Living

10

Roan and I enter the throne room, he smiles down at me, I am thankful he is alive.

"Welcome you your throne room, my king AND queen." Echo says in greeting. "Now that the lift has been repaired, I've doubled guards at the door on every floor."

"Expecting trouble?" Roan asks.

"I trust only Azgeda, and your chosen wife." Echo replies. "Your mother taught me that, our people loved her for it."

"Our people feared her, Echo." Roan reminds her.

"Because she was fierce, ambitious." Echo replies.

"My mother's ambition, her disregard for Lexa's alliance, got her killed." Roan adds.

"If I may, why do you insist on ruling as Lexa did when it's not what's best for people?" Echo asks. "At least tell me there's a reason."

My father and Octavia burst through the door.

"Forgive the intrusion, your Highnesses." Dad says. "May we have a word?"

Echo eyes dad.

"Privately." Dad adds.

"You can wait, like the other ambassadors." Echo says.

"Echo, leave us." Roan says.

"Please." I add.

Echo walks out without another word.

"You were right to concerned about Trishanakru." Dad says. "Rafel is going to challenge you for control."

"Bold move for a new ambassador." Roan says. "So, let him come."

"With respect, you're still recovering." Dad says.

"The law says you can pick someone to fight in your place." Octavia says.

"No, the clans will never accept a leader who hides behind the law, or another warrior's blade." Roan says. "And don't say a word Skyla, I cannot let you fight in my place."

"You'll lose." Octavia says. "Lexa kicked your ass without a bullet hole in your chest."

"We should cancel the gathering or delay it." Dad suggests.

"No, letting the ambassadors have a voice keeps peace here." Roan replies. "Azgeda holds this city through force alone and the Flame won't keep the clans at bay forever. If they unite against us, we could lose. And if we lose...."

"They come after Skaikru." Octavia finishes for him. .

"And the radiation comes for us all." Roan adds.

"No one has to die." Dad says. "The point of our arrangement is to give you time to find a solution that can save everyone."

"And how is that solution coming?" Roan asks.

"We're working on it." Dad replies. "In the meantime, I;m here to keep you in power. Let me talk to the ambassador."

"o ahead and do it." I say.

Dad turns to leave/

"And if you fail, I have no choice to fight." Roan tells him.

"And Skyla will be angry." Dad says.

Roan looks at me then back at my dad. "I'll handle Skyla."

***

Roan and I spar, he has asked for my help, I have the upper hand right now. I kick him to the ground as he clinches his chest.

"I would be honored to take your place in this fight, or Echo." I say as I help him up.

"I will not run from this challenge, my sweet Skyla." Roan says as he kisses my head.

"Skyla's right." Abby says. "I didn't save your life so that you could tear yourself apart again."

When Abby leaves, Roan kisses me deep. We both know what Clarke is offering. He holds me close to him.

****

"Roan, please, it's not too late to cancel." Dad says as he and the ambassadors of the other twelve clans cone into the throne room.

"You failed." Roan says. "We do this Azgeda's way. Single combat. Rake your seat, ambassador."

"Where is Rafel from Trishankru?" Roan asks and Echo comes in, and whispers something in his ear. "The Ambassador was found dead this morning. His heart stopped.... Let's begin." Roan looks around. "We are stronger together."

***