Octavia bit down into the apple she held, savoring the slightly sour fruit. The sun peaked out from behind some clouds and she rolled onto her back to catch a view. The midday sky hardly had any clouds in the way and shone a beautiful baby blue. This is all so perfect, she thought to herself. On the Ark, a perfect day would be no guards coming to her family's room. She'd be able to stay out of her hole in the floor and be a normal girl for a while. Now, she got to lay out in the sun with the man that she loved.
"Here, have a bite. They're delicious," she said to Lincoln, turning towards him and extending her arm out. She could see the happiness in his face as well. Ever since they met, it seemed like everything tried to keep them apart. Now the two of them could do as they pleased, and not one person cared.
Lincoln took the apple and bit down, a bit of juice dripping down his chin. Octavia laughed and wiped it off, planting a soft kiss on his lips afterward. "This was a great idea," he said to her. "It feels like it's been ages since I could just enjoy life. It's good to be able to get away, even if its just for a day."
"I've been wanting to do this for a while," Octavia said, smiling at Lincoln. "But with the kill order and everything that's been going on... we couldn't risk it." She nearly collapsed the day she found out he had a kill order on his head. For a long time she had been furious at the injustice of it all. To her, Lexa had ran away like a coward. Ordering the death of someone who refused to run away from the enemy seemed so backwards to her. I still don't understand it, if I'm being honest.
"What's wrong?" Lincoln asked, rubbing his thumb across her cheek. She must have looked upset, because Lincoln's eyes were full of concern.
"Nothing," she replied, grabbing his hand and smiling. I shouldn't be thinking about that. We're free and nothing can change that. "I was just thinking of all that we went through to be here. We earned this and it feels amazing." She cuddled up next to Lincoln, resting her head on his chest. The rise and fall of his breathing soothed her, and if she laid there long enough the rhythm of his heart would have put her to sleep.
Sticks breaking and leaves being shuffled around broke her peace. Lincoln's arm wrapped around her when he sat up, his eyes scanning the area. Though the culprits were most likely animals, the two of them knew better than to assume such. She had spent her whole life being ready to move on a moment's notice; now wouldn't be any different. "Do you see anything?" she whispered to her lover, not daring to take her eyes off the tree line.
Arm still draped over her, Lincoln twisted around to look behind them. "I don't see anything," he replied, his voice anything but confident. The normal sounds and rustlings of nature were the only things that they could hear for the long, tense moments they sat alert. Lincoln dropped his embrace and pulled over their pack. Two sword handles poked out of the top and he positioned them closely. "In case some animal gets too curious," he said, an uneasy smile on his face.
Octavia nodded, laying back down with Lincoln. The mood no longer had the same feel, and she couldn't keep her eyes from scanning the surroundings. She looked to Lincoln's eyes and he was doing the exact same thing. Sighing, she sat up and started to gather up their things. "Maybe we should go," she said. She wanted nothing more than to continue to enjoy the afternoon, but they had both been spooked. Damn that kill order, damn Trikru for harassing Skaikru about using Mount Weather, damn everything! No matter how hard she tried, the universe always seemed to work against her. She felt relieved when Lincoln nodded too and he stood up.
No less than a second later, footsteps began thundering all around them. Two at first, then four, and finally a fifth started running at them with their swords drawn. Their attackers were far enough away to give them time to think and Lincoln shoved her behind him as he drew their swords out from the pack. She looked to see him open his mouth to shout, but apparently he thought better and he promptly closed it. He held out her sword and she took it with a firm grip. "Stay close," he said. Gone was the softness that once highlighted his voice only minutes earlier. Instead, anger with hints of despair filled his words.
"Lincoln, they look like Trikru," she said, her voice shaking as she tried to steady her trembling hands.
They weren't far now and Lincoln stepped to her side, facing the other direction. "We'll worry about that later. Stay alive and we'll figure it out after."
She nodded and lowered herself into a fighting stance, just like Lincoln had taught her. Stay by him and he'll protect you, she thought, closing the gap between them even more. And I'll protect him. Their attackers were only a few feet away now and her heart drummed against her chest. Their time ran out and she threw out her first attack with an angered cry, hoping that it wouldn't be her last.
Lexa walked through the halls of her tower, making her way to Clarke's room. She had been surprised when she received word Clarke wanted to meet. Since their last conversation, Lexa had not heard from the sky girl. Until the disaster of the duel, she hadn't even seen her. The look Clarke gave her at the duel still worried her, but hopefully an explanation would be coming soon. She afforded Clarke many luxuries because of her affection, but that could only last so long.
She rounded a corner and paused outside the set of doors leading to Clarke. Who does she want to see, she asked herself. Lexa rested her head against the door, debating on how to proceed. She would not have asked for me alone if she wanted to see me as the Heda, she decided. Personally, any moment she could cast aside the guise of the Commander brought tremendous relief to Lexa. Taking a deep breath in, she nodded to the guards flanking her and thrust open the doors, striding in.
"You may leave us. I will be fine." The two guards bowed and walked off as Lexa closed the door behind her.
Clarke sat on the bed, barely turning her head when she heard the doors open. Lexa noticed her hair looked extremely unkempt and she guessed based off the dark circles under her eyes that Clarke hadn't slept in a while. Though she wanted to reach out and comfort her, Lexa kept her distance and let Clarke make the moves. "You wanted to see me?" she asked.
Silence. Not a single word from Clarke in response. The blonde simply sat, staring off into a corner of the room with her hands gripping her knees.
Lexa took a step forward and Clarke tensed up slightly, but beyond that no other reaction from the girl. "I'm glad you decided to join the crowd for the duel," she said. "I wish it had turned out differently." I wish it hadn't happened at all. Nia played me like a fool. Her words were only met with more silence. She moved a few steps closer and placed a hand on a nearby chair. "I understand you are angry, Clarke. If you wa-"
She didn't have time to finish her sentence before she saw a glimpse of metal flashing as Clarke surged forward. The next instant, cold steel pressed against her throat and Clarke stood inches from her face, rage swirling in her eyes. She looked down at the hilt and her eyes widened in recognition. How did she find it? Who gave it to her? "Clarke..."
"Shut up," Clarke growled, pressing the knife harder against her neck.
Lexa did her best to pull away from the blade, but the steel bit into her neck regardless. She felt a warm stream trickle down her neck and she knew that Clarke had drawn blood. Clarke must have seen it too, her eyes following the trail down. She wanted to pull away from the knife, but it would be too risky. Any sudden movements and she knew that Clarke could do something they would both regret. Instead, she had to sit there and watch someone she cares for suffer. Why does she do this to me? She makes me... different. "Clarke..." she tried again, her voice much softer this time. For the first time around Clarke, Lexa finally let herself be completely vulnerable.
Clarke eased the knife away for just an instant, but she let out a cry again and put it right back where it was. Lexa could feel the pain Clarke had inside of her. The girl's face betrayed all of her emotions all at once. Lexa could feel Clarke's hands trembling and she wished nothing more than to raise her hand and comfort her, but knew better. Clarke controlled this situation. She would allow that if she wanted it.
"You..." Clarke finally spoke. "I..." Clarke broke out into another smaller sob, wincing through the tears. Lexa's heart was swelling at this point and threatening to burst on her. Please, let me help you. "I should... I want..." Every part of Clarke' body shook from adrenaline and turmoil, her lips quivering slightly with every breath. The sky girl raised her head and finally looked Lexa in the eyes, and Lexa saw something break in her. Clarke let her hand go limp and the knife fell to the ground, Clarke following in the next instant. She let out a wail that would break even the coldest man's heart, curling up on the ground and covering her head.
Lexa moved to Clarke's side immediately and tried to hold her, but the blonde pushed her away at first. She persisted, however, and Clarke stopped fighting. "I am so sorry, Clarke," she whispered to the blonde, comforting Clarke as she cried in her lap. What have I done to you? This is not what I wanted for you... for us. Lexa felt a few tears of her own falling down her cheeks, though she made no move to wipe them away.
For what seemed like hours Lexa sat there, Clarke's head in her lap, comforting the blonde while she calmed down. The blood on her neck had long since dried but she didn't care. The only thing that mattered to her in that moment was Clarke. After a while, she looked down to realize that Clarke had fallen asleep from the emotional exhaustion. Gingerly, she eased herself out from under Clarke. Not wanting to wake her, Lexa grabbed a pillow and blanket from nearby and made Clarke as comfortable as she could.
She took one last look at Clarke before she quietly picked up the knife and exited the room. While she walked back to her chambers, Lexa pulled her collar up slightly to cover the blood on her neck. I was foolish, Lexa thought. Anyone else, and I would never be in that position. Clarke had an effect on her that nobody else in the world did, and she would gladly abandon all of Titus' teachings for it. She walked away from Clarke once, and she never intended to do it again. Things would still be rough between them, Lexa knew, but it was something. A new beginning, she thought.
She slipped into her chambers relatively unnoticed and collapsed onto the bed. Her eyes stared at the knife that could have killed her and she twirled it in her hands. It is a start, and I am patient, she told herself. Resolve washed over her and new tears formed in her eyes. Even if she will never have me, I will not harm her again. She knew that her thoughts were rash, but for so long she had given herself over to her people. All her wants, her dreams, her happiness were tossed aside for their good. For the first time since she became Heda, she decided to do something for herself. Lexa smiled and held the knife up to the moonlight, hopeful for the first time in a while.
Bellamy sat, tears in his eyes, as he looked down at his sister in a hospital bed. Next to him were Jasper and Monty, though his eyes never left her. Her leg had a giant gash across the front, skin still raw from the stitches. Thankfully she was asleep, because he knew she would be in tremendous pain if awake. Lincoln had informed him of what happened, though he could hardly believe what he heard. Another Trikru attack, Lincoln had told him. Bellamy flexed his fist, blood pumping in fury.
"She's going to be okay, Bellamy," Monty said, placing his hand on Bellamy's shoulder. "Abby is a great doctor and she said Octavia would be alright. Trust her."
"Yeah," Jasper added. "Octavia is tough, too. She'll pull through."
"That's not the point," Bellamy said, shrugging Monty's hand off his shoulder. "They attacked my sister. They attacked Mount Weather. They've been attacking us since we landed!" he roared, slamming his fist down on his chair. "We made peace with them after we saved all their people, and they turn around and stab us in the back!" Bellamy no longer tried to hide or control his anger at this point. "At least Lincoln and O were able to kill them all. I'd hunt them down myself if any lived."
"Bellamy, calm down," Monty said. "Lincoln wasn't even sure it was Trikru. He didn't recognize them. He said they might have been clanless." Monty leaned forward and tried to get in Bellamy's view. "Not all of the Grounders are bad. Indra has been kind to us."
"For all I know, Indra ordered them to do it!" Bellamy hollered, pushing his chair back as he stood up. He stood up and pointed to Raven, who was asleep in a cot not too far away. "They were in Mount Weather when it was attacked. Indra and her people have been giving us shit for using that place since we killed the Mountain Men. How do we know she didn't order that attack?" He gripped both hands on the railing of Octavia's bed, trying to keep a hold of himself. My sister, my responsibility. She could have died today, and there was nothing I could have done to stop it.
"Could you be right? Maybe," Monty said, moving to Bellamy's side. "But you could be wrong as well. You're probably right, Bellamy. Chances are someone ordered those attacks." Monty looked down at Octavia, and Bellamy saw the sadness on his face. She is his friend, he had to remind himself. Other people care about her as well. Not just me. "We will find out who did this, and I'm all for getting payback on that bastard. Until then, we have to keep our heads."
Bellamy, still on the verge of crying, looked down at his sister and nodded. Monty is right, he realized. "Thanks," he said, nodding in agreement. "If we act out of anger we're just like them. We're better than that."
"Pike is gonna meet with Lincoln later," Jasper added. "To go over what happened. I can tell you he's not too thrilled at the moment. He's been in a foul mood all day. I can't blame him, lots of death happening lately."
Bellamy didn't miss the sideways glance from Jasper, but he let it go. Getting angry at him doesn't help. Gina had told him that everyone grieves in their own way, and perhaps this was Jasper's. "I just hope they figure it out before more people get hurt. I don't want to have to bury any more friends."
"Why don't you get some sleep, Bellamy," Monty said. "Jasper and I will watch her. She's through the worst of it, and I'm sure you want to be at your best when she wakes up."
Bellamy paused for a second, looking his sister over, before he nodded. She's not a little girl who needs my protection anymore, he thought. He would never stop looking after her, as they were the only family each other had, but he decided she needed some space from him. Lincoln kept her alive and had proved his devotion to her. Exhausted, Bellamy said his goodbyes to Jasper and Monty and headed back to his room. Whoever did this is going to suffer, he promised himself. Someone is going to pay for this.
Lexa walked to her throne room, dreading every step she took. The previous evening with Clarke had completely drained her and she had no energy to deal with what would be happening next. Nia had sent word that she would be collecting her reward from the duel, and Lexa spent all of the morning preparing the provisions. So much food, she thought. Hopefully there will be enough for those still here come winter. She least of all looked forward to the gloating that Nia would be doing. The trap had been set and Lexa fell for it, and she paid the price.
Opening the doors, she immediately saw Nia standing at the base of her throne. By her side stood a teenage girl, not too much older than herself when she went through the Conclave. Taking a deep breath in, she walked forward with as much confidence as she could muster. She walked past Nia wordlessly, and only when she was seated on her throne did she speak. "Nia, your provisions have been prepared and are ready for your return to Azgeda territory," Lexa said putting as much authority behind her voice as she could.
"Excellent," Nia replied, giving a respectful nod. "I have also moved my army safely away from Polis and punished the commander who brought them there."
Lexa knew that the words coming from Nia's mouth were false. The lies were written across the woman's face. She didn't care, though. Lexa now had an excuse to go to war with Azgeda the next time she tried to pull this stunt. "Do not let it happen again," Lexa warned. "Now, if there is not anything else, others require my attention."
Nia grinned and placed her hands on the girl next to her. "There is just one more matter of business," she said. "One of my scouts brought to my attention something disturbing. This is Ontari. She had been living in a remote part of our territory in secret. I've brought her to Polis as this is where she belongs."
Lexa looked the girl over and didn't see anything remarkable about her. She had a diamond shaped scar on her forehead, and various other scars on her cheeks. I wonder how she got those, Lexa wondered. They weren't the usual Azgeda markings. "Why does this girl belong in Polis?"
"Because she is a nightblood," Nia replied. "It is law that she come here for training."
The room fell silent as Lexa stared the girl down. Ontari's eyes were staring at the floor, hands clasped together in front of her. Lexa rose slowly from her throne and descended down to Ontari. Nia backed off and Lexa stood before the girl. She's so timid, was the first thing that came to her mind. "I will have to cut you to prove you a nightblood," Lexa said. The girl nodded and held out her hand. Drawing her knife, Lexa gripped the girls hand and made a small cut on the girl's hand. She was surprised when Ontari didn't even flinch, and even more so when black blood flowed from the wound. "So you tell the truth, Nia."
"I would not lie on this," Nia said, stepping forward to Ontari's side.
Lexa looked around the room, and to Titus who stood idle nearby. He nodded to her and she knew what to say. "She will be allowed and trained here. In the event of my death, Ontari kom Azgeda will not fight in the Conclave, and will be eligible for the next."
Titus voiced his approval, as did other ambassadors in the room. Nia looked less than happy, though not as much as Lexa thought she would. "Titus, please escort Ontari to her new room. Nia, your provisions are at the main gate. Anything else?" She prayed the Ice Queen would drop dead then and there, though she knew it would go unanswered.
Nia shook her head and bowed. "It is always good to see you, Heda. I thank you for the provisions, as do my people. You have made a lot of people happy."
Lexa scowled, but bowed her head in approval. At least someone benefits from her scheming that isn't her. The throne room doors opened once again and Nia filed out behind Titus and Ontari. Others followed, though she could still see the line of people wanting to bring issues to her attention. Begrudgingly, she let out a sigh and motioned for the first person to come in, though her mind still focused on Nia. What is her play? She didn't believe for a moment that she just happened upon a nightblood, and she intended to get to the bottom of it. Whatever it is, I have to be prepared. Nia is only going to escalate from here. Lexa eased herself back into her throne and prepared for a long day ahead of her, silently wondering how Clarke was doing elsewhere in the tower.