AN: Hello all! I don't normally post a note before a chapter, but I just wanted to say I'm about to disrupt the continuity of this story. In one of the earlier chapters I specifically stated who was with Echo when they tried to take out Lexa and her men by surprise in that planned meeting and one of them being Ontari. If I could just ask you all to forgo that detail so she is in fact not with Echo and the group that were captured by Lexa.
Thank you!
Captured
Chapter Nine
The flame from the lit torches reflected luminously against the dark dreary corridors of the Azgeda compound, the only sound being the footsteps echoing in their wake. The cold atmosphere seemed to seep through to their bones, even if they hadn't long stepped inside the building.
Lexa blinked against the darkness around her, trying to adjust to the dimly lit space. The presence of Indra was felt heavily behind her, always there to protect her when she needed her most. Neither of them attempted to speak to one another, their sole focus to find any traces or signs of Clarke. Lexa pushed another wave of that now familiar pit her despair from her stomach and her mind.
But Indra's presence did nothing to quell that overwhelming flashback, imagining what Costia must have felt to be trapped here for all that time before finally being put out of her misery. The anger and guilt Lexa had felt began to rise once more despite her efforts to keep the past at bay. However, it only served as a source of determination to bring Clarke back to Polis before her fate ended up the same as Costia's.
They came to a large central hall; the huge doors being pushed open before them as they were shoved inside. Lexa had rather hoped they be brought down to the dungeons where Bellamy had told them was where Clarke had been. But then again, who would be so foolish to lock someone up in the same place they'd escaped from?
The first thing Lexa noticed were the several Azgeda men standing either side of the harsh metal throne that was carefully placed in the center of the room. Their expressions were devoid of emotion and their eyes held nothing but ruthlessness. This aspect did not surprise the Commander what-so-ever. However, what did draw her attention next was that on the throne sat a woman dressed in different shades of dark toned furs, her face reflecting the familiar scars of an Azgeda born. And then she recognised her, someone who'd always remained in the back of the crowd at gatherings. Someone who had always been present as sly as that was, always undetected.
"Nice of you to grace us with your presence Commander." The words spat from her mouth as if she were a hissing and agitated snake ready to strike, her eyes like slits to match. Her motives became clearer by the second as Lexa recalled the day she'd fought Roan. The woman before her had stood diligently by Nia's side, and she silently cursed herself for not seeing what was right in front of her sooner.
Ontari wanted her dead, for more reasons than one. The lesser being that she had killed Nia with a spear, refusing to slay the King as she had not seen him as her enemy, only Queen Nia who wished to place her own precious nightblood in command. A mere puppet to wield as she pleased. This fact made Lexa momentarily feel sorry for the person before her. But only just slightly and for a second.
The next reason tying in with the first, Ontari's desire to become Heda was something borderline primal. Some may even say that compared to the other clans Azgedakru were far more resembled to animals compared to the rest. And this longing and desire shone brightly on display as Lexa's eyes locked with the other nightblood's. She knew this may be Ontari's weakness.
It was only then that she realised the Azgeda woman had been speaking to her with scorn and she could feel Indra shift behind her, ready to pounce and protect her Heda at all costs. Ontari's lips quirked up into a snarl as she stood from her throne, all manner of calm slipping away like a false veil. She slowly descended the stairs until she stood mere inches from Lexa, her piercing brown eyes staring coldly at her competition.
"I said, if you are here to save your precious Clarke there is something that I want." Ontari repeated with venom, a victorious smirk plastered across her features. Lexa already knew her want before the words had left her mouth. Knew what she most truly desired. "On second thoughts, perhaps I could simply take it from you without asking."
Ontari's expression morphed into one that resembled that of a cat who'd caught the mouse, her fingers gesturing for the two guards stationed by the back door to open.
Lexa's stomach dropped as two more men dragged in a barely conscious Clarke by each arm, the Commander's hands balling into fists so hard that she was sure she could feel blood form from her blunt nails. There were few things Lexa grew emotional over, her daughter one while the other presented before her battered and bruised.
Lexa's reaction only seemed to fuel the nightblood's glee from the events transpired as Clarke's head slowly lifted. A strangled growl threatened to emerge deep from the back of the Commander's throat, barely registering the movements behind her from Indra that mimicked her own.
"No…" Clarke uttered, barely above a whisper as she caught sight of her lover. She couldn't go through this, especially after Costia. She knew how much this would hurt Lexa. How painful the memories must be? Lexa's eyes locked onto Clarke's and for a long moment they silently communicated, the understanding between them not meant for prying ears or eyes.
The knife tucked hidden inside Lexa's boot seemed to weigh far heavier than the actual mass of the object, her fingers itching to slash the blade across Ontari's neck. She would kill her for the harm she'd put her love through, kill her for the separation the blonde was enduring as she was not able to be with their daughter, would kill her for the onslaught of painful and vivid memories Lexa had relived since her disappearance.
Ontari giggled then, a sound that resembled a teenage girl off to hang out with friends. Her eyes shone with victory as she stepped between the two, their silent conversation being rudely interrupted. "First I'll kill the precious Wanheda and then I will take what's mine." The venom soon returned to the nightblood's tone, her finger lightly tracing under Clarke's swollen chin. The action was anything but sweet and it made Lexa's blood boil. The bile rose in her throat as the words met her ears, but she still did not allow them to sink in. They would not die today, only Ontari with a knife to her throat.
Lexa only needed one split second of opportunity. Then, she would make Ontari regret the day she was ever born.