Chapter 11

As the door to the balcony opened, the girls' lips parted, and Lexa stepped out of Clarke's embrace, her hands folded, eyes darting to the figure standing in the doorway. Clarke wiped her mouth with her sleeve and turned to face the city, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes and fixing her hair - a vague attempt at erasing any evidence of their mini-makeout session. Thankfully, whoever had interrupted was clueless as to what the two had been doing.

"I apologize for...interrupting, Heda," the voice said. As the form moved into the light, Lexa could make out a familiar face.

"Titus," she acknowledged, nodding. "What brings you here at this hour?"

"You are needed in the throne room, Heda," he said, pausing. Looking to where Clarke stood, he wore a worried expression. "Her too," he nodded towards the blonde. "It's Azgeda." Lexa's expression quickly changed, her brows furrowed and her eyes alert. She nodded towards Titus, dismissing him. Turning around towards Clarke, she opened her mouth to speak, but silenced herself, and took to staring out at the city instead. After switching between staring at Clarke and the city she finally came to her senses.

"Clarke, I'm sorry, I -"

"Go, Lexa. Your people need you." Clarke interrupted, turning to face the other girl.

"You are my people," she responded, somewhat harshly. Clarke simply nodded. "We should go," Lexa finished. Not waiting for a response, Lexa turned and waltzed inside, her dress flowing behind her. Clarke rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and followed, wishing that she could spend more than five minutes at a time with the commander.

Walking swiftly down the hall, Lexa realized that she was leaving Clarke in the dust, so she slowed her pace and allowed the other girl to catch up - whatever problemsAzgeda was causing this time could wait a couple of seconds. As Clarke's stride synchronized with Lexa's, Lexa looked down into her crystal blue eyes, getting lost in a sea of love - Clarke always had that effect on her. Their stare didn't break as they continued down the hall, and by the time they reached the outside of the throne room, Lexa looked down and realized that their fingers were interlocked. She gazed back into Clarke'seyes,and for the first time in over a week, the commander allowed herself to smile. Clarke smiled back at her, giving her a high that she might never come down from. It was love, and it was theirs.

"With all due respect, Heda, I don't think it is the best decision to -"

"Enough, Titus! It is done," Lexa said, standing and folding her hands neatly. "Azgeda has chosen their fate. They brought this upon themselves, and we will fulfill their wishes. There isn't any rule against leaving the coalition," she spoke surely, though she still struggled with the choice as she spoke the words. "I've made my final decision," she finished. Titus seemed to understand, and he walked to the front of the room, opened the doors, and let the rest of the ambassadors in. As each of the thirteen representatives took their seats, Lexa looked toward Clarke, who had sat down first. She smiled faintly, but didn't want to make it too obvious that she cared for Clarke - that was an entire issue on its own. Clarke smiled back, but her smile disappeared as Nia rose from her seat and began to speak.

"Heda, if I may, I'd like to begin this meeting by acknowledging Azgeda's utmost respect for you," she started. Clarke scoffed, but the noise must have been louder than she wanted it to be, because she instantly felt twelve pairs of eyes stare her down. She lowered her head, but smirked - she, along with everyone else in the room, knew that Nia was talking out of her ass. Nia didn't give a shit about what Lexa thought of her - she was a power-hungry and cold-hearted bitch who wanted nothing but full reign over the clans. She would do anything to take Lexa's position as Heda, kissing the commander's ass included. Clarke looked up to Lexa, trying to read her expression. Clarke noticed that she looked annoyed, and fed up with Nia's bullshit. Nia saw this as well, but continued anyway. "Our respect for you will hold through, no matter which decision you make, whether it be to let us go or to keep us here. Heda, I personally even -"

"Shof up, Nia kom Azgeda," Lexa calmly interjected. Turning to address the rest of Azgeda, however, she spoke harshly. "Yu gonplei ste odon, Azgeda. You are no longer a part of the coalition. I am sure that you will be satisfied with my decision." Facing the rest of the clans and leaders, she spoke fearlessly. "Any clan who objects may speak now," she stated, her voice echoing through the room and the surrounding hallway. Clarke jumped at Lexa's sudden assertiveness, and turned to look at her. Lexa's seemed to be staring off into the distance, her gaze directed at a random spot on the wooden doors opposite her. To Clarke, Lexa looked worried, stressed, nervous even - Clarke knew her, and could read her well. However, to everyone else, Lexa looked undisturbed, brave, and fearless - she was a great actress. Lexa waited for an objective response from any of the thirteen leaders, and upon their silence, dismissed them all with a simple wave of her hand, and a short statement. "Very well then. Azgeda is officially dismissed from the coalition, from my reign, and from any association with any of the remaining twelve clans. Political interaction with Azgeda is now considered a crime punishable by death. Any silent objectors to these new laws may speak now or forever hold their peace." Again quiet, the crowd filed out of the room, however both Nia and Clarke lingered behind.

"Thank you, Commander," Nia started. "I just wanted to say that, on behalf of Azgeda, we are eternally grateful. We look to you as -"

"Just leave, kiss ass." It had been Clarke who interrupted this time. Lexa bowed her head, suppressing a chuckle. Nia just stared in shock, her jaw to the floor.

"Heda, I can assure you that -"

"Enough, Nia." Lexa said as she collected herself. "You may leave now," Nia simply nodded, humiliated, and rushed out of the room. As soon as she was a safe distance away, Clarke turned to Lexa, smiling.

"Well that was easy," Clarke started, walking toward Lexa. Lexa beamed back at her. She had to admit, it felt good to smile. Taking Clarke's hands into her own, she placed a gentle kiss on the top of the blonde's head, and pressed her forehead to Clarke's.

"Thanks," she whispered.

"Anytime, Heda." Clarke stared into Lexa, her eyes locking on Lexa's. Slowly, she raised her lips to meet Lexa's, pulling her commander into a passionate kiss. She played with Lexa's lip, running her tongue along the length of it, the way Lexa liked it. The brunette did the same thing in response, sending shivers down Clarke's spine. Clarke ran her hands up and down Lexa's toned arms and back, pulling her in closer. In response, Lexa shoved forward a little more, pressing into Clarke's chest. She raked her fingers through the blonde's long locks, tilting her head slightly for easier access to her lips. When the two finally parted to catch their breath, Lexa rested her forehead on Clarke's again, gazing into her sea blue eyes. Standing there, in silence, with the only girl who had managed to let her feel again, Lexa felt as if nothing could go wrong. Every piece was in place, every gear turned right - it was all perfect.

"Hey, Lexa," Clarke said softly, breaking the silence. "Can I tell you something?"

"Anything, Clarke. Anything." Lexa was about to say more, to comfort the girl further, but she was interrupted by a soft peck on the lips.

"Commander," Clarke said as she pulled away from her lips. "I think I love you." Lexa opened her mouth to speak, but the voice she heard was not her own.

"Heda!?" The deep, raspy voice came from the doorway. The girls turned, matching the voice with a familiar figure - Titus.