Not everyone, not you

Chapter 27 - The meeting

Clarke's POV

During the days leading up to this meeting, Titus was showing me what the other duties the Flamekeepers have, besides teaching the Nightbloods and knowing how to preform the ritual to ascend a new Commander. He has also given me a tour of the tower and told me which rooms that only Flamekeepers can access. Titus and I are beside Lexa, who's sitting in her throne, waiting for the ambassadors to arrive. Kane is the first to arrive, he takes a seat and he waits for the rest to arrive.

After 5 minutes, the last ambassador arrives, Roan. He's the Queen's son. I don't think he's a threat, but I can't be sure. Titus looks at me then looks back at the people in the room.

"Let the meeting begin." he said loud enough for all of us to hear.

"What is the meaning of this meeting?" Lexa asked.

"I found something after the Queen died." Roan said.

"What is it?" she replied.

"A Natblida." he replied.

"Show me."

"We can't. She's completely brainwashed and is a threat to everyone. We're trying to contain her before sending her here. My mother kept her hidden since birth and trained her in Azgeda. She's supposed to be in the conclave after your death. She's two years younger than you, Heda."

"Once she has calmed down, you are to tell me and I will go meet her with the Flamekeepers." she replied.

"Flamekeepers? I thought there was just one." asked Kane.

"Clarke and Titus. That is why you are the ambassador, Kane. Titus has been training Clarke ever since we got back to Polis." Lexa replied and Kane nods.

"Why was Wanheda chosen as a Flamekeeper?"asked an ambassador.

"She's from the sky! She doesn't know our culture." said another one.

"I assure you all that Clarke has learned a lot about our culture. She is always by my side and will be able to start the ritual if I were to die." Lexa replied with anger in her tone of voice.

"Heda, are you sure this is the right decision?" asked an ambassador.

"Do not question my decisions."

"Yes, Heda."

"Good. Anything else?"she asked.

"Why is Clarke always with you? You know love is weakness, Heda." asked another ambassador.

"Love is not weakness. You all need to understand that repressing your feelings for someone only hurts you in the end. You make better decisions with your head and heart. You think better when you let someone help you make those decisions. Caring about someone isn't going to cost your life. Having feelings makes you human, is that not what we are?" I say loudly with anger evident in my voice.

"You've changed the way the Commander makes decisions. You've made her weaker." replied another ambassador.

"You fail to understand that if we keep killing each other, there will not be any of us left. The Commander wants peace and so does Skaikru." Kane spoke for the first time.

"I agree with Kane." replied Roan.

"We cannot just change our ways. Jus drein jus daun has always been our ways." Titus says.

"We can change and we will." Lexa says.

"I refuse to let this happen." he says to her.

"Follow me Titus, I want to have a word with you." Lexa says and she walks into the open space behind her throne which happens to be where she has kicked several people off the building.

Titus follows her and keeps talking.

"We cannot have peace, nobody wants it." he says.

He stops at the spot where most people get kicked off.

"I do." Lexa says and she kicks him off.

We hear him yelling for a few seconds then we hear him land on the ground. The ambassadors look just as shocked as I am. I thought he had changed, I guess he hadn't. I am now the only Flamekeeper. Lexa walks back and sits back down. I put my hand on her shoulder to tell her silently I know how it feels to kill someone you care about. She relaxes and continues.

"Would anyone else care to question my decisions?" she asks.

Nobody answers.

"Good. You may all leave." she says.

They all leave except for Kane.

"How are you Clarke?" he asks.

"Great, did my mom come with you?" I ask.

"Yes, she's working with the healers, would you and Lexa want to come and see her?" he asks and Lexa nods at me.

"Yes, let's go." I reply.