xlii. didn't hesitate

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─── ・ 。゚☆: *

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─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───

A FEAST BETWEEN THE SKY AND TREE PEOPLE BEGUN ONCE THEIR DEAD WERE BURNED AND PROPERLY PUT TO REST. June felt for a moment that it was insensitive, especially when so much pain was brought to everyone, but she kept those thoughts to herself. She only reminded herself that peace came out of this violent war. June stood with her hands clasped together in front of her in between Abby and Raven, gazing across the long table full of steaming food to the grounders on the other side with a timid smile, trying to come off more peaceful than intimidating in fear one wrong look would set them all off into a frenzy.

Kane pulls out a small object wrapped in cloth from Abby's other side. "Please accept this gift, Commander," he offered. "We drink this on special occasions. I believe this qualifies." He pulls the cloth off, revealing a gray bottle with a clear liquid inside. June knew it was alcohol and wondered if it was a good idea, but stayed silent again as Kane passed it to Gustus who handled it as if it was a bomb.

"Thank you, Marcus of the Sky People," Lexa replied in a kind tone June had heard for the first time. Gustus handed her the bottle, causing the liquid to slosh.

"You're welcome, Lexa kom Trikru," Kane says with confidence. Lexa is surprised at his use of their language, and June swears that the corners of her lips twitch like she's fighting back a smile. "Just, uh, don't drink too much of it," Kane cautioned quickly.

Nodding, Lexa averted her attention to Clarke. "Clarke, let us drink together," she proposed.

"It would be my pleasure," Clarke agreed lightly. A man comes up behind Gustus with two goblets, handing them to Lexa. She pours the drinks, leaning over the table edge to hand one over to Clarke and kept one for herself.

"Heda, allow me," Gustus offered. Lexa held the cup to him, and his eyes kept locked on Clarke as he brings the rim to his lips, taking a sip. June waited, holding her breath like she expected something to go wrong, but nothing does. She glanced over, taking a peek at Raven, who had her jaw clenched, making her frown. June reached out, gently resting a hand on her arm and giving her a faint smile when she looked over without a word.

Pleased, Lexa takes the goblet from her protector and held it up in cheers. "Today, we celebrate our peace, tomorrow, we plan our war," she announced. "To those we've lost and to those we shall soon find."

Before either Clarke or Lexa can bring the goblet to their mouth for a drink, Gustus is suddenly hunching over, choking and gasping for breath. June jumps in surprise, eyes widening in horror as he falls back and hits the wall, shouts filling the air as his people surround him in alarm. She's only able to make out one shout. "It's poison!" Her eyes pass over Abby and land on the cup still held in Clarke's hand.

"Bellamy!" June calls, pointing wildly to the goblet. Bellamy tears his stare off the scene and follows along quickly, lunging to the side and knocking the cup out of Clarke's hand, causing the liquid to spill and hit the ground.

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭︱raven reyes, book 1Where stories live. Discover now