A/N Sorry its taken me longer than usual to upload but the English weather has been really good lately and for you guys that live here you know how rare that is lol so ive been out a lot enjoying the sun (even got a tan! Ooooh) and rereading the Anita Blake series of books. Hope you all enjoy this chapter and i have already started writing the next one so hopefully it shouldnt be too long a wait for it. All suggestions, reviews and pms are welcome. Also thanks again to Sailor Sayuri for picking up the mistake about chess *slaps self* cant believe i didnt remember. (fixed it) Anyway enjoy! X
The further she walked in to the forest the thicker the tree's became but she knew she was heading in the right direction because Lexa kept popping up whenever she felt lost to point her in the right direction. She could hear Nia's voice goading her with the promise of death ... But the voice was always behind her and getting further away as she followed Lexa's instructions ... Letting her help show the way to freedom.
Clarke noticed the longer she journeyed through the tree's the more her burdens faded away, she also noticed other people from her life made appearences every so often but would only offer smiles and reassuring nods, Lexa took the role of her guide, speaking words of encouragement, offering her hand and leading the way when Clarke became too confused of her surroundings and the threat behind her sounded closer. Finally after what felt like hours of aimless walking she noticed a clearing and an end to the many trees that surrounded her, Clarkes determination doubled as she saw her destination was now in reach, all she had to do was climb over the huge fallen tree and she would make it, again Lexa appeared suddenly making the blonde whisper her name.
"You're almost there Clarke. Freedom is just ahead of you ... One more obstacle to overcome ..."
Her voice was drowned out by the rustling and shouts from behind her ... Nia and her army of the dead were approaching quickly, Wanheda moved forward with speed and attempted to climb the trunk but couldn't get a good enough grip ... Hands helped push her from behind, giving her the momentum to pull herself to safety ... As she looked back to pull her saviour up beside her and away from the approaching danger, she saw the Ice Queen grinning victouriously as she slayed the Commander with a sword and screamed when Lexa fell to the ground ... Unmoving and clearly dead.
Her body jolted awake and Clarke's eyes opened trying to take in her surroundings ... wherever she was nightime had arrived while she had been sleeping, the moonlight leaving a gentle glow on everything, panic settled in her stomach when she realised this wasn't her room ... Had she been taken again?
The sound of soft breathing caused her to turn her head slowly to the side and she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the Commander sleeping peacefully beside her, an arm carelessly thrown across the blonde's waist. Starting to calm her pulse Clarke quietly ran her hands over her face, it was just that stupid dream yet again ... The same one that had been waking her all week and every time she experienced it it felt more realistic. Lexa helping her ... And then dying in the process, was it normal to have the same dream night after night? ... Was it a warning of some sort? ... No that would be ridiculous ... It was just a dream right?
The blonde glanced at Lexa again, double checking she was actually there ... Alive. She watched the way the brunette's chest rose and fell with each breath, the way her plump lips were slightly parted, how peaceful she looked when sleeping with no responsibility or duties to worry about. Clarke thought she was beautiful before but watching her like this the word beautiful didn't do her justice ... She was stunning.
The memories of earlier that day returned distracting Clarke momentarily. All she could focus on was remembering the way those green eyes had burned in to her own has she lowered her mouth to the Commanders navel, laying gentle kisses before traveling lower, the smile pulling at the corners of her lips as she heard Lexa's gasp, saw her grip tighten on the furs beside her and the smile only got larger when the Commander began moaning her name repeatedly.
Her smugness didn't last too long when Lexa reversed their positions and it was Clarke's turn to scream out a name, her body practically tingling from head to toe as she experienced wave after wave of pleasure and that was how they spent the rest of the day, falling in to each others arms time and time again until they collapsed beside eachother exhausted. Lexa had reached over to brush hair out of the blonde's face before speaking breathlessly. "That was ... even more ... amazing than I... had imagined."
"Been fantasizing about me a lot have you?" Clarke had joked sleepily, her eyes heavy with the need to sleep,she had only meant to close them for a minute but had obviously fallen in to a deep sleep only waking because of the nightmare she had experienced.
Needing to clear her head Clarke slowly climbed out of bed careful not to wake the sleeping woman next to her and searched for her clothes that were thrown haphazardly around the room, pulling them on she crept to the door and after one final look at Lexa who was still sleeping she left closing the door quietly behind her. She tiptoed down the hallway towards the stairs intent on getting some fresh air and had only managed a few steps before a voice sounded through the darkness.
"Night time stroll Sky girl?"Connor asked quietly.
Clarke's hand shot to her chest in surprise but she quickly tried hiding her shock. "Out for a bit of night time stalking Chihuahua?" She retorted in a whisper.
"Its a full time job but someone has to do it." He chuckled taking his cue from the blonde and keeping his voice low.
"I'm guessing its going to be pointless asking if I can just go for a walk on my own?"
"Sorry Clarke." And he looked genuinly apologetic. "But Heda would have my head if she knew I had let you wander around alone."
Wanheda nodded understandingly and then grinned mischievously. "Come on then ... Walkies." She teased quietly patting her leg like she was talking to a dog before turning around and walking away, Connor followed rolling his eyes at the remark.
The sun had just started to rise when Lexa woke slowly, she felt extremely well rested and grinned lazily when she remembered the reason why, her eyes still closed she reached out towards the other side of the bed snapping her eyes open when all she felt was the cold sheets and empty pillow. Sitting up she glanced around the room.
"Clarke?"
Noticing the blonde's clothes were no longer strewn about the place she thought it unlikely she was in the bathroom. Flopping backwards on to her pillow she groaned disappointingly, Clarke had left ... Without a word ... Did she wake up and instantly regret her decision? ... Did she sneak out of the room praying Lexa stayed asleep? How did she even leave without Lexa hearing she usually woke to the slightest sound ... Then again she had been pretty tired.
Instead of grinning at the thought she felt angry ... Angry at Clarke for leaving her to wake up alone after what she thought had been a wonderful day together and angry at herself for allowing her herself to feel this powerfully about someone and getting let down in the process. Stomping out of bed and in to the bathroom to get cleaned up and dressed she was going to make sure everybody knew just how pissed off she was today.
Marching towards her door she had every intention of shouting at the first person she came across, storming down the hallway she almost walked straight in to someone coming round the corner.
"Watch where your going!" Clarke grumbled angrily her mouth filled with food. Her grumpiness at almost dropping the food she was holding disappeared when she saw it was Lexa in front of her.
Lexa glared at her sternly, noting that Connor hung back a bit trying to give them some privacy without leaving Clarke unguarded. "Leave us." She said in a controlled voice waving her hand dismissively.
Learning his lesson after last time Connor bowed respectfully before walking away intent on finally catching up on some sleep.
Clarke's eyes remained on Lexa's face curious as to why she looked so pissed off just as she was about to comment on it the Commander spoke in a controlled voice. "We need to speak."
Without waiting for a reply Lexa walked back towards her room, only the sound of the footsteps behind her confirmed that the blonde was following. Entering she held the door open for Clarke and closed it hard behind her. All she wanted to do was ask why she had woken up alone but her pride stopped her addressing it, if Clarke wanted to act like last night never happened then fine she wasn't going to beg for an explanation.
"The meeting is in less than half an hour and we need to discuss which way your going to vote about Nia's fate."
Clarke rolled her eyes and groaned. "We discussed this yesterday Lexa-"
"No we didn't." Heda interrupted. "I told you the implications of the wrong decision and then you distracted me from explaining further ... Is this why yesterday happened? ... To shut me up?" Lexa asked breaking her promise to herself to not bring it up in record time.
Clarke scoffed at the words a grin spreading across her face. "If it was I didn't do a very good job ... You wernt exactly quiet were you." She teased. Her smile slipped when Lexa didn't look remotely amused ... And then it clicked in her head exactly what the brunette must be thinking ... Waking up to Clarke gone ... Everything she must of been wondering as to why she was alone. Knowing this occasion called for her to be serious she knew she should explain and put the Commanders mind at ease.
"Lexa ... Yesterday happened because I wanted it to ... Not because I was trying to manipulate you or get you to shut up."
Hearing the words helped to ease the ache in her chest but small pieces of doubt still remained. "So why did I wake to find an empty bed?"
Clarke's heart broke at the tone of Lexa's voice, the fact that it had hurt her was clear and the blonde wanted to slap herself for leaving without a word. Placing the food on the small table she walked to where Lexa was standing and placed her hands either side of her face forcing those green eyes to meet her own. "I had a stupid night-" Catching herself quickly she stopped not wanting the Commander to know she was still having bad dreams.
"I just needed some fresh air and didn't want to wake you ... You looked peaceful ... And kind of sexy." She grinned her eyes dropping to Lexa's lips and was pleased to hear the brunettes breath hitch at the small glance. "But I was on my way back ... And I bought you breakfast ... Figured you might be hungry." She finished glancing at the food which was too much for just one person.
Lexa's anger had faded as soon as Clarke laid hands on her and now she had the explanation ,not missing the slip that a nightmare had woken her up, she now just felt stupid for her assumptions. Everything was wiped from her mind when Clarke slowly leaned in her hands lightly tracing from her face to her neck causing her to shudder, her eyes watching those lips come closer and welcoming them eagerly, placing her hands on Clarke's hips and pulling her closer which made the blonde chuckle and pull away.
"You need to eat." She explained pulling her toward the food. The Commanders stomach rumbled at the sight of it all and realised just how hungry she was which wasn't surprising as it had nearly been a day since she ate last.
After satisfying their hunger Lexa sat down pulling Clarke in to her lap and planting another kiss on her lips, enjoying the closeness of eachother obviously their day of passion hadn't done enough to dampen the desire that burned between them.
"So you have no regret's about yesterday at all?" The Commander asked.
"Fuck no." Clarke replied immediately making her chuckle.
"Good ... Maybe tonight we could do a repeat performance? ... But stay until I wake up this time." Lexa grinned to show she was no longer angry about this morning.
Clarke's face fell and she became overly interested in the food still in her hands picking at it half heartedly.
"What's wrong?" Lexa questioned nuzzling her neck.
Leaning further in to the touch Clarke sighed. "I have to leave after the meeting remember? ... Join my mother at Mount Weather before going back to Camp Jaha ... Or whatever its called now."
Lexa froze at the words. She had forgotten momentarily that Clarke was leaving, the time had disappeared so quickly and now was almost over. The realisation made her grip tighten and her stomach drop, she didn't want her to leave especially not after yesterday.
"Oh." She replied disappointingly.
That one word hung in the air and for such a small word it seemed to say everything.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be ... Their your people ... I understand." Lexa replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, not meaning one word of what she said.
Clarke placed a light kiss on her cheek before moving to stand up intent on getting ready for the upcoming meeting that was due to start any moment but she was stopped by Lexa's hold not loosening, she glanced towards her questioningly.
The Commander licked her lips nervously. "You could stay you know? ... I mean you could go and see your people but ... You could come back here after ... And stay?"
The blonde frowned opening her mouth to speak but closing it again, this happened a few times before she found the right words. "They're my people Lexa. I can't just leave them."
"But you did ... You left before and went off on your own ... It couldn't of felt like home if you left it after everything that had happened."
"I left because everyone knew what I had done ... I didn't want them looking at me like I was a monster ... But you helped me get past that ... I don't feel like that anymore."
While Lexa was pleased Clarke had stopped blaming herself for what occured at Mount Weather she really didn't want this to be the end for them.
"Can you just give it some thought? ... Please?" She whispered her eyes burning in to the blue ones before her.
When Lexa looked at her like that Clarke found it hard to deny her anything, her breathing deepened and her stomach tightened with desire so suddenly it surprised her. "We can speak about it more after the meeting." She offered in a whisper, making Lexa smile warmly.
"Ok."
The word had hardly left her mouth before Clarke pressed their lips together hungrily, her hand tangled in the Commanders hair while her other one slipped under her top and began teasing the skin around her rib cage. Before either one of them could take things any further the door opened without knocking and Titus strolled in stopping in his tracks when his eyes fell upon them.
Lexa glared at him for the intrusion and successfully held back a smirk when Clarke whispered in her ear. "You need to get locks put on your door his face is a total turn off."
"Apologies Heda I did not realise you had company." He lied, Connor had been seen returning to his room and if he wasn't with Wanheda that meant that Lexa would be, his worst fears were confirmed by the situation he had found them in. "The meeting is due to start now, every one is waiting for you both ... Shall I escort the Ice Queen?"
Clarke removed herself from Lexa's lap and stood. "I'll just go and get ready ... I'll see you there."
"No you go nowhere alone Clarke and Connor needs to rest ... Wait a moment and I'll come with you."
"... Its right down the hall Lexa I think I'll be safe ... I'm not completely defenseless you know." She winked showing the Commander a knife concealed in the arm of her jacket. "Chihuahua got it for me ... And I know how to use it long enough to hold someone off while I scream for help ok? ... Trust me?"
Lexa didn't like the uneasiness she felt but she nodded in agreement anyway. "Fifteen minutes then I will come to escort you to the meeting." She hesitated for a second before asking her question. "Chihuahua?"
"Connor's nickname ... He's little." Clarke shrugged as if that explained everything.
"Do you give everyone you meet nicknames Wanheda?" Titus sneered causing Lexa to give him a warning look.
"No ... I give them to people I like ... And insults to people I don't." She replied flipping up her middle finger in his direction and using it to scratch her nose when Lexa glanced at her to see why Titus looked annoyed.
"Are you always this infuriating?" He asked between gritted teeth.
"No." She replied sweetly, walking past Lexa towards the door before finishing her sentence. "Sometimes I'm asleep."
She expected that to be the last conversation she had to endure with the man who seemed to dislike her with such passion but was proved wrong when a knock at her door ten minutes later sounded, thinking Lexa had got sick of waiting she hurried to the door buttoning her top quickly as she went and was met with Titus's stern face looking back at her.
"Can I help?"
"May I come in? I will take only a minute of your time."
Holding back her comment that a minute was way too long to be in his presence as it is she moved aside letting him enter, she remembered what Connor had said to her previously but she wasn't going to let Titus manipulate her and if things got nasty she did still have the knife, it was easier to let him have his say maybe then he would leave her alone.
She left the door slightly ajar just incase she had to make a quick escape, it wasn't likely but Connor had taught her to leave nothing to chance, always have a plan of escape at all times because nothing was certain and anyone could be an enemy.
"I wish to speak to you about your relationship with the Commander." He spoke immediately.
"I don't really think it's any of your business." Clarke stated folding her arms.
"Anything to do with Heda is my business. It is my duty to guide her and make sure she is prepared for anything and everything, to help her to be the best leader for our people! And you have done nothing but ruin everything." He replied his voice not shouting but louder than usual with anger.
"How do you work that one out?"
" You arrived here with nothing but venom for Heda, belittling her infront of everybody ... Refusing her protection ... You showed no respect!"
"Yeah well times change." Clarke shrugged not in the mood to explain herself to anyone let alone him. "Now is that all? You've had your minute."
"No that is not all ... Heda told me she has asked you to stay in Polis ... I am politely asking you to refuse this offer and return to your own people."
"And I'm politely asking you to keep your nose out, what I decide will not be influenced by you Titus. And I don't think Lexa will be happy if she finds out about how your interfering in her life."
"Is that a threat?"
"Just an observation." Clarke shrugged looking bored.
"To be Commander is to be alone! No good will come of this! ... Heda has a duty to honour and people to protect-"
Clarke felt a burst of pure rage build up inside her at hearing Titus talk about the brunette as though she was an object that was there to do a job and nothing more ... Like her feelings didn't matter. "Who the hell do you think you are? ... I know her position comes with certain responsibilities ... I know that she honours this and does what is best to keep her people safe but I also know that she is allowed to feel things ... She deserves to have a life too instead of being just The Commander all the time! She has every right to have a bit of time to relax ... To enjoy a conversation that has nothing to do with war or death ... She isn't a weapon Titus ... She's a person and maybe you should start seeing her as one."
Whatever his reply was going to be Clarke never got to hear it, Titus's gaze was toward the doorway where the Commander stood with no expression on her face. "I ordered you to go and escort the Ice Queen, why are you in Clarke's room?"
"Forgive me Heda I was just having a small discussion with Wanheda."
"Clarke?" Lexa questioned.
"It's fine ... We're done here." Clarke answered her eyes still on Titus whose face hardened but he left the room without another word.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." Clarke replied turning to face her and leaving the room, noticing Lexa's eyes were roaming her body appreciatively.
"Ok if your sure ... You look ... Beautiful. I'm considering doing a no show and taking you back to my room."
"If only." Clarke smirked at the comment. "We're late so come on ... Stop undressing me with your eyes Commander."
Lexa raised her eyebrows suggestively a small smile playing on her lips. "What can I say ... I'm a person too you know." She said placing a soft kiss on Clarke's mouth before leading the way, leaving little doubt in Clarke's mind that Heda had heard a lot if not all of her conversation with Titus.
Once they entered the meeting hall Lexa immediatly slipped back in to her role as Commander, her face expressionless almost bored. Clarke stood in front of the chair that would be hers and only sat after Lexa was seated. She glanced around the room to find all eyes on her ... Some were friendly or curious but others were intense glares ... She felt like she was in the worlds most serious staring contest and resisted the urge to shout out that the first person to blink was the loser.
The silence continued until the doors opened and Nia was led inside by Titus, her eyes finding Clarke's immediatly and a sneer thrown in her direction. For some reason Nia did not seem worried in the slightest and Clarke had a feeling it was nothing to do with bravery. She was much thinner than Clarke remembered and looked unkempt.
"We are here today to vote on the fate of Queen Nia for her crime of abducting and torturing Clarke of the sky people ... Member of the thirteenth clan." The Commander spoke in a voice that commanded attention. " To harm one of us harms us all and we demand her life for her actions."
"I have no crime to answer to." Nia spoke suddenly but her eyes remained on Clarke. "The sky people were not part of the coalition when I ... Entertained Wanheda."
Her words were met with a mumbling around the room many of the leaders agreeing with the statement. "My only intention was to gain the power of Wanheda and had no affect on anyone in the Coalition at the time ... Besides some might say I have paid the price for the torture of perfect... Beautiful Clarke." Nia said in a sickeningly sweet simper. Raising her top she showed the room the burn on her stomach where the three words. 'I am nothing.' stood out clearly.
Clarke looked shocked and turned her head towards Lexa knowing she had done this, the Commander avoided her gaze she knew the blonde would want to talk about this but now was not the time, Nia obviously had some sort of plan but she couldn't bring herself to regret her action ... Nia had deserved it.
"I myself have been hurt ... Humiliated and starved ... But do I call upon the Coalition to punish my attacker? No ... Because I am not weak. I will fight my own battles ... Can the same be said for Wanheda?"
Every eye in the room was upon Clarke again, she kept her face calm showing no emotion. "What exactly are you getting at Nia? ... Just say what you want to say ... Get it over with."
Lexa's stomach lurched and she knew what the Ice Queen was going to do even before she had spoken the words.
"Fine ... I challenge you Clarke of the Sky People ... A fight to the death."
Nods of approval went round the room, the other ambassadors calling for Clarke to prove she was a capable leader.
"Sky girl should fight her own battle ... As Queen Nia said she was not a member of the Coalition when the crime occurred."
"But she does not have the weapon skill that the rest of us have had our whole lives to learn ... This hardly seems fair." Drake spoke his chair opposite Clarke's and he offered the tiniest of smiles.
"Then we give her two weeks to practice beforehand." Came another voice belonging to an ancient looking man with many missing teeth.
"Two weeks is hardly long enough to learn our ways." Drake replied a frown forming on his face.
"Then she should pray she can learn quickly." Said another voice this time female.
Lexa stood abruptly. "Enough! This is outrageous ... How dare you use this meeting for your own benefit ...Clarke's capabilities are not in question here Nia. Your actions are, this is just another attempt to escape with your life. Your challenge is refused."
Titus stepped forward and cleared his throat. "With all due respect Heda ... That is not your decision to make ... The challenge was directed at Wanheda ... It is up to her wether she accepts or not."
Lexa looked at the blonde her eyes pleading with her not to accept this but Clarke turned her head away and made eye contact with Nia instead ... If she refused the other leaders would see her as weak and she would never earn their respect.
Drake spoke again. "It is within your right to pick a champion Clarke."
A smile graced her face causing the one on Nia's face to disappear. "No, I fight my own battles ... Two weeks to train is an acceptable term ... I accept your challenge."