He was still working at the table two hours later when the door to the suite opened. He was surprised to see Ontari. "Is there something you need, Heda?"
"Not from you," she answered, and went to Clarke's room as if she had been there before. He looked toward the hall and waited, expecting to hear an argument, and wondered why there was none.
When he finished with his work, he quietly walked to Clarke's room and opened the door just enough to see inside. Both women were dressed except for their boots. Clarke lay on her side and Ontari lay behind her, her arm across Clarke, their hands joined.
While Roan went to his room, he debated speaking with Ontari about Clarke and the dangers of getting too close to her so soon in her reign. He decided to see her before he left although he knew she would, at a minimum, ignore his counsel. Clarke was sensible and probably warned her already.
He undressed and got in bed but sleep was slow to come. Ontari's presence in Clarke's bed probably explained where Clarke was the night of the feast. If Titus was already upset with Clarke, Ontari spending time with Clarke would do nothing to remedy the situation although it would keep Clarke safe. Roan sighed and cleared his mind.
100 – 100 – 100
Marcus and Abby spent the rest of their evening debating the believability of Murphy's story. Abby did her best to refute every argument Marcus raised while insisting Murphy told the truth. She remained unconvinced by the time they went to bed, but withheld a final decision until she spoke with Clarke.
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke woke early again. She couldn't move because Ontari lay completely on top of her. They were both dressed, which was a relief. She couldn't believe Ontari came to her bed after she was asleep and laid down without being invited.
"Sleep, ai niron." Ontari kissed her neck.
"Why are you here?" Miss you.
"Sleep," Ontari insisted, and wouldn't budge.
"I have things to do," Clarke insisted. Stay. Miss you.
"Alba will not be at the training ring for at least an hour."
"Let me up." Klark.
"You are grumpy in the morning."
Adorable. "Do not start," Clarke said. "Let me out of the bed and go back to yours."
"I prefer yours, if it is where you will sleep." Ontari kissed Clarke's neck again and hummed.
"Don't do that." Miss you, Klark. We love you. Stay, beja.
"Both of you shut up and let me out of bed. I have things to do." She finally got an arm loose and pushed Ontari's shoulder. When that didn't work, Clarke checked to see whether Ontari was ticklish. She was, and squirmed until she had to roll off of Clarke, but her giggles continued unchecked.
Clarke got out of bed. Ontari looked at her unhappily. "That was not fair."
"All's fair in love and war," Clarke answered, and gathered the clothes she wore the day before. It made no sense to dirty more clothing when these had to be cleaned anyway. She got fresh underclothing from the wardrobe and went to the bathroom, making certain to close the door. The last thing she needed was for Roan or Murphy to see Ontari in her room. Murphy's voice echoed. "You gonna bang the new commander, too?"
Clarke growled and splashed water on her face and neck, then changed from yesterday's clothes. She went back to her room. Ontari lounged on her bed. Lexa's bedding was on the trunks, and Clarke made a mental note to get trunk to store it. She tried to ignore Ontari when she sat on the bed to put on her socks and boots, but Ontari rolled over and curled around Clarke.
Clarke finished with her boots, stood up, and left without saying anything. She left the suite and headed to the training area. Polis was quiet at this hour. Nothing was open yet, and there were few people in the streets. The training ring was quiet, but Alba waited for her.
"Wanheda, you are here."
"You said to come before breakfast."
"I did not think you would listen."
"I'm full of surprises. Shall we?" Clarke gestured toward the ring.
For the next two hours, Clarke poured her frustration into hitting and being hit. She didn't talk, and got up every time Alba put her on the ground. She felt a little better when they finished, and she told Alba, "See you tomorrow," before jogging back to the tower.
The slight improvement in her mood evaporated when she saw Roan and Ontari talking at the table in the common room. Clarke ignored both of them and went to the bath. As much as she wanted to hide in the warm water, she bathed quickly, went to her room, and dressed for the day.
She sat down and started reading the pile of papers at her seat. Breakfast was served to the three of them a few minutes later, and Clarke ate while continuing to read. When she finished, she looked from one to the other. "What have you decided now?"
"You will sleep with Ontari," Roan said.
"I told her and I told you, it's not safe for her."
"No, but it is safe for you, and it is what your Heda wants."
"And what I want doesn't matter."
"In this instance, no. Ontari told me about hearing Heda Leksa, that you hear her as well."
Clarke glared at Ontari, who shrugged.
"I assume this has something to do with what you are hiding from us. We have been patient, Clarke, but you must tell us what you know."
"I need to figure it all out before I drag anybody else into it."
"Clarke, this has gone on too long," Roan said. "If what you know puts Ontari in peril, if it puts you and Murphy in danger, we must take steps to neutralize it."
Clarke dropped her head and closed her eyes. Ontari moved her chair closer and put her hand on Clarke's shoulder. "Klark, I cannot keep you safe if I don't know what threatens you."
"I don't want to tear apart everything you know. I don't want any more war."
"Neither do I. Neither does Ontari."
They didn't hear Murphy come in, but heard him say, "Clarke, you need to tell them. This is tearing you up."
"The more people who know, the more difficult it is for anyone to act against you," Roan said.
Clarke looked at Murphy. "Get my mom."
"Kane, too?"
"Yeah."
"Get a guard in here," Roan instructed Murphy.
Roan sent the guard to get Abby and Marcus and more food. Clarke left the table and went to her room. She got the tin from Lexa's trunk and retrieved her notebook. She checked to make sure the chips were in its pouch before returning to the room.
Speak true, Klark. We will protect you. We love you. You will be safe. Clarke sat in her seat and looked at Roan. "Please tell me there's something to drink here."
Ontari moved her chair next to Clarke and put her arm across Clarke's shoulders. Roan looked at them and left.
"I'm sorry for what this is going to do," Clarke said.
"There is nothing to be sorry about."
A guard entered the room. "Wanheda, a Skaikru wishes to speak with you."
"Who?"
"Miller."
"Bring him in."
Miller looked uncertain when he came in. He wasn't expecting to see Murphy, or Roan returning to the table with two bottles in his hand, or the new commander comforting Clarke.
"What did you find?"
"It's Sora."
"Where is he?"
"Tied to a chair in my room. Bryan and Monroe are watching him." Miller moved closer and held out yet another tin with Polaris' infinity trademark.
Clarke took it and opened it. There were dozens of chips in it. "Who else got one?"
"Don't know yet."
"Roan, you need to send extra guards up there until we can talk to him."
Abby and Marcus came in next. "Clarke, what's going on?" Abby asked.
Roan poured alcohol into a mug and put it in front of Clarke. He gave the bottles to Ontari. "One moment."
He opened the door and gave the guards more instructions.
"Miller, you did good. Don't let anyone leave. I'll be up as soon as I can."
Roan heard her, and added another set of instructions. Clarke emptied the mug in two swallows.
"Clarke, what's going on?" Abby repeated.
"It's a long story," Clarke sighed, "and I'm gonna tell it."
"You will be safe, Klark, I swear it," Ontari murmured.
Clarke nodded and pulled a two mugs toward her. She took the open bottle from Ontari and put some in each mug. She offered one to Murphy. He got the only vacant chair and put it next to Clarke before sitting down and taking the mug. "We really gonna do this?"
"Yeah," Clarke sighed.
ai niron = my love
beja = please