That's Why I Love You

Chapter 37

Clarke

When Lexa was sound asleep I sneaked out of our room and headed down to the dungeons with some medical supplies. Luna looked disheveled, but for getting beat up last night she looked steady. It was almost as if she were proud of herself. In a way, she should be. She stood her ground and kept her dignity through her beating. I expected Lexa was sort of proud of her, too.

Luna looked up at me and smiled softly. She glanced down at the bandages in my hand.

"I didn't think you would come." Luna said, her Trigesaleng accent heavy. "Or I thought Leksa would've stopped you."

"Lexa didn't stop me." I said. I nodded to the guards to unlock the door. Lately, it seemed as if I had more authority around here. Maybe it was dawning on Lexa's guards or generals that I was here to stay. I walked into the dungeon and noticed Luna wasn't chained to the wall, as she usually had been. It made me a little anxious, but nothing was going to get done if we kept up this cycle of not trusting each other.

I walked closer and sat in front of her. Reaching forward, I pressed the Grounder's equivalent of antiseptic to her eye. She flinched.

"Sorry. It stings." I said.

Luna smirked. "I know. I've had to experience this hellish medicine many times. I was just surprised."

I raised an eyebrow. I always thought that Luna's clan was peaceful, so why was Luna familiar with the pain of this salve? "I thought you lived in peace."

Luna stared down at the ground and picked up a leaf, twirling it in her hands. I found the action notable of her innocence. "My people do. I used to."

I urged her on.

"Being a leader means you do whatever is necessary to protect your people. I used to think I needed to kill those who posed a threat." Luna looked up at me.

"So why don't you live in peace now?"

"I don't have to commit evil actions to live in peace, Clarke. I just have to think about them." Luna whispered. "Think about what I've done." She said more softly to herself.

I finished wiping away the blood by her eye and pulled away.

"So, I can give you an eye patch or you can go without one. It doesn't really matter." I said. Luna smiled.

"I will do without one, but thank you."

I nodded. "I'm just sorry Raven did this to you."

Luna shook her head and turned her attention back to the leaf in her hand. "Don't be. I deserved it. I deserved much worse."

I moved onto her shoulder. Blood had clotted over the wound, stopping the bleeding. It was a deep wound and would take forever to heal. I grabbed a damp cloth and gently wiped away at the blood.

"Why did you save Aden?" I asked, letting my curiosity get the best of me. I was worried she would be offended, but she seemed fine to answer.

"I would've saved anyone. I wish I had saved everyone." Luna said. "I didn't know he was a Natblida at the time, or else I would've considered letting him be killed. That fate might've been better than what is in store for him."

I looked up at her. "You don't know?"

She looked at me quizzically. "What do I not know?"

"Lexa passed a rule where the Nightbloods don't have to die. One becomes Commander, the rest are free to live their lives."

Luna smiled. "That sounds like Lexa. I only wish that rule had been passed before she was forced to kill her brothers and sisters."

I nodded and placed the bloodied rag on the ground. "Me too."