𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑, bellamy blake ²

07; reaper

"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light."

― Sarah Williams, Twilight Hours: A Legacy of Verse

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THE SUN HAD DRIZZLED ACROSS THE HORIZON, LEAVING TRAILS OF SUNFIRE ACROSS THE SKY. The remained of Xeena's stars were disappearing from the purple sky. Droplets of sunlight had scattered the treetops, shimmering over the campsite and lighting the Ark's windows. Wind passed over Arkadia, blowing gentle leaves through the campsite. Somewhere close, a bird called, waking a horse that slumbered beside a group of crops. The sparrow flickered overhead and cast a gentle shadow of wings beneath.

A door slammed open. Naomi stormed through, boots pounding against the fragile leaves beneath. Her sword swung beside her hip as a frantic Bellamy chased behind her. Sun rays danced on Naomi's skin like dapples of fire. Her hair was braided behind her in intricate locks, and whipped against the wind. Arkadia guards moved aside as she approached. They each respected or feared her enough to get out of her way.

"Wait, Noe, you can't go—" Bellamy grabbed hold of her wrists, halting her stride. As much as she wished she was stronger than him, he could still overpower her in just about every way possible. She huffed and turned to face him, face still littered with dry cuts and bruises.

She adjusted her cloak, reaching to pull at the fur collar. "I know the Commander. Let me talk to her."

"Clarke's already tried. It's too—"

"Dangerous?" she finished for him. A soft smile pulled at her mouth. "If you think I play it safe, you don't know me very well." Her eyebrows softened at his expression of worry. "Seriously, Bell. They won't hurt me." She pressed a hand into his dark hair, fingers curling there. She shook her head.

He kept a firm hand on her wrist. "If they so much as bruise you, I'll break their arms."

Naomi snorted, lips exposing her teeth in a grin. "I'd like to see you try." Her eyes were narrowed in amusement. She pressed her hand back to her side. "Look, I'll be fine. If Clarke made it out unscathed, then they have no intention of hurting me." Noe curled her fingers into his momentarily. "I have to go." She left his lingering hand and passed through the gate, leaving Bellamy to watch after her.

She skidded down the hill and into the grounders camp. They stared after her as she passed, with narrowed eyes and frowns. She kept her face solemn as she passed them, approaching the Commander's tent. It was large enough to fit horses inside, made of yellow cloth and painted over with the symbol of Aleksandria, the goddess of victory.

She nodded to Gustus as she passed. The man was never far behind the Commander, practically her bodyguard and, as Naomi imagined, a father figure to Lexa. Naomi pressed into the tent. Lexa sat against a large throne made of twisted wood, branching spiralling past her. It reminded her of a throne she'd seen in a TV show one—one that she was definitely not supposed to be watching. The Commander sat with her legs splayed over the arm of the throne, a knife beside one of her hands.

Naomi approached the woman, nodding to Indra by her side. Gustus eyed Naomi suspiciously before closing the tent door.

"Graunshila," the Commander addressed, looking up. Naomi nodded curtly to her. "The last time I saw you, you stole one of our horses and rode to warn your people about our attack."

Naomi raised her chin in defiance. "I did," she admitted. "Because they are my people. You would have done the same—even risk breaking an alliance to make sure that your family was safe."