Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 2

Lexa's POV

I pass out a few of the keys to the others before using the one I keep to open the door. I hold it open for them and close it when everyone's inside.

I take a minute to look around. The house is more fancy than I expected, though I should not be surprised. While Sankru does not place much emphasis on material things, the powerful people tend to live more lavish life styles. The crystal chandelier with the candles glowing with the blue rocks from Azgeda seem to be a bit much to me. Other than that, it has a nice feel to it. A bit much, but it works. Mostly. The touch I really like are the little clay pots at random places around the room with cacti and other desert plants in them.

The guards go to pick their rooms and to cook dinner.

Octavia lets out a low whistle. "Wow, this place is fancy."

"This city is one of the richest in the clans." I explain. "As I have told Raven, some of the most talented blacksmiths live here, as do many merchants."

"Why were you and Raven talking about blacksmiths?" Clarke asks.

I can tell it's meant to be a purely innocent, curious question, but how do I answer that without revealing my plans to propose to her?

"I want to learn how to smith." Raven answers.

"Really?" Octavia asks incredulously.

"Yeah really," Raven confirms. "I want to learn while we're here. That's one of the things Lexa and I did on that day when we were away from you guys. I just watched someone smith."

As Octavia and Clarke take in this information, Raven winks at me and I nod to her as a silent thank you. She snaps her fingers and points "finger guns" at me.

"Why do you want to learn?" Octavia questions. "It's not that I don't support this, I'm just curious babe."

"If I know how to smith, I can make my own parts without having to explain to a blacksmith what they need to make. Which trust me, it takes a while."

"I remember you telling me about the time you asked that one guy to craft you something and it took you two hours to explain one part of it to him." Octavia recalls, nodding.

Raven groans at the memory. "Ugh. That was awful. So yeah, that's why."

"That's what you were doing with Raven?" Clarke asks as Octavia and Raven continue to talk.

I turn to her, giving her my full attention. "Mostly, yes."

"You're a good friend." Clarke murmurs, squeezing my hand in hers.

I duck my head with a soft smile. "Not nearly as good as they are."

Clarke just shakes her head with a grin and gives me a quick peck.

"Okay, I do have one question." Clarke says, tapping the back of my hand with her finger. "How are we going to find a blacksmith that can put up with Raven's personality?"

I laugh at that, making Octavia and Raven look over at us.

"What's so funny?" Raven asks.

Clarke repeats her question and Octavia snickers while Raven nods understandingly.

"All of this charm and good looks isn't for everyone. Some people can get overwhelmed by my awesomeness." Raven says seriously.

"Sure babe, that's it." Octavia gets out between chuckles.

Raven pouts at her words, causing Octavia to practically melt and pepper kisses all over Raven's face until she smiles again.

"Do not worry, Raven." I say. "Costia's old teacher is still here. He put up with her, he can work with you."

Raven's eyes light up. "Was Costia like me? You don't talk about her much." When she sees my pensive expression, she hastily continues. "You don't have to tell us anything if you don't want to."

I shake my head. "No, it is alright. Costia was like you in some ways, Raven. She was kind, brave, and smart. But she also had a fire in her. I cannot tell you how many times her words got her in trouble. Needless to say, it did not help with Titus not liking her."

"Eh, float Titus." Raven waves a dismissive hand. "He's just a grumpy old man."

"Kick him off of the tower." Octavia suggests.

I smile at their antics and shake my head. "I cannot do that, even though I am occasionally tempted to. He is the Fleimkepa, he has not even trained a replacement yet."

"You're Heda, you can order him to do that. Tell him to find someone less cynical." Octavia says.

"Perhaps when we get back to Polis." I say.

"Good," Raven nods. "Then maybe he can take a vacation and try to figure out to to pull out that pole from up his butt."

My eyes widen in alarm. "Titus has something in his-"

"It's an expression," Clarke answers. "It means he's stuck up, unpleasant, rigid."

Oh. That makes more sense.

"Dinner's ready!" Lincoln calls from somewhere, probably the kitchen.

We all walk towards his voice. The dining table has a lit candle in the center and my eyes light up. It has been a while since I have been near a candle. Clarke notices, of course, and bumps my shoulder with hers.

I look over at her and she grins at me. "Have you missed candles, babe?" She asks quietly so only we can hear.

"Sha (yes). It has been odd not seeing any for a while."

Clarke pulls out my chair for me and then sits next to me. It takes me a second to notice that she placed us in the middle of the table so I can see the candle better. I give her a grateful look, ignoring her amused smirk.

We eat dinner once everyone has sat down, and like usual it is incredible. Lincoln could be a professional cook if he wanted to be. I take the time when I have finished and some others are still eating to talk about the possibilities of what we could do while we are here. We end up making a couple of tentative plans, like hiking through the mountains one day, before heading to bed.

Next chapter, Lexa is going to open up more about Costia! Because why not and Clarke's an amazing, understanding girlfriend. Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!