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

Chapter 50

Clarke's POV

As we get into Louwoda Kliron (Shadow Valley), the ground slopes downward and along the sides of the path, the cliffs begin to rise. The sand here is a beautiful deep red and the cliffs are the same color.

"It is said that the sand is red because of all of the blood that has been spilled here." Lexa suddenly speaking makes me jump and my horse huffs in protest to my sudden movement.

"Do you think it's true?" I ask.

"No. But it is a common... Superstition, that is the word." Lexa says.

I hum in response, wondering if it's possible to stain the earth red using blood. Wait, I know the answer to that. I saw it happen after I was taken by the Maunon (Mountain Men). Lexa and Octavia took them all out and the ground was literally stained red. I remember noticing that as I became conscious again, the red earth. I thought it was natural, but it makes sense that it isn't. I doubt Lexa cared much about how much blood she spilled when she was trying to save me. I know I didn't care when I was trying to save her.

We continue riding, the trail slowly going deeper and deeper down, the cliffs eventually becoming natural on each side of us. If the trail weren't this wide, I think it would make the horses claustrophobic.

"Wait, Lexa." Raven says. "Where are we supposed to stop to sleep?"

"There are rest stops set up periodically, as well as places to stay dry. This path is not a good place to be when it is raining." Lexa explains.

"Alright. Wait, are we going to die if it rains?" Raven panicked.

"Possibly. It is not likely, however."

"That really doesn't help, Lexa."

"It is possible to die anytime, Raven. There is the possibility for a mudslide, for the horses to fall, for a flash flood. That is why there are safety areas built in here." Lexa says.

"That's comforting." Raven grumbles.

The ride is relatively silent, only because of Lexa. Raven and Octavia tried to start singing to pass the time, but Lexa told them not to. And of course they asked why. The rocks along here are rather sturdy, but loud noises (like them singing) could make them loosen enough that they could fall. I've never seen Raven go silent that fast before.

Lexa tells me a bit about the clan, about it's history. It was one of the last clans to be recognized as a clan. Mainly because the people here seem so odd to everyone else, according to Lexa. They don't live out in the open, under the sky, like pretty much everyone else. They live under cliffs.

Staying in a cave along the side of the path is cool. The cave itself is big enough for us all to stay in more than comfortably, no one is too close by. And it's a natural cave, which I find cool. There are a few of the blue glowy rocks from Azgeda that Lexa likes so much on the ceiling.

The great thing about being in a cave is that we don't have to put up tents, so we can sleep out in the open with each other. To be honest, it feels a little weird. But it's nice, being around the others like this. It's cute, seeing Raven and Octavia cuddle.

"So how do they get water?" I ask Lexa quietly as we're all winding down for the night.

"They have ways of storing it and transporting it to the cities, I have been told exactly what it is but I have forgotten... They do have ways of getting water, of course."

"Hmm." I roll over on my side to face Lexa.

She's looking over at me with soft eyes and smiles when I catch her gaze. I cuddle closer, mentally using the excuse of the cold ground as a reasoning. I rest my head on her shoulder and drape my arm across her stomach. Lexa hums contently and kisses my forehead.

I feel a small rock hit my cheek. I look up to see a tired looking Raven, her head propped up by her arm while Octavia cuddles up against her.

"Stop being so cute. Some of us are trying to sleep here." Raven grumbles.

"And our cuteness is keeping you up?" I tease.

"It's loud." Raven mumbles before her mouth opens in a jaw-splitting yawn. "Shh."

Raven flops back down and smiles tiredly when Octavia grumbles in her sleep and cuddles Raven tighter. I exchange an amused look with Lexa. I lean over so I can kiss her. It's a light kiss but a meaningful one nonetheless.

"Gods, I can't wait to marry you." I breathe out when we part, resting my forehead against hers.

Lexa breaks out into a brilliant smile that could light up a black hole. "I cannot wait to marry you either, hodnes gon ai sonraun (love of my life)."

I melt and kiss her again, wishing we were somewhere else so we could... continue this. The hooded look Lexa gives me tells me she's thinking the same thing.

"Soon, ai hodnes (my love)." I promise. I mean it for both the making love and for us getting married.

Lexa nods and pecks me again before I settle back against her shoulder. I stare up at the rocks on the ceiling, smiling softly. We really will have to get some of those for our home, they're beautiful.

***

The city we are headed to is the third along the path, but the first we have actually seen. The others have not been visible because there were other man made tunnels connecting this road to them. Luckily, the tunnels are all labeled. And there are some that are specifically designated as bathrooms, and luckily they're not that smelly. Not as bad as I would've thought, and they do offer a bit of privacy. But that's probably more than anyone needs to know.

Okay, next chapter, the description of the city and stuff! And whoa, this journey is almost up 0.0 Which is good, because you know, Clexa marriage. Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!