My Immortal

Chapt 24: Two Worlds Collide: Part 2

The Heda and The Skaiprisa

Clarke:

I watched as Raven and Octavia made their way into the forest outside of the small camp we had been taken to that morning. We had been separated from those that had asked us for bonding, as tradition dictates. Taking a breath, I felt someone come up next to me.

"Clarke?" Kiran spoke softly. "Do you feel the draw?"

I nodded, not trusting my words at this point. I felt this pull and I knew if I set off for this place, I would get there safely. I couldn't tell you how I knew that, but I felt it in my very soul.

"Follow the pull, you will see Lexa where you are destined to bond. I feel a pull to somewhere so desperately far away, I have to get going."

"Be safe, Kiran. I will see you tomorrow." I pulled her into a hug before stepping away. She quickly disappeared into the growing darkness.

I started walking, lost in thoughts about Lexa, as the forest passed by me. It had to be a full hour later that I stumbled on a tree root and landed on my stomach. Looking up from where I was laying, I gasped at the land in front of me. A beautiful cove with a sandy shore laid out, the water making a soft lapping sound as the waves came into the shore.

I scrambled to my feet and quickly pulled off my shoes. The sand felt warm under my feet as I made my way to the water's edge. I wished at that moment, as the water washed over my bare feet, that I had my sketchbook. Lost in thought, I felt an arm wrap around my waist from behind. I tensed until the person spoke up.

"Ai Hodnes, it's beautiful isn't it?" Lexa's breath was warm against my neck.

"Sha." was all I could say before I spun in her arms and quickly captured her lips.

I felt her pull away slightly, pressing our foreheads together.

"Tonight you will feel the pull to speak or do certain things that you normally would not do. Do not hold back. It is the magic of the night leading you through the bond process. I consent to anything and everything that occurs tonight."

I could feel the pull to speak as well. "I consent to everything that occurs tonight as well."

"There is something you must know, Clarke." The snap of the K sound on my name made my heart sink. "Fear not, beloved, it is nothing too difficult to deal with. As Heda, my bond has an extra step. While everyone else's bond will form and solidify this night, ours will take a few days to finish. I must ask, per tradition, if you are certain that you wish to engage in this bonding."

"Yes, I do."

"You enter this bond willingly, with no coercion or force?"

"I do."

"I, Lexa kom Trikru, enter this bond willingly, with no coercion, and I am certain that I wish to enter this bond."

A warm feeling settled in the center of my chest. With a nod, Lexa smiled softly. She pulled away fully and took my hand. Without a word, she led me toward the water's edge. As we got to the edge, she knelt, took off her boots and rolled her pants legs up a bit.

I wasn't sure what caused me to sink to my right knee, my left foot planted solidly in the sand, in front of her; I caught her eye and she seemed surprised. "I swear fealty to you, Lexa kom Trikru. I vow to stand by your side, treat your needs as my own, and your people as our people. I swear fealty to the Coalition, as leader of Skaikru." The words fell from my lips, and as I spoke her eyes grew wider. Once I fell silent, she pulled me to my feet and into a rough kiss.