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

Chapter 36

Lexa's POV

Once inside the castle walls, we all get off of our horses and lead them. We head towards the partly remaining inner wall. It is older than Polis Tower by quite a few centuries; I know because I studied this place and most places I thought we would stop.

The wall, which is a lot taller than the outer ones and has holes for windows, as well as the outer ones should shelter us from the wind. That was another complaint from last night, the wind. What I do not tell them is that because this is a castle, the ground will still be lumpy. Hopefully they will think it is worth it.

"How the heck is this still standing?" Raven wonders aloud as we near the wall. It seems to reach towards the sky as it towers over us.

"Perhaps there is a sturdy base. Perhaps their enemies could not hit this wall. But most locals think it is the keryon (soul) of a long dead gona (warrior) that is still defending it, keeping it up." I say.

"A ghost?! Are you kidding?" Octavia asks, her eyes wide. She grips the lead tighter as we get closer to the doorway, the edges of which has crumbled into being big enough for our horses to come through.

"No, I am not kidding."

"Do you believe it?" Clarke asks me.

I ponder for a moment. "Not particularly. I think the locals may be spooked by the giant looming castle and the whistling sound of the wind going through the windows. Or rather, the holes for windows."

Just then, as if on cue, a large gust of wind comes by in the right direction for them to hear what I am talking about. The wind makes a whistling-like sound as it goes through the holes. I smirk when Raven and Octavia both jump.

"Is that the only reason why you don't believe it? Or do you not believe in ghosts." Clarke asks curiously.

"I do believe the souls of the departed sometimes linger when they have unfinished business. But it is extremely rare for them to stay longer than a couple months, let alone many centuries. I do not think it is a ghost."

Clarke nods and gently urges her horse through the opening in the wall behind her. The horse flattens its ears against its head and whinnies unhappily, but complies. We all work on taking the saddles and everything off of the horses so they can roam free. They immediately flock to where the most grass is and nibble on it.

Clarke reaches out to take my hand and tugs on it. I look over at my beautiful fiancée and smile softly.

"Walk with me?" She asks.

"Of course."

We ignore Raven and Octavia, who give us thumbs up and over exaggerated winks like they think we are going somewhere private to make love. That sounds more like something they would do.

Clarke and I walk out of where the others are beginning to set up camp and she pulls me immediately towards the outer wall, a place where it would be hard for the others to see us, let alone what we are doing. Perhaps Raven and Octavia were not wrong after all.

"I want to walk along the wall. Do you know if there's a way to get up there?" Clarke asks.

I purse my lips and try to remember what I have read. "There should be a staircase over there somewhere. But Clarke, if it is too dangerous, we cannot stay up there. Okay? I cannot lose you."

Clarke softens. "Of course, niron (loved one). I can't lose you either. Ai hod yu in (I love you)."

I smile and squeeze her hand. "I love you too, Clarke."

I love the way her name rolls off my lips, and I know she does too. Whenever we are... in the midst of making love, she always loves to hear me say her name.

We head in the direction I think the stairs are in, and sure enough we find them. They are run down and old, but the stones are sturdy when I put my feet on them, and there is a clear path upwards like it has been cleared. We go one at a time, with me first.

When I get up, the first thing I do is look at the wall and am relieved. It is most intact. The floor is sturdy and along the edge of the wall is a smaller wall that keeps people from falling off. In the places where it's in disrepair, or has broken, there is a wooden fence to block it.

"What's the verdict, babe? Can we walk on it?" Clarke asks, amusement heavy in her voice. Oh, yes. She was right behind me. I have been blocking her way up.

"Moba (sorry)," I apologize and step aside.

"It's okay, babe." She assures. She gets up to the top and walks over to the smaller wall, placing her hands on top of it as she looks outward. "Wow. Look at the view, babe."

I stand beside her, glancing over to make her she's not leaning on the wall. It has stood for centuries, but I do not want to risk Clarke's health and safety.

I look out and my breath catches. I can see for miles upon miles, farmland and towns and a city in the distance.

"That city." I point at it and Clarke nods to prompt me to go on. "That is where we are headed tomorrow."

"Really? Cool." Clarke squints and I turn my attention to her. The most amazing sunset could not compare to her beauty. "I can't see much of it."

I hum in response and Clarke glances over. "You're not even looking." Clarke points out, but the smile on her face tells me she does not mind.

"I am looking at the most beautiful view." I reply honestly.

Clarke blushes and comes closer. She brushes her lips against mine until I am desperate to kiss her. Only then does she kiss me. I moan softly against her lips and lose myself in the blissful haze of kissing my greatest love, my fiancée, my partner, my Clarke.

Octavia and Raven end up being correct.

Whew! Next chapter, either more castle or the next city! I haven't chosen yet... We'll all be surprised, I guess! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!