The Choice Of The Heart

CHAPTER 13 - "To death"

We all slept outside the tower for the night so it would be easier for the guards to recognize us when with the sunlight. Kort came to me and before he had the chance to say anything I hugged him. I threw myself into his strong arms and he said:

“It’s going to be alright my little girl.”

“I know. I just need a reminder of why I’m doing all of this. Who I want to protect.”

“You want to protect your people and you’re doing what’s right. Believe me.” He stopped a moment looking at Bellamy and then put his hand on my heart: “Don’t forget to use it sometime.”

He walked away leaving me with these good words. I looked at Bellamy, he was trying to see the entrance of the Tower. I thought maybe he was worried about Octavia, so I came to free him and said:

“Time to get in.” He nodded and we walked through the holy square followed by the others. Just before we arrived to the door I saw a man coming to me, it was Titus. He saw me and bowed with respect.

“I’m glad you’re home safe Heda.” Titus said. Bellamy looked at me smiling. I saw him but I didn’t say anything in front of Titus and the royal guards. We were about to come into the Tower when I stopped and shouted:

“I was about to forget! Take the soldier Aspen Kholt in the donjon, he’s not allowed to leave until he's seen the queen Lexa.” I came closer to Aspen and whispered to him: “One. One chance to explain what happened to Lexa or I’ll do it myself.”

He didn’t even blink and I walked into the Tower. I put my hand up and two soldiers closed the doors.

Bellamy and I started climb the stairs, then we walked in the war room. Lexa and Octavia were expecting us. Octavia’s face changed when she saw Bellamy’s wounds, she came closer trying to touch him but he took her hands slowly and said:

“It’s okay O. It’s okay.” Her look turned dark and yelled at me.

“You said you’ll keep him safe!” Bellamy put his arm in front of Octavia to stop her.

“Don’t go there O. It’s not her fault. Come here.” He took her in his arms and she hugged him back. In the meantime I was looking at Lexa. I wish I could do the same but I didn’t know if she was still mad at me. Maybe what she said in her letter was only to make me come here. Anyway we had more important matters to discuss.

“We have a proposition.” Lexa started. Octavia left Bellamy’s arms and we all came around the table listening for Lexa. She gave a sad look to Octavia and Octavia did the same to Bellamy and said:

“Malorth knows you’re alive.” Bellamy bowed his head, his hands tensed on the table.

“Who’s Malorth?” I asked.

“The Skaikru chancellor. We met him. He said the coalition is too weak to pretend protecting the 13 clans.” Lexa answered.

“It’s a lie!” Bellamy said angry. “All he wants is to take more lands, submitting people and …” I put my hand on his to make him calm down. Octavia was staring at us surprised but I didn’t see her. I looked at Lexa and then said:

“What’s the deal?” Lexa took a deep breath and Octavia put her hands in front of her mouth like she was praying.

“A duel.” After these words my heart started beating faster. I remembered Clarissa and my breath grew heavy.
I knew that if there was going to be a duel I’ll have to take part of it. I didn’t make my proof in public like the tradition obliged, I didn’t have the time to. Lexa understood the same thing as I did. She kept going, worried for me to learn what she was about to say.

“A fight to prove the superiority of the Skaikru people without the coalition. One Skaikru against one Grounder.” Lexa made a pause. “To death.” She concluded.

“You’re not seriously thinking of this? Your majesty this is nothing more than a trick to discredit the power of Polis over the clans of the coalition.” Bellamy said to Lexa.

“You think I don’t know that. I have no other choice. Your people started a war and now the only way I don’t lose half of my warriors and my kingdom in a bloodbath is this. So you better deal with this idea and get ready.”

“Get ready?” Bellamy asked looking at Octavia who had her head down since Lexa started talking. She looked up, there were tears all over her face.

“It’s you … You have been choose for the fight.” She stopped talking due to the tears falling on her cheeks. “They … They said it was the only way for you to avoid the death penalty for your leak and my …”

Bellamy took a deep breath and finished her sentence.

“Your expulsion from Arkadia.”