Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 97

Clarke's POV    ... I can't resist Lexa and Luna being sisters

We're back on our horses at about midday after a pretty good night of sleep. Octavia and Raven tired themselves out last night and slept until Lexa actually got annoyed enough to wake them up.

I have to admit, it's beautiful here. We're riding close to the ocean. I didn't realize how huge it is until I saw it. There's water as far as I can see and it looks so calm, unlike what I've heard from old stories about how dangerous it is. The water shimmers in the sunlight and I briefly entertain the idea of jumping in. Except as cold as it is outside, it's bound to be even colder in the water.

The horses have to work harder to get through the sand than I expected, so I guess Octavia and Raven sleeping in did one good thing. It allowed them to continue to rest. They're still not at a hundred percent, so it's good that we're close to our destination. We'll be there for a bit.

The beach beneath the horses hooves is like nothing I've ever seen. It's fascinating to watch how the footsteps (hoof steps?) of the horses create dips in the sand. Not to mention how great it is to look out at the water. I end up taking out my camera a few times to take pictures, some with Lexa on her horse in them looking like the regal goddess she is.

Occasionally, I can see fins and tails in the water and every time Octavia, Raven, and I gasp in awe. It's a truly gorgeous sight. We keep going for hours and I take in my surroundings. After a while, I see some large dark object in the distance on the water.

"What is that?" I ask curiously. "Is that an island?"

"No, that is a boat." Lexa responds.

My jaw drops and I stare at the shape, squinting so I can see it better. It looks so big from here. When I learned of the Floukru, which literally translates to Boat People, I thought they had tiny rowboats and at most some larger fishing boats. This is bigger than anything I could've imagined. Now that I'm looking for it, I can clearly see it's mast and the sails. It looks like something straight from an old pirate movie.

I tell Lexa that, and she finds that hilarious. "Luna will love hearing that." She chuckles. "She once saw a book with pictures of pirates and based her looks on them."

"Does she have a peg leg?" Raven asks. When she notices Lexa's confusion, she elaborates. "A wooden leg."

"No, though a few of her warriors do. There have been a few sharks who have gotten a taste for human flesh." Lexa laughs when she sees my horrified expression. "Do not worry, hodnes (love). There have not been any cases recently. Luna is famed among her people for killing the most man-eating sharks in history."

"How does she know they're man-eating?" I question.

"From what she has told me, some of the times she was with a person who was attacked and killed the shark to save them. But occasionally she has gone to where that shark is known to attack and uses herself as bait."

"Hardcore." Raven says, evidently impressed.

"You know Luna well?" Octavia probably just inquires about that to pass the time. Lexa's told us that we're close, but still an hour or so away.

"Um. Sha (yes)." Lexa says hesitantly, glancing at me. I frown at the unusual action. Did they used to be girlfriends? Does she think I'll get jealous or something? "She is my blood sister."

"Like actual sister or is this a weird saying?" Raven says. I'm too surprised by what she said to say anything.

"We share the same parents, yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask quietly.

I had noticed they seemed pretty close during the meeting with all of the clan leaders but I definitely didn't expect this. Now that I think about it though, they do look pretty similar.

"Family is not who is related to you by blood Clarke, family is the people you choose to spend your time with." Lexa gives me a small smile. "You taught me that."

"But then why wouldn't she be part if your family?" I question, taking her hand so she knows I'm not mad at her.

"She abandoned me and her duties. As you may remember, there is one circle on my back tattoo for every Natblida (Nightblood) at my Conclave except one. That missing circle is hers. She was supposed to stay and fight me but instead she fled. It took me a long time to understand, let alone forgive why she left me to deal with everything alone. She was more suited as she was older while I was 16. She did not come back after Costia died, which I can understand. But she was Costia's friend and she did not even go to her funeral." Lexa swallows and I squeeze her hand.

"You told me once that the Natblidas who flee or refuse to participate in the Conclave are considered dishonorable and cowardly and hunted down." I murmur.

"Yes, they are. After a year of hearing of my blood sister's close escapes from bounty hunters and angry villagers, I ordered her to be pardoned. She had finally settled down in a new village in Floukru and was gaining a name for herself, a good name. Needless to say, Titus was furious and argued so pointlessly and so often that I nearly kicked him off the tower myself." Lexa scowls, then softens as she looks at me. "I am sorry that I did not tell you."

"It's okay. But we're partners, babe and that means not keeping anything from each other, especially not something this big." I say and Lexa nods.

I do understand where she's coming from but I wish she would've told me. At least now I know the if anything like this comes up again, she will tell me.

"Raven are you crying?" Octavia asks incredulously from behind us. I turn to see Raven brushing away tears.

"Shut up. They're just so good together. Relationship goals, O, relationship goals." Raven sniffles.

Turns out I like the idea of Lexa and Luna being sisters too much to not add it here too! Hopefully Lexa's rationale made sense... And also, Raven and Octavia are nerds. I love them. Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!