Clarke pov:
Rays of sunshine hit my face, bringing me back to consciousness. Even with my eyes closed I try to move, but something prevents me. I frown and open my eyes. A protective arm surrounds my waist and keeps me tightly attached. I smiled remembering what happened last night. Well, in the last nights. Since that first time, we have repeated it several times. More than I would like to admit.
I relax and close my eyes again. Today we will depart on our long journey between the clans. We will go to Floukru, being the closest. Actually, that's Trikru, but being the closest to the capital, it will be the last one we will stop at. Today I will officially become a general and advisor to Heda. And something else. But that nobody can know. I hope we can continue to spend time together. Between her guards and my overprotective brother we will have a difficult time.
Especially since yesterday. Oh, my God. Now I know what it's like to be humiliated. Roan entered at a very inopportune moment. And on top of that, he has the courage to claim me. You would have played first, bigabro. Even the noises must have warned you. Anyway, traumatized for life.
I feel like Lexa begins to wake up, struggling to continue sleeping. She hugs me even tighter, and I can't help my smile from widening. I wish I could freeze time right now. Only two girls who love each other....Mrh they care for each other and have no other concern. No coalition to lead, no problems to solve. But I know this is only momentary, that we must return to reality.
"It's time to wake up sleepy." I joke, trying to get her attention and wake her up.
It seems to work. "Good morning." She says with a hoarse voice. Fuck, is there something I don't like about her?
"Although I want to stay like this forever, we must get up. Or Roan will come for us and it won't be pretty. Remember the last time." I comment amused, however these words have some truth.
She lets out an adorable growl. "Okay, okay. I'm coming, give me a minute." She doesn't move an inch.
On the contrary, she gets even closer if it can be to me. I caress her arm around me, drawing meaningless circles and lines. Her breathing begins to get heavier and heavier, again succumbing to sleep. I laugh at this and wake her up. She reluctantly gets up and I follow her. I give her a pick on her lips and it seems to change her mood.
As she walks to her clothes, I can't help but look at her tattoo. It is simply beautiful. All she has told me is that she got it on the day of her ascension, each circle representing each dead natblida. Personally, it fascinates me. I love to trace it from top to bottom, memorizing it. Also with the one on her arm.
We dress in a hurry, but taking care that everything is in place. She braids my hair and then I do it with hers, while I hum the same song that nomon sang to me while braiding my hair, several years ago. We paint our faces with the black paint, giving an even more intimidating look. Although mine still has the characteristic white line of Azgeda. I will serve the commander, but I am still Skai Prisa, the princess of Azgeda. At the end, she places her Heda symbol on her forehead and we are ready.
We set our weapons in place, take our bags, and I grab my bow and quiver. Obviously I can't go without them. Without them, Roan and Mason. Yup, Mason is joining us. It took me a bit to convince Lexa that he wouldn't cause trouble at Polis, but I knew she would say yes. We both know that she can't say no to anything. In addition, even if she does not admit it, she has become fond of the animal.
Mason will not only serve as company and protection, he will also be my source of entertainment. By not being able to make jokes or behave "badly", the only thing left for me to amuse myself is to see how my wolf intimidates the other guards. Well, he was always hostile to everyone in the castle, some consider me crazy for sleeping with him next to me. He seems to have caught it with the Trikru soldiers, and perhaps I am not doing much to stop him. Although, hey, neither does Lexa.
She kisses me and goes out through the secret passage. Supposedly she slept in her room last night. I go out and go to the castle gates. It takes me a long time, since I want to appreciate for the last time the castle, the one that was my home for so long. I take one last look at its walls, the ceiling. I stop in the dining room and the throne room. It will be a long time before I can sit in it again.
My journey comes to an end when the tall, wide wooden doors open before me. Lexa, Roan and my mother are already here. Nomon releases Roan from a big hug, and throws herself at me. She squeezes me motherly against her chest. I know she wants to cry, but she won't do it in front of so many people. The fear of leaving her alone hits me and I hug her back as hard as I can. Roan and I will leave, leaving her with no one here in Azgeda. It's a bit selfish of us, but she encouraged us to do it, claiming she would be fine.
I know that Roan is not at all excited about the trip. It doesn't just mean hours on a horse, but a journey destined for diplomacy and politics. Things that he hates, but that I am good at. I roll my eyes at his annoyed expression at having to leave our beloved capital. I look at him mockingly and he throws daggers at me with his eyes. My smirk widens even more.
"Behave yourselves and take care of yourselves. Write when you can and come visit me as many times as you want." She reminds us for the twenty-fifth time, nomon.
"We will." I smiled at her and we melted back into a hug.
She gives Roan another quick hug and we get ready to mount our respective horses. My pure white horse, Maximus, waits impatiently to be mounted and caressed. Roan has scoffed and says I have a fetish for naming animals that start with "ma." This led to a fight more than verbal, physical, ending with a blow to the neck from mother. It still hurts, how can she still have so much strength? Luckily Lexa wasn't there, or I was dying of embarrassment.
Suddenly I notice that someone is missing. Yes, the brunette woman who hates me. What was her name, Anna, no no, hmm, Alia? Not that one either. Ahh yes. Anya. And speaking of the king of Rome, this comes running with her sword in her hand. I draw my bow alert, but it makes me laugh when I see why. Mason is after her, that's my boy.
"Do more than laugh, Skai Prisa! Control this monster!" She doesn't look terrified, but she does look upset.
"Mason, still!" The wolf stops, but still growls at her. "Come here!" Still with his eyes fixed on Anya and his teeth sticking out, he slowly approaches me. When he reaches my side, his expression changes completely and he sticks his tongue out, beginning to wag his tail. I smiled at him and called him. "You are such a good boy! Yessss! You are the best!" I continue caressing him before everyone's astonished and bored stares.
"She's crazy! How can you even get close to that beast?" Anya incredulous question, still sword in hand.
I shoot her a deadly glare. "He's not a beast, he just doesn't like you. Nor me." The wolf and she hold their gaze, threatening. This will be fun.
I ride Maximus and turn to Lexa. Her expression is serious and stoic, but I have learned to read it in recent weeks. Her eyes sparkle with amusement and I know she's trying to hold back a smile at the scene. She turns to the front and gives the order to begin to advance. I turn around and wave to my mother, who does too. I'm going to miss her, too much.
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Lexa pov:
The ride is boringly silent. If Clarke and I were alone, we would be chatting and joking and it sure would get super short. But this is not the case, so I have to endure the heavy silence in which we have fallen. I turn to Anya, who has her eyes fixed on Mason. She looks at him with pure hatred and the wolf returns it in the same way. I better keep them separate.
I turn to Clarke, who is whispering into conversation with Roan. They seem to be talking about something funny, because they look amused. She looks up and catches me watching her. She smiles at me and I want to smile back, but we both know I can't. I turn to face the front again, hating myself for not being able to afford something as simple as smiling at the woman I like.
We continue through snowy forests. Snow and more snow. White and neater whiter. I really don't know how Clarke likes it so much. The cold, the monotonous color and the sun that it reflects, is the worst ecosystem to live in. And yet Azgeda is a great power among all clans. Their fur coats are the best, and they produce the most warriors, followed by Trikru. Its people are used to living in harsh conditions, making them resistant to anything. Their strength is so great that they insist on showing it by proudly displaying the scars marked by fire on their faces.
Before, I used to think it was horrendous. Until I met Clarke. They look good on her, they look excellent. These and her scar, make her look even more attractive. I wonder if there's a world where Clarke isn't beautiful. I dismissed the thought immediately. Clarke is, was and always will be beautiful. In my head there is no other possibility, I refuse to believe it.
I displace those ideas and focus on clan visits. We don't stay long at each one, just a few days to see if they need anything and discuss possible solutions. I know that I have spent more time in Azgeda than necessary, but with the excuse that I could not leave without Clarke recovering, I hope it is effective. It is part of the truth, but not all. I don't think that if we weren't in a relationship I would wait for her. I probably would have gone and told her to catch up at Polis. But it's Clarke we're talking about.
I sigh knowing that I must find a better excuse to hide the real delay in our departure. Even Anya has become suspicious. Hopefully no one will question it. But luck is never on my side when it comes to these issues. I caress the mane of the black horse. His name is Alastor and he has been with me since I was a child. He is my best horse and my best friend. Maybe I should expand my social circle.
Speaking of friends, I'll see her again. Luna. We haven't seen each other since the conclave, since she fled. Titus tried to convince me to go after her and assassinate her, which was a disgrace to her people and commanders. I flatly refused and ordered that no harm be done to her. The last I have heard from her is that she has become the leader of her clan, Floukru. I hope it is not an awkward meeting.
We were never close, but we trained for a long time together and developed a certain affection for each other. Killing her brother must have been horrible, I don't blame her for running away. The voice of my guards ordering us to stop brings me out of my reverie. As lost as I was in my thoughts I did not notice that the sun had already gone down and it was time to stop. Hopefully this ends soon.
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Two days riding and at last we have emerged from the whiteness of the ice clan. If I were alone or alone with Clarke, I would jump up and celebrate reaching Trikru forest. Warm and without snow, adorned by its green leaves. I would even hug a tree, but I am Heda and I must behave. Clarke notices my relief and I see the mockery in her eyes. I roll my eyes and keep looking straight ahead. In a few hours we will reach the coast.
Like the previous days, it passes without complications. Clarke and Roan used to be in charge of hunting, since driving in snowy territory is natural for them. Now that there is no white cloak on the ground, they leave the task to Anya and another guard. They do not know the territory and they are not going to risk it either. Mason does not seem happy to leave his frigid environment and is in a bad mood. With everyone, except Clarke. That wolf really loves her.
Lost as I usually am in my thoughts, I do not give way to the proximity to the coast, until the strong wind ruffles my hair. I smell the sea salt and allow myself a small smile. If there is something that I love after the forest, it is the beach. I smiled even more knowing that Clarke will hate her. She loves the snow, the beach is the opposite. Hot and instead of snow, there is sand. Surely, she will complain about that.
The line of the forest of trees ends and we step out onto the sand of the beach. I order us to stop, I want a moment to admire the landscape. Well, I may also want Clarke to know a different environment than Azgeda and Trikru. Out of the corner of my eye I see how she dismounts and excitedly takes off her shoes to run towards the sea. I do the same, without much haste. I slowly approach the water, looking toward the horizon, where the water seems to disappear. The water reflected by the sun is the exact shade of her eyes. Roan catches up with her and they chat about the new place.
When Roan returns with the others, I order them to go back to the forest and hunt, so we can bring food to the people of Floukru. Anya replies, saying that someone should stay for protection, but I don't desist and she ends up reluctantly agreeing. Roan looks knowingly at me, saying, I already know why you do this. And yes, I want a moment alone with Clarke. We haven't been able to talk much on the trip and that is killing me.
When they all disappear, I walk over to Clarke, who continues to stand on the sand, gazing out at the sea. I hug her from behind and rest my chin on her shoulder. She tense for a moment, before realizing it's me. She intertwines our hands, which are on her stomach. We don't say anything, the timing is perfect. She, me. The sea and the wind blowing our hair. The sunset painting the place orange, pink and violet. If this is not perfection, I don't know what is then.
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We have finally reached the floating island that is Floukru. Clarke was fascinated by how we made the fire with the special plants so that green smoke would come out, and thus warn our presence. But even more fascinated by the boat trip. Considering that all she ever saw was the color white and the occasional brown, I am not surprised that it all seems dazzling to her.
The heat has forced her to remove her furs. She wears light armor, but seems awkward not used to wearing so little clothing. I understand it, although for me it is the other way around. Having to put on extra clothes makes me feel uncomfortable. Anya and the other guards scatter through the crowd, while the siblings and I are escorted by a guard to Luna.
I take a deep breath and enter.She lifts her head and our eyes meet. Her unnatural red curly hair remains the same, as does her gentle gaze. She smiles at me instantly and I can't help but do the same. She stands up and extends her arm, which I take in a greeting.
"Heda, it is an honor that you visit us."
"It's an honor to see you again, Luna. They are Roan and Clarke kom Azgeda. Roan is their ambassador and Clarke is my advisor." I point to each one as I introduce them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She greeted each one with a shake. When she's finished, she stares at Clarke. "You're Skai Prisa, aren't you?"
Surprise runs over Clarke's face, but she quickly puts her mask back on. "Yes, that's right. How do you know?"
"Well, rumors run fast through the clans. Although there are more blondes with blue eyes, none have the scar." She points to the voluptuous scar on Clarke's face, who touches it in an involuntary movement. "Well, I'll give you some rooms. I suppose you want to rest after the long journey."
"That would be great, thanks Luna." I tell her sincerely. I'm really exhausted.
She smiles at us and with a sign tells us to follow her.
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Clarke pov:
After an exquisite fish dinner, which I have never tasted, I went to a part of the platform where I can see the ocean and in the distance, land. It has been more than amazing to visit and meet another clan. And this has only just begun. I imagine what the rest of the clans will be like, the landscape, their people, the food, and much more.
I'm so deep in thought, that I jump in shock when a hand rests on my shoulder. I relax as soon as I see that it is Lexa. She smiles at me in amusement and stands next to me. We continued observing the sea for a while in silence. There is a question that has been itching my throat to ask, but I have not dared. I take a breath and gather courage.
"Did you and Luna meet each other before?" Ready, I did.
She turns to me and frowns. "Why do you ask?"
"For nothing, only that you seemed to know each other."
She sighs and turns back to the sea. When I think she is no longer going to answer, she speaks. "She was one of the novices in my conclave. We trained together since we were little girls." That was not what I expected. "Yes, Clarke, Luna is a natblida." This woman reads my mind. "She and her brother. She had to assassinate him and then she fled the conclave, vowing never to assassinate anyone again. That is why I have eight and not nine circles in my tattoo, because I did not murder her, I did not defeat her."
We fall into a thick silence, the bitterness of the story still in the air. Poor Luna, I really don't want to know what it's like to murder your brother. It would hurt me to have to assassinate Roan. I love him too much to do it, and he loves me. I'd probably offer for him to murder me, if that would keep him alive. He would surely refuse.
"Hey, where have you gone?" She pulls me out of my thoughts with a smile.
I shake my head to clear it. "Nothing, silly thoughts."
"You have a very crazy head, that's what happens."
We laughed together, enjoying a moment we couldn't afford for a long time.
"A wolf has eaten everything!" Shouts from the dining room reach us.
"Oops" I say with a shrug and an innocent look at Lexa.
She tries to look annoyed, but fails miserably. She shakes her head. "Come on, before he does something else."
I kiss her lips briefly. We both sighed as we parted. I missed this kind of contact with her. We smile and go into the building. What have you done Mason?
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Hey
Here it is, new chapter.
So, our clexa started their journey. Let's see how it all ends.
Anyway, I hope you like it.
Bye