✓ 2. SHADOW HUNTER ᵇᵉˡˡᵃᵐʸ ᵇˡᵃᵏᵉ

22. confrontation

-CONFRONTATION-

"what's with you constantly barging in when I'm in conversation with my commander's second, huh?"

As Clarke leads the way to the cell where King Roan is confined, Bellamy trails close behind, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor. Upon reaching the cell, they are met with Roan's piercing glare, his frustration palpable.

"I told you, I'm not talking until I get to see Sairah," Roan declares firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Bellamy rolls his eyes at the stubborn king, his patience wearing thin. "And I told you she's resting," he retorts.

"It's been weeks," Roan protests, rising from his seat with a sense of urgency. "Weeks since you last said that. If she hasn't woken up by now, then she never will."

Clarke clears her throat, stepping forward to address the agitated king. "She woke up just a few days ago," she informs him calmly. "All she needs right now is to recover at her own pace."

Roan's eyes widen in disbelief at the news. "She woke up and you didn't tell me?!" he exclaims, his voice rising with frustration. "I told you to keep me updated!" He sighs in annoyance, his frustration evident in his tense posture.

Bellamy closes the distance between himself and Roan, his gaze steely as he commands the king with authority. "Sit down," he states firmly, his voice laced with a warning glare. "You may think you still hold power here, your highness," he continues, a hint of mockery in his tone, "but take a good look around. You're inside Arkadia now, within our confines." With each word, Bellamy's presence grows more imposing. "Raise your voice again, and I won't hesitate to do more than just put a bullet in your arm."

Roan's smirk falters slightly, his brow furrowing at Bellamy's boldness. "Is that a threat?" he challenges, his tone edged with skepticism.

"Yeah," Bellamy affirms with a nod, his confidence unwavering. "I suggest you keep quiet before you end up waking Sairah."

At the mention of her name, Roan's smirk widens into a knowing grin. "Sairah, huh?" he muses, his tone tinged with amusement. "Since when does a Sky Boy address the commander's second by name?"

"I said—" Bellamy grits his teeth, his patience wearing thin, "—sit down."

The tension between Bellamy and Roan hangs thick in the air, threatening to boil over, but before their bickering can escalate further, the heavy doors swing open with a loud bang. Sairah steps into the room, her presence instantly commanding attention, though her subdued groans betray the pain she's clearly enduring.

Clutching her abdomen, where the bullet wound had once been, now cleaned and tended to, Sairah's determined strides are marred by the discomfort that courses through her body. With a single glance, she silences the brewing conflict between the two men.

"It's Trikova for both of you," she asserts firmly, her tone brooking no argument. Then, without missing a beat, she limps over to stand beside Clarke, her expression focused. "What's the plan?" Sairah asks, her voice steady despite the evident strain. "Before you say something, i'm done resting."

Clarke's sigh fills the room before she turns her attention back to Roan. "Like it or not, we need each other," she states plainly, her tone tinged with urgency.

"Cut to the chase, Clarke," Roan replies, his patience wearing thin. "You said we wanted the same thing. I want an Ice Nation Commander."

Sairah's eyes widen in disbelief at Roan's declaration. "You want Ontari to be the next commander?" she questions, taking a step closer to the king. "Even after everything she's done?"