since.
"You helped too." Reign said, "And Madi." When she was younger Madi was responsible for teaching her a lot of tasks and she was thankful for it. Thinking about it now only made think about the rift between them. "I miss her."
"You two will work this out, family always does." Lexa reassured pulling her daughter close, "Until then enjoy your time away from it all, Azgeda can be a nice getaway only if you allow it."
Reign nodded, she would put her issues with Madi aside until they returned to Polis for now, she would do as her moms have told her, enjoy the time away.
By the time they got back to their rooms it was passed dark and Reign was tired, so it didn't take long for her to pass out. But unlike other days tonight she would fall asleep with a smile because for the first time in months she had a good day and most importantly it was with her nomon.
"I miss you."
"I miss you too ai hodnes." Lexa sighed, it was the morning after her ride with Reign and she was talking to Clarke via radio. Hearing her voice made her want to get on her horse and ride back to Polis but they had a few more days.
"How's my baby?" Clarke asked,
"I think she's better; I took her to the glass river yesterday and we had a good time." Lexa smiled, "I failed Clarke, I went wrong somewhere."
"Don't say that!" the blonde scolded, "We knew both of them being Nightblood's would be a challenge."
"It's not just about that, its about my parenting it's about my child not feeling like she can come to me."
"Reign has always been the type to keep things to herself and we let her for too long, but we won't let that happen again Lex. We have a lot to work on with both of our girls but for now while we're apart try and focus on spending time with her."
"I know I am, I just- you're right, we'll all talk about it when we get home." Lexa sighed,
"Don't worry yourself my love, I was talking to Reign this morning and she was telling me about a dance?"
"Roan is hosting a feast for the start of summer, it's traditional."
"Hm, she was also telling me about Freya the princess." Clarke smirked, "Does my baby girl have a crush."
"She says they are just friends Clarke." Lexa hoped that was true, she wasn't ready for her baby to be dating,
"Don't be a mama bear! Our baby could have her first crush!"
"I'd rather not jump to conclusions."
"I should've known you wouldn't gossip with me; I'll have to get all the details from Raven."
"Speaking of she has my daughter saying things like hooking up and probably other stuff I don't even want to know."
"She's 14 not 4 Lex." The blonde giggled, "When I was 14, I knew far worse words."
"You sky people are corrupting my daughter." She smiled,
"She's the best of both worlds my love."
"This is why I don't ask for your opinion." Reign huffed, ripping the disastrous dress from her body, and digging through her bag for a new option. The feast started an hour ago and Reign had nothing to wear and an opinionated Raven was only adding to the dress.
"All I said was it's a little granny-ish." Raven defended,
"Just leave please, I'd like to get ready without the commentary."
"Fine, lucky me I have blonde goddess waiting to dance with me." Raven smirked, "Am I sensing you have a red haired one waiting for you as well?"
"Freya's a friend and that's all." Reign said not giving the older woman another look,
"Whatever you say little one." She smiled before leaving the room.
Once the nagging woman was gone the girl pulled some tight pants and a cropped long sleeve from her bag and threw it on. At this point fashion was her last concern now she just wanted to get out of her room. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in braids from her training this morning, so she unraveled them letting her wild curls flow down her back. A few looks in the mirror later and she was ready to go.
By the time she arrived the feast everything was in full swing, people were everywhere, and music was filling the air. Her whole life Reign had always enjoyed feasts, it was nice seeing everyone out and carefree instead of usual busy mess that Polis usually is.
"I was starting to think you weren't coming."
Reign looked up seeing a very smiley Freya walking towards her, she couldn't deny the girls beauty if she was being honest, she was probably the one of the most beautiful girls she's ever seen. Her hair is fire red and her skin pale and those bright light hazel eyes were amazing, she was a vision and Reign knew it, but she also knew a crush on her would be a very bad idea.
"I was debating it." The blonde shrugged,
"Well not that you are here what do you think? Is it up to your standards Tri girl?" she smirked,
"Everything looks amazing, although if I were in Polis someone would have asked me to dance by now." She smiled,
"Maybe I was waiting for an invite." Freya said moving closer to the blonde,
"What do you say Ice Princess, is a simple trikru citizen like me worthy enough to ask you for a dance?"
"There is absolutely nothing simple about you Reign." Freya said seriously before grabbing the girl's hand, "But I would love a dance."
Of course, the music took this opportunity to slow down to Reigns dismay, not because she didn't like slow dancing but because it meant they would have to be closer.
Freya wrapped her arms around the taller girl's neck as they swayed to the slow beat that surrounded them.
Reign didn't have a crush that much she knew; Freya was nice and had shown her a kindness no one her age ever has. For once she was around a peer that she didn't feel like she needed to dumb herself down for or pretend she didn't know they only wanted to be friends with her because she was the commander's daughter.
Her developing friendship with Freya was genuine and mixing personal feelings would only ruin it and she didn't want that. So even if she didn't have a crush at the moment it wasn't a far-fetched notion that one day she could. It didn't make it better that literally everyone was asking her about her and Freya. They were friends and that is all.
"People are staring at us." Reign mumbled; her hands were wrapped tightly around the other girl's waist as they moved through the music.
"Maybe because you're such a great dancer." Freya smiled, "Or because the king's daughter and the commander's daughter are dancing and they no doubt think this is some sort of political stunt."
"Is that something you do often here?" Reign asks looking into hazel eyes as the girl shrugs,
"My father isn't above forming political connections through me if that's what you mean."
"What does he make you do?"
"He doesn't make me do anything I just mean if there is a clan who's leader has kids my age or close, he'll suggest I befriend them."
Reign couldn't help but step back at that information, was this a lie was Freya only being nice to her because Roan asked her too?
"Reign there you are." Lexa smiled hugging her daughter, "Princess."
"Heda." Freya bowed,
"Sorry to interrupt but I have run into Marcella, she's here with her father." Marcella was the daughter of the closet trade partner Shadow Valley. Reign met her a few years ago while she was dropping off supplies and they became fast friends even with Marcella being a few years older, unfortunately they didn't see each other too often since Marcella was always traveling.
"I should go say hi." Reign said, happy for the escape, "Thanks for the dance."
"Anytime." Freya said before watching the girl walk off, she could sense that she may have did something wrong she just didn't know what.
Marcella could be spotted a mile away with her huge dark curls and glowing beautiful dark skin. People flocked to her because of her beauty and the girl loved every minute of it.
"If it isn't the elusive Marcella kom Louwoda Kliron Kru." Reign smiled giving the girl a big hug.
"There's my favorite warrior." She smiled, "I didn't know you'd be here."
"Last minute thing, I joined my nomon."
"Well, I'm glad you did, now I have a friend to dance with." The girl smiled before dragging Reign onto the floor with her. The song was upbeat, and they swayed and moved together laughing and it was fun.
Fun wasn't something Reign had much of lately, but she was glad to be having it now, dancing where nothing really matters.
A few danced later and the pair was sitting at a table where Marcella was catching Reign up on her life.
"My nontu has be doing more trade runs than usual so this two weeks off is the only down time I'll get for a few months." Marcella sighed, "But the traveling is always a plus, anyways enough about me what's going on with you?"
"Same things as always I guess, training and more training." Reign answered, truthfully her life the past two years especially has been tons of training for the conclave.
"You really need to take a break Rei, I saw you dancing with the princess what's that about?" she asked smirking,
"God not you too." Reign groaned, "We just met a few days ago she's been friendly. You know just because I'm talking or hanging out with someone doesn't mean it's romantic."
"Alright chill it was just a question, how about Cas still just friends?"
"He's practically my brother, I'm 14 Marcie do you really think romance is on my brain?"
"If I didn't know you Reign, I'd think you were 16, you've always been well above your age." She shrugged, "Plus I'm saying you have to like anyone I was just wondering if you did but if you don't that's fine too."
"I'm sure you have some romantic exploits to share with me."
"See, no 14 year-old would ever say romantic exploits." She laughed, "But if you must know I did recently meet someone, and you'll never guess what clan he is from."
"Azgeda?" Reign guessed,
"Skaikru."
"Wow, who?"
"His name is Luke, we met while I was delivering supplies and we just started talking and the rest is history."
"Luke." Reign said trying to think if she knew a Luke, "Is he a farmer?"
"Yes! Do you know him?"
"Not really but I have seen him around, he seems nice I'm happy for you Marcie."
"Thank you, after we leave here, I'm going to spend the rest of my break with him."
"Sounds exciting."
"Oh, it will be." She smirked,
"Too much information talk about something else." Reign cringed,
"Fine, the princess isn't looking too thrilled over there." She said nodding her head towards Freya who was sitting across the courtyard with watching the festivities take place around them. She did in fact look upset about something.
A second later Roan came and sat beside of her and they talked for a few minutes. Reign couldn't hear but she knew whatever it was Freya wasn't happy about it. Reign wanted to ask if she was ok, but she also didn't want to overstep. Finally, Freya stood from her seat leaving the King at his table alone.
"You should go." Marcella said interrupting her thoughts, "She looked like she could use a friend and I could use a drink. I'll find you before I leave to say goodbye."
Reign only nodded giving the girl a hug before walking in the direction Freya fled off to moments before. It didn't take but a few minutes to spot fiery red hair in a small clearing filled with huge rocks and boulders.
Quietly Reign sat beside the girl on one of the rocks as they gazed up at the stars,
"Did I do something?" Freya asked breaking their silence, "It's just something seemed off before Lexa came over, did I do something to upset you?"
Reign sighed running her fingers through her long blonde hair,
"When I got here and you were being friendly with me, I assumed it was because you wanted to be, but when we were dancing you said Roan would suggest you make friends with the leaders' children and I guess that kind of upset me."
"I didn't mean you Reign." Freya sighed taking the girls hand, "My dad never asked me to befriend you I did that because I wanted to. Your mom has visited here many times and she speaks of you a lot. For years I've heard of Reign kom trikru and Skaikru one of Polis's best warriors and apparently an amazing artist. I wanted to know you and when I learned you would be traveling here, I was excited. I don't know if you noticed but I don't exactly have many friends here. Being friends with the future Queen isn't something people line up for and I knew you would be able to relate. I'm sorry that I upset you, but I genuinely like you Reign, and I want to be friends."
"I want that too." She smiled, "I appreciate your honesty and I'm happy for the clarity, but I didn't follow you for an explanation. I came to see if you were ok, I saw you talking with your dad and you looked upset."
"Yeah, my dad can be a real branwoda sometimes." She huffed before turning to the blonde, "The chief of the Azgeda army has a son, his name is Micha he's a few years older than me and a well-respected warrior within our clan. Since my father has decided to pass the crown to me with, I come of age some are worried I can't lead properly without a man by my side."
"That's ridiculous, Azgeda has had many queens."
"And none of them have been very good, I know within the other clan's gender is nothing but here is means everything. To them men can lead better than woman and woman can lead better with a man by their side."
"So then what does this Micha person have to do with it?" Reign asked,
"Essentially they want me to marry him."
"What?"
"My father doesn't but he also doesn't think it would hurt to get to know Micha."
"But you don't want to?"
"I don't need to, he's as cocky and self-absorbed as most Azgeda warriors. I do not plan to entertain the mention of a marriage with him. When I'm their Queen they will bow to me and I will show them I can handle the crown on my own."
Reign was perplexed by this information; she didn't know much about ice nation politics, but she also assumed they were close to Trikru's.
Growing up being a girl or a boy didn't really mean much to Reign, both could be warriors both could be leaders it didn't matter but here it did. She didn't like that people were trying to force Freya into something she clearly didn't want but it was nice knowing Freya didn't plan on letting them take her choice away.
"I know you'll be an amazing Queen." She said finally, giving her pale hand a squeeze,
"And you'll be a great Commander."
"Only if I win."
"We went over this; something tells me you will." She smiled, "Now come, we have a feast to enjoy."
The next day Reign woke early for a training session with Lexa. She knew her nomon as trying, so she didn't want to turn her down plus she loved spending time with her. Quickly she got dressed and braided her hair before heading to the training yards where Lexa awaited,
"Good morning little one." She smiled kissing her forehead before handing her a staff,
"Can we say good morning if the sun is barely out?"
"Yes." Lexa laughed, "It's be out soon for now how about some warmups."
Reign did her normal stretches making sure to really warmup her body so it wouldn't hate her later for everything she was about to do to it. Once she was done, she picked up her staff and walked back over to her nomon.
"If we're going to do this you can't hold back." Reign told her, both taking their stance's,
"As if I would just let you win." Lexa smiled before swinging her staff expertly, but Reign was quick and blocked it with her own, "Very good."
"No praising either." Reign said blocking another blow with her stick,
She wasn't as good as her nomon, but she could keep up which seemed to surprise the older woman. When it came to fighting Reign was a natural, at 6 she could disarm some of the older kids without a second thought and Lexa had always been impressed. But seeing her here today blocking every hit and even getting a few of her own, Lexa was ecstatic with her progress.
The first few rounds were won by Lexa but that never deterred Reign, if she got knocked down, she got right back up and continued fighting. Then finally on the last round Reign could see she was tiring the older woman out which she used to her advantage. She swung her staff a few times as hard she could forcing Lexa to use extra strength until she saw and opening and swung the stick under her legs knocking her to the ground.
Lexa knew she would feel that in the morning, but it didn't even matter, her heart was swelling with pride because her little girl just beat her.
"That was very good Reign." Lexa smiled still laying on the ground,
"It was only one fight out of six." Reign replied holding her hand out for her nomon to take which she did but only to pull the young girl down into her arms. "Nomon!"
"It doesn't matter if it was only one fight you kept up with me the whole time and you can say something the other Natblida's can't."
"That I put the commander on her ass?" Reign said laughing at her nomon shaking her head,
"What am I going to do with you?" Lexa laughed, "I was going to say beat the commander in a fight, but I guess what you said works too."
"You're old age is slowing you down Heda."
"How dare you." Lexa gasped, "35 is still very young, and I can keep up."
"Sure."
"I'm telling your mom that you think we're old, she'll be offended as well."
"You guys are very fit old people."
"Enough insults, we leave tomorrow so we should go pack our things."
It completely blanked on her that this would be their last full day in Azgeda before they went home.
Home where she would have to confront her problems head on and lose the bliss escape of the cool air and beautiful sunsets.
When she got back to her room it didn't take long to pack her things since it was just clothes. Once she was done, she figured she could spend her last few hours with Freya since Raven was still off with Klara somewhere.
Freya decided to take her around the city for a proper tour and everything was beautiful. The buildings were well persevered, the posts were flooded with people and Reign even managed to find a few things to take back to Polis with her. When the night was over Freya walked her back to her room before they parted ways.
She had a nice day spending it with her nomon and her friend and she was truly glad she decided to come on this trip. And in the future, she hoped to come back.
The horses were ready as Lexa, Raven and Reign said their goodbyes to the royal family.
"I want you to have something." Reign said to Freya who was there to see her off, she dug in her bag before pulling out her polaroid camera. On their journey last night Reign brought it to take pictures for her mom and Freya was beyond impressed, "I put new film in it so it's full and also here is a radio so we can still talk."
"Thank you Reign!" the girl looked at her items excitedly, they didn't use much technology here, so she was happy to have them.
"Here, I take a photo of you two." Raven suggested grabbing the camera waiting for the two girls to pose. They both smiled as Raven took two pictures one for each of them.
"Now you'll have something to remember me by." Reign smiled looking down at the photo,
"I'll remember you regardless." Freya replied clutching her picture closely.
Reign could see that it was time for them to leave so she gave the red head a hug,
"I'll be waiting for your call." She pointed to the radio,
"I can call whenever?"
"How about any time after sundown then we'll go from there."
"Ok." She nodded, "May we meet again Tri girl."
"We will Ice Princess." She smiled giving her one last hug before walking over to Skaikrasha and mounting up.
She couldn't help but think about the stark contrast of how she felt traveling her versus what she felt leaving. Now she felt some sense of hope rather than dread, now she road by her nomon's side as they talked and laughed about nothing. Everything felt different and she liked it.
The gates of Polis were in view and Reign could feel the pit in her stomach growing. She was excited to see her mom and she knew her and Madi needed to talk she just wasn't sure what that talk would amount to.
"Home sweet home." Raven said hoping off her horse, she hadn't been to happy to leave Klara claiming she met her match but the blonde goddess promised to visit her so that was good enough for now.
Reign followed suit getting of her horse giving him a pat before handing him over to the guard. The closer she walked to the entrance of the city the more nervous she got; she could see everyone waiting for them.
"Thank you for coming on this trip with me Rainy." Lexa smiled wrapping her arm around the girl's shoulder, "I love you so much, I hope you know that."
"I do." She nodded looking up at green eyes that mimicked her own, "I love you too."
"My babies!"
Reign looked up seeing her mom practically running towards them and into her arms,
"Hi mom." She smiled leaning into the hug,
"You're never allowed to leave me again, you got it?" she asked her big blue eyes hard and serious,
"I got it, I missed you."
"I missed you too baby girl. "she smiled; she could tell the difference in her already maybe the trip was good for her. "And I missed you." Clarke moved to hug her wife who happily enveloped her in a hug, "Never leave me again either."
"I missed you my love." Lexa smiled, "Next time you'll just have to come with me."
"No more traveling, not for a while." Clarke replied,
"Not for a while."
Reign watched silently as her parents greeted each other, she could help but smile at how much they visible love each other.
"Hey."
Reign looked up seeing Madi beside her, not only was she speaking to her something that hasn't happened in a while, but her hair was shorter.
"Hi.' Reign replied hating how awkward this was,
"Can we talk, at our spot?" Madi asks hoping for a yes,
"Sure."
Clarke and Lexa watched silently as the pair walked off together and into the woods,
"Should we follow them, maybe talk together first?" Clarke asked worriedly,
"No, they need this but later all of us should talk."
"Ok." Clarke nodded, "Take my mind off it then or I'll be worried until they return."
"Reign called us old."
"What?" Clarke yelled,
When Reign was four something her and Madi would do was pick flowers from their favorite field. In he winter it became their favorite place for snowball fights and in the spring their favorite place to watch the flowers bloom soon enough the field just became their favorite place to go together and just sit and talk for as long as they could.
Today it would be the place where they either made up or continued to ruin their relationship, both hoping for the first.
Reign sat on a dull patch of grass as Madi did the same both of them watching the flowers blow in the wind. She wondered if she was supposed to start even though she was asked to come here.
"Do you remember when I told you about ALLIE?" Madi asked her eyes still on the flowers,
"The one who ended the world and tried to mind control everyone but nomon defeated her." Reign replied, she grew up on these stories,
"Yes, she did but I never told you how or why she had to defeat her." Madi sighed, "It had only been a couple weeks since mom and nomon had taken me in. Mom was still pregnant with you and nomon was focused on defeating ALLIE and making Polis safe. The day she defeated ALLIE I was in the tower with Aunt Raven and Monty while they were trying to figure out what the chips people were taking did. I remember sitting their drawing and they were both getting upset because they couldn't figure it out. I wanted to help but I was eight with no clue about any of that stuff so there wasn't much I could do. Then finally I thought maybe they just needed someone to take the chip it figure it out, so I did."
"You went to the city of light?" Reign asked,
"No, where I went was nothing like paradise or a pain free world. When I took the chip there was nothing, just darkness. I couldn't move or think I could just be there. The whole time I just remember feeling this emptiness almost like I was dead, and I tried to scream but nothing came out. I don't know how long I was there, but I started losing hope I would ever even get out of there until I did because of nomon. She took the chip and shut down the city of light and I remember waking up to mom crying. Nomon still hadn't woken up and I knew that if she didn't it would've been my fault because she did it to save me. But finally, a few minutes later she woke up and everything was ok. Then weeks passed and I could still feel that emptiness inside of me even though the chip was gone. It didn't go away, and I didn't want to feel it anymore, that's when I started training. Nomon taught me and trained with me and for the first time I couldn't feel that emptiness anymore. Then mom changed the rules of the conclave which meant I got to train with the other Natblida's, and it was a bigger distraction. Not long after that you were born." She smiled, "It was storming and me and mom were stuck inside all day. I remember when I first got to hold you, it was like instant love and I've never felt that before. I swore to protect you but as we both got older, I noticed you didn't need me too. Everyone in Polis loved you, they saw everything that nomon is in you, especially Titus. He would never fail to remind me how much like the commander you are. It wasn't until you were seven that I seriously decided I wanted to be commander. You were becoming one of the best warriors in Polis and that scared me."
"Madi."
"I know it's stupid, but I was jealous, I'm not blind I can see clear as day how similar you are to mom and nomon. Every amazing quality they have you have it and everyone in Polis can see it too. My whole life I have wished that I had been born as mom and nomon's daughter, I wished I could look like them and share traits with them and when I realizing I never could was hard. But then I realized my blood is the only thing link I have in this family. So, I focused hard on training and towards becoming the commander. I pushed people away and barely focused on anything else but pushing you away was when I realized all of this had gone too far. I broke my promise to protect you and instead I ruined us all because of my jealousy and I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry Reign because after all of this after the training and the fighting and losing you I'm not even sure if I truly ever wanted to be commander. But you." She smiled looking over at her sister, "It's so clear that you do, everyday we walk through town and you list off all of the things you would change and improve or all the possible ways to bring the clans together more often for events and celebrations. You were born for this, it's practically in your blood."
"You are my blood Madi, the biology doesn't matter you're my sister and you were born to be my sister. You may not think you share similarities with our parents, but you do. Like mom you only draw left-handed but fight right-handed with your sword and also like her you don't like tomatoes or cold weather along with many other things. Don't even get me started on how similar you and nomon are because it's ridiculous." She laughed, "I'm sorry that happened to you when you took the chip, but you will never be alone again, and you will never have to feel that way. My whole life I have wanted to be just like you, I wanted to be a good gona like you I wanted to be beautiful just like you. Everything you are I wanted to be, you're my hero Madi and I don't want to know what my life would be like without you in it. You never broke your promise to protect me you always have. I need my big sister whether you're the commander or I am or Elena Is it doesn't matter. I don't want to ever let this come between us again because I don't think my heart can take that. So, let's make a promise from this day on we leave training and anything commander related at the courtyard. We don't take it home with us and when the time comes for the conclave and we support each other even if we both choose to compete. Swear it."
"I swear it." Madi said wrapping her arms around the smaller girl, both of their faces covered in tears, but they needed this, "I missed you so much.
"I missed you too Mads."
"You know their going to be waiting for us as soon as we walk through the door, right?"
"I know." Reign giggled, "Can we stay here a little longer."
"I'd like that."
"I love you Mads,"
"I love you too Rainy."