Her Weakness

Chapter 5

"And you're sure that will work?" Clarke's mother asks, once again expressing her doubt not only in my plan, but in my intelligence. None of the others seem the least bit doubtful. Sure, there is always room for error. No plan is perfect. But she does not trust me. I am not sure she trusts half the people in this room. I can tell that she I that type of person.

"No." I meet her scrutinizing gaze. Her eyes are cold, and it shocks once again that not only is she related to Clarke, who has the warmest, kindest eyes I have ever seen, but she is in fact Clarke's mother. "This plan is based on how I think the Mountain Men will respond. If they do not respond in the way I expect, we will have to come up with another plan. Fast."

"It sounds like it will work," Clarke gives her mother a glare that makes her turn her hateful glower off me. "I haven't been the Mountain Men as long as you have, none of us have. I trust your judgment."

Her words warm my heart and I have to force myself not to give her a smile that may betray my feelings for her.

"It's late," Octavia grumbles from where she is leaning in the corner of the room, speaking up for the first time since the meeting began. "Can we go to sleep, or do we have to argue more?"

"No, you're right." Clarke responds, "We have a busy day tomorrow. Let's get some rest while we can."

The others nod their approval and begin to leave when Clarke's mother speaks up again. "Wait. Where will the Commander sleep?"

"Lexa," Clarke's voice is heavy with annoyance, "will sleep in my quarters."

Everyone, me included, all stare at her. Sleep in her quarters? With her? She does not have an extra bed. Will we have to sleep together? In the same bed? I am not sure she is ready for that.

"Sleep in your quarters?" Her mother sounds disgusted and horrified. It is nice to know what she thinks as highly of me as I do her.

"Yes. Most of the rest of our people are afraid and wary of her. If Lexa sleeps in my quarters, it'll show how much I trust her. I trust her with my life."

"Last time you did that, she betrayed you. And us. That's not so easily forgiven or forgotten," she growls.

"Yes, well, that's why she's here. To offer her help to get some of our people back. If you want to refuse that, fine. We won't be able to get them back without her. Lexa is doing this of her own free will, out of the goodness of her heart. She doesn't have any of her people left in there. She's helping us despite that."

"I'm not sure the Commander has a heart," Clarke's mom spits, pivoting on her heel and making a grand exit.

The others leave quietly, but give me looks that tell me that they do not believe what their Chancellor is saying. Even Octavia is not as hostile. I hope that she will forgive my actions in time. I know she is close to Clarke.

Clarke's hand lightly brushes mine and I fight not to shiver at the shock of her touch. "Come on," she says gently, "we don't have any extra mattresses. I will sleep on the floor."

Clarke begins to walk toward her room and I fall into step with her. "I will not kick you out of your bed. I will sleep on the floor."

Clarke opens her mouth as if to protest, but a soldier interrupts her, holding some sort of fabric in his hands. "Extra blanket on the Chancellor's order, ma'am." He hands her the fabric and salutes her. It is not sarcastic or hesitant like those I have seen the so called "leader" receive. Her people respect her almost as much as I do.

"Thank you." He marches past us, and I am glad that he does not stare at me like some of the civilians do.

She opens the door to her room, "Are you sure you're okay sleeping on the floor?"

"I have slept on worse places than a clean floor," I say gently and thank her as she hands me the fabric that is apparently their version of a pelt blanket.

Clarke nods and smiles, though I notice her calm exterior is slightly cracked. She seems almost nervous. Though probably not for the reason I hope.

I spread it out of the floor and she blows out the flickering candle lighting up the room. I drape the blanket over myself and watch as she climbs into her bed.

"Goodnight, Lexa."

"Goodnight, Clarke."