Atlantis

Chapter Thirty

Everyone in the city gathered to watch the two warriors and their dance of blades.

Titus quieted the crowd. "In single combat, there is but one rule...someone must die today! You may begin."

Roan and Lexa retreated to their corners.

Clarke pushed through the crowd and found Faye next to where Lexa was.

Clarke's eyes never left Lexa.

"I'm glad you came." Lexa said.

"Me, too." Clarke said, nodding.

Lexa drew her sword and the crowd cheered.

Lexa finally met Faye's eyes. She turned, avoiding Roan's blade and slashing him across the side.

Their swords met many times until finally, Roan had an upper hand and pushed down against Lexa's sword.

She gripped the blade, ignoring the blade on her hand. The pushed his sword back at him.

He knocked her to the ground, kicking away her sword. The fight went on. Many cheers and boos from the crowd.

Lexa pushed back against Roan, now claiming both swords.

Roan backed away. He turned and punched one of the guards, taking his spear. The crowd was not pleased.

They danced around with their weapons until Lexa had lost both her swords. Roan kicked her to the ground.

Roan stood over her with the spear. Lexa waited for him to land the spear. Harder for him to stop halfway through killing her.

She rolled to the side, kicking his legs out from under him. She avoided every attack and took the spear.

Striking him as many times as she could until he was down on the stone ground.

Lexa loomed over him with the tip of the spear.

"Get up!" Queen Nia yelled at her son. "If you die, you don't die a prince, you die a coward!"

Faye watched Roan say something to Lexa.

Everyone jumped back when the spear entered Nia's chest.

Faye stood still, waiting for the applause.

"The Queen is dead! Long live the King!" Lexa declared.

The crowd repeated the declaration. They began chanting for their commander.

Faye smiled. She knew it was wrong to doubt Lexa, a warrior from birth.

- - -

Faye answered the knocking of the person behind the door.

"Clarke? It's late." Faye said.

"Um..."

"Come in. We can talk." Faye stepped aside, letting her in her room.

"You'll do everything you can to keep Lexa alive, right?" Clarke asked.

"Of course." Faye nodded.

"I know about your training with the Nightbloods. The conclave. Why did you run away?" Clarke asked.

"Because I was scared I'd win. Scared I'd have to kill my friend."

"And now? If Lexa dies, will you kill children?"

"Ontari will return by then, and I will do what needs to be done. Nothing less."

"You act like your life revolves around duty and loyalty." Clarke pointed out.

"And why shouldn't it?"

"What about everything else. Freedom? Love?" Clarke asked. "I know there's more to you than being a good soldier."

"What you think you know is far different from reality." Faye said.

"What I think I know is that you love her. The way you look at Lexa. How you'd follow her into fire."

"I'd risk my life for any commander." Faye insisted. "And what about you?" Faye scoffed.

"Good night, Faye." Clarke stood, heading for the door. She waited at the door.

"Good night." Faye said, not turning to look at her.

***

Ugh I hate this chapter but I need to update my books other than my hotd book cause it's consuming my TikTok and writing.