The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 56

This chapter is full of skipping time, cute nerds, and worry!

The next day passes quickly, with Lexa and I staying in bed practically all morning (it's mostly innocent, though Lexa is very happy when I let her touch my boobs during a particularly hot make out session).

After that, I'm subjected to Titus' scowling face when Lexa announces we will be heading back to TonDC tomorrow. I know she would rather have us stay in Polis, but most of my stuff is there and I feel like we should get on the road soon. I can feel it in the air; something is going to happen.

I tell Lexa about my feeling, and she nods solemnly. "Sha, hodnes (yes, love) I feel it too."

I relax a bit, glad I'm not being paranoid or anything. Plus I melt, unable to resist kissing her because I love how she calls me that. It's definitely worth the Titus death glares.

We say goodbye to the other leaders since all of them other than Indra and Luna are leaving today. I know I'll sleep better tonight knowing that Lexa and I aren't in the same building as Nia.

Luna, Anya, and Indra are coming with us back to TonDC tomorrow. I'm kind of dreading sleeping anywhere near Luna and Anya because I walked up the stairs once past their floor and could hear them from the stairwell. I'm hoping they'll at least try to stay quiet.

Before I know it, it's the next day and I'm finishing packing. Lexa and I didn't do anything last night, just making out and light touching until we both were tired enough to fall asleep in each other's arms. Our horses are happy to see us, stamping at the ground excitedly as we approach.

Lexa and I stop to greet them with soft whispered words before we get on them. The others get on their own horses as we wait for a few more, with Artigas and some extra guards arriving a bit later than the rest of us. After Lexa and I told Anya, Luna, and Indra about how we both have a bad feeling, they insisted on more guards to make sure we're safe.

A few guards lead, guiding us toward Polis' exit. Lexa and I ride near the front, side by side. Being by her side almost feels natural now, but I can't help fearing that that's all about to change.

I only let myself relax after an hour's past on the road and nothing's happened. We have another day's worth of riding before we get close enough to the Maunon (Mountain Men) to be worried.

Lexa and I occupy our time by trading stories of our youth and teaching each other about our cultures. It's a long day, and that night Lexa and I are so exhausted we just give each other a goodnight kiss before falling asleep.

I stir at the sound of people moving around outside, groaning quietly and snuggling against Lexa further. I feel her laugh and poke her side in retaliation. Lexa flinches but giggles at the touch. She's ticklish? Made further awake by that revaluation, I open my eyes and tickle her until she covers her mouth to muffle her laughter and begs me to stop.

I relent, stopping my attack and kissing her. "Good morning."

"You are cruel, ai hodnes (my love)." Lexa pants, smiling up at me. Her hair is messy, both from sleep and from trying to squirm away from me. I just hum in response, lying down on top of her. "Clarke," she laughs at my antics. "You are being childish."

"Well, where I come from I'm still technically a kid." I murmur.

"Only for another month." I can hear the amusement in her voice. "But you are no longer up in the sky with them, you are here with me. And to me, you are a beautiful woman."

Float me, she's so smooth and sweet. That earns her quite a few more kisses before we get up and her dressed. We turn our back to each other as we change, though I can't help wishing that I did see more of her. I really do want Lexa, and I'm ninety seven percent sure that I'm ready, but I want our first time to be perfect. So not in a tent surrounded by more than ten people. Though I know that it's Lexa, so it'll be perfect no matter what.

We eat breakfast, enduring Anya an Luna's teasing about how cute we are together. Once I start pointing out adorable things that they do together (which for them is training together, staying together basically always, etc), they stop making fun of us.

We get on the road soon after that, and though no one says it I know they were all waiting for Lexa and I to be ready.

Today's the day where we'll be getting close to the Maunon. I can tell that it's not just me that's on edge, everyone's tense and it only gets worse as the sun creeps across the sky. There are no stories being told, no jokes to be laughed at today. I can't help getting caught up in the fear, my eyes going to every movement from an animal. It's like all of us are collectively taking a breath and just waiting for the worst, for something terrible to happen. So when something happens, no one's surprised. What happens, however, is something that nobody saw coming.

I rub at my nose, annoyed with how it's randomly choosing to be runny now. I sniff, feeling gross. There's something in the air that isn't natural. Looking around, I notice that the others have noticed too and are glancing around, searching for the source of the smell. It almost smells like... Sulfur? I can tell the direction it's coming from, so I look at the mountain and my eyes widen in horror. There's a horribly ugly yellow mist, slowly but surely making it's way toward us.

Oh man. Cliff hanger. Just a reminder that while I may be an asshole, I don't kill off my characters so don't worry! They'll be fine! Kinda. *cue villainous laughter* Anyway... What could happen? Will they get away? (Of course) Will they survive? (Yup) Will something bad happen??? (Ha, definitely) So... Thank you all for reading and for your amazing and encouraging comments! Stay awesome!