Lexa pov:
As almost always, I am the first to wake up. I find myself lying on my side, hugging Clarke's body, who's back to me. I smile, the sun releasing the beautiful gold of her hair, making it seem almost magical. The moment is interrupted, when a snout begins to sniff the back of my neck. I shrug because it tickles and I reach out to pet Mason.
Encouraged, he leaps on top of me, making me scream and waking Clarke. Mason barks and fills us with wolf-style kisses. His emotion is so great that we can't help but laugh. When we manage to calm him down, we kiss each other good morning and get up, ready to start a new day. Today will be the first meeting of Clarke with the ambassadors. Even I am nervous.
We get dressed and help each other to braid our hair. Clarke wants to put on her war paint, but I stop her. She pouts at me and almost manages to convince me. Almost. When we're ready, we go downstairs to my private dining room. I usually do it with ambassadors, but I want their first impression of Clarke to be during the meeting. Not that they see how she devours the food as if she were not going to eat tomorrow.
"Nervous?" She asks me when we're done.
"Yeah, a little." I shake my head confused. "Wait, shouldn't I ask you that?"
She giggles. "Maybe, but you look more nervous." So I think it's fair.
"Aren't you nervous?"
"A little bit. But I think it won't be THAT bad. What could happen?"
I hope that innocent question does not charge us later. I shake while laughing and she gives me a chaste kiss. That becomes more. If we continue like this, we won't make it to the meeting. We hold hands and walk towards the elevator. Clarke tries to loosen up and run to the stairs, but it is late, I already hold her against my firm body, so that she does not escape. She curses under her breath and begins to struggle.
"You must overcome your fear of the elevator."
"No. That thing was invented by the devil himself. It sure is a death trap to get more victims."
I laugh out loud. I really don't know where she gets so much nonsense from. I kiss her forehead and she seems to calm down. The doors open and we go in. Clarke squeezes my hand so hard, I think she's going to break it. Luckily for me, the trip only lasts three floors or I even lose my arm. The blood has stopped circulating in the middle of the second.
We go out and stop in front of the wooden double doors. A guard informs me that everyone has arrived. I take a breath and prepare to enter, when her hand stops me.
"Lex, where should I go?"
Shit, I forgot to tell her that. "Follow me and break away when we get to the stairs. You will see Titus off to my right. Do the same, but stand to my left."
"Okay, next to you, but not on the altar. I understand."
I give her a sweet kiss, trying to relax us both. "Okay, here we go."
We get serious and the doors slide open, revealing the throne room.
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Clarke pov:
I walk next to Lexa under everyone's watchful eyes. I erase all emotion other than indifference from my face and notice Titus a few feets behind to the right, as Lexa said. I let go of her hand and stood at a distance to the left, covered in shadows. I do not intend to speak or comment at this meeting. I'm just a listener, like when I was spying on my mother in her studio.
I analyze them with my gaze and they analyze me. Roan lifts a discreet thumb in mute support. Some show curiosity, others hate. I've even been in the room for a minute and I've made several enemies. It must be a record. Oh, no, that one has the commanders, who by some are hated even before the spirit chooses them.
When Lexa reaches her throne, everyone kneels. "Ambassadors."
"Commander of the blood." They respond in chorus.
"Rise." Everyone takes a seat.
"Heda, is that Skai Prisa?" I think the Lowudaklironkru ambassador is speaking. I notice how Lexa clenches her jaw.
"Sha, Magnus. Skai Prisa has agreed to be my general and advisor, that is why she is at the meeting." Her voice is authoritative and firm. Fuck, he looks sexy. Clarke, focus, this is not the time to drool over your girlfriend.
"Are the rumors that you're together true?" Asks another ambassador. I squint my eyes as it seems familiar to me. Oh yeah. I know who it is. It was the second of the leader of Delphikru, the one that I threatened when it was the summit.
His gaze fixed on me and I smiled at him. That seems to get his attention and he smiles at me. I bring my hand to my chest and raise an eyebrow. I peek out the edge of a dagger and he jumps in his seat. With a pleased smile, I hid it again. He will be my next target for jokes after Baldkeepa and Anyta the obnoxious.
"Sha, Oliver. We are together." Wow, I didn't expect she was going to declare our relationship that openly. My mouth hangs a few inches like the others in the room. Well, minus Roan. Baldkeepa as well, since like me, he did not believe that Heda would admit our relationship so openly.
"But Heda, isn't that favoritism? That she is your advisor." The ambassador of what I think is Podakru interrupts.
"No. I offered the position to Skai Prisa before we even started a relationship."
"And how will we know if she is qualified for the position?"
"Em pleni!" An angry Lexa rises from her throne. That's indeed scary, I don't want to be the ambassadors at this time. "If I didn't know that Clarke is more than capable for the position, I would have brought her as a simple guest! My judgment is not going to be clouded by just one girl!" Damn, now even I tremble.
A pristine silence takes over the room. Nobody speaks, nobody moves, nobody even dares to breathe too much. Lexa's chest swells and deflates noticeably, crying out for air that her anger won't allow to reach her lungs. Trishanakru's ambassador stands up.
"Well, I think she's unfitting of this position."
Lexa is about to take her sword and assassinate him, when I walk to the front. "If you think me unfit for the position, then challenge me and let's end this."
He comes closer to me, our faces inches apart. He seems disappointed that I'm not backing down. "Then I challenge you."
"And I accept."
"A one-on-one battle. The winner will be the only survivor." Titus speaks, but my eyes are fixed on the man."Ambassador Zoren, who will fight for you?"
"I don't need anyone, I'm good enough to defeat this girl." He spits as he speaks and I clench my fists.
"All right, Skai Prisa?"
"I will fight." And with those words I have sealed my fate. I will have to fight this disgusting man to the death, not only to prove to everyone that I am worthy of my position, but also to be the commander's mate. Oh come on, did you think they were going to let someone weak and vulnerable be with her?
"The fight will be tomorrow at noon. You're dismissed." Lexa's voice comes from behind me.
The ambassadors leave the room, except for Roan. "Clarke, you mustn't. Let me fight for you."
"No." I raise my hand to emphasize. "I must prove to them that I am more than capable of this."
"Even though I hate it, I agree with you," Lexa says. She seems more tense than normal.
"I have less to lose than you." He tries again.
"You can't save me from this, bigabro." We look at each other sadly but he nods. "Dinner?"
"Sure." He leans over to Lexa and leaves the throne room.
"Heda, you should go see the natblidas."
Lexa clenches her fists, irritated by Titus. "In a moment." Titus leans over and leaves the room. Lexa relaxes a bit and walks over. Her fallen mask shows the concern she feels for me. "Are you sure?" she asks in just a whisper. "I don't doubt your abilities, Clarke. But still there is a possibility of losing you." She places one hand on my cheek and one on my waist. I clasp my hands behind her neck and support our foreheads.
"I'll be fine. You know I must." We both have our eyes closed, hating fate for putting us in this situation. We kissed slowly, paused. A salty kiss for the tears that we do not know when they have begun to fall or whose they are.
We parted, but we stayed in that position, our foreheads together and eyes closed. We are haunted and trapped in the moment. I know she feels helpless not to be able to do anything else, to not be able to stop me from fighting. I know if it had been for her, she would have volunteered.
"I must go see the natblidas."
"And I should start training. I hope you don't mind if we share dinner with Roan."
"You know that I don't, I like your brother."
"And he likes you."
We kissed one more time, before reluctantly parting. I hope to win tomorrow.
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Lexa pov:
The natblidas show me what they have learned, but my head is elsewhere. More specifically, imagining the dire scenarios that could occur tomorrow. Clarke pierced by a spear, Clarke decapitated by a sword, Clarke stabbed by a dagger, and many more. Every possible death, one worse than the last.
"Heda, are you looking at us?" Aden's little voice takes me out of my thoughts.
"I'm not, sorry. I was thinking. What did you do?"
"Heda, what is it? Is it because of the rumors of a fight between Skai Prisa and an ambassador?" Asks Avery, another girl.
I sigh, always so smart. "Yes. She is an excellent warrior, but I can't help but worry about her.
"The rumors run from Azgeda and they say that she is the best, and that she does a lot of pranks."
I laugh because it's true. "Yes, she's just as naughty as you. She even told me that she was going to ask you for help to make some."
"Well, we should take advantage before tomorrow." Her voice surprises me and I turn around quickly.
Completely covered in sweat, she swings a sword easily in her hands. A smile that reveals her not so good intentions adorns her beautiful face. Fuck, this woman is trying to kill me. She approaches confidently and I stand when she reaches my side. I kiss her, because yeah, I can't help it. She smiles into the kiss and the natblidas make sounds of disgust. When we parted we laughed at this.
"Then it's true, you are a couple." Ontari says mockingly.
"Yeah, although maybe not for long." I just think about it, but Clarke sees it in my gaze. She gives me a short kiss, before turning to the natblidas.
"So, someone told me you are the best at pranks around here. And my brother and I need some accomplices." I hadn't noticed that Roan was behind her. "Who wants to help us play a prank on Ti ti the Baldkeepa?" We all laughed at the nickname.
"Me, me, me." Chorus the natblidas jumping and extending their hands to be noticed. Everyone except Ontari, who turns around and goes back to the tower.
"Well, I guess everyone can help us. What does Heda say, will she help?" She raises an amused eyebrow.
"Mmmm." I pretend to think about it and the children begin to beg me to accept. They even dare to make those wet doggy faces. Anyway, Clarke was the first. I sigh in false defeat. "Fine, I'll help you."
"Great, follow me." Clarke waves her hand and they all run after.
This is going to be bad, very bad. However I follow suit. How bad can it be?
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Bad, very bad. Worse than I imagined. I will not underestimate Clarke again. Never. Seriously, how did they do it? Because yes, I decided not to participate. And thank goodness, because it was the joke of the year. I still wonder how they got them up the stairs.
If I must admit that I helped Clarke, Roan and the children "decorate" Titus's room with plants, lots of plants. So much so that it looked like a jungle. It was so much fun, that even Ontari joined us. But then everything went to hell. Literally. How can they have so much imagination?
Clarke divided the children and commanded them to find a cow and a sheep. I thought that she would want the milk or the wool to continue decorating, but no, I was very wrong. My girlfriend set sail with this one. She, Roan and Aden, went to the stables and took a colt and started leading it to the tower. My alarms went off there. The worst, the guards at the beginning tried to stop us, but when they knew that it was a joke for Titus they began to laugh and began to bet together what his reaction would be. If I weren't so shocked, I'd fire them.
The result, Titus's room turned into a jungle, with a horse, a cow, a sheep and a hen. Because Clarke saw one at the market and grinned ghoulishly and brought it to here. I was petrified and just watched like an idiot what they did. Because stopping them I knew it was impossible. Clarke stole a kiss from time to time, but even that didn't get me out of my trance. I shouldn't have encouraged them to do this.
It ended with a scream from Titus that must have been heard even on the other side of the galaxy. He tried to get the animals out, but they seemed very happy living together in that little room. Clarke and the others didn't even bother to hide and were hilariously laughing on the hallway floor. I would have laughed if I wasn't in total shock.
Titus yelled for help but the guards and servants who came ended up like my girlfriend and the natblidas. And I was still as an stupid. When I got out of the trance, I started laughing too. That seemed to further enrage Titus, who started yelling at the poor animals who were looking at him bored. And we continue laughing.
He finally gave up and went to another room for the night. Well, what an entertaining afternoon. Then I realized that it was all a mess and I couldn't get the servants to clean this up. Several protests and complaints and haggling ended up convincing me that they will help, but not just they clean alone. Clarke's threat to leave me without sex for months was very convincing.
We have dinner all together. A dinner full of pleasant chat and laughter everywhere. When we finished, we all retired to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day. Clarke falls asleep instantly, but it's a little harder for me to fall asleep. Haunted by every possibility that could happen tomorrow. I hug Clarke tightly, I don't want to lose her.
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Clarke pov:
I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous. Because I am and a lot. People have already started gathering in the main square to witness the fight. Natblidas are also watching from the side. On a wooden platform, the ambassadors, Baldkeepa and Lexa, are seated. She is more serious and tense than usual, but I don't blame her. It would also be difficult for me to hide my concern.
People cheer over Shana branwoda (brilliant idiot). You get it, shana from Trishana and besides, he's an idiot. Anyway, he struts around, getting shouts of encouragement. I look over at Lexa, who nods, showing me her support. Baldkeepa stands and there is silence.
"The only rule is that someone must die. You may start." He moves his hand, demonstrating the start.
He draws his sword and raises it, displaying the weapon he thinks he will use to kill me. I take my sword and the cries of the natblidas reach me. I smile and turn to my opponent. We began to circulate, studying each other. I'll let him attack first, I want to see what kind of opponent he is.
He tires too fast for my liking and lashes out at me. I block his sword easily and cut his back. He hisses a bit and becomes enraged. He goes back on the attack, several hits, but speed is not his strong suit, so they are easy to block. He begins to get frustrated, since he is tired and sweaty and I am fresh.
He lets out a cry of anger and runs towards me. I think about moving, but I stay in my place, when it is close enough to not be able to change course, I move to the right. He passes by and falls to his knees. I rolled my eyes and hit him on the back of the head with the handle of my sword. Bad move.
He turns quickly, grabbing my wrist and twisting it. I cry out in pain before I know it, and he hits me, taking my sword from me. He slaps my leg and I lie on the ground, trying to cry out for air. No, I must continue. This does not end here. I take my dagger and nail it to his foot, that distracts him enough for me to get up and put some distance between us.
I need a weapon and unfortunately the closest guard only has a spear. Fuck, because they must be my weakness. Considering that I have little time and better than nothing, I kindly ask him . And by kindly, I mean take it off without asking.
I go back to the arena and look over at Roan, who looks a bit worried. I have never beaten him in a spear fight, only if I cheated. I can't throw it either, because my aim with one of these is zero. It could hurt anyone in the public, better not risk it.
Shana branwoda skillfully swings her two swords, one is mine but the jerk took it from me. We surround ourselves again and as before, he quickly tires of waiting. He lunges with both, changing swords with every move. I take the spear with both hands, because its strength is too much for me and I block as I can. I'm getting tired, something that is beginning to worry me.
With his sword, he lunges at my shoulder, causing a large slash. I ignore the pain and continue to block the blows. A feeling of tiredness and numbness comes over me. I ignore it and continue with our sword dance.
He finally manages to disarm me and knocks me to the ground, again. The triumphant smirk returns on his face. I look up at the podium and Roan points to his feet. On the edge of his throne, he kicks forward a bow and arrows. My bow. And once again, the wise words of nomon return to my head, And remember, Clarke. As long as you have a bow, you will be safe.
I turn to my opponent, more confident and everything turns in slow motion. He raises his sword, being unprotected. Lucky that I am flexible. I kick my sword into his hand, hitting his side as I roll. My other foot tangles in his leg and causes him to fall. I hear how it falls heavily to the ground and the metal of the sword, but my eyes are fixed on the bow.
I run to the dais, passing by, but taking the bow and arrow in the process. I charge and turn, still running. He has risen and is lifting his head. I release the air and release the arrow. It travels through the arena, until it pierces his heart, falling dead instantly. I stop, still with the bow in position. The people have gone silent, everyone watching as blood comes out of his wound.
The pain in my shoulder comes back stabbing now that the adrenaline has dropped. Everyone comes out of their stupor and begins to celebrate my victory. I slowly lower my bow and a few steps catch my attention. Lexa runs and holds me in her arms as soon as she arrives. I also press her against me and I feel like she is trembling even though the worst is over.
We part and she joins us in a desperate and needy kiss. I hear how the public reacts to this but I ignore them. Lexa takes me by the waist and I place my hands on her neck. Suddenly everything begins to cloud and I feel myself weakening every second. Everything turns black and I feel like I'm falling.
"Clarke ?!" It's the last thing I hear, before being dragged into the dark.
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Lexa pov:
I kiss her without thinking about the consequences, I don't care. I was the whole fight with my heart in my fist, praying that she survives. Suddenly the pressure of Clarke's lips lessens and I open my eyes. She staggers for a moment, before falling. My arms at her waist prevent her from hitting herself when she hits the ground.
"Clarke ?!" Panic seized me and I shook her, but she didn't wake up.
Roan comes to my side, worried too. I order him to bring our best healer, while I take Clarke to a room for more privacy. I take her in my arms and carry her marital style. Everyone watches attentively as I run with her in my arms towards the tower.
The ascent in the elevator seems infinite. Not because my arms get tired, Clarke weighs nothing, but because of my growing concern. She did not lose so much blood, what could have happened to her? As soon as the doors open, I run to my room and order the guards not to let anyone other than Roan or the healer pass through.
I gently place Clarke on the bed and Mason pounces on her. He licks her and barks at her, but she doesn't respond. He lies against her, rubbing himself, while crying because she doesn't move. I try to calm him down by stroking him, and trying to distract myself too. It does not work and my nerves increase. I want to help, but I wouldn't know what to do and I'm afraid of making it worse.
Finally Roan and the healer arrive and I turn away for him to check it out. He cleans the wound on her shoulder as he examines it, as besides some scrapes and bruises, they are just small scratches that are not a big deal. I take a chair and walk over to her side. I take her hand in mine and squeeze it.
"Heda." The healer draws my attention. "The wound has traces of venom. The blade of the sword must have been poisoned."
Son of a bitch, he didn't even have enough honor to fight fair. Roan is less subtle and openly insults the former ambassador. He walks frantically and desperately across the room. I take note of thanking him for bringing Clarke's bow, he saved her life.
"Can you save her?" I asked with a lump in my throat.
He nods and I relax with relief. He works bandaging the wound and opens Clarke's mouth, making her swallow what I suppose is the antidote. He finishes quickly and only tells me that she should rest a bit and not to strain her shoulder upon waking up. The poison will be out of her system in a few hours, so it will take time to wake up.
Roan and I fell silent, making each other company. We both know that it will take her to wake up, but it does not mean that we do not keep our hopes. Mason wanders restlessly around the room, making us even more nervous. Nightfall begins to howl, something I don't take as a good sign.
After a few more hours, the healer returns, surprised that she has not yet awakened. According to him, she should have woken up by now, that there should be no traces of poison on her body. I worry even more as he goes over it. She is still alive, I can see her chest rise and fall, but she does not wake up.
After checking the wound, he turns to me and tells me that if she doesn't wake up in a few hours, we didn't arrive on time. The tears that I held back all this time begin to fall. No, it cannot be. I refuse to think that this is the end. The healer and Roan notice my change and walk away to give us a moment.
"Come on Clarke, you must wake up." I plead stroking her hair. "Please"- Nothing, still not moving. I start to cry on her lap, being only comforted by the muzzle of Mason, who has laid down next to her. "Come on, Clarke. You can't leave me yet. I love you, please wake up." I wish I could have said those words to her in person.
A hand caresses my hair, my face still hidden in her lap. "I love you too, Lexa."
I get up quickly and smile and cry. All together. But I cry with joy, excited that she is awake. Clarke gives me a small smile and I lean in, giving her a sweet kiss. When we part, I call out to Roan, who comes in and squeezes his strisis, relieved. The healer explains what happened to Clarke and that she must rest. She gives me a meaningful look that means she will ignore him and we both know it.
They all retreat, Roan carrying off Mason, who won't stop barking and jumping once Clarke awoke. I take off my armor and slowly do the same with her. She just looks at me with a beautiful smile on her face. I get under the furs and hug her, careful not to touch the damaged shoulder.
"I thought I was going to lose you." I whisper against her neck.
"But you did not. They need more than a little poison to do it." She strokes my hair with her good arm.
"Can you sing to me?" She hasn't done it since the terrace and I want to hear her.
"For you, whenever you want hodness (love)."
She begins to sing with that beautiful voice that she has a beautiful song that I do not know, but that I have loved.
(As always, imagine that English is trig) (Recommendation: Someone you loved - Lewis Capaldi)
"I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me
This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy
I need somebody to heal
Somebody to know
Somebody to have
Somebody to hold
It's easy to say
But it's never the same
I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain
Now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you're not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved
I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to turn to
This all or nothing way of loving got me sleeping without you
Now, I need somebody to know
Somebody to heal
Somebody to have
Just to know how it feels
It's easy to say but it's never the same
I guess I kinda liked the way you helped me escape
Now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you ' re not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the ru g
I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved
And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes
I fall into your arms
I'll be safe in your sound 'til I come back around
For now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you 're not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved
But now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you're not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved"
We remain silent when she ends, feeling each word that contains the song. My eyes have been filled with tears, which I resisted dropping at first. By the middle of the song it was impossible for me to continue to retain them. She stroked my hair the entire time, kissing my forehead during breaks.
"I hod yu in, Lexa. (I love you, Lexa)." She breaks the moment into a whisper.
"I hod yu in senteim, Clarke. (I love you too, Clarke)"
With that, we fall into Morpheus's arms, after a day too busy and full of surprises.
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Hello
So, here's the chapter.
*Fangirl scream
FINALLY CLEXA HAS SAID THE MAGIC WORDS.
*Fangirl scream x2
Anyway, hope you like it.
I won't be able to update until much later today.
Bye