The Tribute (Clexa)

Chapter 24

After eating more cookies and pastries than was wise, because now she had a stomachache, Clarke found herself following Lexa and Anya into the hall and down two flights of stairs.

True to her word, their meeting with Heda Malachi and Titus was on the floor below her own rooms, and they didn't have to take the elevator.

Clarke groaned and held her belly with both arms.

"I told you not to eat so much," Anya grouched. "Now you have probably spoiled your dinner, and knowing Sheidheda, it is going to be a lavish spread."

"Please don't talk about food." Clarke was certain she was turning green. "I don't ever want to see a cookie again in my life."

Lexa laughed. "You say that now, but you will be singing a different tune when Komfoni Mimi brings breakfast up in the morning. She makes the best scones."

Clarke slid a look at the alpha. "I don't know what komfoni means, and I have no idea what a scone is."

Anya looked delighted and jumped in before Lexa could tell Clarke about Mimi's scones. "Mimi is the kitchen cook. She has worked in the Tower for over twenty years, longer than anyone else. It's why we call her Komfoni. It means grandmother. She takes care of all of us. She's even figured out which foods I can taste the best and always makes sure to prepare them for me. Says I don't eat right otherwise. Not being able to taste things very well isn't exactly conducive to wanting to eat."

Lexa smacked Anya in the belly. "Don't let her fool you. She eats just fine," she said to Clarke. "You saw how she shoved the food in her face when she took you to eat the first time in TonDC."

Anya laughed. "Clarke was almost as green as she is now when she tried the blood sausage."

The omega groaned again and nearly doubled over. "Are you two trying to make me ill before meeting Heda Malachi?" Clarke griped. "You are going to make me puke."

Lexa instantly got serious. "Moba, Klark. We are not trying to make you feel ill."

Anya shoved at Lexa' shoulder. "Speak for yourself." She spun and leveled her gaze on Clarke. "You know, griping at us is just another step in the right direction, strik omega. You are finally speaking up for yourself."

Clarke's first reaction to Anya's statement was wanting to lower her eyes. All her life it had been drilled into her that she was not supposed to speak back to an alpha. It went against everything in her to do it, but she was finding that it felt good to speak her mind, especially when those around her encouraged it. That they were speaking about something that made her like she was going to throw up didn't matter.

"That is because I am used to the two of you," Clarke said. More quietly, she said, "and you are nice to me."

Lexa sighed, hating that Clarke had been mistreated for much of her life. "I promise that everyone will be on their best behavior, but if you are nervous about the meeting, Klark, we can delay it a little longer," Lexa offered.

Golden locks went flying side to side. "No, I think I would rather get it over with," Clarke decided bravely.

"Alrighty then, let's go."

Clarke could feel her palms sweating when they finally reached the door of what Anya called the Throne room. The omega had been doing so well, but her nerves came rushing in just as Anya was putting her hand on the handle of the large wooden door to open it. She was suddenly terrified of going through that door. What if everything happened the same way as the last time?

She felt the breath get caught in her throat. "Wait," she pleaded. "Just give me a second."

She wiped her damp hands on her pants. "It's just Heda and that man Titus in there, no one else?"