Archive of Our Own ^beta

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It is with such great pleasure that I can announce that Amazon has removed my book from their store. Unfortunately, a few copies were sold before they could remove it. BUT, nevertheless, its gone and Lidia has made her quick buck and that's final.

Be advised Lidia (I know you see these posts I make, you sly dog) don't do this again.

Anywho, I just want to say a big thank you to those that chipped in with bad reviews on the Amazon site as well as on the Goodreads site, I'm sure those reviews made all the difference. I think the Goodreads title is still up but that's fine, I'll get that removed in due time as well.

In conclusion and just with as little shame as Lidia had, I would like to say: Fuck you, Harmanis.

Chapter Text

Alexandria Silvestre [Latin for Woods] was born in the small city of Polis raised by her parents Maximus and Becca Silvestre.

Maximus was the owner of one of the most renowned Gladiatorial academies in all of Rome where novice warriors and slaves would come to train as Gladiators.
In some instances even decorated warriors would come to learn the trick of the trade to become Gladiators fit to fight in the fierce Colosseum.

Alexandria had taken an extensive interest in her father's profession at a young age and started training with the fierce warriors. Female Gladiators were people that were of an extreme rarity but still, they fought in the Colosseum with men as their equals.

When a civil war struck, Alexandria was prepared to fight alongside her brothers and sisters but what she was not prepared for was to lose her family and lover Costia.

After the war, she decided that Polis had nothing more to offer her now that she had lost everything she had ever loved. In her grief, Lexa and her best friend Octavia set out to Rome to fight in the Colosseum and Lexa feels if death befalls her, it would not matter.

After her first fight and many kills, the new Emperor Jake Gryphem [Latin for Griffin] was quite satisfied with her performances and show of skill being able to cut down men three times her size.

Upon personally meeting Alexandria by his request after a match in the arena, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to set Alexandria in his daughter, Clarke Gryphem's personal guard which Alexandria honorably accepts as it is a request from her Emperor.

However, upon meeting Clarke Gryphem, Alexandria is absolutely blown away by her Empress's beauty.

Although Alexandria continues to fight in the Colosseum to free her mind of her demons, her Empress clouds her mind and she now fights to live.

And so her Rise to Empress begins in 140AD.

- Scenes of gore and occasional strong language is used. -
- Clexa AU with a never before seen twist. -

Chapter Text

It was mid-summer in the small city of Polis situated close to the capital of Italy, the sun was shining bright on the day, burning hot on the skins of the Gladiators and Gladiatrix in training. Grunts came from each warriors' chests as they swung their steel and iron swords with brute force toward each other. At the Gladiatorial academy, they didn't bother fighting with wooden swords. Once the warriors would come of age at eighteen summers old, it was gone with the wooden swords and in with iron and steel depending on their strength. Nevertheless, the children would still spar with wooden sticks to hone their developing skills of strategy and reflexes.

Most of the warriors at Maximus' Gladiatorial academy were slaves bought by rich Senators or Princes from Persia that visited Rome for extensive periods of time. Maximus' academy was one of the best in all of Rome and many times throughout the years they would reach capacity but Emperor Titus would continuously fund Maximus to expand his academy. The games had to go on and without thousands to entertain the crowds the city will lose revenue. 

With thousands of Gladiators at his exposal, Titus was sure to host games in the Colosseum for weeks at end, sometimes even months. The games kept the unemployed and bored occupied all the while gaining everyone's approval. The approval that every Empreror so desperately seeks. However, Emperor Titus was a little different from those before him. He believed in death and bloodshed; no Gladiator life was to be spared.

In preparation for the games, Maximus had specific trainers in place for each class of fighting they taught at the academy. There were five classes: The Myrmillo who wore a helmet in battle along with their oblong shields and sword. The Retiarius who normally fought the Myrmillo; the Retiarius were odd warriors and not so common. They fought with a trident-like spear and a net that they would throw over their opponents, essentially trapping them for an easier kill. It wasn't a favored class since it hardly ever pleasured the bloodthirsty crowds.

On the other hand, the Samnite were common among the slaves since they wore visored helmets along with an oblong shield and sword. Helmets were favored items when the games became a little unorthodox and those at the brink of death and defeat became desperate. The helmets protected the dominant fighter from eye-gouging and a desperate hand full of sand to the eye; the two moves that could undoubtedly change the whole outcome of a fight. The Thracian, also known as the Thrax whom fought with a curved blade named a sica; quite different from the Myrmillo and Samnite, preferred rounded shields that worked much more effectively in the means of maneuverability.

And last but not least, the class Maximus himself taught; The Dimachaerus who wielded and fought with two blades at once.

On this abnormally heated day, Maximus was in hard training with four warriors at once, one of which was his daughter, Alexandria. Maximus was an experienced soldier and was a General in two of Titus' Legionnaire's fifteen years ago where he led them to victory against the Barbarians. 

After the battle, all he requested was to return home to his family which the Emperor granted him under the circumstances that he would not let his skills go to waste and that he would take over the existing Gladiatorial academy in Polis which Maximus gladly accepted.

However, at the time, he didn't exactly expect his daughter to take up an interest in fighting with swords and occasionally getting bruised and beat up in the process. She came of age three years ago making her a mere twenty-one summers. Nor Maximus or his wife Becca envisioned this for their daughter when she was a child but the gods had a will of their own. If the two parents had it their way, Alexandria would've already been married to a loyal Roman soldier.

But wielding a blade made Alexandria happy and so her father didn't try to intervene with the will of the gods. However, if she was going to wield a blade, it was going to be under his training and under nobody else's. Once her training was just short of completion and she inevitably became uneasy in the quiet city of Polis, Alexandria decided to branch out. At the young age of seventeen summers, she took on the role of an apprentice mercenary on the outskirts of neighboring cities.

Now at the age of twenty-one summers, her apprenticeship ended a few kalends ago and she was earning quite the wage for herself; already accustomed to the feeling of ending another's life for an income.

Other than her almost full-time traveling from small city to small city, Alexandria showed great promise to be an exceptional soldier, but she had no interest in becoming one. She enjoyed the independent Mercenary work she did for rich fools that needed someone dead because of their unpaid debts. It was easy work and it paid well, but her actual dream remained in the back of her mind. Ever since she was able to comprehend that her father was a champion in the Colosseum once, she wanted to follow in his footsteps. She wanted to fight in front of crowds and mobs of people. The Colosseum houses more than fifty thousand spectators they say.

At the time she had only heard stories of the great Colosseum but she was yet to see it in the flesh. To the tell truth, she had not even once been in the capital. Her mercenary work only led her to the outskirts of Rome in order not to get too much attention from those high up.

Maximus had lost himself in thought as he effortlessly blocked off the four warriors violently thrusting their swords toward him, making them clatter against his, he spun and spun, lifting his duel swords every now and then to block another attack. Sometimes he'd duck under a sword and kick the feet out from under one of the warriors that only fought with emotion. He tried teaching each warrior not to fight with emotion but only with skill; emotions clouded judgment and made a warrior unable to predict their opponents' next move.

Though Alexandria had taken that particular lesson to heart and even though this training had been going on for an excruciating hour, she had not given it her all. She was plotting out her father's every block of the blades that swung toward and over him and she was on the brink of completing the pattern he was in and once that was done, that was when she would strike. 

He knew each warrior still overthought their every move when it was actually so simple to strike him. As brutal as his physical training was, Maximus had one rule: There were to be no deathblows, death was strictly reserved for the Colosseum. However, if one saw the chance to make a slight cut in someone's flesh, that was acceptable. It would show that the warrior indeed had the upper hand at that moment. Besides, what better lesson was there than an annoying flesh wound that would bother a trainee for days, maybe even a week.

Alexandria had finished mentally plotting out her fathers' defensive pattern as she went down on one knee, swinging her blade over her head, creating the illusion that her sword would collide with his abdomen, but the circular motion she created edged toward his thigh instead. Evidently, it was a move he didn't see coming and the moment he felt cold steel slice through the top layer of his skin, he growled at the sharp pain but a wide smile crept on his lips because he knew who managed to outsmart him yet again.

Alexandria.

Once again, his heart swelled with pride, he had grown so proud of her the past fifteen years since he returned from the battle of Danube. He left to war when Alexandria was a mere child, only four summers old. The war with the Barbarians lasted two long years and when Maximus returned, he feared that his only daughter would not remember him.

However, when he came galloping in on his dark stallion down the long dusty path still clad in his General armour and helmet; Alexandria lifted her eyes at the sound of horse hooves clattering on loose rocks. Once she saw the red sash hanging across her father's shoulder clipped in place by the round golden badge that harbored their family crest, she immediately took off running toward him.

She instantly knew it was her father because her mother told her stories of her father each night, promising that he would soon return home after defeating the bad men. Though Alexandria was extremely young and somehow comprehended that he may not return, she held onto the hope that she'll see him again.

Before he left for war, he would carry her on his shoulders while he walked through the vineyard and between the wheat-field rows. When Maximus was not in training or at war back then, he was a simple farmer that enjoyed the little things in life like spending time with his daughter or doing hard work on his farm hoping for a good harvest at the end of the season.

Truthfully, as any father would, Maximus wanted a son as well but after Alexandria was born, they were unable to conceive another child. At first, it was upsetting to both Maximus and Becca but soon he realized that it was a sign of the gods that he should only have one child, and a beautiful one at that. Fierce yet kind-hearted and he would not trade her for a thing in the world.

"Well done, Alexandria, you never cease to amaze me. Perhaps you should take over training from now on, clearly, these men and women have a lot to learn from you." He pulled his daughter into a one-armed hug which wasn't uncommon to happen in front of the other warriors. She was treated fairly the same as everyone else, but some fatherly affection was inevitable. Overall, everyone in the academy was essentially like family to one another because they spent all day, every day, together for many years until they came of age and their owners would send them to take part in the yearly festivals that took place in the Colosseum.

The next event was only several months away and Alexandria was considering going to Rome the coming year, perhaps even earning herself a spot in the Colosseum. She hadn't yet shared the idea with her parents in fear of disapproval but her clandestine lover Costia had been constantly urging her to do so. "No point in continuously procrastinating," she'd say.

Her parents were content with the freelance mercenary work that would keep her away from Polis for a month at most simply because they knew she would always return home. The Colosseum however was a wild card to them because Maximus himself took part in the arena when he was Alexandria's age up until the age of twenty-four summers. The arena came with too much uncertainty because one never knew who the next opponent will be. They could be much larger in structure, more skilled, more experienced ... it was a gamble that could cost one's life so easily.

No matter how uncalculated the risk was, Maximus had managed to win not one but three titles of Champion of the Colosseum and his record had not been broken ever since. 

His victories brought him many riches and his beautiful wife as well which he fell in love with during his stay in Rome. Becca was the Empress of the times' personal handmaiden and she took a particular liking in Maximus as she watched him fight from the platform above the arena. Although she didn't fall for his charms and Adonis-like features at first, they ended up happily married. He slew man after man and animal after animal, always coming out victorious. Some even went as far as to comparing him to a god or Herakles. 

After his third victory, they moved from the city to Polis where they became peaceful farmers and had their beautiful daughter. Up until one day Emperor Titus himself came riding in on horseback surrounded by many soldiers where he announced that his wife, the Empress, had been assassinated by a barbarian assassin while she was in the city forum. Titus had declared war on the barbarians and he chose Maximus as his army General because of his extensive skill with blades and his theoretical knowledge of war strategies.

"Thank you, father, but I don't think I'm quite ready to take over your training yet but I can definitely take any of these guys," Alexandria says with a smile as she points the tip of her sword to each of the other warriors in a swinging motion. "Besides pater, we spoke about this and we agreed on just Lexa. Alexandria is such a mouth full and a drag to get out."

"She's right Maximus," Becca concurs as she comes up behind her husband. The sun was starting to set which signaled for the end of the day's training and that they could retire to their respective rooms or go to the dining hall. "Even I have to admit, I like the sound of Lexa more than Alexandria. Did the men from your brigade not call you Max instead of Maximus?"

"That they did indeed." The groups of warriors had come closer to listen to the conversation between Maximus and his wife; this was practically their daily entertainment; to watch Maximus and his wife bicker. "But that does not mean you lot get to call me anything other than Maximus." He joked to the crowd that has surrounded them, watching the pair amused. "Now, by the looks of the sun, the cooks should have dinner ready and we should go eat before the food gets cold. We should turn in early tonight, training starts at first light!"

Like every other day at the end of the training, Maximus bids his soon-to-be Gladiators a good night of rest and thank them for being so resilient and respectful. Of course, there were always those that hadn't accepted the chance of possible death in the arena, and with that came their woeful sighs of not wanting to train again the next day. This was a particular problem with the older in age slaves, strangely. The young ones hadn't seen much of the world so they didn't know what they were missing exactly. To a point, it made things easier for them in terms of accepting their fate of training the majority of their lives till their unavoidable demise.

By the singular fact that many of them become family, it was sad that at some point these men and women would go to the Colosseum just to kill each other in hopes to win their freedom. But if they showed true skills in battle, their owners would sell them to the Emperor to fight in the legionnaires before they would ever reach the arena. To an extent, Maximus was training these men to either die for the rich's entertainment or for them to already have a rank when they enter the Roman Legionnaires.

It was rare for someone to willingly enter the fights of the Colosseum, but those that did enter were decorated and seasoned warriors; soldiers who very rarely lost their fights. They too did it for entertainment and an abundant amount of riches if they became the champion of the Colosseum but each year new talent arose and even the previous victors would lose and pay with their lives.

"Come, dinner's waiting at home," Becca says as she soothes her hand over her daughters' cheek. "Tell me of your day, did you outsmart your father again? I'm starting to think he's getting old, right Maximus?" Becca enjoyed mocking him, especially about his age because he absolutely refused to believe that he too in fact was aging and losing his ability to move as fast as he could in his prime.

Maximus sheathed his sword as he took up the pace next to his wife and daughter as they made their walk home. "Don't let this small cut fool you, my love, I let our dear Lexa win that round. I was fending off the others specially for her to get a gap in order to give me a small gash."

"Oh please, you never saw me coming. I showed impeccable skill and you cannot deny it. Your years of training are paying off, pater. Speaking of, I've been meaning to speak to you both about my coming plans." Lexa inhaled a deep breath before continuing, hoping it would give her the courage. "I want to go to the capital in seven months to fight in the Colosseum, I truly believe I'm ready."

Maximus and Becca exchanged worried looks as they both knew this day would come sooner or later and they knew when Lexa put her mind to something then there was no way to stop her, she had been this way the entirety of her life. "I think I can speak for the both of us by saying that we have feared this day for a very long time, Lexa," Maximus says as he entwines his fingers with his wife's. "We know we can't stop you and if you do decide to go through with it then we will be in the gallery to support and cheer you on. But hear me now, I will jump in there and kill whatever man just looks at you the wrong way."

Lexa smiled to herself, happy that her parents took the news better than she initially thought they would. The family made it to their home and unfortunately, Lexa wasn't going to have dinner with them tonight, she wanted to tell them more about why she wanted to go fight in the Colosseum and maybe even tell them that Costia wasn't just her friend, and she hadn't been for the past three years. 

But Lexa had already promised Costia earlier in the morning that she would come to see her before she would leave in two days and would most likely only return in a month's time. Costia was a farmer's daughter and she always traveled to the city with her mother in order to sell their wares and the success of their harvest.

"Thank you, your approval and words mean the world to me. But I'll see you in the morning for training, pater. I promised to go see Costia before she leaves for the capital in two days. I'm afraid I won't be up to see her tomorrow because we both know that you make us train almost the entirety of the night when it's a full moon."

"That's a shame, Lexa, I was hoping you could have dinner with us for once. I could give you the night off tomorrow so you could see Costia, just have dinner with us tonight. I'm sure your mother made more than enough food that could probably feed half of the Dimachaerus group and the gods know you eat about as much as half the group does. Perhaps you could share some tips and tricks on how you stay so fit." Her father joked, he was pretty sure Lexa could devour a horse if she wanted to, okay, perhaps a tiny horse. 

He was just desperate to spend a night with his daughter and wife at the same table for once, Lexa never seemed to be home, she was either with Costia or training until the very late hours of the night.

"No, I don't want any sort of special treatment. I'll be home tomorrow night after training and we can all have dinner together then I will share with you how not to act so old, pater." She says with a mocking smile and a poke at his hard tattooed bicep that always looked flexed but the truth was that he was so masculine that his muscles were always so pronounced under his scarred skin.  He didn't look close to his age.

Lexa and her father shared the same tattoo on their right arms, it was among the few things they shared. They both harbored their family crest burnt into their skin, the gear symbol burnt like a brand between their eyebrows. She had gotten it on her eighteenth year of life and it was a great honor since normally only the males got branded by their family crest. However, Lexa insisted she too gets it because she will always stay true to her house: Silvestre. It meant Woods since her ancestors were people of the woods in Greece and many years after that they became Spartans but the name never left them.

A fierce warriors' blood practically coursed through her veins and that meant she was destined to be great since the Spartans were the most feared breed of people in ancient Greece. Her father told her stories that were passed through generations and generations that they were related to the great King Leonidas himself.

"Fair enough, we'll see you in the morning then. Have a good night Lexa and give Costia our best regards. She's such a sweet girl and we're overjoyed you two make each other happy. Perhaps when she's back from her trip you could bring her here for dinner."

Lexa widened her eyes at her father's admission, she was fairly sure that they were doing a good job at hiding their romance since some communities frowned upon a continuous love affair between two women. "How long have you known?"

Becca shrugged as she looked to her husband to see if he wanted to answer but he too shrugged. "We probably knew before you did, Lexa, we're your parents, we see everything and we hear about everything that happens in Polis. But don't be afraid, we love you no matter what, whether you marry a strong man or secretly marry a beautiful woman, we'll support you. Our city in particular does not have a gripe with it, men love men and women love women here all the time. But go, Lexa, we can talk about this another time, perhaps over dinner tomorrow night."

Lexa bowed her head, "Goodnight pater, goodnight mater, and thank you both for understanding. I assure you I did not plan on falling in love with a woman but she is absolutely captivating." With that, her parents waved her off as she took the short walk to Costia's home where she lived alone, almost a spring in her step.

Costia no longer lived with her parents because she needed her privacy especially when Lexa came to visit her. Though they were still very young, they were absolutely taken with each other, Lexa would lay her life down for Costia in the blink of an eye if push came to shove.

When Lexa reached Costia's home she laid three soft knocks to the hardwood of the door that was made from a very old oak tree that fell years ago after lightning struck it and provided many of the people in Polis with wood to use for all kinds of things. Many even took the excess wood to go sell in the capital, oak carried a lot value. It was even considered a sign of wealth.

As Lexa waited for Costia to come to the door, she started to loosen the leather straps that kept her bracers in place. Her bracers were made of a fine leather which was decorated with brass studs in a spiraling pattern. They were her training bracers. When she was doing her mercenary work, she opted for the steel bracers that covered the entirety of her forearms. By the time Costia opened the door, Lexa's first bracer was already off. A valiant smile coated her lover's lips, excited to see Lexa.

"Evening, my love." She greets as she steps out of the doorway to let Lexa into her humble home. She had been excitedly waiting to see Lexa all day. Of course, she visited the academy and watched Lexa train for an hour or so until she had to go help her mother in the fields, but nevertheless. Costia always reveled in the sight of Lexa training, her each move elegant and calculated as her precise skill showed with each thrust of her sword toward her opponent, and sometimes, she would even switch to hand-to-hand combat when she wanted to show off that she did not need a sword to beat someone. 

But Costia would only stare at her lover and never interrupt her or intentionally distract her because Lexa always had to be on alert for her opponent, otherwise, she could get seriously injured since the other Gladiators to be, especially the men, didn't take it easy on her.

"Good evening." Lexa greets back as soon as Costia closed the door behind her and they were in the security of her home, not to be seen by the outside world. She eagerly gathered Costia up in her arms and placed a loving kiss on her lover's lips. "I missed you today. Then I saw you were staring at me again in training and I so desperately just wanted to take Felix down so I could go to you." She says as she kisses Costia again.

Costia smiles when Lexa pulls away and rests her forehead against her own. She cherished these types of moments she had with Lexa because they always felt beautiful. Lexa's love tasted vintage but felt brand new; Lexa truly was an old soul and a hopeless romantic. 

Even though their relationship had been going on for three years, it still felt like the first electric kiss each time their lips would connect. "You know your father wouldn't appreciate that and I'm not even supposed to be in the academy because as Maximus says 'it distracts' the warriors which I suppose is true seeing even in battle you can't take your eyes off of me."

"Oh the self-flattery," Lexa pecked her lips again. "Seeing you motivates me to train even harder, Costia. Being able to protect you is my only desire." Lexa says as she releases the hold on her lover and makes her way over to the table in the middle of the room where she places her left bracer, then proceeds to slide her right off as well.

"Perhaps I should travel with you to the capital, I hear that there has been unrest on the trade routes and I will not forgive myself if something happens to you, love." Lexa says turning to Costia who was now standing in front of her, ready to repeat the process they followed when Lexa would come to visit her. She lifted Lexa's toned right arm, holding it there as she got to work on the leather straps that fastened Lexa's armour to her torso; it too was made of a fine thick leather. 

Her armour was perfectly tailored to fit her toned body. When all the straps were loose, Costia shimmied it off her body and Lexa was left in a tunic made of soft linen with her tassets still firmly strapped around her waist. Her tasset were made of a black stained leather that had their family crest on the belt but unlike the common tassets, hers only had leather strips hanging off one side and not all around.

"Would Maximus let you miss so much training? A whole month? Just to travel with me, would they not find it suspicious, would they not ask questions and then-"

"They know, Costia, and they are not troubled by it." Lexa cuts in, interrupting Costia in her state of worry. "By the sound of it, they're quite fond of the idea that you are mine and I am yours. You need not worry, love. I will speak with my father in the morning and I'll tell him that I'm going with you, it won't be a question, he'll just have to accept it. I'm not going to let you and your mother travel alone in these times. It's just too dangerous."

Costia contemplated Lexa's words for several seconds, relieved that Maximus and Becca were fine with the romantic relationship she shared with their daughter. Her own parents had not nearly been as accepting of the news and they insisted that if such a relationship would reach the public ear it would bring great shame to their family. Yet they did not blatantly discourage Costia from furthering her relationship, they just wanted to make her aware of the possible consequences.

"I'm happy your parents are fond of the idea." She entwined her fingers with Lexa's as a sad smile crossed her features, her parents wouldn't let Lexa travel with them to the market considering the sexual relationship they shared. "I thank you for your offer and concern but my parents ... they wouldn't allow it. Besides this wouldn't be the first time we travel the trade routes while there were supposed bandits. They're nothing but stories, Lexa. I'll be fine, and in a month's time, I'll return to you, unscathed."

Lexa softly kissed Costia on the forehead, understanding that Costia's parents weren't as accepting as hers are and she left the topic behind, carrying on to the next one. "I spoke to my parents about my plans to fight in the Colosseum and it didn't go too terrible. They said that they'll support me and cheer for me from the gallery which I find as great news. Which brings me to ask if you would move to the city with me in several months, we can live in a small villa, together. Maybe you could work in the palace as a handmaiden or maybe a marketplace merchant. I have enough coin to buy us a home and whatever we need and when I'm crowned as the Champion of the Colosseum, I'll have even more wealth and status, and perhaps we can even get a bigger home then, what do you say?" Lexa finishes giddy and proud of the plan she has come up with, a sparkle in her eye.

She no longer wanted to live in the small city of Polis, she wanted to live in Rome and follow her dreams and perhaps even break her father's record of three victories in a row, wouldn't that just be something?

Costia was amused by Lexa's large dreams and she loved when Lexa's eyes lit up like stars in the skies when she spoke with such passion and conviction. Fighting in the Colosseum had been Lexa's dream ever since Emperor Titus allowed women to fight in the Colosseum ten years ago and ever since then she had tripled her training in order to earn her spot one day. "That sounds like a dream come true, Lexa, and I would love to go with you. I just know the gods will grant you the victory you seek and you'll be my champion but until then let's just be us. You a beautiful soon-to-be Gladiatrix and me, a simple farmer's daughter."

"Okay. Then for tonight, it will just be you and I." A grin coats Lexa's lips as her hands slide over Costia's hips. "I regret to inform you that I will not need much sleep tonight." Lexa whispers lowly, ghosting her lips over Costia's before she tickles her sides which immediately sends the other woman into a fit of giggles.

"No Lexa, stop, stop!" Costia tries to say between the laughter that came out of the both of them. Knowing there's only thing that would make Lexa stop her onslaught of tickles, she cups her lover's cheeks and pulls her into a searing hot kiss, immediately making Lexa's fingers stop and instead making them find a steady grip on her hips. After several minutes of their tongues battling for dominance, Costia leads Lexa to her bedroom where they end up making love for hours.

Chapter Text

She propped her right arm under her head as she looked down, noticing Costia laid with her head on her bare chest, still sleeping peacefully. A small smile crept onto Lexa's lips as peace washed over her entire body, she simply couldn't wait to wake up like this every day once they move to the city. She softly soothed her fingertips over Costia's black hair that always seemed just perfect without any sort of effort, down her spine and back up again.

Suddenly a woman's screams filled the quiet night outside and instinctively Lexa shot up, pushing Costia off of her in the process. More screams erupted and in the distance, she heard a man yell "Fire! Fire!". Costia then too sat up, still groggy with sleep. "Hmm, what's going on?" Hard stomps past Costia's home again and Lexa quickly pressed her hand over Costia's mouth. "Shhh." Lexa strained her hearing, trying to figure out what was going on exactly. Instinctively she recognized the sharp sound far away: Steel connecting with steel.

"Stay here and barricade the door, don't open it to anyone but me, I'll be back." Lexa orders as she gets out of bed, putting on her undergarments and loosely doing her bindings in a hurry. She finds her linen tunic and quickly puts that on as well as she moves to the front door, creaking it open just enough to see what was going on outside, trying hard not to draw attention. What she sees frightens her to her very core; several nearby houses were on fire and she could hear more screams echo through the night, screams coming not only from women but from children and men as well.

Lexa moved to the table where she had taken off her armour the previous night. Something was wrong and she had a terrible feeling in her gut. She slipped her feet into the reinforced leather sandals that were attached to her silver greaves that covered her full-frontal leg up until her knee and quickly tied the leather at the back, fastening them around her legs. Next, she fitted her tassets along with her weapons belt. Costia had emerged from the room as well, she too now clothed in a simple white dress. "Here, let me help you." She picked up Lexa's leather armour and shimmied it over her lover's head, fastening the leather straps on the side while Lexa wrapped linen around her arms to avoid the chaffing from her bracers. 

When the bracers were on she clenched her fists, flexing her forearms to make sure they were tight enough. The leather creaked over hard muscles. Satisfied, she looked to Costia who returned a glance of concern. "What's going on, Lexa?" Lexa shook her head, just as clueless as her lover was. "I don't know but I have a bad feeling. Barricade the door when I'm outside, I'll come back as soon as I know it's safe." Lexa cupped Costia's cheeks and kissed her for several seconds as if it would be the last time. When Lexa pulls away, Costia quietly uttered a "Be safe." Just loud enough for her lover to hear her.

When Lexa steps outside, it felt significantly colder as she sheathed both of her swords on either side of her. Cautiously she walked toward the more crowded part of the city where her parents lived since Costia lived on the outskirts of the small city where the farmers lived. As she approached the more populated area, the screams of agony and clattering of swords grew louder. Lexa fell into a running pace as her heart started to beat even faster, just about hammering in her chest, threatening to jump out. Her heart was on the verge of creating a permanent mark on her chest, something resembling a tattoo.

Soon she started to hear bellowing war cries she didn't recognize; a language she didn't understand. "Jomp emo op! Frag emo op!" 
The voice was angry and it was obvious that it held nothing short of viciousness and fury. The gladiatorial academy came into view as her head peeked over the hill and her brothers and sisters were fighting off men and woman she had never seen before. They wore animal skins as clothing and their hair had white ash in it, their faces covered in ash as well.

"Victory to Azgeda of Atticus!" A man on a horse bellowed, thrusting his weapon in the air as the animal hurtled toward Lexa. His axe lowered with his intentions clear. At once Lexa bent down and took soft sand into her hands, rubbing them together. It was something she did before she would make use of her swords, the powder-like sand worked excellent for grip.

She observed the man on the horse as he approached her at a great speed, he wasn't going to come close enough to be cut down since his axe was rather long. When he was ten feet away, without thought Lexa readied to throw her sword as if it was a spear, except when throwing a sword, it spun in circles vertically. Therefore it was important to be calculated in the throw otherwise the hilt would hit and not the tip of the sword. Unlucky for this rider, she had practiced for far too long to miss or to make any sort of mistake.

The sword pierced through his chest with such force that he flew off the back of the horse, landing on his back as the blade protruded out of him. The animal flew past Lexa but she only walked toward the man without much hurry, kneeling next to him once close enough. He was still alive, screaming out in agony. He was still quite young she notices, perhaps only growing his first beard. He was no man, only a boy. "Who are you people and what do you want?"

"Oyo tof gon ai Haiplana!"  The boy grunts through clenched bloodied teeth before his head slumps to the side. Lexa furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding a word he had said but there was no time to wonder about it so she yanks her blade free and continues toward the academy. The gladiators were vastly outnumbered by these people who called themselves Azgeda of Atticus. She saw her fellow Gladiatrix being surrounded by five men and Lexa could see the evident panic on her face. She twirled the two blades in her hands and hurried toward Octavia.

Lexa slid forward on her left knee as she crossed her swords over each other, the blades acting as a scissor nearly severing one of the man's legs. When he cries out in pain and falls backward, she plunges her left sword into his chest as she thrusts her right blade through another man's back so far that it exists on the other side. One of the remaining three men that surrounded Octavia turned to Lexa with frightened eyes, obvious that he was no warrior. Weakly he swiped his sword toward her but she ducked under it, immediately shooting up and jabbing him in the face with the butt of her sword. 

Octavia however was not as merciful as Lexa was. Expertly, she dipped and cut through both the men's abdomens, causing blood to spew out.

"What's going on, Octavia?" Lexa yells over the clatter of swords, grunts, and screams of women and children being slain. "I don't know, Lexa. We woke up from the screams outside and when we got here, they attacked us. Where's Maximus?" Lexa looked around her, trying to come up with some sort of plan or just to simply comprehend what was going on. "Come with me, we have to find him." Octavia gave a quick nod and fell in pace behind Lexa toward her childhood home.

On the way there they encountered several men whom they easily cut down since it seemed that only two of them had actual training. Lexa saw smoke rise into the air in the direction of her home as the intense light of the fire illuminated the smoke which only made Lexa run even faster. "No! No! NO!" Lexa yells as they grow closer to her home that was engulfed in flames. She came to a stop in front of it, kicking up sand and dust due to the abrupt stop. She could feel the hot fire burst hot waves of air toward her and for a second she considers running straight into it to see if her parents were still inside. If they were, she could help them, drag them out if she has to.

"Maximus! Becca!" Lexa calls, looking around her, trying to listen for a reply but nothing comes so she tries again and again, calling out for her parents but no reply ever comes. Dread set in over her. Octavia came up behind her and placed her free hand on Lexa's shoulder. "We should go help the others, maybe they're not here anymore. Your father is a capable man, he'll protect your mother with his life. Please, Lexa, our brothers, and sisters need our help. I can hear their cries of pain all the way to here, the people of the city as well, the children's screams are deafening, we have to go!"

Lexa knew Octavia was right, they needed to go help defend whomever they could. But she had already accepted the worst fate possible but there was no time to dwell on it any farther. "I'll accompany and fight alongside you up until the academy but then I have to go to Costia. She's in her home and she's probably terrified by now."

"I'll go with you to her home, we should stay together, two is better than one even though you are much more skilled than I am." Octavia says earnestly, taking Lexa's forearm with her own in a tight grip. "We fight together and we die together, my friend." Lexa smiled at her and nodded once. "That we do indeed but I am not planning on dying tonight and I'm not letting you die tonight either. We still have the Colosseum to conquer."

They ran in the direction of the academy again and it was eerily quiet. The sound of war now came from toward the farmlands making vile anguish set in over Lexa; the people that called themselves Azgeda were close to Costia now and from what Lexa had seen, they were not the bandit type, they were here for pure destruction and chaos. Not for looting. They passed house after house and each were engulfed in flames and bodies littered the streets. Every here and there Lexa recognized someone, once a friendly settler and now they were reduced to nothing but lifeless blood and flesh.

Smoked had filled the air making it difficult to breathe but even more difficult to see far in front of them. They were nearing Costia's home and Lexa just pleaded to the gods that she was still safe in her home but to her disappointment, as they grew closer, she could see the door stood ajar. "Costia!" Lexa calls at the top of her lungs and at first, there wasn't a reply and so she tries again. "Costia!"

"Lexa!" Costia's voice rang and Lexa turned to where it came from toward the woods. "Lexa, where are you?" she sounded panicked, scared, and unsure. "I'm here, my love! Follow my voice!" Lexa started walking, almost jogging, in the direction of Costia's voice. About thirty feet in front of her she could make out a figure, stumbling toward her. "Costia!" the figure raised their hand and relief filled Lexa as she ran toward her lover. Both her swords were sheathed; she just wanted to gather Costia up in her arms to make sure she was okay. For that moment alone will her heart know peace before it will return to its state of overdrive.

Suddenly the woods behind Costia lit up with torchlight and the sound of hooves connecting with hard earth echoed through the early morning as the sun was starting to creep over the large mountains. "Costia, run!" Lexa yells as she herself starts to run toward Costia even faster. A rider emerged through the smoke behind Costia, his axe hanging loosely in his hands as his horse surged forward. He rocked along with the animal's movement, backward and forward. When he sees the woman frantically running in front of him, he leans out, far too tempted to make a kill so easily. "Costia! No!"

What Lexa sees in front of her happens in slow motion as Costia's body stood upright for a mere three seconds after her head fell from her shoulders, hitting the ground and rolling three times before coming to a halt. Lexa only looked on in horror as she saw her lovers body slump to the ground, her eyes filling with burning tears, her throat as dry as the desert itself and air being knocked from her lungs with an unbelievable force. More riders emerged from the smoke and behind Lexa stood Octavia, sickened by what she just witnessed as she doubles over, emptying her stomach contents onto the ground next to her.

Upon Lexa seeing her lovers' headless body and her head drop onto the soil, she goes wild, blood drunk as she surges forward with both of her swords drawn as she cuts down rider after rider, occasionally killing the horses sending the riders flying off the front. Her screams of pain were more frightening to her enemies than any sort of war drum could ever be. Clumsy swings of axes and swords fly over her head but when the battleground goes silent again, she emerges unscathed, except for her heart, which laid in front of her, decapitated.

She drops to her knees in front of Costia's corpse and she screams, she screams until she has no more air left in her lungs. Her hands hovered over the body, unwilling to touch it as it will burn her skin. Lexa whimpered, her hands shaking like the leaves in autumn winds. Heavy footsteps come from behind her and immediately she swings around ready to kill again, her vision still blurred with tears. But it's her father, Maximus, covered in the blood of his enemies. He doesn't hesitate to pull Lexa up into his arms; into a strong hold as he sees Costia's head in the soil, her blue eyes still open, mouth agape.

He holds her close, a bloodied hand in her hair to usher her closer.

After a few fleeting moments, Lexa pulls away and her father wipes at her face, smearing blood across her cheeks in the process. "I'm sorry, love." Lexa shakes her head, not wanting to speak more of it, she was desperate to know where her mother was. "Becca?" Maximus averts his eyes and shakes his head. "I couldn't get to her in time, I went to investigate what all the screaming was about but when I came back, our home was up in flames and she was trapped inside ... Lexa, I heard her screaming, I tried getting inside but..." He looked down at his hands that were burned by the hot wooden slabs he tried lifting out of the way. He could still hear his wife's cries of agony and the flashes of hot embers rushed through his mind.

An unbearable wave of sadness washed over Lexa, she had lost her mother and Costia all in one night, but there was no time to mourn now, there was still fighting to do. "And you, father? Are you okay?" Maximus nods at his daughter as he too looked her over. She was slathered in blood, but not her own. "Come, we must go help the rest. I think our attacker's numbers are dwindling."

Lexa didn't bother to protest as she turns around to see Octavia still there, waiting for her orders. The sunrise will be excruciating but they had to defend their lands and their people. She walked past Octavia toward the noises and the chants of battle but Octavia looked to Maximus, waiting on his order as she has for over ten years. When Lexa passes by her, Octavia catches Maximus peel away a plate of his steel armour that hid a large wound that blood slowly seeped out of onto his wool tunic. Wordlessly he shook his head at the woman when he catches her staring, motioning for her not say a word; not to say a word to his daughter about it because it would distract her from the task at hand.

"We fight together and we die together." He repeats his academy's mantra to Octavia as he pushes their heads together. She looked him hard in the eye and nodded curtly as Maximus pulled away, pulling his helmet onto his head again. It was the same helmet that brought him three Colosseum victories, a victory in Danube, and today he will fight in his late wife's honour until he breathes out his last breath.

The battle went on for what felt like an eternity to Lexa and she had entirely lost count of how many she killed; she and Octavia fought back to back as they retrieved shields from their fallen enemies since spears and archers had entered the equation. An arrow was shot at Lexa's back but the thick leather had somehow managed to stop the arrow, lodging the tip in it. Somewhere along the line, she had lost sight of her father and his adorned golden helmet which the sun brightly shined upon.

Octavia cut down another man as she stumbled backward, connecting with Lexa's shoulder. They both started to find it extensively hard to stand upright, fatigue had taken over them and if another wave of men and women came, they would not survive. Luckily there didn't come any more and the two women pushed off on one another, taking four unsteady steps forward, trying not to fall over the bodies that laid idle.

Lexa moved to the edge of the hill with her legs shaking, looking over a valley where some of her people stood with their faces turned to the sun as they leaned on oblong shields, on spears, or even on their swords just to steady themselves. With sunlight came hope. A great relief to the long night of death and cold.

She had her first taste of war and she couldn't say that she enjoyed killing so many people. Her father's stories had been true; that after the chaos of battle, the ground is nothing more than a slurry of blood, guts, puke, and piss. The remains of friends and enemies were alike and upon seeing that, it's easy to turn to the gods for salvation. But it's your fellow people, brothers, and sisters that do the fighting as well as the dying. Not the gods.

Lexa swayed backward, slightly off-balance as she continued looking over the battlefield where her fellow brothers and sisters laid, lifeless. Dead bodies along with fire engulfed the grounds in front of her. Hundreds of men and women as well as their innocent children had lost their lives in the night, and death followed them into the early morning as well.

She turned around and stumbled again as she dropped the shield at her side. Lexa looked over the bodies that laid in front of her, there was no one standing anymore, even Octavia had opted to sit down, her head now resting on her arms as she tried to fight off her intensifying fatigue. Lexa scanned the bodies, looking for the familiar shine of her father's helmet. Once she sees it, she saunters forward toward it. "Father!" she yells, but not much sound comes out. Somewhere along the way she had lost her voice with all of her shouts and screams. "Maximus!" she tries again, but then trips over a body that sends her tumbling down to her knees but her hands block her from falling even farther.

Lexa was still a few feet from her father. Unwilling to give up, she pushes up from the ground, barely finding her footing as she flies forward, regaining her balance just in time. "Maximus!" she tries to yell again but her attempts are futile and she's struggling to walk further. Her legs were about to give out under her again and just as she was about to fall, a steady strong-arm hoisted her up, hooking her arm over their shoulders. She looked to see who it was and to her surprise, it's Felix, her biggest competition in the academy among them all. "I got you, Alexandria, I'll get you to him." And that's exactly what he does. When she pulls her arm off of his strong shoulders, she falls to her knees next to her father.

Lexa leans forward and pulls his helmet off of his head revealing a large gash over his eye. "Pater..." she asks defeated, "Can you hear me?" he doesn't reply, all he does is weakly lift his bloodstained hand to his daughter's cheek and smiles best he can. He was so happy to see her alive and as he laid there he knew that this would be the last time his heart will swell with the pride he felt for Lexa, and that this will be the last time his heart will be filled with so much love.

"Alexandria, my child, I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of you. And your mother, she too would be so proud of you. You are destined for great things and I regret that I will not see you achieve everything you set your beautiful heart to. Listen to me, go to the capital and find the treasury; ask for Abigail Gryphem and tell her you are my daughter. She will give you everything I have stored there."

Lexa had removed her fathers hand from her face, now holding it between her own two bloodstained calloused hands. She held onto it for dear life as she rocked backward and forward, tears brimming at her eyes until they started falling like the beautiful waterfalls in the mountains that her father took her to as a child. She understood what was happening as she saw blood pour out of his armour accompanied by his words of farewell. "Please pater, don't leave me. You are all I have left in this cruel world. Please don't leave me, I beg you."

"The gods are here for me, Alexandria. Elysium awaits-" he mustered up all the effort possible to say his final words, "you Lexa, you were my biggest victory and my greatest love." When he utters his lasts words, Lexa sees the life drain out of her father. Struggling to come to terms with reality, she finally breaks down, allowing herself to feel everything she has kept inside the entire night. She slumped forward, resting her head against the steel breastplate that the sun had already started to warm as her father laid idle, his green eyes looking over his once beautiful vineyard that was now reduced to ashes.

The remaining warriors from the academy had started to gather around Maximus' body, their heads all bowed in respect. Lexa continued to sob as her body shook uncontrollably, her father, her mother and the love of her life all lost in a single night. She raised her head, her eyes full of tears as she looked up to the sky cursing the gods that were supposed to bless her. But instead, they took everything from her; everything she had ever truly loved. "What did I do to deserve this?!" she yells up to the sky as her fellow warriors look at her with pity.

Octavia kneeled next to Lexa and placed a hand on her friends' shoulder as she takes the liberty to close Maximus' eyes. She looked up to the men and women around them, sorrow in all of their eyes as they too had lost their biggest mentor. "Who will help me carry him?" Octavia asks looking around as she moves both her hands under his back, readying to lift Maximus. Seventeen warriors step forward. Effortlessly, they lifted Maximus onto their shoulders. Lexa sat back, getting out of their way as she lifted her knees to rest her elbows on them, watching them carry her father away.

Just as she saw the life leave her fathers eyes earlier, she now felt her soul leave along with him.

She felt empty, a hollow shell now of a once vibrant and happy woman.

An hour later Maximus was buried next to his once beautiful vineyard under the large oak tree he sat under when he felt the need to rest. Once again Lexa knelt down next to the mound of dirt her father laid under. It broke her heart that he would not have a headstone and a once decorated soldier will be left in an unmarked grave but this was the sad hard reality of war and there was nothing to do about it. Lexa was about to place Maximus' helmet on the middle of the mound but Octavia stops her, "Don't, you should keep it. It's all you have left of him and I'm sure he would want you to keep it. It will bring him great honour."

Lexa heeded her friends' words and returned the helmet under her arm, tightening her grip on it. Her skin felt like it was cracking and for the first time she looked down at herself and she saw she was covered in grime, head to toe. Her hair was matted with dried blood splatter and with the thought of it, the stench of death crawled into her nostrils and more anguish befell her. "Thank you, Octavia, for being here, you are a great friend." She fell quiet for a moment. "I'll see you later. I need to be alone right now."

With a pat on the shoulder, she leaves Octavia at Maximus' grave. She had one more person to bury and it would not be easy. But first, she needed to go wash off the stench of death from her skin before it seeps into her bones and the feeling of anguish becomes permanent.

The lake came into view and along the way Lexa dropped her father's helmet from underneath her arm and unsheathed both of her swords, dropping them at her sides as well. She doesn't bother to take any of her armour off and walks into the lake fully clothed. Once the water reaches her knees it became harder and harder for her to move through the vast expanse of liquid in front of her but still, she trotted forward, her every single muscle aching with each movement. Blood started to stain the water around her but she did not care.

When the water reaches her shoulders she closes her eyes, forcing her mind to go blank as she submerged her head under the water, leaving a circular pool of blood above her.

Chapter Text

7 months later

Rebuilding Polis was one of the hardest things Lexa had ever had to do, it was draining not only physically but emotionally as well. At least half of the city's settlers were killed in the attack led by people that named themselves Azgeda of Atticus and up until this day, Lexa still didn't have much knowledge about the group of people. The best conclusion she could come up with was that they were likely a bunch of extremists, perhaps a group led by someone that proclaim themselves as a god. All she managed to find out for sure was that they lived in the mountains and had attempted to loot a few of the other small surrounding cities but not once came out victorious. Lexa really just wondered where all their manpower came from and why were they only attacking now? A group as such would take years and years, perhaps even a decade or two to form yet no one had heard of them until they started to attack multiple villages with absolutely no gains. What made it even more peculiar was that they seemed to have their own dialect that no one had ever heard of before.

The rebuild of Polis took just over five months. And after, Lexa found herself standing under the oak tree where her father was buried as she overlooked his once beautiful vineyard that was only now starting to flourish and regrow. She couldn't truly say she had anything left in Polis; she had shut herself off and avoided any sort of human interaction as much as she could. When she wasn't helping to rebuild homes or burying bodies the first fortnight, she was training, harder than ever before. Training distracted her and allowed her to momentarily forget her heartache; her heartache then transforming to rage as she would swing her sword at a tree, chipping away at the bark at first and then she would start chipping away at the hard word. It made the sword blunt quite fast but if she were to swing her sword at someone living, she would no doubt kill them because her self-control had left a long time ago.

Multiple times Octavia would try to reach Lexa, try to talk to her at least, and sometimes she would get through but very rarely. She knew Lexa needed time considering what she had lost. But even Octavia herself mourned Maximus because he was the closest thing to a father she ever had and he even treated her like a daughter, not like the nobody she actually was. She wasn't a slave and to be frank she doesn't even know how she ended up in Polis. Maximus had taken her into the academy when she was ten years old and living on the streets, just trying to scrape by and somehow find food. Lexa was her first friend since they were so close in age and she often spent time at their humble home because Maximus had a soft spot in his heart for her.

Octavia couldn't recall if she had a family or not. Her memories really only started after she was taken into the academy, when she was finally housed in a bed that would suffice for sleep and a warm meal at night. In her head, Maximus was her father and that's all she needed but like Lexa, she lost him too.
When Octavia did manage to speak to Lexa, usually at dinner, she mentioned that she was going to the capital. And that the festival's time was drawing closer and closer. It was clear that that Lexa had made up her mind; she was going to fight in the Colosseum this year and that was the end of it.

Lexa had taken it upon herself to take Maximus' place at the academy in the meantime. She trained The Dimachaerus herself now. Although she wasn't as vocal as Maximus was, the warriors understood and followed her orders when she did give them. Her training was harsh, much harder than Maximus'. She didn't use a sword on them though because she knew she would kill them, even if it was accidental. She used a wooden rod but still, she beat the absolute Hades out of them up until they were on the ground grunting in pain and loose dust flying up around them. "Next!" she would yell as she wiped at the sweat that formed on her face. A warrior rarely stepped forward willingly. The sun shined brightly and hot on most days but even when the sun didn't shine and it rained hard making mud cover the training grounds, they would still train and later return to their respective rooms wet and covered in grime but training in the rain proved to be more enjoyable.

When the seventh month came, as per annually, the owners of the slaves showed up at the academy to fetch their slaves that have come of age to take them to the capital in order to fight in the Colosseum. As anticipated some owners were upset that their slaves were killed in the attack but with some explaining they understood that there was no one to blame except for the people that named themselves Azgeda. What really surprised Lexa was how many people offered their condolences for the loss of her father, even among the rich he was admired; not for his fighting skills but for what a great and honourable man he was.

The night before Lexa and Octavia would depart with the rich toward the capital; she sat under the oak tree and spoke to her father. And after she prayed to the gods that their journey to the capital will go without a hitch. "Jupiter, please guide me, do not let me dishonour my family name. Help me sustain their honour and have me bring great pride to my father." She pleads as she pressed her fingertips to her lips and then to the crest that was burnt into her flesh between her eyebrows.

When first light came, Lexa and Octavia bid the remaining trainers a good future, for they will most likely not return. Lexa nor Octavia had much to load on the carts or strap to their horses for Lexa had lost her belongings when her home burnt down and Octavia just didn't believe in having many materialistic belongings. All they had was a few articles of clothing, their swords, and their armour and of course, Lexa had her father's helmet hanging loosely on a leather strap on her horse. The golden helmet shined brightly in the morning sun as their journey started.

It was a few days trip and they would set up camp along the way to eat and rest. This trip in particular was a blessing in disguise to Lexa because most of the journey was through the woods and the fresh air filled her lungs along with the different scents. Pine cones were the most evident scent most of the way and once or twice she could smell blood from a fresh kill that some wolves made. When they would set up camp, Lexa and Octavia along with Felix took charge of hunting for their food. They weren't particularly fond of the dried goods the other people ate; after all the people between the ages of fifteen to seventeen at the academy were sent out on hunting parties to make kills. It taught them the art of silence and surprise, because if one was not silent your food would quite literally run away. As punishment, failed hunters would go to sleep that night with empty stomachs. Even as Maximus' child, Lexa went to bed hungry many nights because she didn't want any special treatment. She failed and she accepted the punishment that came with that; it taught her to be better.

To a point Lexa was disappointed when the journey came to an end. She enjoyed being on the road and not being forced to interact with people. However, when the high city walls of the capital came into sight, her eyes widened, she didn't even pay attention to the beautiful farmlands that surrounded her outside of the walls. She had never in her life seen such architecture, the walls were higher than she could ever imagine, and on top stood an abundant number of archers that stood ready to defend their capital from anything that would dare threaten it. Upon entering through the large gates into the city of Rome, she looked around in awe again, no story her father ever told about the capital could do her surroundings justice. The buildings were huge and solid, marble pillars and statues of the gods as well as the previous Emperors. Lexa had never seen so many people in one place and the markets ... the markets were so extravagant and without second thought her mind drifted to Costia.

Octavia rode up to Lexa's side and her eyes were wide too as she pointed toward something in the distance. Once Lexa peeled her eyes away from the markets her eyes met the high walls of the Colosseum and she heeded her horse Vitus to a halt as she stared in absolute astonishment at the beautiful architecture. It was simply breathtaking. The opening arches, the statues, the blue proud blue banners.

There were so many people in the streets from far and wide and most spoke Latin that Lexa luckily understood. Although she was a little rusty in that department, she had no doubt that she'll get used to the dialect again soon. The cart with the slaves inside of a cage rode through a gate as Lexa and Octavia rode behind them at a slow pace, still taking in their surroundings. The engravement above the gate read, "LUDUS MAGNUS GLADIATORES". Lexa recognized the name since her father told her stories of it, that he too trained there for many years before he fought in the Colosseum for the first time. It was the very best gladiator academia in all of Rome and the best Gladiators came from it, evidently being her father Maximus, that obtained three victories.

Lexa looked around, searching for one man in particular that said he would take her to the treasury which happened to be close to the Flavian Palace. Johnathan Murphen from Provincia Britannia. He owned quite a few slaves that Maximus trained and Johnathan was someone Maximus trusted, so naturally, Lexa trusted him as well but not only for that reason. She herself has known him for quite some time and they got into their fair share of trouble back in a day; he wasn't much older than herself, perhaps two or three years. He had inherited his fathers' wealth and naturally spent it on more slaves that would procure him even more wealth as the rich betted on or against their slaves during the Colosseum fights.

Once she spotted him, she notified Octavia that she was going to find the treasury which Octavia acknowledged and replied that she was going to look around some more and that she would find Lexa later. Lexa handed Octavia her fathers' helmet and asked her to keep it safe for her up until later, she obviously didn't want it to be stolen, especially considering the wandering eyes of the surrounding thievish plebs.

Lexa got off of her horse and walked it to a nearby stable where all the slave owners hitched their horses; she recognized Johnathan's horse, as well as one of his slaves that was tending to it. She handed him the reins of her horse Vitus and with a bow, he accepted the reins as he recognized Lexa as the great Maximus' daughter. She thanked him and made her way through the crowds of people that stood between her and Johnathan. As soon as he laid eyes on her as well, he excused himself from the conversation he was in with some other rich princes and members of the senate that quite frankly annoyed him because all they ever spoke about was their riches or political matters. He wasn't fond of talking about his riches, he craved a more ... interesting conversation. He wasn't the normal wealthy type, he often dressed down and went to taverns and flirted with beautiful women that would probably be considered as lower class taking into account their social statuses but that's the women he preferred. Those that could step out of their comfort zones and cause havoc and chaos with pleasure.

When Lexa reaches him, she extends her arm in greeting that he takes into a tight grip as she engulfs his in an equally tight grip which he admired. Women like Lexa were the type he preferred. However, when he visited the academy along with his father back in a day, Maximus treated him as a son since he and his father were long time friends and so Lexa had become more family than a romantic interest. Even after Johnathan's father fell ill with the plague and passed away; Johnathan visited the academy often. He wasn't much of a fighter himself since he enjoyed watching more. "And so we made it all the way to the capital, Alexandria, what do you think?" He asks as he releases Lexa's grip and raises his arms into the air horizontally, almost as if he was presenting the city directly to her.

"Come now John, we agreed on Lexa. Alexandria is just as much as a mouthful as Johnathan is. We're far past formalities or do you not remember the havoc we raised in Polis when we were younger?" Lexa acknowledged his presentation though. "The capital is certainly something John, more than I could ever have imagined, and the Colosseum ... it's beautiful, I can't wait to see the inside of it."

"How could I forget? Do you remember when your father took everyone down to the lake and we hid their clothing while they were in the lake? They had to trot home through Polis butt naked. Those were the days. We'll probably get beheaded for it now if we tried again." He laughed at the good memory and for the first time in months, Lexa found herself laughing at the fond memory as well. He placed his hand on her shoulder as their laughter quieted down. "The Colosseum will have to wait, I believe I promised to take you to the treasury, come and stay close, I wouldn't want to lose you in the crowd. This city can be a maze when it feels to be so."

The conversation through the crowds of people was too loud to conversate so Lexa and John bumped and weaved their way through everyone and perhaps thirty minutes later they stood in front of another building that was also exquisite architecture. A single word was etched onto the building "AERARIUM". Confusion crossed Lexa's face and John noticed, slightly chuckling because the word was so simple yet Lexa clearly couldn't figure it out. "It quite literally says 'Treasury' Lexa. Now, I believe you will fare better up these stairs than I will so don't worry about me when I fall behind." Lexa nodded and chuckled as well with embarrassment, of course it said Treasury, what else would it say? About seventy stairs were in front of her that led up to the entrance of the treasury and as John predicted, it was no effort for her to get to the top and once she did, she was greeted with yet another beautiful sight.

Lexa took the liberty to look out over the city while she waited for John and once again, she reveled in the scene in front of her. She looked to her right where a commotion took place. Hundreds or perhaps thousands of people stood parallel from each other. A broad path separating them as two chariots pulled by white horses came in from the main gates toward the entrance of what she presumed was the Emperor's palace. It was much bigger than any other building and it was almost secluded from the rest of the city. The crowds cheered louder and louder as the chariots passed by them. John took a stance next to her and looked over the scene as well. "The Emperor and his daughter, The Empress." Lexa looked at him confused again. "I wasn't aware Emperor Titus had a daughter."

John looked to her confused this time, mirroring her expression. "Emperor Titus? Lexa, Titus hasn't reigned in perhaps two years I believe. But nevertheless, he had a daughter and the man was too narcissistic to let her continue his reign." John spat to the side to convey his disgust. "He chose his war General, Jake Gryphem. The woman behind him on the other chariot is his daughter though I am not familiar with her name. There isn't much talk of her and she doesn't leave the palace much. His wife however is in here, in the treasury, I believe you said that you were looking for her, let's go inside."

"Interesting." Lexa concludes as she looks to the back chariot once more; the woman's blonde hair gliding behind her and a blue silk sash elegantly swaying in the air as well. She then followed John into the treasury through large iron gates where four armed men stood. A large table she supposes that was carved out of the most beautiful sandstone sat in front of them where a woman in the most dashing dress sat with an abundant number of braids in her almost grey hair along with two golden head bands which must have meant she was the other Empress. "We are just in time it seems; Abigail just arrived." John softly announces to Lexa next to him. Nervously Lexa nodded back to him as they approached The Empress.

"My Empress." John says as he gets down and kneels in front of her, quickly motioning for Lexa to do the same. With wide eyes she quickly got onto her right knee, bowing her head as she croaked out. "My Empress."

Abigail waved her hand, "Please you two get up, you must know I don't like being kneeled to. My husband likes it, I don't." Her eyes scanned over John and then her eyes went to Lexa and that's where Abigail's gaze rests. She was intrigued since the girl was in full armour, from bracers to greaves to tassets along with her duel swords. Her hair was braided in a style most warriors or Gladiators preferred and then her eyes landed on the crest branded between her eyebrows. "A Silvestre, how intriguing. Come, rise child, how can I help you?" John looked between the two women bewildered, mostly because The Empress recognized his friend, and perhaps, he was a little offended that she did not recognize him first since he produced a lot of funds to The Emperor's reign.

Lexa got up and swallowed hard, making her throat bop; The Empress had recognized her, her family name. "My father, Maximus, he said to speak to you. He mentioned he had his wealth stored here." Abigail nodded her head, her husband had told her of his long-time friends' demise in an attack on the city of Polis but they weren't aware that he had a daughter, not a living one for that matter anyway. "Maximus... it's such a shame. I'm sorry for your loss, child. What's your name?" She questions as walks around the sandstone to stand directly in front of Lexa. Normally Abigail would feel threatened when she stood so close to someone armed but the girl in front of her seemed like no threat. She was skittish, perhaps a little frightened and the sorrow in her eyes made her seem all the more harmless.

Lexa dipped her head in fear of the stories she had heard. That bad fortune would befall her if she or anyone for that matter looked royalty in the eye without their explicit permission. "My name is Alexandria Silvestre, your highness." Abigail tipped Lexa's head up to look her in the eyes. She had heard of the tales that were told in the small cities and villages. "You may look me in the eye when you speak to me, Alexandria. My husband, Jake, knew your father very well. Follow me, Maximus has a room at the back I believe." Lexa and John both followed Abigail farther into the building, the Empress' guards next to them. Lexa looked in awe again as they passed statue after statue of past Emperors and their wives as well as their children. "One day my family's statues will be in these halls and it's absolutely surreal to think." Abigail comments as she slightly turns her head to look at the statues they passed. "How many Gladiators did you bring this year, Johnathan?"

John looked to Lexa with a grin on his face, satisfied that Abigail had finally acknowledged him too. By name even. "Thirty but I'll probably only bet on a few of them, the rest I will bet against, unfortunately. They don't have the fighting talent to survive but there is this one. Lexa- Alexandria here, will be fighting in the Colosseum this year." Abigail stopped in her tracks and turned to them, furrowing her eyebrows and puckering her lips. "Surely she is not a slave of yours, Johnathan. If she is, I would like to buy her from you immediately, whatever the price." Lexa looked down to the floor as she too stopped in her tracks.

"No, no, nothing of the sort. Alexandria is entering upon her own accord as Maximus did. But I will surely bet on her and I advise you and Jake to do so as well, her skills are unmatched. I assure you Maximus' blood courses through her veins and she is sure to be victorious." Johnathan quickly explains, flailing his hands a little. Abigail turned around again and continued in her elegant stride again. "Very interesting again, I wish you the best of luck, Alexandria. May the gods bring you victory." She pointed to an iron door on their left with a tight-lipped smile. "Here it is, just insert the key and turn."

Lexa looked to her then to John. She didn't have a key of course and her father didn't say anything about a key. "This is quite embarrassing but my father didn't give me a key nor did he mention one. What can I do?" Abigail gestured to one of her guards that quickly moved toward her and handed her a large assortment of keys. Expertly she sorted through them and stopped on one that was fairly close to the end. "No worries, here, should be this one. Go ahead. I'll wait for you outside and so will Johnathan; what is in that room is for your eyes only." Lexa took the key from her with a bow of her head and swiftly inserted it into the opening, turning it. Surprisingly it turned smoothly without any hitches.

Lexa entered the room, closing the door behind her and leaning her back against it. Curiously she glanced around the room, a deep breath passing her lips. There were shelves all across the walls that all held leather bags and in the far corner were two objects standing up vertically, covered in some sort of thick material. Lexa approached one of the shelves at first and attempted to pick up the leather satchel that proved to be quite heavy so she left it on the shelf and undid the knot on the top. Sunlight shined through a stained window that was quite high above her, illuminating the entirety of the room. Rome proved to be quite hot and for the first time, she realizes she was sweating a little.

Without another thought on the matter, she quickly wiped at it with her forearm, the soft leather rubbing over her skin. Lexa peered inside of the bag and she could honestly say that she had not seen as much gold in her entire life. With a hitch in her breathing, she quickly looked around the room and counted another fourteen of these bags. She rushed to each and undid their knots. Every single one had the same contents as the last. Aureii. "Faex!" Lexa exclaims.

She catches a glimpse of a parchment journal with a piece of coal next to it. Her mother had taught her how to read and write most of her life so she was fairly well equipped to read and understand this. She recognized her mother's writing inside along with other writing she didn't recognize but she assumed it was her father's. They were entries of a sort that tallied how many pieces of gold were brought each time. It was unbelievable. This sort of wealth was unheard of in Polis and never once did her father mention it. They lived in a simple home with simple things, nothing opulent. The only notable thing about the Silvestre family was the fine armour she and Maximus wore along with their finely crafted swords and blades. But then again Becca also wore dresses that were made of the finest linens that must have costed a fortune in hindsight.

Next Lexa moved to the objects that were covered, and naturally, she pulled the cloth off of the largest one making the dust fly up. After a quick few waves of her hands and one or two coughs, the dust had subsided. Beneath the cloth was her father's armour he wore in the war. It was pitch black with golden engravings shaped like horses and olive branches. It had nicks here and there where swords and axes scraped over but it was made of such fine steel that probably nothing could pierce it. After tapping her nail on the metal, it seemed to be coated in gold as well underneath the black that had scraped away due to wear and tear. Lexa attempted to lift it off of the statuette but it was far too heavy. It would take at least two people to put it onto someone. For Maximus to wear this in battle would have been extremely straining Lexa concludes but her father was an extensively strong man so it made sense that he could wear something of this size and weight and still manage to maneuver in it.

She glided her fingertips over the engravings and then to the golden badge that presented her family crest that clipped the red sash in place. She moved her eyes to the smaller object next to her fathers armour that was covered in cloth as well. With another quick yank and more dust, the cloth was off. Beneath it was another set of armour but for a female. It was brilliant craftsmanship even Lexa had to admit. She had never seen armour so beautiful. She tapped her nail on it as well and concluded it was made of the same material of her father's armour, just in a thinner sheet.

The shoulders were red tempered leather with leather straps hanging off the sides, gold on the tips. The body armour was a golden colour and shaped to fit a woman's chest. The engravings on the armour matched that of her father's armour, just far more elegantly and precisely engraved. This statuette had arms however that held slick bracers made of iron that were tempered in gold as well. The engravings on them were swirls in beautiful patterns. Lexa absentmindedly glided her fingers over them, feeling each dip and high spot.

Lexa covered her father's armour with the cloth again after she clipped off the sash along with the golden badge. To honor him, she would wear it when the opportunity would present itself.

Her gaze remained on the armour next to it and with a tilt of her head, she couldn't help wonder if it would fit her stature.

Chapter Text

Lexa closed the solid iron door behind herself. She took a deep breath before noticing that Abigail and John were both looking at her with curiosity, perhaps a tinge of anticipation. She rested her right hand on the hilt of her sword out of habit as she looked back to them. She didn't take much, perhaps a few aurei that fitted into her small pouch that was hidden under her tassets. It was enough to pay for housing at a lodge or inn, a good meal, and new clothing. Perhaps even trousers that reached just above her knee and new bindings as well as undergarments. She considered taking her fathers' helmet to a blacksmith as well to repair the gash that a sword left over the left eye but eventually, she decided against it. The gash gave the helmet character.

"Did you get what you came for? Can I have someone carry something for you, Alexandria?" Abigail offered as she saw an unsure look cross the girl's face. She looked Lexa over again and saw many scars on her skin as well as the tattoo on her right arm that didn't resemble anything she had ever seen. Even though this was the third Colosseum games her husband would host, she not once saw a female Gladiator; a Gladiatrix take part. Not in one on one combat, anyway. Of course, there were those that rode on chariots and shot their arrows but there wasn't anything spectacular about them. To tell the truth, Abigail couldn't wait to see Alexandria fight in the Colosseum the coming day.

"If its not be too much to ask, I would appreciate it. My armour," Lexa clarifies. "It's quite heavy and would be a drag to carry back to where I'm staying tonight." Lexa finishes, pointing over her shoulder with a thumb. Abigail gestured for two of her guards to help the gladiatrix. They quickly obeyed as they took stance in front of Lexa. "Use them for the day for whatever you need. May I offer you a room in the palace? It would only be fair. You've traveled so far. Besides, I think my husband will find it quite intriguing to find out that Maximus has a living daughter. One that was even fighting in the Colosseum." Abigail smiled solemnly, delicately clasping her hands behind her back. "Perhaps you could even join us for dinner."

"My apologies my Empress but I will have to decline. I have made other promises to be with a friend of mine tonight. As you know in the first fight annually, the competitor is chained to someone and they must fight together to stay alive. Myself and my ally must strategise for such in order to be prepared." Lexa apologized, bowing her head lightly. John was about to interject that he would take the offer if it still stood but Abigail quickly spoke again.

"I understand. Nevertheless, my offer of two rooms in the palace remains; one for you, and one for your ally. A daughter of Maximus Silvestre does not deserve to sleep in the filth among the slaves. You don't have to attend dinner with us. Strategy is of much more importance. I'll have food sent to your respective quarters. Use my guards today and have them bring you to the throne room once you have gotten all you need. I wish to take you to your quarters myself as per formality." Lexa nodded again and found herself kneeling to Abigail once more, ignoring that the Empress mentioned that she didn't like being knelt to but it seemed like the appropriate thing to do.

Lexa didn't take the offer lightly; it was a great honour. In fact, she second-guessed if she even heard right. But judging by the size of John's eyes and his slack jaw, she had definitely heard right.

"I thank you very much for your kindness, your highness. I'm very honoured; I don't know how I'll repay you for this gesture." Lexa was still knelt in front of Abigail, with her head bowed. "You can start by getting up child, and the next and final thing you can do is win tomorrow. Make your father proud." Lexa stood up and clasped her hands behind her back as Abigail walked away from herself and John with her two remaining guards. The other two stood on attention next to Lexa, waiting for instruction. Lexa pushed open the iron door once again and directed the two guards inside; instructing one to take the body armour and the other to carry the bracers along with the badge and red sash. She noticed that the armour already had a slot where the badge could clip in and she couldn't help feel that her father had this armour crafted specially for her.

When they made their way out of the treasury and down the stairs once more, one of the guards spoke, his voice nervous. He and the other guard had exchanged glances the whole time, the one trying to urge the other to finally speak to Lexa. "Is this your armour, Gladiatrix? And are you really the daughter of thé Maximus Silvestre? I was a mere boy when I watched him fight in the Colosseum." Lexa took a few more steps down, her arms swinging at her sides, contemplating what to answer the guard. She wondered how it was that everyone seemed so at awe that she indeed is and was his daughter. Why were they so intensely baffled by it? "Yes, it's my armour, and Maximus was my father indeed. Tell me, what's your name? The least I could do is address you appropriately if you are to carry my things."

"I'm Lincoln Falco of the house Falto and this is Thelonious Jaha of the house Isus. Alexandria, if you do not mind me asking? Don't you think it may have to be tailored to fit you? I know of a great blacksmith not far from here that could have this ready before tomorrow."

"Lincoln Falco of the house Falto..." Lexa repeats as she chuckles, "Correct me if I'm wrong but does your house name not mean Falcon, and were your people not given this name because of your strange toes and feet?" Lexa looked down to his feet and then back up to his face. "Your feet seem perfectly normal, Lincoln, how could you keep such a name that is clearly derogatory?" If the man's dark complexion allowed him to blush, he most likely would have but all he felt was his face grow warm simply because most people he interacted with didn't know what his house name truly meant.

"Perhaps you're right, Alexandria, I probably shouldn't mention my house name anymore." He replies chuckling as they reach the bottom of the steps. John too was laughing to himself, he had never seen a woman call out a man about his name and hinting at how ridiculous it was. Thelonious, however, kept a straight face, a boring man John concludes. He was too serious to his taste but Lincoln however was someone he could have an ale with.

"To answer your previous question Lincoln, no, I don't think my armour needs to be tailored. The leather I'm wearing right now can be quite deceiving. I'm not as muscular as I look, I assure you. I do however need new wrappings for my forearms and I would prefer a crimson red, do you have any vendors in mind?" Lexa asks as she looks between the three men in front of her. John shrugged his shoulders because he had never seen a vendor that sells such and Lincoln opts to look to Thelonious to suggest a place. Lincoln knew Thelonious' wife worked with the finest linen in the capital but he waited for Thelonious to suggest it himself.

Thelonious nodded, holding Lexa's bracers and sash close to his chest. "May I suggest a corner shop at the market square." It sounded much more like a statement than a suggestion judging by how much his chin was tilted into the air. "My wife, she is a vendor of such and she can help you with any colour you may desire. I believe it's of the best quality you will find in the capital; she provides linen to the Emperor and the Empress'. It's not cheap but I assure you it is worth every denarius. She would be honoured to provide you with linen as she did to your mother Becca."

Lexa listened intently but the mere mention that his wife provided linen to those of royalty was convincing enough for her to make a stop at the store. However, when the mention of her mother's name passes the man's lips, she knows it must be fate. No matter how cliche it seemed. In hindsight, it even made sense. The dress Abigail wore was awfully similar to that of what Becca wore.

John was astonished at how many people recognized Lexa and how many people knew who both her parents were. Upon coming here, he did not at all expect Lexa to be well known. It was enough to make him wonder how the crowds will react in the coming days when Lexa would fight in the Colosseum, and once it will come out to each one of them that she was the great Maximus Silvestre's daughter.

And who knows? Maybe it will not be him that overshadows her, but she who overshadows his fame with her own coming fame. "Lead the way. I would be honoured to buy from your wife. Perhaps she could help me with some other wares I am in pursuit of as well." Thelonious nodded and set off in the direction of the forum with Lexa behind him, and the other two men behind them, struggling to keep up throughout the growing crowds.

It was starting to get late Lexa notices. The sun had moved considerably and it wouldn't be long before it would start to set. And like Polis, as the day aged the heat did not diminish. The sun burned hot on the leather she was wearing and her long hair hanging over her shoulders didn't exactly help to keep her cooled off. Selfishly, Lexa considered investing in a slave that could carry shade over her head while she traversed the city. She chuckled to herself at the notion. Lexa had the wealth to own a slave but she was raised to know that it's not right to own someone, not a human. Perhaps an animal but not a human that deserved to have free will.

They made it to the corner shop and Thelonious stepped to the side to allow Lexa to pass by him, or so she thought until she bumped into someone. The hooded individual much shorter in stature bumped into Lexa, her arm half raised to block the impact. But the attempt was futile. The person slightly stumbled backward but Lexa quickly took hold of their forearms with her calloused hands. "Oh, my apologies, I'm such a fool, did I hurt you?" The gladiatrix asks before the hooded figure looks up and the most striking blue eyes shoot through her. "It's fine, I'm fine." The woman blurts, stumbling over a word or two as she brushes past Lexa into the crowds of people, closely followed by a dark-haired woman.

"Greetings, how may I help you?" Lexa's attention is drawn away from the blue-eyed girl that had just brushed past her by someone in front of her. She looks back in front of her and it's a dark-skinned woman that Lexa presumes to be Thelonious' wife. "Greetings to you too. My name is Alexandria Silvestre. Thelonious here instructed me that you were the best person to come to for any linen needs." She offers with a friendly smile on her face; the clumsy stranger already forgotten.

"That is very kind of him to say but I explicitly told him that I wanted customers to come to me without his say so." The woman replies with a mischievous smile as she looks past Lexa to her husband. "My name is Cassia. If you don't mind me asking, you don't happen to be the daughter of Becca Silvestre?" Cassia asks with a glint in her eye. The girl in front of her shared the sharp features of Becca, and the green of her eyes was nothing short of those of Maximus Silvestre. And by the news of Polis going up in flames, it could be no coincidence that this girl was in her store.

"Yes, Cassia, I am. It's a great pleasure to meet you."

Cassia shook her head and to Lexa's surprise, the woman pulls her into an embrace. And although Lexa didn't reciprocate at first, she eventually does only making Cassia tighten her grip. After perhaps twenty seconds the older woman releases Lexa, only taking the girl's hands in her own. "I am so sorry for your loss child. Your mother was a remarkable woman and she made this shop of mine a reality. Without her, I wouldn't be here. I'll give you anything you need free of charge, Alexandria." Lincoln and Thelonious still remained holding Lexa's armour and bracers while John looked around the store, searching for the perfect colour of linen for himself.

"I cannot possibly accept that, Cassia, but thank you. I'll prefer to pay for anything and everything I need." Lexa undid her leather bracers and placed them on the table next to her. "See, Cassia, I need new wrappings for my arms. I recently came into possession of these bracers," Lexa clarifies, pointing to the contents in Theolonius' arms. "And considering the metal they are made of and the weight, they'll likely chafe much worse than leather will. I don't suppose you have a cotton or velvet crimson red material? Or a red colour close to this." Lexa asks, holding out the sash that once belonged to her father.

Cassia pursed her lips in thought as her eyes studied the red material. She definitely still had material like that. It was the red sash army Generals wore and considering the fact that they were often ripped or lost in battle, she always had extra material on hand to make new ones. "Of course. I recommend the cotton; the velvet will get really warm and itchy. Is there anything else you need?" Lexa nodded in understanding, Cassia was right, velvet would be a nightmare.

"Trousers perhaps, that would reach just above my knee, dark in colour preferably. I also require new binding and undergarments if you tailor for such, Cassia." Lincoln cleared his throat behind Lexa, embarrassed that she would ask for such in front of himself and Thelonious. "Oh Lincoln, don't be such a prude. She's only human, or do the women you meet in taverns not wear undergarments?" Thelonious teased, bumping him with his shoulder. Lexa turned around and quirked her eyebrow at the two men as Lincoln started to chuckle nervously. "Lincoln, I surely do hope they wear undergarments. You know what they say; women that do not wear undergarments are women that do not bathe. I would hate to think that is what you prefer."

"What is this I hear about women that do not wear undergarments?" John interjects as he makes his way from the other side of the shop. "They're like wild animals in bed, I must admit." John finishes, not knowing what the conversation was about. "Oh, John. You should've probably kept that fact to yourself. How am I supposed to let you live it down now while knowing I have to spend the rest of my day with you?" Lexa jokes, a mischievous smile on her lips. She was feeling for an ale and surely John will know of a good tavern nearby the palace.

After a few minutes, Cassia returns with all Lexa requested in her arms. From the wrappings to the bindings and undergarments. "I thought you might appreciate new wrapping for your legs as well, I took the liberty of taking the same red." Cassia held the trousers in front of Lexa and tilted her head to the side, making a judgement if it would fit her the way she wanted it to. "It's like these trousers were perfectly made for you. They were for the Empress' handmaiden but I will make her new ones." Cassia spared a glance to the two men standing at the entrance of her shop. "Looking at the armour my husband and his friend are holding, you're fighting in the Colosseum the same way your father did, aren't you?" Cassia asks as she undoes Lexa's current wrappings.

"Indeed, I am, along with a friend. She will only join me for the conjoined matches, however. I intend to bring my family name great honour in the arena, and I hope you will attend tomorrow." Lexa asks more than actually making a statement. Cassia reminded her a lot of her mother and it made Lexa feel safe and motivated; more motivated than she had felt in some time. "Of course I will be, everyone will be watching. May you find victory." She finished wrapping the red cotton around Lexa's forearms and gestured for Thelonious to bring the golden bracers so that she can fit them on the gladiatrix to see if more or less cotton would be required for a comfortable fit.

When she fitted the bracers on Lexa and tightened the straps as she did for her husband every morning, she looked down at Lexa's arms satisfied. The cotton looked enough but it all depended on how it felt. Lexa clenched her fists, making her forearms flex to feel if these bracers were in fact tight enough and suitable to fight in the Colosseum. "How does it feel, Alexandria? More cotton, less perhaps?" Lexa shook her head no, they were perfect. They fitted her arms as if they were specially crafted for her; as if they were specially molded for her. "No, they're perfect, comfortable even. Thank you, Cassia."

Cassia smiled at the girl in front of her, noticing that Lexa's smile looked just like Becca's whenever she would get her new linens and dresses. The sight alone was enough to warm Cassia's heart. "You know, Alexandria, you look like one of the women in the tales they tell of warriors that fought in Greece many, many years ago. My grandmother told me of them. The Amazonian women; beautiful and fierce." Lexa looked down to the bracers with a smile and started to remove them again to replace them with her leather ones again; these golden bracers were for Colosseum use only she vowed right there and then. "Well isn't that just something, Cassia. My family happens to be of Greek origin, the gods sure do seem to have a sense of humour. But I thank you, this is perfect." Lexa takes out her leather pouch and takes out twenty aurei placing it in Cassia's hands, more than thrice the cost of the linen she's buying.

"No, Alexandria, I can't possibly take this. It's way too much." The older woman says worried, trying to return the coins to Lexa's hands but she only steps back with her hands in the air and a broad smile on her lips. "Please, take it. I insist on it. Bet it on me tomorrow and you'll double or triple it. It will after all be thanks to you if I win. Comfort is the most important thing on the battleground." It was one of the first things her father had taught her as a young warrior; that if one was not comfortable in movement, you will not be comfortable in fighting and it could potentially cost you your own life.

"Fine, so be it. I'll be in the crowd tomorrow, Alexandria. May the gods bring you the victory you seek." Lexa bowed her head in thanks and attempts to gather the linen and undergarments Cassia brought but John beats her to it and takes it into his arms. She eyed him but he only smiles back at her indicating that there was no room for argument. "A lady of your status cannot possibly carry her own wares, Lexa." John says jokingly, and far too nasally to her preference. Nevertheless, she lets him take it as he falls into step behind Lincoln and Thelonious in the direction of the palace. Cassia walked to the front of her shop and crossed her arms over one another as a smile crosses her lips. Shortly after, the hooded figure that bumped into Lexa and the dark-haired woman returns to the store making Cassia bow immediately. "My Empress, my apologies. I was not aware that someone will come in while you would be here. I also must apologize to your handmaiden, I have sold the trousers I made for her but I will make new ones at once." She apologizes as she turns to the raven-haired woman next to The Empress.

"Please, Cassia, call me Clarke. My mother is the main 'Empress'." Clarke states with a wave of her hand dismissively. "And you as well as I know that my so-called handmaiden is my bestest friend, Raven, and you can call her just that. And I am sure she will not at all have a grievance that you have sold the trousers." Clarke affirms looking at Raven next to her that had a clear displeased expression on her face but quickly drops it when Clarke's eyes land on her. She clears her throat before she meets Cassia's eyes. "Yes, of course. It's no problem." The shopkeeper nodded and returned her attention back to Clarke. "So, Clarke, what is it you were looking for? A dress, material for your canvases?"

"A dress for tomorrow's event. My father insists that I attend." The Empress wasn't fond of the arena in the slightest and she would much rather spend her day painting or strolling around the palace gardens. "Say, Cassia, who was the woman that came into your shop when I left? The talk in the city is that we have three Gladiatrix this year, was that one of them? I have never seen a female Gladiator in the flesh before, only heard of them in tales." Clarke asks curiously as she rubs a piece of crimson red velvet material between her fingers, enjoying the soft feeling of it. "If that is what they look like, I can stare at them all day." Raven states as she walks around the store. She says it more to herself than to the other two women but it doesn't go unnoticed and only makes the Empress shoot her a look of warning. The handmaiden seriously had to watch what she was saying in public.

"Yes, your highness. Her father is ... was the man with the record of winning three victories in the Colosseum. Maximus Silvestre, I don't think you know of him." Cassia fumbled through a drawer where she kept dresses she had made before with the intention to sell to princess's and Queens that would come from Brittania and Persia to watch the festives of the Colosseum. "No, I have not heard of him, unfortunately. You know my mother and I only came from Brittania two or so years ago when my father became Emperor. Besides, other than that, I think the ways of the Colosseum are rather harsh and barbaric, human life is sacred and should be protected at all costs. So I think it much better that I don't know of this man." This was the second year Clarke would truly attend the Colosseum fights since Jake insisted that she should become more a part of his reign and that she should make herself more known in the eye of the public.

//

By the time Abigail took Lexa and Octavia to their rooms in the palace, the sun had already set. Abigail found Octavia peculiar, to say the least, because she seemed familiar but the Empress couldn't quite put her finger on why the child would feel so familiar. So instead, she opted to say nothing aloud about her thoughts. Lexa noticed the one guard; Lincoln Falco take clandestine and lingering gazes at her friend Octavia and in an instant, she knew that he had taken a liking to her. It was obvious really since Lexa herself used to look at Costia the same way before they had fallen in love with each other. At the thought, Lexa's heart dropped instantly but it didn't take her long to recover. While knowing that Costia was either well on her eye to the Elysian fields, or already walking among the vibrant flowers, brought Lexa peace. It was a direly needed peace, one so rare and fleeting, but when it did wash over her it mended some pieces of her broken heart.

Abigail instructed Lincoln and Thelonious that they could go home to their families since it was late which both Lincoln and Thelonious gratefully accepted. Thelonious headed home to see his wife and young son but Lincoln opted to go with Lexa, John, and most importantly Octavia to a tavern nearby where most of the guards and gladiators would go to drink ale. It was fairly popular among the plebs since it allowed for all to have a bit of sport of their own. Lexa and John walked in front of Lincoln and Octavia who seemed to have an extensive interest in one another as the conversation easily flowed between them. Upon entering the tavern, the smell of ale and grilled meat filled Lexa's senses and for a split second, it felt like she was back in Polis on a night after training where she and her father would go to drink an ale or three after a smoldering hot day in the sun.

There was loud laughter and slurred words coming from all around her and it felt so natural. "Four ales please!" John called to a woman dressed in very little clothing Lexa notices and she merely acknowledged John with a wink. Lexa removed her weapons belt and placed it on the table in front of them as they all sat down, Lincoln and Octavia following her gesture. In hindsight perhaps it would have been better if she had left her swords in her quarters but then again, she was still on edge from what happened in Polis months ago. While being in a foreign city she surely didn't know when she would find herself in that same situation again. "Better to be armed and ready than to be caught with your pants down and nothing to defend yourself with." Her father's words echo through her mind, no matter how humorous they were initially meant.

They drank ale after ale after ale and it was more than Lexa bargained on to drink on the night but on around the 4th ale everyone had gathered around their table since John had challenged Lexa to an arm-wrestling competition as he did back in Polis whenever they got drunk. He was fully aware he would lose but it made for a good show to the bystanders. She smashed his hand into the table for the third time and the crowd erupted in cheers again, bumping their drinks against one another. "How about a real fight, Lexa? Try pick on someone your own size!" Octavia yells over the loud crowd and takes a seat in front of Lexa and the crowd cheered again, starting to make bets on which woman will win and which woman will lose.

Lexa placed her elbow on the table and took Octavia's hand into hers with a tight grip and smiled at her. Octavia had a determined look on her face, not returning Lexa's smile. "Tres! Duo! Unus!" The crowd chanted counting down in Latin. When they reached one Octavia pushed against Lexa's hand with all of the strength she could muster, but Lexa's arm stood solid against her force. The crowd quieted down, staring, trying to predict which woman might crumble first; trying to predict who will lose their bet and who will win their bet. What they didn't know was that Lexa wasn't even pushing back yet, she was just matching Octavia's strength. Octavia's arm started to shake with the tension she was placing on her muscles.

Lexa used her left hand to pick up her ale and take a huge gulp and the crowd cheered. "Show off," Octavia says through her clenched teeth as she pushes hard but Lexa still didn't budge. "Just put me out of my misery, Silvestre!" she yells and Lexa obliges, slamming Octavia's hand onto the hard-oak table and the crowd cheers while some boo because they had lost their bets. "More ale!" Lexa declares and John happily obliges. A drunken man stumbled through the crowd and sat down at the table in front of Lexa where Octavia had just sat. Lexa wiped at the sweat that had formed at her temple; the tavern was hot and she was starting to work up a sweat due to all the ale she has had and the physicality of the arm wrestling.

"And who may you be?" She asks the man in front of her. He looked well kept, definitely not a slave. His hair was too clean and so was his skin. He wore nice clothing which had to mean that he was either a member of the Senate or a young prince. Perhaps even a noble from the many opulent families in Rome. "Finn Collins of the house Cato." He slurs and Lexa offers her forearm to him, a sign of greeting and respect. "Alexandria Silvestre, a pleasure to meet you. I hope your house name does you justice, my friend; Cato being the skillful and experienced. I hope you brought your skills to this match otherwise I'm afraid to say that you're fucked, my fine sir." The crowds of people busted into a jumbled noise of laughter as the man sunk in his seat but quickly sat up again as his confidence returned.

Round after round went on and on and on and each time Finn would lose. On the 7th time, Lexa shot up out of her seat with her jubilant fists in the air with yet another victory as the crowd continued to chant her name. "Lexa! Lexa! Lexa!" She reached for her jug of ale, ready to finish it off and go back to the palace to rest after a long day of nothing but triumph. She had not done any sort of strategizing with Octavia in preparation for the coming day which meant the night didn't go completely as planned, but nevertheless, it was still enjoyable and well deserved. Right before her long digits wrapped around the cup, Finn swatted it off the table, sending the cup flying across the room and into a wall making ale splash everywhere. "Again!" He yells, only making Lexa look back at him with pity. She almost laughs at him really. "Do you not know when you have lost Finn Collins of the house Cato? You're bringing shame to your name, my friend."

He slammed his fist onto the table, baring his teeth. "Again, damn you!" He yells as spit shoots out of the sides of his mouth. "You're a drunk, Finn Collins, an ugly drunk." Lexa clarfies which makes the crowd laugh again at the young man's outburst as he continued to embarrass himself. "Beat me and this is yours!" Finn announces as he pulls a golden dagger from its sheath, driving its blade into the hard-oak table. The crowd had quieted down, looking around at one another and then finally at the blade. "Fine, once more." Lexa concurs as she sits down in front of him, taking the new jug of ale Octavia had offered to her and in one go she drinks it all, setting the jug down on the table with a hard thud.

She places her elbow on the table and Finn takes it with a tight grip, baring his teeth again. "Beat him!" "Come on!" "Lexa!"  The different chants came from the crowd that surrounded them. In the corner of her eye Lexa sees a woman cloaked in blue, the same blue as the woman at the market that bumped into her. The woman with the dashing blue obsidian eyes and next to her is the dark-haired maiden that was with her. They were staring at the wrestling match from the shadows but before Lexa could blink her eyes to make a double-take, and be sure of what she sees, she feels unbridled strength push against her arm. Just before it's too late she focuses in front of her again and pushes back against Finn's arm until it was straight up again.

"Come on Lexa, you can do it!" John drunkenly cheers next to her and that was all the motivation she needed. In an instant, she smashes Finn's hand on the table making him yell angrily. She keeps challenging eye contact with him until his eyes dart to the dagger next to him and back at her. It doesn't take a scholar to recognize the look in his eye; he was going for the blade. But Lexa was far ahead of him and beats him to the blade with her left hand as she pulls it out of the table and drives it through his right arm still pinned down to the table by her own hand. He yelps a cry of pain once he realizes the blade pierced right through his arm, and lodged itself in the table. "I don't want your dagger. Te futueo et caballum tuum." Lexa growls and finishes in Latin. The crowds laughed at the insult before continuing on their merry, uncaring of the man that had his arm stuck to the table.

Returning to her original train of thought, Lexa stands up to look in the corner where the hooded woman sat, but she was no longer there.

Chapter Text

It was early morning, perhaps first light as the cold wind blew through Clarke's balcony doors. She had accidentally left them open the night before when she and Raven returned to the palace from the tavern they were at. The Empress had a few ales too many before she almost approached the Gladiatrix she had bumped into at the market forum earlier in the day, ready to confront her about hurting her lover Finn. But her handmaiden and best friend Raven quickly pulled her out of the tavern before she made a fool of herself; not that Raven knew Clarke was seeing the man but because Clarke was the Empress and she could not be openly seen at a tavern, especially not fighting some slave.

But again, Raven Reyes didn't know that Lexa in fact was not a slave. All she knew was that she was a Gladiatrix considering the way she had her hair braided and by the way her muscles were perfectly toned. However what Raven found most peculiar was that the woman harbored her family sigil on her forehead, burnt like a brand; a crest only men harbored.

Clarke rolled over in her bed as she only had a silk sheet draped over her body. The cold gust of wind that blew through the ajar balcony doors made the Empress' skin grow instant chills. Groggy with sleep she reached for them for the furs needly folded at her feet, but a cold hand crept over her own, helping her pull the furs upward. She quickly opened her eyes to see none other than Finn Collins of the house Cato; none other than her secret lover and the main advisor to her betrothed Bellamy Blake of the house Bellicus.

She quickly shot up, yanking her hand out of his. "What are you doing here? You know you can't be here so early in the morning; someone will see you!" Clarke was wide awake now and on alert, she couldn't possibly be caught with this man in her quarters at these hours even if they weren't doing anything devious this time. The servants in the palace will talk and surely word would reach her father, as well as her soon-to-be husband Bellamy and she simply could not risk it.

Bellamy held the most power in the Senate since his father's untimely passing three years ago around the same time Emperor Titus stepped down as Emperor and handed his title to Clarke's father; his loyal Legion General Jake Gryphem. Clarke marrying Bellamy was the best choice politically for her father since the Senate had to, to a point agree to Jake's word and decisions to make them final and to have his decisions executed.

"Calm down, princess, I just came to say good morning and that I'm sorry that I didn't come to see you last night. Some peasants robbed me in the street and they actually hurt me pretty badly." He held up his arm for Clarke to see and she too started to remember the night before; Finn was speaking falsehoods to her. Yes, he was in an altercation but it was not with some peasant, and nor was he getting robbed. He was simply just outmatched by a woman that was a Gladiatrix; a woman Clarke could not remember the name of because her drinking of the previous night certainly clouded her memories and caused a serious headache.

She winced at the pain that suddenly befell her and with that she fell back into her pillows, squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her cold palms to her forehead. "Get out, please. I don't want to hear your ridiculous excuses. I'm not in the mood. On your way out, call Raven for me." Clarke pulled the furs up all the way over her body and snuggled into them to get comfortable. Maybe she could get a few more minutes of sleep before Raven would arrive. "My ridiculous excuses? What do you mean? I really was robbed, see? Look at my arm, it really hurts." He feigned again, trying to get the sympathy of the woman that laid in front of him, but she didn't have a care in the world because she knew he was lying and was probably embarrassed about being bested by a woman multiple times.

"Hey, you will look at me when I speak!" Finn grabbed Clarke's wrist, yanking her out from between the furs so that she was finally looking at him, but her expression was bored. This wasn't new and it was starting to get old. He was a nice distraction from her coming marriage but he was becoming a bit too much. He was starting to feel like a child she constantly had to look after and not someone that could distract her without wanting anything in return. "And you will not touch me again! I know you were stabbed by a woman last night because you were acting like a donkey, a drunk donkey actually. Now get out. I will not ask you again, and don't you even bother coming back here either." She jerked her arm free from his grip and gave him a look that would kill; if looks of course could in fact kill.

Embarrassed of himself that she had shunned him away and angered that she had the audacity to do so, he got up and walked to her door but not without spitting on the floor and uttering a few words in Latin that he knew she would not understand. "Moecha putida." Well, he thought she wouldn't understand anyway but with all the time she had spent in the palace, she had learned quite a bit of Latin from the various servants that cared to teach her when she asked. "How did that woman say to you last night? Screw you and the horse you rode in on! How dare you call me a dirty slut! Futue te ipsum!"

Finn didn't reply, knowing he would say something else that he could potentially not fix later. He truly believed he loved her, or so his head said anyway and he went with it. Deep down he likely knew their relationship could never be successful because she was betrothed to the man he worked for and to tell the truth, he absolutely loathed Bellamy Blake. Finn was aware of Bellamy's endeavors and the various women he slept with. Perhaps Finn also knew that he was not good enough for Clarke but he was certainly better for her than Bellamy was and even she could admit that, or so he hoped anyway.

When he entered the hall, he bumped into Clarke's handmaiden Raven and quickly apologized while he tried thinking of an excuse as to why he was in the Empress' quarters at these hours. "My apologies maiden, you have startled me and I didn't mean to bump into you. I didn't expect anyone to be up so early." Raven straightened out the dress she was wearing, eyeing the man in front of her as her eyes drifted to his arm and back to his eyes wearily as she quirked her eyebrow. "The Gladiatrix sure did a number on you, sir, if you do not mind me saying so. You should see a healer or that wound of yours may become septic; the gods know the tables in that tavern is filthy. Now, what were you doing in my Empress' quarters? You know no man is allowed in there except her betrothed."

Finn looked the handmaiden up and down, suspicious of how she had known he was at the tavern the night before. He even wondered how she knew the woman was a Gladiatrix, not even he had seen this year's contenders. He certainly didn't see the handmaiden at the tavern either. He would've noticed a beautiful face like hers in any crowd. "I was in her quarters because Bellamy had sent me to give her a message. I don't mean to interrogate you but did you tell the Empress of what happened to my arm? And how do you know the woman was a Gladiatrix?" He questions curiously while he admired the handmaiden's features. Finn had never noticed that she actually had an immeasurable beauty to her.

"No, I didn't tell the Empress anything of it. She saw it happen herself. Why she cared so much, I don't know but I don't care to know either. And about the Gladiatrix, it's obvious, sir. The way she's built, twice your size perhaps. I still don't understand why you had challenged her, it was foolish even if I have to say so myself." Raven finished, pushing past Finn into her Empress' quarters.

//

Upon entering the Colosseum early in the morning, like any other architecture in the capital, it had words etched into the entrance. Ut Roma Cadit Ita Orbis Terrae. Lexa remembered the words from her father's stories, it meant "When Rome falls, so falls the world." It was a strange saying she thought and she couldn't feel like most royal Romans were perhaps a bit too egotistical for their own good. She didn't consider herself a Roman exactly, she was half Roman and half Greek, but always leaned more toward the Roman part of things.

Lexa was now beneath the Colosseum in the dungeons where the slaves were kept up until the fight. She could hear the crowds above her cheer and chant for action and she grew nervous, acknowledging that she had to put on a good show for them and win all at once in order to bring her father and house name pride. For one person as much could be considered a bit much, but Lexa always adored a challenge.

Octavia had already placed Lexa's new armour on her and tightened the metal clips in place. The armour was of the finest quality and she had never seen someone wear such a dashing finely crafted piece of defense. It looked like it was molded specially for Lexa's body. She wore her normal bronze greaves, her left that reached up over her knee and the right that reached just underneath her knee. They were decorated with engraved spiral-like patterns and near the center was the Silvestre sigil, and not to be forgotten were the obvious scuff marks due to wear and tear but that's what gave them the most character.

Lexa stood in the right line-up as she looked to the only familiar face of Octavia who stood in the left line-up. They were both Dimachaerus which meant they both fought with dual swords that for now hung in their sheaths at their sides. Lexa flexed her fists inside of her bracers as she did before every fight, ensuring that her hands were comfortable and that her fingers could close over the linen as she wanted them to. Her hair hung braided but wet over her shoulders since she had dunked just her upper body into cold water before they walked out into the tunnels. Nothing shocked a hangover away like a dip of the head in icy cold water.

"We fight together and we die together, sister." Lexa declares as she looks to Octavia, who nods and returns the words they had learned at an early age at the academy. "We fight together and we die together, sister." They were already chained to one another, perhaps a chain that was eight-foot-long and was locked in place around their waists. Eight feet wasn't a lot in battle and would allow for little to no mobility which may be a problem.

A large bare-chested man walked from the back of them to the front before he spoke. He wore a large steel helmet that covered his entire face and he was not armed which meant he wasn't a fighter and Lexa found herself quite relieved since he was at least five times her size. "When the Emperor enters, raise your weapons, salute him, and speak together. Face the Emperor and don't you dare turn your back on him or you will be killed by the Praetorian before the fight even starts. Now, go! And die with honour Gladiators! May the gods, and Mars especially, be with you!" The rows of Gladiators chanted a war cry and went silent as soon as the door started to raise, queuing them to exit into the barren arena.

Lexa retrieved the helmet from under her arm: the golden helmet her father fought in within the Colosseum years ago, and the same helmet he had died in months ago. Today she would come out in victory she vowed, no matter the cost. She placed the helmet on her head and she practically felt all of her father's power flow into her like an ocean with restless waves. This was what Roman honorability consisted of; feeling the power of those before you.

As she looked down, she noticed the man in front of her had urinated himself and she supposes it was a normal reaction for an untrained Gladiator; if he could even be considered as much. He seemed like just a poor slave that was being tossed into a pit of wolves essentially. The real Gladiators being the wolves in his situation and him just a poor soul that found himself in this rather unfortunate predicament. For a second Lexa felt bad for him simply because he will more than likely die today just for the entertainment of others.

But in the essence that's exactly what the Colosseum games were; dying for the entertainment of others.

The drop gate opened completely and group by group they jogged out into the Colosseum and loud roars erupted from all around them. Every single one of the Gladiators looked around themselves in complete awe at the drunken mobs of people that all cheered in anticipation. Crossing her arms over one another, Lexa simultaneously draws both of her swords out and twirls them in her hands, feeling the new leather grips she had put on them early morning when she could no longer sleep. With a swift movement, she unclips her weapons belt as well, leaving it behind.

Lexa looked to Octavia one more time before giving her a slight nod as the musical horns started to be blown into and loud war drums being hammered at simultaneously, accentuating the entrance of the Gladiators as they took a stance in the middle of the arena.

On the side left balcony, an announcer strolled out in his posh white toga and golden olive branches in his hair with his hands clasped in front of him as he too looked at the crowds around him with delight. Shortly after, The Emperor entered onto another balcony along with his wife. Even at this distance Lexa immediately recognized Abigail Gryphem; and behind her was a blonde woman in an equally beautiful dress as the Empress. Lexa assumed, she had to be the Emperor's infamous daughter that no one seemed to know the name of. Lexa couldn't make out her face from this distance but at her side was a man with black shaggy hair that wore armour as black as the night itself with platinum horses on it and two golden badges on each shoulder that clipped his black sash in place over his back.

Lexa herself looked down at her golden badge that harbored her family crest which clipped her father's General sash in place on her shoulder. It looked fiercely intimidating and she felt a sense of pride fill her as if a piece of her soul had returned at long last since it had left months ago along with her father's body when he was carried away. The crowds began to cheer "Cæsar! Cæsar! Cæsar!" which was another word for Emperor, and Lexa supposes it was easier to chant than it would be to cheer Emperor over and over again.

Emperor Jake lifted his hand into the air toward the crowds in acknowledgment, soon turning his attention to the Gladiators that stood below him in the middle of the Colosseum. Lexa along with the others raised their swords, spears, and tridents into the air toward him. "Emperor, we salute you! Men and women who are about to die, we salute you!" The last phrase was taught at every Gladiatorial academy and had to be said before each fight in order to show respect to one's fellow Gladiators that were about to reach their end.

Soon the announcer quieted the crowds by raising both of his hands into the air and as indicated by his gesture the crowds and mobs quieted down. "On this day, we reach back to hallowed antiquity to bring you a re-creation of the fall of the mighty Marcomannic! On the barren plain of Danube there stood the invincible armies of the barbarian Alaric! Ferocious mercenaries and warriors from all brute nations! All of them bent on merciless destruction and conquest! The Emperor is proud to bring you the Legionnaires of Maximus Silvestre!"

How fitting Lexa thought. Was it a coincidence that she would be the one to re-enact her father's victory? She wondered who had spoken into the Emperor's ear to make this battle in particular the one to re-enact. Lexa held her head even higher as she felt Octavia's eyes on her as the announcer continued to speak. She didn't hear most of what he said after he announced that her troop of Gladiators will be the Legionnaires, which meant the opposing Gladiators will be the barbarian army of Alaric. "-The Emperor is pleased to present to you the barbarian horde!" Four gates around the Gladiator group opened and to Lexa's dismay, these men were all giants. Giants like the man that spoke to them in the tunnel.

Hastily, the group of Gladiators went back to back as they were trained. "Stand strong, brothers! Stay together and cover each other's flanks! Together is the only way we'll win!" Lexa finds herself barking orders to the men standing around her and strangely they oblige as they back up against one another even further. The other Gladiator brutes stormed toward them with axes, swords, and weapons she quite frankly had never seen before but they could definitely kill anyone with one blow. "Hold! Hold!" Lexa orders again as she takes a deep breath, dropping her shoulders after. "Charge!" in an instant all of the pretend Legionnaires charged toward the pretend Marcomannic barbarians.

Up in the many rows of the spectating gallery, the wagers had already started amongst the slave masters as well as the settlers of the capital. Even Jake himself made wagers to join in on the festivities. He enjoyed the hosted Gladiatorial games even more than he enjoyed the chariot races. He didn't demand death in the Colosseum like the Emperor's before him, but rather offered the Gladiators and the crowd the option to kill or not to kill. If a Gladiator were to submit, his or her opponent would have the right to decide if they would like to kill or not; if they will have mercy or not.

On rare occasions, the crowd would not be pleased with such, and they would either raise their thumbs upward which meant life, or they would face their thumbs downward which meant death. And to that, the Gladiator had no right to refuse. They were there for the pleasure of the crowds after all.

John himself was having a particularly good time as he wagered with slave master after slave master that Lexa and Octavia will come out victorious. "Five hundred aurei that the two women will be victorious, Marcellus, do we have a deal?" He yelled to a man he had acquainted with earlier, one that he seemed wealthy enough to keep up with John's bidding. "Of course, we have a deal, Johnathan! I would love to take your coin from you. They will never come out victorious, they are just mere women! Women were not meant to fight, my boy! They've practically marched into a slaughtering!" John smiled and patted Marcellus on the shoulder as he watched Lexa and Octavia strike down yet another two men without a single struggle. "But these two were," John states. "Would you like to raise our wager to one thousand aurei, Marcellus?" The man dug in his toga for another pouch of gold and held it out for John to see. "If we're going to go big, let's do one thousand two hundred aurei that those women die, my friend." John's smile widened and he nodded to the man as he turned his attention back to the battlegrounds.

On the balcony where the royals sat, Jake extended his golden chalice to his servant, indicating for her to pour him another cup. He was intrigued by the two Gladiatrix, especially the one who wore a General's sash. It was a peculiar sight since the Roman empire never had a female General before. Next to him sat his wife Abigail that watched the fight with glee since she knew exactly who the woman in red was that spun and ducked under blades and axes like it was no effort at all. As a surprise, and to see if Alexandria actually had a fighting skill, Abigail didn't make her husband aware that Maximus Silvestre's daughter was here.

Seat in front of the Emperor and Empress was Clarke and her betrothed Bellamy Blake of the house Bellicus. Clarke was sickened by the sight that people can just kill like this without hesitation, but at the same time, she could not help admire the skill these Gladiators actually had. Although she couldn't admire their actions, she could certainly admire the passion they had for it. "Do you enjoy the sport, Clarke?" Bellamy enquires as he places his hand on his soon-to-be wife's hand. Unnoticed by all, his advisor Finn standing behind them, scowls in silence at the gesture. "No. Men and women killing one another for the rich's entertainment is not a sport I'm afraid." She pulls her hand out from underneath his and rests it back in her lap as her handmaiden Raven offers her a bowl of grapes with a smile. She duly enjoyed the answer her Empress gave the man simply because it wasn't the answer he wanted, and the displeased look on his face gave Raven a smug smile.

In the meantime, Lexa approached a man that wore a beast's head over his own. The stench of decay hit her immediately and she wondered how he could possibly wear it over his head and not simply die of the smell, or at least gag. Pushing the pondering thought to the side, she makes quick work of him, slicing her swords across his bare chest, leaving one large gash after the other in her wake. As much continued until the man dropped to his knees, making Lexa plunge her blade through his throat in one singular and final show of mercy. Slowly blood poured out of the beast's head through its decaying nostrils and teeth. With a flat foot, she pushed on his chest, freeing her blade from the pelt of the beast.

Octavia had struck a large man with her remaining sword as her other went flying through the air earlier when it deflected off of the same man's shield. His brute strength deflected her blade off again, sending her stammering backward a mere foot before he rammed her in the abdomen with his iron shoulder plate. By the next blink of an eye, Lexa was in front of her blocking the man's blade that swung down at Octavia to inflict the death blow. With the shield she picked up earlier, Lexa rammed forward into the barbarian with all the strength she had which sent him stumbling backward. Just barely losing his footing, the brute's weight began working against him, unwillingly accelerating his backward footing.

Once stable again, the brute stampeded toward Lexa and with all of his force swung down with his mallet onto her shield which she simply swatted away, exposing his entire torso. Without missing a beat, she quickly exploited the opportunity as she drove her sword through his abdomen, plunging it right through him until the blade exited his backside. The crowd's cheers grew louder and louder as the men became fewer and fewer. Unsurprisingly another abnormally large man came stampeding toward them but Octavia was already on her feet again. Miraculously, and completely uncoordinated, the two women charged toward him too, their chain pulled taught between them high enough that it caught his neck. Seeing no fast escape, the brute froze in place and waited for the dry gravel to connect with his back.

With the air knocked from his chest, and his unprotected head hitting the ground as well, he watched with blurred vision as the women simultaneously plunged their swords into his chest in a blink of an eye.

When yanking their blades out, a spray of red came that tainted and coated the Gladiatrix's from head to toe; they were practically drenched in it. The ferocious duo was the last remaining pair along with one brute of their own that now towered over an opposing barbarian, bludgeoning the barbarians face in with his bare fists. Once satisfied, he stood up and glanced around to see if there was anyone else remaining, but when he saw no other opponent, he triumphantly thrusted his bloodied fists into the air. The crowds roared chants at the three remaining Gladiators as Lexa walked to where she had lost her blade along the way.

Jake stood up from his throne and clapped his hands as he called the announcer over. "Who is she, Marcus? The woman with the red sash." Marcus looked to Abigail, asking if he should still keep her identity a secret but Abigail raised a hand to him in dismissal. "That my dear husband is none other than Maximus Silvestre's daughter, Alexandria Silvestre. I have to tell you honestly, I didn't think she would make it through this battle." Jake nodded his head and gestured for the announcer to come closer again. "Tell my Praetorian to gather, I want to meet these women face to face."

The musical horns sounded again, indicating the victory of the pretend Legionnaires as the Emperor made his way down into the Colosseum grounds along with his wife Abigail at his side. His daughter and leading Senator Bellamy remained seated on the balcony as they watched the three remaining Gladiators walk toward the entrance the Emperor would come out of. However, Clarke's focus was on one Gladiator in particular, or a Gladiatrix rather. The woman with a golden helmet that matched the shimmer of the full body armour she wore, now stained with splatters of blood along with the tainted red sash that hung over her shoulder. This Gladiatrix stared back at her as she walked toward the entrance, a grin on her lips.

The Praetorians jogged into the arena first and surrounded the remaining Gladiators. At first, Lexa felt alarmed that they were being surrounded since they had done nothing wrong as far as she was concerned. "Forward! Arms ready!" The Generals yelled at their men as they formed an open square around the remaining three. The crowds and mobs had gone silent as they awaited the Emperor to emerge. "Gladiatrix, the Emperor himself has asked for you." A man from the royal guard announces making Lexa and Octavia nod in reply, awaiting further instruction. Soon after, the Emperor and Empress emerged from the doorway with valiant smiles as they waved to the crowds that once again cheered.

Lexa and Octavia along with the brute she did not know yet, kneeled in front of them, heads bowed. Jake and Abigail stood in front of them, seemingly examining the blood splatter that coated each one of their skins. "You, Gladiatrix with the sash, rise." Lexa did as told and stood up, but did not meet her Emperor's eyes, as he did not give her permission to look at him. Abigail softly spoke in his ear, making him aware that Lexa believed the tales that were told in the small villages; that if she looked royalty in the eye, she will have a lifetime of bad fortune. Understanding, Jake nodded. "You may look at me, Gladiatrix, and remove your helm."

Again, Lexa nodded and placed her hands on either side of the helmet, lifting it off of her head. "Yes, my Emperor, as you wish."

Up above Clarke sat forward in her chair, finally seeing the woman's face even it was from afar. Her eyes confirming that it was indeed the woman she had bumped into at the marketplace the previous day and the same woman that stabbed Finn in the arm the night before. How could she not have figured it out earlier? The large tattoo on her arm should have given it all away.

"Your name, Gladiatrix?" Jake asks, wanting to confirm what his wife had said earlier; if it in fact is his old friend Maximus' only daughter. "My name is Alexandria Silvestre. Daughter of Maximus Silvestre, the victor of this battle many years ago and the three-time champion of this arena. My Emperor, I am at your service." Lexa kneels again, but keeps her head up, keeping eye contact with Jake as a smile crosses his lips, shaking his head. "This is a shock, Alexandria, I had no idea that he had a daughter, never mind one that would come to fight in my Colosseum. I haven't seen a Gladiatrix or Gladiator for that matter that matches your skill. It's clear to see that your father's blood courses through you like an untamed fire. Rise, Alexandria, and claim your victory, you have made Maximus proud."

As Lexa rose to her feet once more, Jake approached her and took hold of her wrist, rising it into the air to show that he approves of her victory today. The crowds cheered and the shouts of their voices were just about deafening. "We will have a feast in the palace tonight in the great hall in celebration of your victory. Your father was a great friend to me and I served under him in this particular battle that was re-enacted today. His victory was my victory as well and along with that, Rome's victory. Wash up and my guards will bring you to the palace."

"Thank you, Emperor, but I already have a quarters in your palace at the grace of your wife. She offered my friend and I two rooms yesterday when I met her. I will be sure to be in the great hall tonight, your servants in the palace are quite helpful with directions."

Jake lowered Lexa's hand and patted her shoulder as he looked to his wife with a surprised look in his eyes, wondering what else she had not told him yet. "I have a request of you that I would like to discuss over the feast, but until then, I bid you a farewell, Alexandria."

Up in the stands, John was delighted with all the coin his slaves gathered for him from all the other slave masters that wagered against his two favorite Gladiatrix. He knew Lexa and Octavia would be successful in battle and there was still a lot of coin to be made in the future. But first, there was to be a celebration.

Chapter Text

As the crowds and mobs began to filter out of the Colosseum onto the streets again, Lexa and Octavia were closely followed by Abigail's guards again. Lincoln and Thelonious violently pushed back against the crowds with their shields as the settlers of the capital were now drunk and tried to reach the victorious Gladiatrix's. 

The only remaining brute that shared in triumph with them was, unfortunately, a slave and after the Emperor left the arena; the brute was shackled again by the Praetorians and escorted back to the dungeons beneath the Colosseum where he would be fed well. Jake assured Lexa as much when she asked what would happen to the man. Apparently, he was to be treated better among the other slaves as a reward for his victory and the entertainment he brought to the crowds.

When they arrived at the palace staircase after the plebians were stopped at the gate, Lexa got the chance to look Octavia over, who seemed to be worse off than her. Octavia's face had already begun to bruise due to the brute's fists that connected with her jaw and one eye bank.

She had torn a piece of linen from her wrappings and pressed it to her temple to stop the bleeding. Truthfully, Lexa hadn't seen Octavia in such bad shape since her 18th year of life when she started to train with the men. They didn't take it easy on her and mercilessly swung their fists and blades at her during training. But soon enough Octavia learned how to counter their almost every attack.

Yet these brutes of the capital and from many primitive places in Italy were new opponents that both Lexa and Octavia had to learn.

Lexa was used to most brutes, but not all. She had tussled with a few at the academy. Normally the women weren't put against the brutes but Lexa insisted she learned such opponents as well. Her father always said to her that to defeat your enemy, you must know them better than you know yourself. That particular statement had saved her life more times today than she could have possibly counted. 

She didn't bother to try to subdue any of her gashes and cuts simply because she wasn't squeamish of blood. However, when she started to ascend the steps toward the entrance of the palace, she could feel the cuts pull and tear even farther but she didn't make much of a sound. Only her teeth ground on each other in frustration. By the time they reach the top of the stairs, she could feel the lone trails of blood speeding down her thigh and into the greaves.

Lexa could feel she had been hit on the jaw with the hilt of a sword more than once and on the other cheek, she could definitely still feel the iron shield that collided with her face. Yet none of these stinging sensations were new. 

In the academy it was fundamental moves to hit your opponent in the face with a shield or the hilt of your sword to disorientate them; to open them up to an attack that could end their lives. Whether it was a longsword through the gut or a short sword through the neck. In the same breath, she could say that she was guilty of something that still haunted her up until this day.

She was a mere child of 16 years of age when she was put against a slave boy of 17 years and he kept besting her on the training grounds. It angered and annoyed her because as he bested her, he mocked her for it. As her anger took over her, she swiped her shield at his head full force; and not as they were taught. When her shield connected with his temple, a sick cracking sound echoed over the barren training grounds, and the boy dropped to his knees then backward, no longer laughing and no longer moving.

Up until this day she still didn't know what happened to the boy because her father came running toward them before she could fathom what had happened. He inspected the boy twice over and without looking at Lexa, he hoisted up the boy's limp body and ran off into the direction of the woods with him in his arms. 

She supposes she could guess what happened but she would rather not. If her fears were true, then that particular slave boy was her very first kill. A death that was nothing but a tragic accident. One that still weighed heavily upon her.

The more her jaw ached of pain due to the shield strike, the more she thought of this boy, this boy whose name she could no longer remember. Octavia walked into her quarters across from Lexa's as she patted her on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, Lexa."

Lexa closed the door to her quarters and took a deep breath as a wave of fatigue set over her. She limped toward the statuette in the corner of the room as she started to unbuckle her armour but when she tries to lift it off of her body, her arms utterly fail. "I was sent to help you, Gladiatrix, my name is Valentina. You achieved a glorious victory today, I must say." 

Lexa turned around toward where the voice came and there stood a woman much shorter than her, and perhaps the age her mother was. "I am Empress Abigail's handmaiden but she thought you could use my assistance after your fight today." The handmaiden states as she helps Lexa take off the gold tempered armour; and together they place it on the statuette.

"Thank you, Valentina. But I do not require a handmaiden or servant of any sort. I believe I can manage the rest. Thank you." Lexa smiled at her warmly as she felt her skin cracking from the blood that had now crusted over her face. 

"I'm afraid I do not take orders from you, Gladiatrix. I only take orders from my Empress and she has instructed me to help you. Now come, I have already filled the bath with water for you. You need not feel embarrassed, nor ashamed. You are not the first Gladiator I would care for." Valentina started strolling toward the backroom and Lexa didn't bother to protest again for she was too tired to. After exhaling yet another calming breathe, she unclipped her bracers and also placed them on the statuette.

The cleaning of her armour would just have to wait till later when she gets the energy for it.

Lexa followed Valentina into the backroom and as said the bath was filled with water clear as the skies and there was even a variety of different oils. "Shall I undress you? Or will you undress yourself, Alexandria?" Embarrassed by the woman's question, Lexa pulled her linen tunic over her head, leaving her in her bindings only. She undid her weapons belt and placed it on a table to her left, and slowly pulled down her trousers after noticing where exactly the huge gash on her thigh was. 

The brute had made a bigger cut than she anticipated and it would probably take weeks for it to heal. She seethed through her clenched teeth as she peeled the material away from her leg where the blood had already started to dry.

Valentina had come up behind her and undid the leather straps at the back of her greaves. "Lift your left leg please," Lexa did as instructed and Valentina took off the greave and moved it to the side. "Now the right." Again, Lexa lifted her leg, this time with more effort since the cut was absolutely throbbing. Valentina undid the linen wrappings on Lexa's legs while Lexa herself undid the wrappings on her arms. "I'll have these washed and returned to you in time for your next fight, domina."

Lexa sighed and undid her bindings, unfazed by the fact that this stranger named Valentina would see her nude. She was too tired and sore to care. "Call me Lexa, please." Valentina nodded and gestured for Lexa to get in the tub where she intended to wash the brunette even if she protested. 

But Lexa didn't bother protesting; the water was cold against her skin and it soothed her aching muscles but at the same time she felt every single place she had a wound. As she sunk farther into the tub, she failed to notice the water around her already turning a crimson red. It was not only of her blood but the blood of those she had killed as well in the arena. "Lay back a bit more so that I can wash your hair. It's matted with blood and I don't think the Emperor will approve." Valentina said with a smile, but Lexa's facial expression didn't change.

Her mind was blank and so were her emotions as Valentina undid the braids in her hair and applied oils to the thick matted strands. The water was no longer as clear as the blue skies, but tainted red as the battlefield was. Lexa expected to feel something after killing so many people but strangely she didn't feel anything at all, it was as if it never happened. 

"You know, Lexa, I worked in the palace with your mother when we were young and rather naive women. We were both handmaidens to Emperor Titus' wife at the time. Your mother was fortunate enough to get out, especially with a man like your father." Lexa snapped out of the trance she was in when she realized Valentina was speaking.

"You knew my parents?" Valentina nodded as she slowly ran her fingers through Lexa's hair, getting out the remaining oils and tangles; she was reminiscing about those days. Every woman in the city was infatuated with Maximus Silvestre and his perfectly etched muscles, his dashing smile, and his beautiful green eyes. 

"Of course, my dear. Everyone in the capital knew your father, he was such a kind man and he helped everyone he could. Rich or poor, it didn't matter to him. But your mother, Becca, oh by the gods, did she not like your father at first.  Though, personally, I think that's what drew him to her so much more."

For the first time since the fight, Lexa smiled. Not all the memories she had of her parents were sad obviously, but most of the time the very last remembrances of them clouded the ones she had of them when they were just a normal happy family in the small city of Polis. Lexa didn't say anything in return to Valentina though, she just rested her head back farther against the bath's edge. 

Noticing the gladiatrix becoming unhappy, Valentina decides to head the conversation in a completely different direction. "I took the liberty of bringing you a dress for the feast if you would like to wear it. However, you are entitled to say no though and wear whatever you would like. But I believe the Emperor would approve if you would adhere to the formalities of his feasts."

Once Lexa was out of the tub of seemingly just blood, the older woman takes the lead of trying her off as well. Lexa wondered if this was what it was like to have a slave of one's own. They just did anything and everything for you without question. She also wondered how anyone learned self-dependency when someone else did just about everything for you. However, in this specific instance, Lexa decided that she wouldn't ponder the thought much further since the assistance was duly appreciated.

"Thank you, Valentina. I would be honored to wear the dress you brought." The gladiatrix pursed her lips in quick thought followed by a rapid blinking of eyes once realization hits. "I actually don't remember the last time I in fact did wear one. It would be nice to have a change."

Valentina handed Lexa new linen for her bindings which she wrapped around her breasts by herself. "Go sit down and rest, I'll be with you shortly. I just have to gather the oils I'll need to clean your wounds." Lexa moved into her quarters slowly, almost limping since her muscles had pulled taught already. Like a wave, it hit her that they will definitely hurt even more in the morning. 

Once she sat down, she noticed her thigh was still bleeding and the blood had already run all the way down to her ankle. Her bicep was bleeding as well but it wasn't as a deep gash as on her thigh, it was the nick of a sword at its best.

As Lexa straightened out her leg in front of her, trying to precisely assess the damage the brute's blade made; Valentina emerged from the backroom with four different oils and a roll of cloth. She kneeled next to Lexa and assessed the wound herself. "This wound is one of the worse ones I have seen in my lifetime and to be honest with you, Lexa, I'm not sure how you had even walked from the Colosseum up until here. The Gladiators I have cared for would have fallen in the arena and would've not been able to get up." Valentina tilted her head to the side. "It seems the blade had even started to cut through your muscle."

Lexa eyed her, wondering how this woman knew so much. To tell the truth she didn't even really understand what Valentina had meant; she didn't understand what she concluded with 'they would've not been able to get up'. Why would they not get up? A Gladiator always stands up unless he or she loses a limb. 

There wasn't any sort of healers at the academy and they didn't apply any sort of oils to their wounds; the injured just hoped their wounds would heal by themselves. "Are you a healer, Valentina? A woman with the talents of gods?" Valentina chuckled, thinking Lexa was joking but when she looked up into her eyes, she realized Lexa was actually asking a serious question.

"No, Lexa, I'm not a woman with the talents of gods. My mother taught me and her mother taught her. I tend to all the wounds in the palace and when we have war, I travel with the Legions to heal their wounds. Healing is a mere teaching as fighting with a blade is. I'm actually teaching the Empress' daughter in the art of healing." 

Lexa looked to the woman in awe that she could think healing was simply a teaching and not a talent but then Valentina spoke of the Empress' daughter. The mention of her was enough to pique Lexa's interest. She had been curious about the Empress' daughter ever since she saw her riding in on a chariot from afar. She had never seen someone so graceful before.

"Tell me of the Empress' daughter if you don't mind, Valentina. I have only heard of her. I would like to make a good impression on the Emperor at the feast, and I don't think he would like it if I don't even know his daughter's name." Lexa shook her head unconsciously. "I know what you're thinking though, maiden. How does someone not know the Emperor's daughter's name? It's rather disgraceful, isn't it?" 

Valentina listened intently as Lexa continued to ramble on.

"Truthfully, it's actually only my second day in the capital today. I've never been here before and in the countryside, there's hardly ever any talks about Rome." Lexa grumbled to herself. "The only reason I'm being honored this way is because of my father's fame among the people." 

"For a newcomer, you seem awfully comfortable but I would probably give thanks to your evident contentment with change. It's clear that you have experienced much more heartache than anyone your age should ever endure." Valentina wrapped a long cloth around Lexa's thigh then tucked in the loose end inside, making it a snug fit before she continued to speak. 

"The younger Empress' name is Clarke, a very intelligent child, sometimes too intelligent for her own good. If you would like to win the Emperor's favor ask him about the chariot races that are organized after the Colosseum games; it involves his two biggest feelings of pride. The arena he built for the races and Clarke that has won each year since the commencement."

Valentina pulled and adjusted the material before finishing her train of thought. "But Lexa if you don't mind me saying this; don't feel like you live in your father's shadow. Of course, being his daughter grants a large favor with the Emperor already but know that you have already proven your talents and skills today."

Valentina had moved to Lexa's bicep next where she applied the same oils carefully, soon noticing the stigma which she recognized. She remembered Maximus had the same tattoo. He had gotten it on his second victory; though she didn't know the story behind it. 

"Clarke, hmm, a peculiar name. Thank you for the advice, I'm sure it will come in handy." Valentina nodded and finished wrapping Lexa's bicep as well but didn't bother continuing in any sort of small talk which Lexa appreciated. She wasn't in the mood for much conversation anymore but she knew she would have one more request of Valentina. "Would you mind looking at my friends' wounds as well? I believe she is much more injured than I am but she wouldn't admit it nor ask for any sort of help." 

Valentina only smiled and got to her feet to open the balcony doors to let in the crisp Roman air before she returned to Lexa with her hands clasped in front of her. "Don't worry about your friend. The guard, Lincoln, is a healer in training, and one of my best students. He has assured me that he will care for Octavia while I care for you."

"Thank you, Valentina. It is duly appreciated." Lexa weakly arose from the chair, walking toward the bed. "Now, this dress you brought. I hope it'll cover this horrendous leg of mine." Lexa jokes with a broad smile on her lips and a tone of playfulness in her voice.

"Hopefully," The maiden concurs. "It's quite formal and now that I have seen your wounds, it may have not been my best choice." Valentina harbored a sheepish smile, embarrassed by the fact that she didn't take Lexa's wounds into consideration when she chose the dress. "But perhaps we could make it work."

//

Abigail's two guards Lincoln and Theolonius were escorting the two Gladiatrix to the great hall for the feast and as they drew closer and closer, drunken laughter became all the more evident. Each servant they passed in the halls stepped out of the way and bowed their heads at Lexa and Octavia. With each occurrence of this gesture, both women shared rather uncomfortable glances with one another. 

Basically wordlessly asking each other if they knew why these people were acting this way. 

It was strange since neither of them had ever been bowed to, let alone ever been shown so much respect. The only respect they ever received was normal human decency and nothing more than that.

When the guards swung open the large doors, the great hall was revealed and it was beautifully lit by multiple braziers all around the room accompanied by golden fixtures that hung from the roof which all held multiple candles. Both Lexa and Octavia stopped to admire the vastness and the variety of paintings composed of the gods on the roof. 

Marble statues lined the walls of not only the gods, but of champions as well. Alongside them were past Emperors of the Roman Empire dating back all the way to when the Roman Empire was still just a Republic.

When the crowds at the oblong tables turned and saw it was the champions of the day, they applauded. For an odd second, it felt like they had walked into the same tavern as the previous night. That is up until Emperor Jake rises from his throne-like chair at the main table and lifts his hand into the air to silence the Senate members who clearly already had too much to drink. 

"A sincere welcome to the victors of the day! The gods have shone their graces upon you, and you make Rome proud!" The crowds lifted their jugs in the air again cheering a loud cry of pride.

"Please, join me at my table, Alexandria." Lexa looked to Octavia apologetically. It wasn't her intention to leave Octavia among people she didn't know but Octavia didn't seem to mind too much judging by the broad smile on her lips. Feeling relieved, and a lot less guilty, Lexa approached the main table where she saw Emperor Jake sit with his wife to his left and his daughter, Clarke, to his right.

The ominous man sitting next to the Empress clad in armour as black as the night with his two golden badges on each shoulder along with a red crimson cape certainly didn't go unnoticed. He was the same man that sat next to her on the arena balcony earlier in the day. He glared at Lexa, dissecting her every feature and movement.

Meanwhile, Lincoln gestured for Octavia to follow him to the table where they would sit among the rest of the Praetorian. "Unfortunately, you would have to sit with the Praetorian brutes m'lady, I hope you don't mind." He states hopeful, motioning at the table and for Octavia to walk in front of him. With a grin she looked back at him, she was already quite fond of the man. "I don't see the unfortunate part. I tend to like the idea of having a few ales with you, Lincoln. Your conversation isn't too bad."

When Lexa arrives at the table, one of the guards pulls out the chair for her opposite the Emperor, making them eye to eye. Lexa only looked between Jake and Abigail but she didn't allow her eyes to dwell toward the younger Empress. She could only in the corner of her eye see the same blonde hair that glided in the winds the day before. To Lexa's surprise, she catches a glimpse of the Empress actually unabashedly staring in her direction. 

Lexa wondered if all the blood was washed out of her hair, or perhaps she still had a smear of red across her cheek because why was the Empress staring at her for so long?

"I am so pleased that you could join us tonight, Alexandria. I can imagine your fatigue after today's battle must be immeasurable. May I offer you a chalice of red wine so that we can get the celebrations underway?" Lexa nodded without a word; she was nervous under everyone's gaze.

It was uncommon for her to feel so anxious among people, but perhaps it was because they were all of a much higher rank and social status. A servant offered the chalice of wine to Lexa which she accepts with a thank you, quickly gulping it down to calm herself. "You must forgive my manners. I'm not used to new people joining my table so I tend to forget about introductory. Alexandria, this is my daughter Clarke Gryphem, my only child." Jake says gesturing to blonde next to him.

Lexa turned her head in the Empress' direction, not meeting her eyes. "I'm honored to be in your presence, your highness. My name is Alexandria Silvestre." Clarke studied the Gladiatrix, wondering why her eyes were trained down at the table, seemingly finding the meat awfully intriguing, and was that her dress? Why was this Gladiatrix wearing her dress? "If you are so honored to be in my presence, Alexandria, why do you not look me in the eye? Is it not customary from where you come or am I not of high enough status for you?"

Lexa cleared her throat, terrified that she had offended Clarke with the stupid tales they were made to believe when they were children. She wanted to forget the tales and the ailments they spoke of right there and then because she didn't want the Empress to be offended. The last thing Lexa wanted to make was a bad first impression. 

"No, your highness, it's nothing of the sort. My deepest apologies if I offended you. Where I'm from, there are these foolish tales that we'll have a lifetime of bad fortune if we look in the eyes of royalty without permission and unfortunately, I have fallen for these tales. Better safe than sorry my father always said." Lexa finishes coyly with a shrug of one shoulder.

Clarke shifted in her chair as she huffed a laugh of merriment. Her father was looking at the exchange between the two women amused; he knew of the tales and so did his wife but it seemed that Clarke didn't know of them and he wasn't about to interject. "I'm sorry to tell you this but you'll have a lifetime of bad fortune then, Alexandria, for you have already looked me in the eye at the market yesterday. I was wondering why you were so demure but it makes sense now; you had no inkling of who I was."

Unintentionally, Lexa does look up and meet's the eyes of the young Empress. Azure. Oh no. Now that she did look, she couldn't get herself to look away. She only managed a mere glance at her in the market but now, so close, she studied her every feature until Jake cleared his throat. 

"Well, well, Alexandria, it seems that you've met the entirety of family before you met me. Not many have had such luck." Jake then turned his attention to Clarke next to him. "We will have a talk later as to why you were in the market yourself. I have warned you that it's dangerous. I may be Emperor but I still have many enemies, Clarke. You have servants for a reason, use them if you need something in the market. I don't understand why we have to keep having this discussion over and over again."

While Jake was scolding Clarke, Bellamy reached over the table extending his arm to Lexa in greeting. He took her forearm in a tight grip, accepting her as his equal, a warrior and soldier of sorts. "I'm Bellamy Blake of the house Bellicus. Head of the Senate and General of the first and second Legion. It's an honor to meet a Gladiatrix of your caliber. I grew up on stories and tales told of your father in the great war of Danube as well as the stories of his great victories in the Colosseum. Your skill certainly portrays the tales told of him."

Lexa lets go of his grip and sits back in her chair as the servant places a new chalice of wine beside her. When she is about to answer, the man behind him turns around and Lexa freezes, it was Finn Collins of the house Cato, the same man she had stabbed in the arm the previous night. What was he doing here? She wonders but doesn't ponder over it any further. "An honor to meet you, Senator Blake, and an even bigger honor to meet a General of the Roman Legions. The protectors of Rome as the people would say."

"The gods have blessed us with no war luckily. It allows me a great time to spend in the capital as a Senator and of course it allows me time with my beautiful betrothed," Bellamy states as he places his hand over Clarke's that was resting on the table. And again, Lexa notices the young Empress still staring at her.

Lexa felt insecure under her gaze. Right there and then she became convinced that she still had a smear of blood somewhere across her face, it's the only thing that made sense- wait, betrothed?

"You are set to marry the Emperor's daughter?" Lexa's question comes out sounding quite short and abrupt even if she didn't intend for it to sound such a way. It was just that it was uncommon for a Senator to marry someone of the Royal family; a conflict of interest since the Senate and Emperor must make decisions on their own accord and then discuss what would be best for their people. 

They were not supposed to have an influence on one another directly. "My apologies, I didn't mean to sound so rude. I suppose I'm just confused; I wasn't aware a member of the Senate was allowed to marry someone of royalty. It's against the law of the people, is it not?"

Clarke pulled her hand out from under Bellamy's as she did on the arena balcony earlier in the day. His sudden touches and shows of his version of affection in public made her uncomfortable. 

She immediately raised her chalice to her lips, trying to hide the satisfied smile on her lips due to the words of the rather insightful Gladiatrix. Clarke had been saying the same thing to her father, that the people of the capital will not be happy with the marriage between herself and the Senator, yet he refused to listen to her.

"We're trying to overrule that precept in particular. I'm a firm believer that the Senate and Emperor should merge in decision-making. It would work more efficiently and effectively. We can avoid listening to a bunch of old men who enjoy debating about pointless things." Bellamy answers Lexa curtly, he didn't like to be questioned in his decisions, especially considering his rank. 

"Now, if you would excuse me. I'm tired after today's events and I think I would rather retire to my quarters than to entertain this conversation." Bellamy remarks distastefully as he rises from his seat and goes to shake Jake's forearm before leaving the great hall closely followed by his advisor.

"You must pardon him; he isn't the best company." Clarke notes with a tone of mockery.

Lexa turned her attention to Clarke as she comes out of a daze. She watched as Senator Bellamy leave, wondering what exactly she had said wrong. Truly, she was just asking an innocent question. "I'm sure it's just because he's tired, your highness. I also apologize for what I said, I didn't mean to sound rude or prying. It's none of my business." Lexa swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing. "I should also apologize to you, Empress, for not recognizing you at the market, it's my first time visiting the capital." 

She decides to leave out the part that she too only found out yesterday that there was a new Emperor. It wasn't her fault though, she tended to exclude herself from the little political talk at the academy.

"It's okay, Alexandria. You're forgiven but only because it's your second day here." Clarke says jokingly before she takes another sip of her wine. "If you don't mind me asking, but why do you have your family crest branded on you? Do women in your mores get them too and not only the men? Excuse me for staring at it this whole time, I've just been so curious, I've never seen it before."

Unconsciously Lexa soothes her fingertips over the crest, of course, that's what the young Empress had been staring at, not the imaginary blood smear on her face. Again, Lexa felt embarrassed and maybe she felt her cheeks become a bit warmer too. "I got it in my 18th year of life. I insisted to get it because I intended to bring my family name great honor. It seems rather foolish now that I say it out loud. My father wasn't too fond of the idea but eventually gave in. Besides, I think it strikes up a sense of fear in my opponents." Lexa finishes with a smile when she noticed Clarke smiling at her too, amused by the tale.

Jake cleared his throat again and it caught Lexa's attention and immediately she turned to him, showing that he had her full attention. "I invited you here tonight with an ulterior motive, I must admit, Alexandria. I wish to make a request of you and you are entitled to decline but I would sincerely appreciate it if you do accept." He definitely had her attention now, if he didn't have all of it before, he certainly has it now. 

"Yes, of course, Emperor, in the arena you mentioned that you have a request of me. I'm at your service."

Jake swirled the wine in his glass as he ran his tongue over his teeth in thought. "Well, Alexandria, I would like you to become the prefect of my daughter's personal guard. I can see your loyalty to the throne runs as deeply as your fathers did and so this decision really wasn't much trouble for me to make. Now that I know Clarke traverses into the market without her guards, employing you as the prefect sounds like an even better idea."

For a second Lexa's eyes flickered to Clarke's, finding that the Empress is gazing back at her just as she places her now empty chalice on the table. "Father, that won't be-" Clarke tries to interject cooly, trying to convince her father that she really didn't need another guard, especially not a Gladiatrix that doesn't even flinch before taking a life. 

"I've already decided, Clarke. It's up to Alexandria to make the decision now; to decide if she accepts or not."

Chapter Text

Of all the things Lexa thought the Emperor would request of her, this particular thing wasn't it. 

She thought he might have been interested in the mercenary work she did, but instead, he asked her to join the Praetorian guard; and with that to personally oversee his daughter. Lexa had never in her life been a guard before, she had absolutely no experience in it. Yes, she knew how to kill and it didn't bother her to kill but guarding someone was a completely different task. 

"I don't know what to say, Emperor, that is a very broad spectrum of work. I have no experience in guarding someone if I must be honest. I'm not sure if I'm fitted to carry out the responsibility." Lexa spared one more glance toward Clarke that only looked back at her disconcerted as well.

"Oh, please, Alexandria!" Jake exclaims overdramatically. "Your loyalty to the throne is all the convincing I need. The biggest part of guarding is being able to kill and you have no problem doing that, do you? Besides, I think Clarke would appreciate another feminine energy in her life. The gods know her handmaiden only gets her in trouble. With you, in the guard, you can keep her out of such and keep her out of harm's way." 

Jake sat forward in his chair over-enthusiastically. "Look, there are added bonuses as well. You will have permanent housing in the palace and access to just about anything your heart desires. To convey my gratitude, you may have anything." The Emperor finished his chalice of wine and placed it on the table as he started to help himself to the feast.

Lexa blinked her suddenly dry eyes, realizing that she was speechless. She came to the capital to fight in the Colosseum not to protect royalty. But she knew she would never receive such an offer again. Joining a brotherhood as notorious as the Praetorian was a once-in-a-lifetime offer. How could she possibly turn it down?

Lexa weighed the pros and cons as fast as she could and came up rather short-handed on her list of cons. How bad could it be to become a Praetorian? 

Considering all the added bonuses. Lexa stared at Clarke, eyes locked with one another but the Empress' expression held a challenge, almost telling Lexa not to accept the offer. 

"Look, Alexandria, let me plead my case a bit more. I don't want any more men in my daughter's guard simply because I know how they are. She's set to wed Senator Blake and the gods know that men don't accept a future betrothal. I don't want her bothered by such. So, I sincerely implore you to accept my offer." Jake paused for a second, looking over at the table of Praetorian where Octavia sat. "Otherwise I will employ your friend Octavia and I am sure she would not decline. But know that you're my first choice."

Clarke began to stand up from the table, the back of her knees pushing against the chair from beneath her with force. She didn't know why but she was outraged that her father wanted to put a brutal Gladiator in her guard even with the knowledge that she absolutely loathed people like Gladiators who killed for fun. 

The fact was that she had put on a brave face when Alexandria joined them at their table but truly, she was scared of the Gladiatrix beyond belief. She didn't show the emotions someone would show who just spent hours killing people for other people's entertainment. 

She was apathetic. 

A blank stare and a voice void of emotion; she seemed like she was living any other normal day and that was the most frightening to Clarke. Essentially, Alexandria seemed like nothing more than a barbarian that had no care or regard for human life.

A monster.

An annoyingly beautiful monster though, Clarke notes.

Lexa doesn't look at the Emperor when she speaks but she locks eyes with the young Empress, the woman who was going to bring her a lifetime of bad fortune as the legend goes. "It would be my honor to join the guard, Emperor. Shall we discuss the terms further over a jug of ale? I have grown rather fond of the capitals ale." 

A smile tugs at the corner of Lexa's lips as Clarke shakes her head disapprovingly; the warning in her eye was noticed but not heeded by the Gladiatrix and it absolutely coiled up rage inside of her. "Magnificent!" Jake exclaims rather loudly as a maiden with a jug of ale comes to their table. "Clarke, my dear," Jake quickly pleads with the swipe of his hand. "Will you stop acting as dramatic as the street performers and sit down?"

At her father's words, she sat down again, realizing that she was probably acting like a child. But the point stood that she didn't want someone around her permanently. Especially not someone that absolutely challenged everything she believed in. She was a firm believer of life but Alexandria? It was clear that she was a firm believer of death and mayhem. 

Jake turned his attention back to Lexa and he raised his jug of ale toward her which she gladly slammed her own into, both of them smiling broadly. "I'll have someone come by to measure you in the morning. The Praetorians only wear the best. In the meantime, wear the armour you wore in the arena today. It will still set you aside from the normal guards." Jake swiftly took a sip of his ale before continuing. "Furthermore, I'd like to discuss your future battles in the Colosseum."

Unintentionally, Lexa's eyes drifted from the Emperor again to Clarke since she could feel her gaze burn into her side. She couldn't manage to pay attention to the Emperor if Clarke continued to stare at her, it was far too distracting. The look on her face portrayed disgust and disdain, yet Lexa couldn't exactly figure out why the Empress was acting this way. 

They were having a perfectly normal conversation earlier; it was friendly even but now the young Empress' attitude toward her had changed completely. Without thinking clearly, she speaks. "Is there something wrong, your highness? Something on my face perhaps? Is it my crest bothering you again?" Lexa speaks over the Emperor, which is a clear sign of disrespect which she quickly realizes. "My apologies, Emperor, but I am finding it particularly hard to regard your words while your daughter stares at me as if I'm a statue of sorts."

Jake looked to Clarke and quirked an eyebrow, seemingly unbothered that Lexa had spoken over him and essentially interrupting him. "Would you like to ask something, love? Is something about Alexandria bothering you?" Clarke pulled her lips into a straight line and cleared her throat, averting her gaze to the plate of food in front of her. "No, sorry father. Please continue, don't mind me." Suspicious still, Jake nodded slowly and returned his attention back to Lexa.

But this time it was Lexa staring at Clarke, completely forgotten that Jake still wanted to speak to her and discuss terms. Lexa was bothered that the young Empress could act this way without knowing her. If Clarke was upset about her accepting the request to join the Praetorian then it was a rather pathetic reason.

Even she must know that no one actually refuses anything the Emperor asks of them, not without any consequence anyway, therefore it really was a no-brainer.

"As I was saying," Lexa flickered her eyes back to Jake and quickly blinked her seemingly arid eyes after keeping them open for far too long. "You may continue to fight in the Colosseum but you'll be representing the guard which basically means that you'll no longer be seen as one individual. Once you walk into the arena clad in Praetorian armour, you directly represent me and what I stand for, Alexandria. I believe in mercy but you cannot show it to just anyone now. What I mean with that is if I would put someone in the arena with you, I want you to focus on them specifically. Does that make sense?"

The thought was running through Lexa's mind the same way a wild horse would run over barren plains chased by a pack of wolves. What he was saying sounded like mercenary work, not a normal as intended gladiator slave kill. It was rather something along the lines of someone that is cast into the arena on purpose to meet their demise under the public eye to send a message. 

Although she did a lot of mercenary work, this request made her feel uneasy. Was Jake as corrupt as Emperor Titus was? Lexa remembered her father telling her of Emperor Titus; that he wasn't a very honorable man. He always got things done one way or another, be it legal or not. 

Whether it was to do a favor for a rich politician or to blackmail a member of the Senate based on their rendezvous with prostitutes in whore houses around the capital. To Titus, it didn't matter. "No, I'm not sure I do know exactly what you mean, Emperor-"

"What he means is that sometimes someone will 'accidentally' end up in the arena and you should kill them in the exact way he tells you to. That shouldn't be a problem for you, right? I could see that you thoroughly enjoy killing and watching the light of life drain out of people. I'm fairly sure you-"

"Enough, Clarke! Behave yourself! What has gotten into you? Tell me, what's the big problem that you have gone so sour? You never treat our guests this way. Why do you treat Alexandria so distastefully when she has done nothing to offend you?" Jake had slammed his clenched fist onto the table, making both Abigail and Clarke flinch in their seats. He was tired of Clarke's childish behavior for the night. "Don't even bother answering. Leave us, go to your quarters and get yourself together and we'll speak in the morning."

With a sarcastic smile toward her father, Clarke removes the cloth from her lap and throws it on the table with force as she scrambles toward the exit of the great hall. 

"I can't help think it's my fault, Emperor. I think she dislikes me because of what I did in the arena today. She seems perplexed over the idea of killing but surely, she must understand that this is to keep the people entertained and in your favor. Without the arena festival each year, the city will coarse with unrest." 

Lexa paused and argued internally with herself about what she'll do next since she knows that she wouldn't be able to sleep on the night if she doesn't try to smooth things out with the Empress. If she doesn't then the following day and the coming days will be quite uncomfortable for them both. 

"If you will excuse me, Emperor, I would like to make sure Clarke gets to her quarters safely. Especially since there are a lot of drunkards in the palace tonight. I might as well start my duty sooner or later." She finishes with a smile as she too removes the cloth from her lap and places it on the table.

"Of course, Alexandria. Thank you, I apologize for her behavior, she's not like this normally. I bid you goodnight and we'll speak soon." In return, Lexa bowed her head to the Emperor and to Empress Abigail as well. "Goodnight."

She quickly went off in the direction that Clarke went into. It was a straight hall most of the way. Lexa could still see her angrily walk down it. It was only a few feet until she would get to the dead-end of the hall, and would have to go either left or right. Lexa walked equally as fast as Clarke, maybe even faster just in order to catch up with her.

But the attempt became rather futile once her thigh began throbbing with pain. With her fast movement now, the wound was surely tearing open farther.

"Empress!" she calls for Clarke but the blonde doesn't turn around, and perhaps she walks even faster. But perhaps it was only the play of light so Lexa calls again. "Empress! Would you please slow down?! I would like to have a word with you!" That seemed to work because Clarke slows in pace and turns toward Lexa.

However, when she sees that it is in fact Lexa, she crosses her arms over her chest irritated. "You're not much use as a guard when you're injured, you know? I wonder if my eager father took that into consideration? I could probably best you right now if I wanted to. Considering the way you're limping like an injured horse, a child could probably topple you."

They had turned right at the end of the hallway, oddly in the same direction of where Lexa's quarters was if she remembers the route correctly. She was shuffling, or something remotely resembling such. Her leg had never troubled as much as it did now, yet she only clenched her teeth and tried to put as little as possible of her weight on her right leg. 

"Even injured you wouldn't be able to best me, Empress, I doubt anyone in the capital could. But I do appreciate your enthusiasm and challenge, it's refreshing. Give me a mere three days and I will be at full potential again. I only got wounded because my counterpart was overwhelmed and I had to protect her. Considering all that, I wasn't in the best position to do so." Lexa nodded her head to herself. "But you know that because you have had your eyes on me like a hawk all day stalking its prey from afar."

Clarke huffed a laugh as they walked through the dimly lit corridors toward her quarters, though she didn't actually want Alexandria to know where her room was. But she supposes the Gladiatrix would find out eventually anyway since she after all was her new guard. "So not only are you a killer but an egotistical one at that. Won't you just be the biggest treat to be around every day from now on?" She states sarcastically, uncrossing her arms from her chest, leaving them swinging at her sides again. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about, Alexandria? Because I'm not particularly interested in speaking to you. You and I; we don't have to talk. You're my guard and nothing more. You protect me and the day goes by and the next day you'll do the same thing until you grow bored of it."

Lexa looked to the beautifully tiled floor they walked on as a smile crossed her lips. She enjoyed Clarke's attempt at insults as well as her attempts at making her believe that taking up the request of being her guard was a terrible decision. Her hands were clasped behind her back, her mind on alert as she heard drunk slurs and yells throughout the corridors around them. 

"Not egotistical, your highness, just confident in myself. Perhaps you'll allow me to prove myself to you that I am not all talk. I'm more than just a Gladiatrix, that I assure you. Yes, I have no experience in truly guarding someone but I know that I can protect you from anyone in the capital that would mean you harm and I think the Emperor knows that. I don't want bad blood with you. I want this to be as comfortable as possible and I wish to earn your trust. It would be essential for you to trust me in order for me to effectively protect you, so with that said, I would like to apologize if I have brought you any discomfort on this night."

"You don't purposely bring me discomfort, Alexandria, it's who you are that makes me uncomfortable. Granted, I intently watched you today, killing man after man, and not once did I see you hesitate or show any sign of mercy. You scare me, Alexandria. I think it's foolish that my father has put you in my guard based on your father's legacy and loyalty to the throne. Who says that you have not been changed in the loss of your father and you do not hold the loyalty as he did? Who is it to say that you won't kill me in my sleep for a quick coin from one of my former lovers?"

Important information, that's what that was to Lexa, not an insult of any sort. Clarke revealed that her former lovers held ill will and intentions toward her. 

Progress. 

"I don't expect you to understand why I fight in the Colosseum freely but I do request that you don't judge me upon it for you don't know me or where I come from or what haunts me. But know that I will never physically hurt you intentionally, Empress, not for any amount of coin. You need not fear me, I mean you no harm." Clarke intently watched Alexandria again, did she just say she fights in the Colosseum willingly? Is she not a slave? Without thinking about it any further she asks. "Do you mean to tell me that you traveled to the capital willingly just to kill in the Colosseum?"

They had reached Clarke's quarters and she pushed open the door, allowing Lexa to enter in front of her. "You really do-" Lexa pressed her palm over Clarke's mouth while putting her other hand's index finger to her own lips, gesturing for Clarke to be quiet. The room was dark, only very dimly lit by the moonlight that streamed in through the Empress' ajar balcony door. The brightest stream of moonlight was over the door they had just entered through and Clarke could clearly see the gesture Lexa made, as well as the look in her eyes that was serious, intense, and full of danger.

Clarke was sure the blood in her veins had run ice-cold, was this when Lexa would actually kill her, was that what it was? In the privacy of her own quarters, she would be killed by her newly appointed guard. She spoke the bad omen and here it was, actually happening in reality. She closed her eyes, waiting for whatever was about to happen next but then she felt Lexa remove the palm she had pressed to her mouth.

By the time she musters up enough courage to open her eyes, Lexa was already sauntering farther into the darkness of the room. The only sound in the chamber was the creaking of Lexa's leather sandals as she takes each of her steps farther into the dark until Clarke could no longer see her.

Suddenly, she hears a scuffle and the grunt of a man and a wince of pain coming out of him. Instantly Clarke feels on the table next to her, knowing that there's a candle somewhere that she quickly lights, rushing toward where the grunts were coming from. Lexa held down a man, his front pinned to the cold marble floor as she pressed her right knee into his back. Her left hand was pulling his hair upward, baring his neck more where she held her dagger to it. 

The stranger seethed through his teeth, blatantly aware of the cold steel against his neck that was starting to draw blood. "What is this plebian doing in here, your highness? Is this one of your former lovers with ill will toward you?"

Clarke crouched down, shining the light of the candle over the man's face. "Finn? What are you doing in here prancing around in the dark?" She looked up to Lexa and her eyes were already on Clarke, waiting for her orders. "Get off him, he's not here to hurt me. He's probably just a drunk donkey again in the wrong room." 

Obeying Clarke's order, Lexa removed her dagger from his neck and let go of his hair but not before she shoved his head forward annoyed that it was the same moron she had to deal with the previous night. However, when she finally stands upright, her injured leg fails her. With a low growl, she almost collapses but Clarke grabs her arm, steadying her.

Annoyed by her injury and even more annoyed by Clarke's earlier words that she wasn't much use as a guard with such a wound, now proved to be valid; she yanks her arm free from Clarke's grasp. "Let go of me, I'm fine." Lexa seethes as she presses her palm to the wall beside her, steadying herself more. 

Clarke only shakes her head in disbelief before returning her attention back to Finn that had since stood up, straightening out the linen shirt he was wearing. "I wasn't aware you would have a visitor of your own tonight, my apologies, Clarke. Though, I'm sure Bellamy will be very displeased to know that you sleep with slaves now." Finn taunts more for his own ego than to actually offend Clarke, but he was hurt that she had brought a woman to her quarters. A woman Clarke knew stabbed him in the arm the previous night and now again bested him. 

He was embarrassed, to say the least.

"First of all, she's not a slave. Second of all, I'm not sleeping with her. She's my new guard so you should really announce yourself before she actually does kill you next time. And third of all, you will not threaten me with telling my betrothed such falsehoods. I told you this morning to not return here but yet you still do. Perhaps I should just let her kill you for disobeying a direct order from your Empress."

"I'm sorry, Clarke, I just-"

"You will address me the correct way, plebian!"

Finn swallowed because Clarke had never spoken to him this way. Perhaps it was because there was someone else in the room and she didn't want the Gladiatrix to know of their affair but then again, how dare she call him a plebian? "My Empress, perhaps it is better if we speak in private. Instruct your guard to stand outside, please."

Clarke looked to Alexandria, who had pushed off of the wall with her fists clenched at her sides and her jaw flexing, making the muscles in her face jolt under her soft-looking skin. "Your order, Empress?" Lexa asks, willing to leave if that is what Clarke requests of her. That was part of being a guard too she supposes, taking orders of when to come and when to go. 

Clarke shook her head and returned her gaze to Finn as she clasped her hands behind her back. "Whatever you would like to say, you can say in front of my guard, Finn. Now, what are you doing in my quarters? This is a private space." The truth was that she just didn't want to be left alone in the room with Finn, knowing he only comes to her quarters with one intention and she definitely was not in the mood tonight.

"It's not of great importance, your highness. I'll return another time when you are alone perhaps." With that, he bows his head and heads to the door but when he passes Lexa, he mumbles something under his breath that doesn't go unnoticed by her trained ear. "Cunne."

Not particularly offended by the word itself, but rather annoyed by this man's overall tedious presence, she immediately grabs hold of his arm and pulls him backward, slamming him against the wall with her blade at his throat again. "What did you call the Empress? You will not slander her in my presence do you understand, plebian? Slander is punishable by death, remember that."

[A/N:  Cunne  = Cunt]

"Let him leave, I think he understands your threat, Alexandria." Once again, obeying, Lexa removes her dagger from his neck and pushes him in the direction of the door making him stumble a few steps. The second confrontation was seemingly enough to render him aphonic. In the meantime, Clarke goes around the room and lights each candle with the one she holds in her hand.

Once she was done and far past the thought of Finn, she looks to where Lexa stood, her eyes still trained on the closed door where the advisor had just exited. "Shall we continue our conversation, Alexandria? Because I suppose I would like to hear your explanation as to why you fight in the Colosseum willingly. No one does that, it's peculiar. And foolish I would dare to add."

Lexa turned around and sheathed her dagger in-between the straps of her leather bracer again. "Only you would wear bracers with a dress-" Clarke mocks playfully before she looks down to the slit in the dress Lexa was wearing which exposed her bloody thigh. Blood steadily flowed down her leg, the once chalk-white bandage now an angry crimson while a red puddle pooled beneath Lexa's foot. 

"Alexandria you're bleeding, sit down." Lexa looks down at her thigh and suddenly she feels lightheaded and queasy. The feeling that bubbles in her chest is new and very ... uncomfortable. With a slow blink of her eyes, Lexa neglects to protest and argue that she was fine and instead stumbles toward the chair nearest to her.

"You're lucky I keep my healing supplies I train with, with me in my room," Clarke affirms as she kneels next to Lexa with two oils and a clean roll of cloth. "Would you mind if I change this for you? It's the least I could do for you since you stood up for my honor earlier; Finn is a fool in love and I cannot seem to get rid of him." Lexa nodded as she took a deep breath and exhaled it, her thigh really stung. 

The Empress immediately got to work as she unrolled the blood-soaked cloth from Lexa's thigh, placing it next to her. Just faintly she could swear she heard muffled groans coming from Lexa but she wasn't sure. "Are you sure he poses no threat to you, Empress? Because I know he gets aggressive and behaves himself like a simpleton." 

Lexa was thinking of the night before, she could see in his anger of losing he was about to stab her but instead she was the one to stab him first. "Yes, don't worry. He'll figure out at some point that I am no longer interested in him." With Clarke's words noted, Lexa nods but doesn't reply and a comfortable silence envelopes them for a while.

"You know the dress you're wearing belongs to me, right?" Clarke says with a smile as her eyes meet Lexa's briefly before she applies the oil to Lexa's wound, trying to distract her from the incoming pain but it seems the ache never comes because Lexa doesn't even wince, she just keeps her eyes on Clarke's fingers as they clean her wound. "No, I didn't know that, your highness. My apologies, a handmaiden brought it for me. If I knew it was yours, I wouldn't have worn it. I would say I would return it to you but I'm afraid my blood has ruined it."

Clarke chuckled and Lexa found herself lost in the sound of it as she kept her curious eyes on Empress trained fingers now wrapping the cloth around her thigh ever so gently, much gentler than Valentina did it earlier. "No worries, I think you wear it much better than I ever did. It's strange really..." She trails off as she gets up, taking the bloodied cloth and her oils with her as she goes to the back room and leaves the bloodied cloth in a small bowl of water. 

After a few moments, she returns with another bowl and clean cloth as she kneels next to Lexa once more. "It's strange to see a Gladiatrix as yourself in a dress, such a feminine object. Yet what you do portrays such machoism, it's contradictory. I have never seen a true Gladiatrix up until I saw you in the arena today. Truthfully, this was my first attendance to the games." She dipped the cloth in the water and reached to clean the dried blood on Lexa's leg but the bruntte stops her, placing her hand over the young Empress'.

"You have done enough, thank you. I think I'll do this part myself." With a slight nod, Clarke doesn't protest and hands Lexa the wet cloth. "I told you, Empress; I am much more than a simple Gladiatrix. You asked earlier if I willingly traveled here to fight in the Colosseum and the answer is yes, I did. Slaying frees my mind. It shuns away the demons that haunt me. Perhaps it's not the most convenient method but it's the only method that I've found that actually works for me."

"I see. I suppose in some sense that does make sense." Clarke half agrees, as she gets up from the floor and seats herself on a chair opposite of the Gladiatrix. "Who are or what are these demons that haunt you, Alexandria? Your past surely, but what parts of it? You have intrigued me." Lexa cleaned off the last line of blood when she looks up to find the blue eyes of the Empress focussed on her but it was too late, she was already annoyed by Clarke's statement even though she probably didn't mean to annoy her. 

"My suffering is not something for you to find intriguing, Empress," Lexa declares as she gets up from her seat. "I bid you goodnight, your highness. When you wake, I'll be at your door, waiting. I would like to discuss your routine with you and possible enemies you may have, former lovers and all. My quarters are several doors from yours it seems. If this Finn returns, call for me and I'll come to assist you." With that Lexa dips her head and limps toward the door and Clarke doesn't say anything as she was left bewildered by the sudden mood change Alexandria had just had.

Clarke didn't think she said anything offensive but perhaps the brunette was more damaged than she initially thought she was. And so she found herself keen to find out what exactly had damaged Lexa so much that she willingly traveled to Rome just to kill with no boundaries.

Chapter Text

In the darkness, she could hear the crying of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men. The clattering of swords and the rifts of wind coming from arrows cutting through the air past her head. She could still hear the prayers for help from the settlers of her village and the others that just wished for death. Some even started to believe that there were no gods left, perhaps they were cursed by the High  Priestess , 

Perhaps they the people were in fact savage offerings to the gods.

She walked among the warriors and civilians being slaughtered but she couldn't do anything. All Lexa could do was watch in horror. With no blade in hand, and empty eyes staring back at her, it was like she wasn't even there. All that she found herself capable of doing is to look on as blood splattered everywhere, her feet carrying her somewhere unknown.

Lexa figured this was the night she experienced the biggest loss of her life but instead she was a young girl again, perhaps six years of life. It was the first time Polis was raided by barbarians and half of her village was wiped out.

She knows she hadn't had dreams of that particular night in a long time but her mind was a fickle thing and in a blink of an eye she no longer was that little girl, but the woman she is today. Surrounded by smoke again as she hears a familiar voice call for her. "Lexa!". She tries to call back but nothing comes out of her mouth and so she tries to run toward the voice instead, but her feet are sinking into the soil. She struggles, pulling one foot out, one after the other, just to have the previous just submerged under the earth again. It was a sludge of blood and mud that seemed to engulf and absorb her.

As she looks up, a rider emerges from the smoke and many high trees. In front of him the familiar face of her lover Costia emerges, frantically running toward her and Lexa tries to yell again or just move but she's stuck. Again, Costia's severed head drops onto the soil and it happens over and over again but Lexa can't do anything. 

Over and over the rider rides past her and this time she's unable to kill him, she knows she's supposed to remember the face of the man that killed her lover but every time she tries to see his face, it's blank. He has no face and time after time it frightens her even more. Every time this rider passes her, a cold breeze sets over her along with an uneasy feeling. It feels surreal, like she's there again, screaming her lungs out every time Costia's head drops.

Was this the underworld? Her curse for killing so many people? Seeing her lover being brutally murdered over and over again; unable to stop it.

Suddenly she's on the battleground, right in the line of sight of her father fearlessly and brutally swinging his swords toward his enemies, killing man after man until he becomes outnumbered and gets struck down. Unable to move, she has no choice but to watch as angry thrusts of swords pierce through Maximus' body. He shouts and yelps for help but nobody comes for him.

When he stops moving, Lexa feels a hot wave of heat seep across her skin, almost burning the flesh off of her bones. She turns around and tries to shield her eyes from the bright light, finally being able to move. But when she takes a few steps backward, she recognizes the bright light as her childhood home up in flames. She looked around for anything to put out the fire before a shrieking scream pierces through the air almost deafening her.

Realizing it comes from inside of the flames, she shouts for her mother. "Becca!" it being the only word to escape her mouth but it doesn't help. It's too late. It doesn't matter. She would offer up her life for her mother and so she runs into the fire, not caring about the pain of the flames licking her skin. Over and over she yells her mother's name but no one answers.

Eventually, Lexa becomes trapped in the abyss of fire as it engulfs her as it did her home.

She doesn't scream; she accepts it. She embraces the pain and the empty souls that scream around her. Truly this must be what the underworld feels like; the crossing from one realm into another.

Lexa shot up in her bed, feeling cold sweat coat and glisten over every inch of her body. This was a recurring dream that she has had for months on end now, a peaceful night of sleep had become something estranged and fictional. "When will you stop haunting me Morta?" She asks. "Have I not suffered enough under your watch?" She finishes into the silence of her room as she places her hands on her face, wiping away the cold perspiration that coated her forehead.

She lightly ran her index finger over the crest burnt in between her eyebrows, marking her as a Silvestre. The feeling of it under her fingertip calmed her racing heart and unclouded the remaining piece of soul she had. Recently more than ever her heart felt darkened by every single demon that haunted her in daylight as well as the moonlight.

"Does the goddess of death haunt you frequently, Alexandria?" Valentina questions as she places a tray of food on the table in the middle of Lexa's quarters, ientaculum. "My apologies for intruding, I just brought you food. I didn't mean to hear the conversation you seemed to be having with yourself." Lexa exhaled a deep breath and pushed away from the furs that covered her, needing to feel the chilly morning breeze blow over her skin. Her skin was humid, almost as if she was really engulfed in flames.

[A/N:  Ientaculum  = Breakfast]

"Don't apologize, Valentina. It's not necessary, thank you for the food. I appreciate it." She felt her stomach grumble, indicating that she in fact was hungry since she had not eaten much the previous night. She was so engaged in conversation with the Emperor, and then she walked Clarke to her quarters. After she left Clarke's quarters, she didn't feel like re-joining the feast considering the sour mood she was in due to the comment Clarke made. 

Lexa wasn't vexed by Clarke, she couldn't be. The Empress didn't mean to upset her; she just didn't know what Lexa had gone through. And the blonde certainly didn't know that it was something she was not fond of talking about.

Lexa hadn't spoken of her parents' death nor Costia's with anyone. Not even to Octavia. And Octavia also knew not to speak of it or to even ask about it. "Morta wouldn't leave me alone," Lexa answers right before Valentina exits her room, her hand already on the door to push it open but she stops and turns around to listen to what Lexa has to say further. "It has been just over two hundred twenty-one days since I lost my family and the woman I loved with my entire being. Every fortnight like a ritual, Morta haunts me in my dreams with their deaths. I'm sure she thrives off of my suffering."

Understanding, Valentina returned farther into the room, taking up a stance at the foot of Lexa's bed. "Although I am not the firmest believer of the High Priest and the High Priestess and I also don't know what you believe in; I wonder if you should perhaps go to Aventine Hill and visit the High Priestess. Perhaps she can rid you of everything that haunts you, Lexa." Lexa shook her head, that was definitely not an option. Through all the tales her father had ever told her was that one was never to interact with the High Priestess, she worked for the gods, and interfering with their plans was a sure way to bring yourself a lifetime of bad fortune.

The Temple of Mercury sat proudly and ominously upon the Aventine Hill that overlooked the city of Rome. Its marble columns have already stood for hundreds of years, a symbol of Mercury's presence on earth. Lexa wouldn't want to pass the Temple, much less go into it and see the Priestess. Acolytes, fanatics, and a few zealots littered the streets around and in front of the Temple; none of whom question their roles. Essentially corruption oozed from The Temple's fantastic halls unto the city like a plague.

"I would rather suffer before I speak with the High Priestess. I don't wish to curse myself any more than I am already." Valentina smiled and bowed her head; she felt the same way about the High Priestess and wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend anyone to go there. However, throughout Rome, every settler had their own beliefs and some would even visit the High Priestess often, asking her for redemption or for assistance. 

Of course, she would help them, but for the right price. "Once you're finished eating, the armour smith is outside waiting to measure you. I will also be outside, just call out once you're ready." Valentina turned once again and exited into the corridor, firmly closing the heavy door behind her.

Still exhausted and feeling considerably weak on the day, Lexa swung her legs off the side of the bed. The tiles were cold under her feet and her thigh started to throb once again, strangely it didn't bother her throughout the night. It must have been because of the oils Clarke applied to it. 

Slowly Lexa limped to the balcony door to open it, letting the cold morning breeze enter her quarters. Surely this cold will not last but it was nice to feel considering her skin still felt like it was on fire. She returned to the table and took a seat. Valentina had brought bread, fruit, meat, and a jug of water; just what Lexa needed as she sighed gratefully.

While she ate, she studied the armour in the corner of her room that hung snug on the statuette. Someone had already cleaned the blood off it from the fight the day before and again Lexa was grateful. She was sure to ask Valentina who cleaned it and that she would please extend a thank you to them. The once flawless armour, now had a few nicks and scratches due to the wear and tear of the battle yesterday but still, it looked immaculate. 

Atop it, hung Maximus' helmet. Memories of her father washed over her as she ate the last few slices of fruit. One memory especially inundated Lexa often; the day he had come home from the war, his red sash hanging over his shoulder and his muscular coal-black horse, Mars, named after the god of war, riding down the slim dusty path into Polis.

After reminiscing for a moment, Lexa calls out to the maiden outside her quarters. "Valentina! Bring in the armour smith, please." In a few seconds, the heavy door slowly opened and a considerably large man stepped through it followed by four robed men carrying various body armours of different sizes. 

"Greetings, Gladiatrix. The Emperor has sent me to suit you with Praetorian armour." Lexa had gotten up from her seat and slowly walked to the man, almost dragging her right leg along. She extended her forearm in greeting which the man nobly accepted with his own. He had large hands, calloused like her own, except they almost wrapped right around her forearm. "Please, call me Lexa, if you don't mind."

"My name is Ilian. It's an honor to meet you, Lexa." He looked down to her bare thigh that had the cloth wrapped around it, just turning a shade of red again as blood started to seep into it. "Your fight yesterday, it was very impressive. Extend my congratulations to Octavia as well. You two make a splendid set in battle." Lexa offered a smile and moved her attention to the different armours that the men held. She guessed that the one in the middle would fit her best but she would let Ilian make his judgment. "Do you mind if they place the armour on you, my dear? I just want to see from what I should work off of."

"Of course, Ilian." He gestured for the man Lexa was looking at, the one that held the armour she thought would fit her best. Ilian helped the man lift the armour over Lexa's head and she herself moved her locks of hair out of the way, not wanting it pulled by the heavy steel. It was a snug fit and she herself moved it around on her body until it was comfortable. 

Ilian walked around her, inspecting every inch of the metal to see if there were any gaps that he would hammer tighter later, but the armour fitted her perfectly. "Usually fitting armour to a royal guard is never this simple and I must tell you honestly, I have never fitted a female Praetorian before. If memory serves you will be the first of your kind. The Emperor must think a lot of you. I know I certainly do, and I would not like to face you head-to-head in battle, ma'am."

Lexa managed a chuckle, falling uncomfortable under the unnecessary flattery.

Ilian gestured for the men to remove the armour from her and so they did, returning to their space in the line-up. "Your armour will be ready in two days. Thank you for your time, Lexa. Good luck in your next fight and I wish you a fast recovery." He offered his forearm again and she took it, giving it a slight shake. "Thank you for your wishes and thank you in advance for my armour. Before you go, tell me Ilian, are you strictly an armour smith? Or are you a full blacksmith as well? I'm considering getting new blades."

Ilian looked to the corner of the room, noticing the armour on the statuette and the weapons belt that held two sheathed swords. His eyes roamed over the armour and now that he sees it so close up, he remembers that he had crafted that armour as well. "So, the rumors are true, you are Maximus' daughter. Unbelievable." He moved to the statuette and ran his fingers across the engravings he made a year ago. "I crafted this armour, your father said it was for his only daughter that would one day fight in the Colosseum." Ilian turned around again, a smile on his lips and friendly eyes as he walked back to Lexa. "Normally, I only craft upon the Emperor's request, but for you, I will craft swords. I will craft your swords of the finest steel and send them along with your new armour. Is there anything, in particular, you would like engraved on them, a symbol on the hilts perhaps?"

"Yes. Engrave my house name on each of them."

"Silvestre, of course. It would be my honour. Come by my shop if you need more wares. Daggers, blade sharpening stones, or even adjustments on your armour." He bowed his head and exited behind the robed men that carried the different armours. Soon after, Valentina entered with her oils and new cloth. Lexa had already taken a seat at the table again, sipping on a cup of water while she unwrapped the cloth around her leg to see how the gash looked today. "Did someone replace that? Because that's not the same cloth I used." Valentina says as she crouches next to Lexa, unrolling the cloth the rest of the way. When it came to the last layer, Lexa clenched her teeth as the clothed pulled off of the exposed raw flesh.

"Yes, the Empress, she replaced it last night when it bled through. I may have overdone myself when I took down a fool prancing around in her room. This Finn man, who is he? And why is he in the palace and most importantly why was he in her quarters?" Lexa asks, wanting to get ahead in the day. Knowledge was power.

Valentina exhaled an exaggerated sigh at the mention of Finn's name, she disliked him and his ways. She considered him a pest, to say the least, but somehow, he nestled himself tightly into Clarke's life. The palace servants spoke under one another of the late-night rendezvous between the two of them. He was lucky that Bellamy wasn't around most of the time since he would probably have his head. "He is Senator Blake's main advisor, but more of his errand boy. He's a manipulative parasite in my opinion but let's keep that between the two of us."

Lexa chuckled; she had the same idea about him. A parasite and nothing more but why was he in Clarke's room so late? "You didn't fully answer my question, Valentina. Surely you know about everything that happens in the palace. I'm sure word has already traveled all throughout that I am Clarke's new guard. I ask about this Finn in particular because I ran into him a few nights ago and from what I could derive he is nothing more than trouble. Why is he so closely involved with the Empress?" Lexa exhaled an unsteady breath, wondering if she should push her luck farther. "I trust you would tell me, Valentina, since I can already tell the Empress would be too stubborn to tell me."

"You're not wrong. Word does travel through the palace particularly fast and yes, everybody does know about your new status. However, it's not my place to tell you of the Empress' business. If she wishes to tell you, then she will. If she does not wish to, then you will just have to be content with it. You may be her new guard but that does not mean you have to know everything about her. Now come, the servants are outside your door with water for your bath. Once you're done, I'll clean your wounds and wrap them again."

//

With her hair newly braided, body freshly bathed, and wounds newly wrapped after applying oils Valentina explained would numb the pain; Lexa walked fully armoured down the corridor toward Clarke's quarters. It wasn't a long walk since their quarters were fairly close to one another surprisingly. 

Lexa took a stance outside of the Empress' door and waited for her to exit but ten minutes turned to thirty and she quickly grew impatient having to wait for the blonde. Her fingers tapped on the hilt of her swords and she paced the short distance between Clarke's door and the scruffy wall on the other side until she couldn't take it anymore.

Without hesitation, Lexa knocked on the door and waited for a reply, which didn't come quickly but eventually did. "Enter!"Lexa pushed the door open and found Clarke sitting with a dark-haired woman at the table, eating fruit with absolutely no worry in the world. They were in a humorous conversation it seemed as the dark-haired woman laughed at something Clarke had said. "She did what?" The raven-haired woman questions in between giggles until the blonde looked at her with a serious look, darting her eyes in Lexa's direction.

The dark-haired woman, who had their back turned toward the door and Lexa, spun around. Lexa recognized the woman as the one that was with Clarke at the market. "Speak of Orcus and you step on his tail. Greetings, Alexandria, congratulations on your victory and your new status." 

She got up and extended her arm to Lexa in greeting which she took wearily, looking at the woman with curious eyes; who was she? "My name is Raven Reyes; I'm Clarke's handmaiden. I suppose you and I will be seeing a lot of one another. Also, I must admit that I'm a big advocate of what you did to Finn the last night. He definitely deserved it for prancing around in places he shouldn't be."

"Raven!" The Empress scolds.

"My apologies, Clarke. Right, we're also best friends so, it's pretty informal between us, don't be alarmed." Raven explains to Lexa further who only raised an eyebrow at the overly exuberant handmaiden. "I understand. Thank you for enlightening me, maiden." Lexa stepped around Raven and closer to the table where Clarke sat. She clasped her hands behind her back as the Empress' eyes rested on her and then flickered down to her thigh and up again. 

"Would you join me on a walk, Alexandria? To discuss my routine and whatever else you need to know. I am awfully bored to sit in my room constantly; maybe now that I have you, I can start openly doing things and not continue hiding it from my father."

Clarke rose from her seat, finally showing off what she was clad in on the day. She wore a cloud white linen dress that was pinned in place on her shoulder by a golden Griffin spoken of in lore. Of course, Grympem is Griffin, it would only make sense that she has such a pin Lexa notes. It meant the same as what Lexa's golden badge with her family crest meant. Honour.

A belt with gold lining was wrapped around Clarke's waist that accentuated her slim frame and perfect bosom. She had a single golden band around each of her upper arms, and on her right shoulder, a thin blue sash hung off which reached to her knee. Clarke was certainly looking like royalty today as her hair was done in braids as well, nothing as complex as Lexa's but rather feminine looking. Five dots connected her eyebrows which was accompanied by shading around her eyes as well.

"Of course, it would be good for me to see more of the palace, Empress." Truly Lexa was dreading the walk because she knew her thigh would throb after; luckily the gash on her arm didn't hurt at all today, she barely noticed its presence. "Should I join you as well, Clarke?" Raven asks as the blonde passes her. In a wordless reply, she only shakes her head no and passes Lexa as well out the door. "Good luck." Raven mouths to Lexa as she passes her, closely following Clarke out into the corridor.

They walked in silence toward the middle of the palace that opened up into an atrium with a shallow pool in the middle of it where an abundant amount of colorful fish swam around. Lexa had never seen anything like it and she had to stop and stare; the atmosphere was so peaceful and there was greenery all around. Almost instantly, she decided that this would become her favorite place in the palace.

"Alexandria ... I'm sorry if I offended you last night." Clarke begins. "I'm insensitive sometimes without realizing it and perhaps I could have worded myself better. I was the one who said that you are my guard and nothing more. I shouldn't have pried about your past and I shouldn't expect you to share it." Clarke had taken a stance next to Lexa as she stared down at the fish that swam around. They seemed at peace with the world, and at first Clarke's words didn't quite enter Lexa's mind because as silly as it was, she wished she was a fish, without any sort of care. 

"Don't apologize to me your highness, I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I took charge of serving you and the way I behaved myself shouldn't actually be tolerated so I say sorry to you. My past is still a fresh wound, and picking at it makes me irritable. Essentially, it makes me react on emotion and not with my wits."

"Fair enough, I suppose we're even then. If you don't mind me asking, Alexandria, but how old are you?" They both continued to gaze at the fish and not at one another, both of them with their hands clasped behind their backs. "Twenty-one summers, and you, Empress?" Clarke moved from Lexa's side, continuing her stride around the atrium, her eyes still on the pool and occasionally on the greenery. "Twenty summers about six fortnights ago. Although, I don't remember much of it; we drank the whole palace's wine supply." She finishes with a slight chuckle; if there was anything she could do exceptionally well, it was to plan a celebration and even more so, elevate the celebration.

"It sure sounds like it was something that was enjoyed, Empress." Lexa didn't know what further to say, she didn't know much about lavish celebrations since she had none in her own life. Coming of age was celebrated once and that was on the eighteenth year of life and it wasn't celebrated any other year. Lexa tore her eyes away from the pool and took in pace behind Clarke, inspecting her movements, noting the things she looked at and the things she touched. "So, your routine, what does it consist of your highness?"

"Nothing too interesting. If you don't find me in my quarters in the mornings, I'll be here in the atrium, either alone or with my handmaiden. I normally had a guard party that consisted of four men but I wasn't exactly allowed to leave the palace walls. Since you're my personal guard now, maybe I can expand my routine, add something new." Clarke smiles at the idea. "I like the markets, seeing the different wares each merchant has, and I believe it's good to engage with my people informally. The market forum also happens to be somewhere I wasn't supposed to be like the day I walked into you," She chuckles. "Maybe I could formally add it to my routine now. Perhaps we could even go see the horses at the stables. I haven't seen my horse in quite some time now that I think about it."

Lexa listened with intent as they walked into the palace gardens where a few slave men and women walked around watering the different plants while the others worked in the damp soil with their hands. Fresh air and the smell of lavender were most evident in the atmosphere and Lexa deemed it her second favorite place in the palace. "It doesn't sound too complex. Do you have any official business to attend to? With you being Empress, surely you have official duties to attend to as well."

Clarke sighed, as she took a seat on a nearby marble bench, gazing out over the large trees, multicolored flowers, and a Griffin statue in the middle of a large fountain. Lexa remained standing next to her, minding her personal space and not taking up the spot next to her even though her leg had already started to ache again. 

"Every fortnight, I'm tasked to speak with the people of the city in the great hall. They basically tell me of their grievances and I try to solve them, whether they have a shortage of food or clothing or materials of the earth." Clarke momentarily pursed her lips in thought, picking at one of her cuticles. "My father is too busy to deal with them and my mother is at the treasury so I was dealt the unfortunate hand to listen to the plebians. I assume you will have to join me for that now, considering that mobs sometimes do form when they are unhappy with my answer."

"It's impossible to please every one of them I imagine." Lexa shuffled on her feet, placing her weight on her left leg now, just to relieve the pressure on her right thigh. On the other side of the garden, she spotted Octavia and the guard Lincoln walking in casual conversation up until Octavia laughs at something Lincoln had said and she lightly shoves his shoulder. 

At that moment, Lexa entered into a world of her own as she saw a smile on her friend's face, though bruised and a slightly swollen eye, the glee on her face was ever evident and Lincoln had just as broad a smile on his face. His eyes did not leave her once as she throws her head back in another round of laughter. "Are you listening, Alexandria?" Lexa snapped out of the trance she was in and returned her attention to Clarke.

"Yes, my apologies, I was just thinking." Lexa tries to justify, clearing her throat as well when her voice takes an unexpected dip in tone at the lie. She hadn't heard the last part of what the young Empress said. Clarke chuckled amused at Lexa's embarrassment and lie as she too laid eyes on Lincoln and Octavia on their casual stroll. "Do you love her, Alexandria?" The question took Lexa by surprise, wondering what the Empress exactly meant. Was she asking in the manner of romantically or friendly? 

To cover each end of the possible direction the Empress was asking in, Lexa opts to answer fully. "We grew up together, both very young girls. We trained together, got hurt together, learned together, hunted together, and most importantly cried together when everything in our lives got thrown upside down. She's the only family I truly have left, not blood but she might as well be."

Nodding, Clarke waved to Lincoln and gestured for them to come cover. "I would like to get to know her; one of Rome's future champions, is that not right, Alexandria?" Clarke looked up to Lexa, shielding her eyes from the rays of sun that started to break through the clouds of the morning. "I would like to believe so yes, Empress. If the gods' will is for us to have a victory then we will surely have it."

Lincoln stopped Octavia in step and gestured toward where Lexa and Clarke were and if it was possible, Octavia's smile broadened even more as she laid eyes on her best friend. Lincoln had already told her the news of Lexa becoming Clarke's personal guard and she was overjoyed for her. It was exactly the distraction Lexa needed from her own life; to protect another life. "An honor to be in your presence, your highness. My name is Octavia." She says as she kneels in front of Clarke, with difficulty since her whole body ached but never the less she showed admiration.

"Please rise, Octavia. My name is Clarke, but please continue addressing me accordingly. Don't you have a house name, Octavia?" Octavia stood up, with slight help from Lincoln. Lexa had reached for her as well but Lincoln was much faster in aid. Lexa took a step backward again and rested her left hand on the hilt of her sword out of habit as she scanned over the garden one last time. "No, I don't have the honour of such. I have never known my true family. I grew up in the academy after Maximus found me on the streets barely alive. The warriors at the academy were my family along with the Silvestre's." Octavia averted her gaze to Lexa that had a smile on her lips. She did love Octavia.

"That's quite heart-warming actually, thank you for sharing it with me, Octavia." Clarke cleared her throat, promptly returning back to the matters at hand. "Now, I called you over to discuss tonight's events. The previous years' two champions of the Colosseum have arrived from Greece and my father has decided to have a banquet for them in their honor. He wants you, Alexandria, and Octavia to attend as you look to be the most promising victors this year. The Emperors' advisor Markus has made the prediction considering there aren't any decorated soldiers enrolled this year. From what my handmaiden tells me is that these champions are your only true competition left. Essentially, the only people standing in the way of you and victory. It dawns on me that Raven is quite invested in the Colosseum festivities and she made it blatantly aware to me that your best chance to win is if you two manage to get inside of their head. To make them believe they will lose."

Clarke wasn't fond of discussing the Colosseum festivities simply because it was barbaric but last years' victors were people she despised even more. Gabriel Santiago, the Persian, and Josephine Lightbourne, the Greek. They are fierce lovers and ruthless killers. In the Colosseum, they were renowned for their brutal ways of killing, slowly and painfully. However, in the city, Gabriel was renowned for his dashing looks that every woman and man sought after. The man is nothing short of Adonis.

Josephine on the other hand was renowned for how many men and women she could bed while on her visit to Rome. Even at the feast of their victory the previous year, she tried to bed Clarke as well, which unsurprisingly did not go according to Josephine's wants, but she was set to try again until she got what she desired.

Octavia and Lexa exchanged looks with one another before Lexa decided to speak. "I'm not sure how willing I am to take battle strategy advice from a handmaiden, your highness. I mean no offense. But excuse me for having some doubts. I believe we'll keep her words in mind but I will surely not rely on them, and I personally wouldn't like to conversate with someone I'll have to kill in the future. I don't wish to know them or their names. Because it will be I who has to look them in the eye and drive my blade through them to end their lives. Knowing them on such a personal level makes the deed unnecessarily difficult."

Clarke considered Alexandria's words and it made her think. The gladiatrix showed a shred of humanity that Clarke hadn't seen yet. She couldn't kill someone who she knows the name of, how intriguing. "I will attend this banquet along with Octavia, but please don't expect us to interact with the two victors." Clarke pursed her lips and crossed one leg over the other as she placed her hands in her lap. She studied Octavia's features and noticed that her eyes frequently flickered between Lexa and herself, she seemed nervous for some reason.

"I suppose the banquet doesn't require you to interact with them. Furthermore, you'll be my guard tonight along with Senator Blake's guards as well. I suppose it will be required of you to coordinate with them." Clarke averted her eyes to Lincoln that still had not said a word since they came over. He had his stoic expression in place, as usual, clad in his Praetorian armour. However, the Empress couldn't help wonder why he wasn't with her mother seeing he was in her guard. "You will be in my mother's guard tonight. Will you not, Lincoln?"

Lincoln cleared his throat and shuffled on his feet as he rubbed the back of his neck. He quickly caught onto what Clarke was actually asking; if he was not supposed to be with the older Empress right now. It dawns on him that he was but it seemed that time had passed him faster than anticipated. It was just that he enjoyed Octavia's company so much that he didn't want to leave her side. "Yes, yes, of course. I should probably go to the treasury right now as well. It would seem that I'm late for duty." With that, he bowed his head to the three women and turned on his heels, jogging off into the Flavian palace again.

"Would you care to join us on a walk to the stables, Octavia?" Clarke invites with a friendly smile as she gets up from her marble seat, dusting off the white linen that wrapped around her body perfectly as a small breeze blew through the palace gardens.

"I would love to."

Chapter Text

There wasn't much talk between the three women on their walk to the stables. It mostly just consisted of Lexa and Octavia chatting with one another about recent events as well as the battle they had in the Colosseum and how they could possibly improve for their next few fights. They were set for a few individual battles in the coming weeks and they could only hope that they wouldn't find themselves in the arena simultaneously, forced to fight one another for the hungry crowd's entertainment.

However, if that were the case, they obviously agreed that they would still fight in an alliance with one another even if it's all Gladiators for themselves. They would fight together until the end and would then lay their swords down. It would definitely upset and anger the mobs of spectators but it was just something they would have to accept. It would be an exciting spectacle to see the two Gladiatrix go head to head but they refused to. These fights were about honouring Maximus, and nobody else.

Furthermore, Octavia had also told Lexa about the guard Lincoln that she had grown rather fond of; her words being that she had never met such a humble man. She didn't know him for very long but she could certainly tell that they had a connection of sort that would potentially grow into something beautiful. It made Lexa happy that her friend had found someone that she could potentially have a future with; Octavia wasn't much of the romantic type but she had her fair share of affairs at the academy.

Along the way, Lexa's thigh had started to ache greatly but she didn't bother to say anything. All she managed to do was only barely decrease her pace. She lingered close to Clarke when they walked the short distance in the streets from the palace toward the stables. The Empress however didn't bother to hide her identity. She walked openly and even friendly addressed the settlers that greeted her honorably. Lexa could already tell that she wasn't normal royalty, she really considered and cared for her people.

At the stables, Clarke immediately approached her horse Liberius. Lexa was curious about the name since she knew that it was of Roman tradition to name one's horse a name that meant something personal. Clarke explained that Liberius meant 'free', a single word that meant everything to her.

Lexa kept Clarke in the corner of her eye, as she herself attended to her own horse Vitus. It would be strange to say but it almost seemed like he was glad to see her. As Lexa interacted with him, the Empress gazed at her too, just not as conspicuously. She knew Lexa was a killer but the way she interacted with her animal and every other horse, showed Clarke that the ruthless killer may have a kind heart after all.

After spending hours at the stables and in the market forum, Lexa had to return Clarke back to the palace, since it seemed that she had inadvertently forgotten to mention to the brunette that her training in healing was also a key part of her routine. On their way back to the palace, more crowds of people surrounded them, and once again, Clarke greeted each one, uncaring that she was already late.

Confidently, the Empress had said something over her shoulder to Lexa and up until now, the words stuck in her head as she was making her way to Clarke's quarters, ready to attend the banquet. "My father might be the Emperor, but it is my reign." Were her words and Lexa couldn't quite understand what she had meant by it at first.

But as she rummaged through the words, their meaning became more obvious. She had meant that even though he held the title, she was the one that controlled and held most if not all of the power.

Lexa was about to knock on the door when it opened and like in the market, Clarke bumped into her again and once again she caught her forearms. After a mere two seconds, the brunette retracted her hands from the Empress and took a few steps back, clasping her hands behind her back. "My apologies, I wasn't expecting you to be ready to leave." Embarrassed that she had walked directly into Lexa again, Clarke nervously chuckles waving her hand in acknowledgment. "No need to apologize, I should start looking where I'm walking."

Lexa wanted to perhaps make a joke of sort, but it probably wasn't appropriate to do so. She was a guard and nothing more, they weren't friends and they probably would never be. So instead, she dipped her head, hiding the slight smile on her lips. "Will Senator Blake meet you at the banquet, your highness? Or shall we go to his quarters first?"

"He told my handmaiden that he shall meet me there. I'm not surprised; he's most likely already enthralled by other women." Clarke sounded half bitter judging by the tone she had used. She was fully aware that their betrothal was for political reasons strictly, but she couldn't help feeling that he could at least acknowledge her as his betrothed in public. 

He made her look like a fool since he often entertained conversation with women of the lower standard. Despite being welcome to do whatever they pleased behind closed doors, Clarke just wished that he would be more secretive about his endeavors. Well, supposedly that was the concept, but this rule only applied to one of them. And Clarke wasn't the fortunate one in this particular situation.

Blake insisted that he was allowed to do whatever he liked behind closed doors but Clarke; she was to be loyal to him only and she was to be with nobody else. Of course, she didn't accept that and that was where Finn came of use to her, and maybe perhaps in the future, she would use him again for her own personal needs.

She knew he was head-over-heels in love with her, or infatuated rather, maybe even obsessed and therefore he was perfect for what she needed him for. Clarke could keep him on a short rope and only pull him in when she wanted to and then she could extend the rope again when she was no longer in the mood for him.

With only a nod from Lexa in acknowledgment, Clarke led the way toward the banquet. To say she wasn't in the mood to attend the festivity would have been an understatement. These weren't people the Empress particularly enjoyed conversating with and she knew that she would have to see Josephine again. 

The event was supposed to be held in the great hall but at the very last minute, Empress Abigail had decided to move it to the fairly newly built atrium since it was a beautiful night. The skies were clear of clouds and the stars shined brightly along with the full moon.

When they entered the atrium, the music of multiple lyres filled the atmosphere, and although there was already loud conversation among members of the senate as well as the slave masters, the sound of the lyre made the room feel peaceful. 

Lexa could see that these were not normal people, but people with extreme wealth. There were feline-like animals on chains all around the room that were exceptionally well behaved. She hadn't seen such animals in her life but she knew a predator when she saw one.

On the other side of the room, brutish slaves were lined up, all of them oiled from their heads to their toes. Their muscles glistened as many opulent women circled them, deciding who they would like to have for the night. Lexa also notes that they happened to be in the nude as well, showing exactly what they had to offer.

After scanning the room of people, her eyes went to the night sky where she spotted the full moon that reminded her of Polis. They would train on nights like these under the moonlight until first light, only resting once or twice before picking up arms again and sparring with one another. At that moment she missed her mother and father more than words could explain but soon enough her attention was lured away from the skies when Clarke lightly tapped her on the shoulder. "Would you mind getting me a chalice of wine from the servants, Alexandria?"

"Of course, your highness." Lexa filtered through the crowd, chasing after one particular slave since she was the only one with red wine for some reason. Just as Lexa was about to reach the young maiden, a hand catches on her wrist. "My, my, aren't you just beautiful?" A women coos.

"Uhm- thank you, ma'am. But if you will excuse me, I'm on duty." Lexa excuses, trying to leave but the woman catches her wrist again. "How much?" She questions. Growing a tad annoyed with this stranger's persistency, Lexa turns fully. "How much what, ma'am? You're going to get me in trouble if I leave the-"

"How many aureii would it take to have you undress?"

"You must be confused. Or drunk, I'm not sure. But I'm not for rent, ma'am. The slaves are on the other side of the room. I'm a Praetorian gaurd." This time the woman leaves her arm but makes no effort to wipe the grin from her face. As Lexa continued her journey through the crowd, she finally found the maiden. Once she retrieved a chalice, it's but a minute before she's at the Empress' side again.

Clarke was in conversation with a woman that she clearly was not paying much attention to. "Your highness." Lexa announces, handing Clarke the full chalice. "I have already tasted it, it's safe to drink."

Gratefully, Clarke took the chalice from her and drank it all in a few seconds before she placed it on a vacant table next to her. "And you say you have never guarded someone? But you already know to check for any sort of poison, I am thoroughly impressed with you, Alexandria." The woman that was speaking to Clarke before cleared her throat, making her presence known as Lexa found herself stuck on cobalt eyes.

She averted her gaze to the other woman that had the same shade of blonde hair as Clarke did. The stranger's intense brown eyes now roamed over Lexa from head to toe over and over until a smirk crossed her lips. "You don't look like a guard, Alexandria. A warrior rather, judging by your spectacular build and that bandage around your leg. I would almost think that you're the famous Gladiatrix that has the city in a buzz. They no longer speak of me but rather of you and I must admit that I may be a little jealous. But then again I can see what all the chatter is about, you truly are breath-taking."

Lexa spared a glance at Clarke in a questioning manner. Clarke wondered if Lexa was asking if she was permitted to speak to this woman or if she was asking if this stranger was seriously ogling her so unabashedly. Little did she know that this woman was Josephine Lightbourne. 

"Alexandria, this is Josephine-" Clarke's eyes caught a glimpse of Bellamy behind Josephine who was gesturing for her to come to him. She wasn't sure which person she would want to be in conversation with less, Bellamy, or Josephine.

"If you would excuse me, Senator Blake seems to request my presence at his side. Remain here, Alexandria." With that, she leaves Lexa confused. Josephine only gawked at Clarke as she walked away from them. "Doesn't she just look like a goddess, Alexandria?" Josephine asks, averting her attention back to Lexa that too stared at Clarke perplexed as to what she's supposed to say to this stranger named Josephine.

"It's not my place to say, ma'am. If you don't mind me asking, who are you to the Empress? Her father has set me in her guard and I would just like to know who everyone exactly is that she keeps conversation with." Lexa straightened out her posture and looked at the woman in front of her expectantly.

Josephine extended her forearm with a flirtatious smile on her lips. "Josephine Lightbourne. My lover, Gabriel Santiago, and I have come from Greece to compete in the final battle to retain our championship of the Colosseum. I don't suppose you're the Alexandria everyone is talking about?"

Lexa closed her eyes in frustration as she clenched her teeth. This was exactly what she didn't want; to meet the previous champions. Her kills were impersonal and she never knew their names, let alone meet them. Not even when she did mercenary work, she just worked on physical descriptions. She had one simple request from Clarke and that was that she didn't want to speak with the victors, why would she leave her in this situation to conversate with Josephine?

It was cruel.

It was too late though and she wasn't going to be rude so she too extended her forearm, taking Josephine's with her own. "Alexandria Silvestre and I'm afraid I probably am the one they are talking about. My apologies for taking your fame, if it were up to me, I wouldn't have it. I don't like to be as honored as they make me. I compete for the peace of mind and distraction, not for fame."

Josephine's eyes slightly closed with skepticism and her once flirtatious smile had now turned wicked. She wasn't even upset that Alexandria was now the topic of conversation among the settlers since what she heard really confirms that she deserved it but she didn't believe her fellow Gladiatrix's explanation for why she took part in the Colosseum. No one to her knowledge kills for some sort of peace of mind; they kill for the fun and rush of it.

And most of all, she doesn't for one second believe that Alexandria didn't enjoy the feeling of fame and honourability. Everyone loves the feeling of fame and acknowledgment. After all, that's why she and Gabriel returned this year after receiving word from the Emperor that there was to be a great reward this year for the champion or dual champions.

"Well aren't you just the peculiar type. I personally kill because I enjoy it and I like to show off that I am in fact better than the rest. I can't wait to face you. Tell me, who is your companion in battle; are they here?" Josephine looked around the room, making a game of it for herself to see if she could guess which one of the people in the atrium is Lexa's companion.

Annoyed by Josephine's direct challenge, she finds Octavia with her eyes in an instant and points to her. "The woman there, Octavia. And I assure you that we cannot wait to face you either. I can't help wonder what it would feel like to plunge my blade through that smug mouth of yours until it comes out of the back of your head." This was what Lexa wanted to say but she opts not to, it would probably just make Josephine even smugger of herself.

She in fact does point to Octavia though. "The woman in conversation with the slave master in the white toga and blue sash. Her name is Octavia." Josephine turned the other way and ran her gaze over Octavia, judging her with her eyes. Essentially guessing if she would make a worthy opponent or not. She notes that Octavia certainly looked like she held a lot of potential.

"Only your companion in battle or your companion in life as well?" Josephine enjoyed all the battle talk but it was time to move on to the next topic. "My companion in battle strictly. She's like a sister to me, not that it concerns you in any way." Josephine's smile returned to a grin. Lexa had the type of attitude she enjoyed in women and she was certainly going to pursue her since the Empress still wasn't giving in to her flirtations.

"And the Empress, Alexandria? I saw the way you looked at her earlier and considering your words to me earlier, tell's me that you have something about her in your mind. Do you fantasize about her, or are you fortunate enough to warm her bed at night?" Josephine knew she was treading into territory she probably shouldn't but she was either going to get an answer as to why Clarke was constantly still turning her down, or she was going to get a rise out of Alexandria which was still a victory.

"Watch your tongue, Josephine. The Empress' personal life doesn't concern you at all and nor does mine but no, I don't keep her bed warm at night as you insinuate I do. I'm a mere guard and a gladiatrix in the Colosseum. However, hear me now, I will kill you." This time Lexa doesn't hold her tongue about what she's thinking as she takes an intimidating step toward the woman until they're eye to eye.

"I'll watch my tongue if you watch yours. Let us not threaten each other tonight and if it is the case that you're not warming her bed, would you be interested in warming mine until our final battle?" Josephine took up her challenge and brought their faces even closer to one another, biting her bottom lip as her hazel eyes looked up deep into Lexa's green ones. The height difference between them was uncanny. "Nothing serious, just a good time between two very powerful women."

"I would rather visit a brothel for companionship before I visit you, thank you." Lexa seethes as she brushes past Josephine toward where Octavia stood. Josephine's advances weren't appealing to her and the fact that she thought she was warming Clarke's bed was even more angering. Though her status was new, she took it seriously, being the guard of the Empress was a great honor that Maximus would have been proud of.

"Lexa, so great to see you again!" John exclaims as he sees her approaching Octavia and him. Lexa opened her arms to him for an embrace, she really enjoyed his overzealous personality, especially now after the godawful conversation with Josphine. "Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?" She asks as he enfolds her in an embrace as well. "Look at you making a jest, who knew that the fearless Lexa had a sense of humor?" She too laughed now with glee.

[A/N:  Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?  = Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me? (Toga is a Roman robe basically)]

"I'm definitely always happy to see you, Lexa." He admits with a grin as she shook her head at him, still laughing that he continued the joke with his sarcastic remark. "How are you, John? Settling in well? Did we make you wealthier? I can only imagine the outrage of the plebs." Lexa asks absentmindedly as she looked around the room again, looking for Clarke to make sure that she was still safe.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe how much coin I made. The aureii were practically thrown my way; so many were furious that I actually made bets on the right people this annus." He raised his chalice to his lips and took two quick gulps. When he tilts his head backward to finish the last of his wine, he feels someone bump into him with great force. With a scowl in place, he turns around, ready to scold and potentially punish whoever had bumped into him.

[A/N:  Annus  = Year/Age]

A slave girl quickly apologized and continued on her way. Lexa however saw exactly what happened. It was the oldest move in time itself and she saw it happen in Polis far too often. By the gods, she may even have done it once or twice with Octavia at her side. "You! Stop right there and return what you have stolen before I have your head!" The girl stopped in her tracks and turned around; she didn't look frightened strangely but her face said that knew she had been caught. It was more of a shocked expression, perhaps she had never been caught stealing.

Lexa's loud shout caught the attention of most in the room as everyone went quiet and looked their way, curious as to what the loud exclamation was about and what was about to ensue. Some of Senator Blake's guards had also come closer, their hands on the hilts of their swords. "I'm sorry. I'll return it, I just really needed some coin for food." The girl uttered; her eyes trained on the floor.

John walked up until in front of her. He wasn't mad, instead, he was intrigued by the courage the girl had to steal from him in the open. He raised his hands in the air, his eyes still on the slave girl. "Continue the celebration, it's just a misunderstanding. I gave her the coin." The people whispered under each other but then continued to enjoy the celebration anyway.

Lexa looked at John confused; he certainly didn't give her the coin; she saw the slave steal it. She was about to say something but John raised his hand in dismissal to her, his facial expression clearly saying don't worry, I will handle it. "Why- why did you defend me? I stole from you dominus and I will return it, I swear-" John smiled at her and interrupted her before she continued. "No, no. What is your name?"

[A/N:  Dominus  = The name a slave master was addressed as in Ancient Rome.]

"Emori d'Oliveira, dominus." Her voice was confident again, the man she had just stolen from didn't seem to want to punish her for her actions. "Slaves do not have house names, how come you do? Or are you not a slave and just wanted to catch my attention because you certainly have it now."

"I wasn't a slave always. I became one when my family died in a barbarian raid. Here, this belongs to you and I deeply apologize, it was foolish of me to take it." She held out the pouch full of coins back to John but he only shook his head, pushing her hand back to her, indicating for her to keep it. "Buy your food, with your courage, you deserve that coin more than I do. I do admire a woman that's not afraid and willing to ensue a little chaos every now and then. I'm willing to bet that you have a little chaos in you, Emori."

A tint of red covered the slave girls' cheeks. She certainly hadn't been treated with as much respect in a long time and this man ... he seemed different from all the other slave masters. "My name is Johnathan Murphen, it is my honor to meet you." He took her free hand and raised it to his lips to kiss it, a sheer show of respect and admiration. To him, her beauty was beyond compare. "The pleasure is all mine, Johnathan, but I cannot possibly keep this."

She extended the pouch to him again but again he lightly returned her hand to her. "Let us make a deal then. Have a chalice of wine or two with me tonight then at the end of the night you can decide if you enjoyed my company or not and if you didn't enjoy it, I will take my coin back but if you do enjoy my company, you shall keep the coin. For tonight you are not a slave, if your dominus is not satisfied with that, I will pay him all the coin necessary for your freedom."

Emori was taken aback by Johnathan's words. She wasn't someone that was good with trust and she wondered what exactly his intentions were but after quickly fighting her internal battle she decided that she really needed this coin and how bad could one night be with this seemingly friendly man? "I accept, Johnathan. Your terms seem overly fair but I suppose I didn't have a say in the first place. You seem like a sedulous man."

"That I am indeed. Now, shall we?" He extended his hand to her which she hesitantly took with her own before they took off into the crowd of people.

"That was quite strange, right?" Octavia asks as she watched John and this Emori disappear into the crowd. She didn't know him as well as Lexa did but never in her life had she ever seen anyone treat a slave like that. Slave masters tended to be overly cruel with the people they physically owned. "Strange indeed but Octavia, I think we can agree that this ... celebration, it's strange." Lexa looked around the room and found Clarke again who was already seemingly examining her. For a brief moment, their eyes locked with one another before the blonde broke contact and continued speaking with a senator in front of her.

Bellamy had his free hand on the small of her back, his thumb moving up and down stroking over the thin linen dress she wore but his eyes were set on a Persian girl in the corner of the room that was seductively dancing for her Prince as he sipped on his wine and ate olives.

"These people certainly show a lot of opulence. You see that man?" She pointed to a dark-skinned man, the one Lexa had been looking at earlier in the night; the man with the feline-like animal. "Lincoln says that he is a Ruler from Northern Africa, Egypt, and he claims that he had tamed that animal himself. He deems himself not only the Ruler of his people but the king of the animals of Africa as well."

"Egypt? He must have traveled for menses to be here on this night. Do you think he traveled by ship or by land?" Lexa had only seen the ocean once in her life during her days as a mercenarius but she had never been on a ship but she certainly wished that one day she would have the opportunity to be on one and travel the rampaging waves all the travelers and merchants spoke of.

[A/N:  Meres  = Months

Mercenarius = Mercenary]

"Probably by ship, I'd say. I don't know about you, but I feel quite uncomfortable being around so many of the rich. I don't belong among them, Lexa." Lexa didn't reply to what Octavia said, she was too deep in thought. In the meantime, the Emperor had arisen from his chair, chalice in hand. "Attention! The Emperor would like to make an announcement!" The same man from the Colosseum announced. Marcus was his name Lexa learned.

Soon Emperor Jake emerged to the middle of the room as he rose his chalice into the air. "A warm welcome to my guests and the champions of Rome, Gabriel Santiago, and Josephine Lightbourne. I trust you bring us an exciting spectacle again this year and perhaps even another victory. However, this year will be slightly different from the previous, it seems that I have found you an equal match. Alexandria Silvestre, the daughter of the most feared Gladiator of all time and her thrilling companion Octavia." He pointed his chalice to where Lexa and Octavia stood and the entire atriums people averted their gaze to the two women.

Including Clarke's and the eager gaze of Senator Blake.

Across the room, Lexa landed her eyes on Josephine and the man behind her that she assumed to be Gabriel that had his arms around her. Josephine's smile was wicked again and her eyes were locked on Lexa's.

"As we all know, it is the 60th anniversary of the Colosseum. Under our previous Emperor Titus' rule, he declared that on every decade of the Colosseum's anniversary; there will be statues built of that year's Champion or the Champions. So, with that said my coming victors, two or one of your statues will be built upon your victory. Along with that, will come sixty days of celebration in the city in your honor alone."

Lexa exchanged glances with Octavia. Neither of them was familiar with this decree and neither of them had actually made the effort to see the engraving under each statue in the middle of the city but she supposes now that those were the previous Champions.

"I wish you the best of luck, coming victors. May the gods be with you. That is all, enjoy the celebrations all!" Loud cheers and applause came from the rich and Senators as the Emperor retired to his seat next to the Empress again, overlooking the big gathering of people.

The musical instruments started playing again and people continued in their respective conversations. As the night progressed and the drunk became drunker and the rest overindulged in food, both Lexa and Octavia had stayed sober. Well, Lexa stayed sober, Octavia was half sober and in conversation with the guard, Lincoln. Lexa stood in the corner of the room among Senator Blake's guards as her eyes were focussed on the one and only young Empress.

She too had seemingly overindulged in the wine and was actually leaning into Senator Blake's touch. As more time passed and the moon moved through the sky and the wine supplies started to dwindle, Bellamy waved Lexa over. She quickly obeyed upon seeing Clarke unsteady on her feet. "Alexandria, will you accompany us? I believe I should get her to her quarters."

"Yes, of course, sir. Shall I call for the rest of your guard as well, Senator?" Bellamy shook his head no and wrapped his arm around Clarke in a tighter grip. "No, I instructed them to oversee the rest of the banquet in case some chaos ensues." Lexa bowed her head and lingered for a moment in order to allow Bellamy and Clarke to pass her before she fell in step behind them. She left her right hand on the hilt of her sword as a few drunkards reached for both the Senator and the Empress in farewell.

On the way to Clarke's quarters, the Empress became steadier on her feet but not as steady on her words. She said a few things and then proceeded to laugh at her own jokes but Bellamy found them not so entertaining. Lexa however found herself stifle a chuckle a few times, Clarke was certainly an entertaining drunk.

"Why do you always have to act like a child, Clarke?" Bellamy asks her, more of a snarl than anything else. Lexa quirked an eyebrow at the remark however this time she didn't hear what Clarke had said to receive such a comment from the Senator. "One day when I'm the Emperor, I can only hope to have a woman at my side and not a child like you." Clarke replied a few more drunk words to him which Lexa also failed to hear since she began trailing farther back.

When they reached Clarke's quarters, Bellamy had lost his buzz and no longer felt like spending the night with his soon-to-be wife. He decided in his mind that he would rather pay his favorite prostitute a visit. "Come here, Alexandria. Take her and deal with her. I don't feel like it." With no other choice, Lexa in fact does drape Clarke's arm over her shoulder as the Senator walks away into the dimly lit corridor.

Uncomfortable and out of her element, Lexa pushed on the door that leads into Clarke's quarters but when she attempts to take a step forward, the blonde's entire body slumps against her. She had fallen asleep. "Futuo." Lexa utters to herself in a whisper.

[A/N:  Futuo  = Fuck. (It's hard to actually find out what 'Fuck' as an expletive was in Latin but this one made the most sense to me.)]

In excruciating pain from walking and standing the entire day, Lexa in fact does bend down a bit in order to place her left arm behind Clarke's knees, lifting her up in the air. If this was what being a guard was, she was really not equipped for it. She was a skilled fighter not a caretaker of drunks.

Slowly, she carried Clarke into the room as she dragged her painful thigh along. She could feel it was bleeding again, but not as much as the night before. When she reaches Clarke's bed, she slowly and softly lays her down. In the corner of her eye, she notices someone entering the room. Lexa immediately removed her hands from the young Empress before drawing her sword but in the low candlelight, she sees that it's just the handmaiden Raven.

"Oh, Hades! Don't kill me! I heard you come down the corridor. I assumed she needed help." Raven pleads and explains with both of her hands still in the air in surrender. Lexa retracted her sword and sheathed it again, exhaling a steady breath. "Yes. Help her with whatever she needs. I'll be at her door again in the morning. Have a good evening, handmaiden." Lexa states as she goes to exit the room.

"Valentina is waiting for you in your quarters, Alexandria! Don't kill her either!" Raven calls after but Lexa only acknowledges her with a wave behind her. She supposes another stranger in the dark could be a bit of a surprise. Perhaps the maiden's warning was useful after all.

Chapter Text

When the first light comes, Lexa wakes up but this time in no sort of cold sweats. Morta had left her alone, for now, up until the next fortnight. Fourteen nights of peaceful sleep until she's in for a long night again when Morta comes to haunt her and so the process will repeat itself, over and over again until she can make peace with her demons. She does not know when that will be or if it ever will happen. But up until then, she will savor her peaceful nights.

As per the coming ritual, Valentina brings her ientaculum and Lexa eats. After she bathes and Valentina cleans her wounds, she then clads herself in the armour she thought would bring her many more victories in the Colosseum, but she knew it would soon be replaced by royal guards' armour.
Soon, she would become part of the Praetorian Guard and would get her hand tattooed marked to officiate her takings in the guard, that she will serve the Emperor until the end of her days. Lexa was definitely having second thoughts as to if she really wanted to give her life up to the guard. She was still so young and had not seen much of the world yet.

However, when she went on her knees that morning to ask the gods for guidance, something inside of her said that this was her calling. Lexa liked to think that it was her father communicating with her through the voices of the gods but who was she to say. But it was enough to shun away any of her second thoughts and doubts about the taking she would have to take very soon.

With her thoughts abolished, she closes the door to her quarters behind her and makes her way to the quarters of the Empress, ready to start her second day of duty. Her second day of many to come she thinks. However, when she knocks on the door to make her presence known that she was ready whenever Clarke was; the handmaiden Raven opens the door just a smidge.

"Salve, Alexandria. How can I assist you?"

"Salve, maiden. As promised, I am here for duty. Whenever the Empress is ready to start her day, I am ready. I'll wait here in the corridor." Lexa wore a friendly smile on her lips, she was energized today and actually in the mood to do her duty. A good night of sleep was all she required and now here she was.

Raven stepped into the corridor, closing the heavy door behind her as softly and gently as possible. "I'm afraid the Empress will not leave her quarters today; she is feeling quite ill if you understand what I mean. She has asked me to tell you that you are welcome to do today whatever you please to do."

Understanding, Lexa took a step back and nodded her head, a small smile on her lips. She understood all too well what too much wine and ale could do to an individual and she had, had her fair share of the ailment in her younger years when she and Octavia would go to the tavern most nights after training.

The next morning, they would both be sick and not fit for training. For punishment from Maximus, they were sent to run around the academy ten times or until they empty their stomachs. But still, it would not teach them anything and they would still go to the tavern a few nights later and then repeat the process the next morning but not once did they regret the pure joy they experienced in one another's company.

"I see, Raven. Thank you for telling me. I wish her a speedy recovery but please do call on me if she does change her mind and would like to traverse the streets or just go walk in the gardens." Again, Lexa bows her head and says her farewell before she makes her way to Octavia's quarters.

She doesn't bother to knock on her friend's door and just walks in, her sword sheath clattering against her left greave. Perhaps that would be a request she would make from Ilian, to craft her a harness she could wear on her back, it seemed much more convenient and not as noisy.

As expected, Octavia was still tightly wrapped between the furs, her arms snuggly propped under the feather pillow. Her mouth was agape as a steady stream of drool came out of it. It was so typical of Octavia and Lexa finds herself giggling as she falls on the bed next to Octavia, armour and all. It was uncomfortable but it sure made enough noise to make Octavia jolt out of her calm state.

"Oh, futuo! Lexa!" Immediately Octavia flailed her hands all over Lexa in playful slaps as she always did when Lexa would give her a shock. This was a regular occurrence but it wasn't a one-sided thing either; Octavia did this to her as well on the very few days they had off at the academy.

Both women laughed in unison until Octavia gave up and pulled a pillow over her head, trying to ignore Lexa's presence. "Come on now, Octavia! I have the day off, let's go do something in the city. Quaeso, veni mecum. It will be fun, I think we deserve as much."

Octavia pulled the pillow off from over her head and furrowed her eyes at Lexa with a sly look as if she was planning something in her mind. Lexa was right, maybe they did deserve a little fun after the long stressful months they had. "Fine, but it is only because I cannot possibly say no to that face you're making. Don't let anyone see it, they'll never respect you again. For a killer, you are awfully soft in private almost like a small animal. It's creepy."

When Octavia gets up and heads into the backroom, Lexa props her hands under her head but it was awfully uncomfortable and as soon as her bracer pinched her arm, she sat up on the bed and looked around. Octavia's quarters were similar to her own, but perhaps it was a little smaller and it did not have a balcony. Perhaps they had given her a more luxurious room compared to Octavia's.

//

They had walked through the markets and bought a few things like more wrappings and linen tunics as well as undergarments. At first, Octavia felt bad that Lexa was paying for everything but Lexa wasn't willing to hear any of Octavia's complaining so she eventually gave up on the idea.

While in the market and asking for directions a few times, they made it to Ilians smithery. Since Octavia's one sword's blade broke in battle a few days ago, she needed a new one for their coming fights and to her luck, Ilian had a variety of swords to choose from.

When Octavia took interest in the rack of blades, Lexa discussed her idea of a new sheath for her swords with Ilian who was extremely intrigued and quickly grabbed a piece of papyrus and coal for her to illustrate her idea better. Of course, she wasn't very good at the drawing of visuals but she tried her best.

Ilian vigorously nodded his head as excitement brewed inside of him. His sister was good with textile work and she made the leather sheaths he sold in his shop. He assured Lexa that his sister would definitely be able to make something like what she wanted and that it would probably even be ready by the time he's done with the engravings on her Praetorian armour.

At the mention of the armour, Lexa's uneasy feeling spiked again, but it was short-lived because Octavia had called her over to help her decide which blade she should choose and essentially buy. Lexa may have even caught Ilian stare at Octavia a little longer than appropriate but to her surprise, Octavia flirted back with the blacksmith and even successfully haggled with him over the price for the sword.

Lexa had also bought another dagger from Ilian along with a few blade sharpening stones. A sharp sword was essential for battle, if it was not sharp enough it will just bounce off of barely well-made armour; but if it was indeed as sharp as possible, it could potentially pierce through the best-made armour.

After visiting Ilian they decided to head back to the palace where they had prandium. When they had finished Lexa insisted, they go train for at least two hours just to keep their wits sharp but unfortunately for her, Valentina heard what she said. As Lexa's healer, she sternly suggested that training would not be the best idea for Lexa quite yet since her wound needed to heal. Otherwise, she would not be ready for her next fight.

Although Lexa was a stubborn being, she knew Valentina was probably right but she craved to swing a sword and to be active again. She hated to sit around and do nothing but this time she had no choice.

Valentina made her aware that she will not get many days off in her coming days when she's officially branded as a Praetorian guard. As a Praetorian guard, she would essentially become the property of The Emperor and would have to obey his every order no matter what it is. According to Lincoln that joined them for prandium, made Lexa aware that being part of the Praetorian guard made her part of the Roman Legionnaire as well and if trouble arose, she too would be sent out with the army.

She was not aware that she would be part of the Legionnaire as well but if that were the conditions then she would accept it. Lexa wasn't fond of the idea of going to fight a war. She preferred singled out kills not hundreds all sprinting to her teeth bared. But serving as a guard was something she wanted and so she was willing to compromise.

For the remainder of the day, Lexa and Octavia sat in the palace garden and spoke of the past and the good memories they shared, and the people they missed that were no longer with them now.

Lexa didn't realize it but that particular conversation was something she really needed to feel a sense of new peace. She wasn't ready back then to talk about her losses but she was ready now, ready to forgive herself for not being able to save them, well partly forgive herself. Almost ready to keep them in her heart as well as in her memory alone and no longer in her night terrors.

//

The next morning when Lexa woke, she felt even more energized than the day before. The previous night the heat from the day disappeared and the cold seeped in. The gusts of cold wind flowing down from the mountains over the city.

It was the start of a new season and soon it would snow on the highest peaks. Hiems was coming and the city would be covered in white and there will be many braziers alight to warm people.

She pushed the thick fur off her body and walked out to her balcony overlooking the palace garden and there were slaves already tending to the different trees and flowers. Some with pots of water and others solidifying soil around newly planted flowers with their hands.

Fresh air filled her room and peace imbued her. Today was going to be a good day and her thigh was minimally hurting which meant she could attend early morning training in the smaller arena that was strictly used for training and not actual fights. It was used during the festive times for the Gladiators and then when there were no games, the guards trained there.

Octavia had told her that the slaves were set to train there this morning in preparation for their coming fights. They both thought it wise to go see who they would face next and whom would be their possible competition other than the Greek and Persian; Josephine and Gabriel.

After having ientaculum, bathing, and having her wounds redressed. The sun was high up in the sky already and she opted not to clad herself in full armour since it was only training and no one would use steel. She opted to wear a thin sleeveless linen shirt she had bought the previous day along with the thigh length trousers she wore in battle.

In the corner of her room, she picked up her greaves and put them on along with her new leather sandals and next came the linen wrappings around her arms that protected them from chaffing against the leather of her bracers.

Comfortably clad, she stepped out of her room to find Octavia already waiting for her in similar clothing. Octavia draped her arm over Lexa's shoulder making a joke with her as they made their way down the corridor toward the arena.

Upon entering the arena, there were probably hundreds already in training. The sound of wood colliding with wood filled the air along with the grunts that came out of the Gladiators thrusting their wooden staves against one another.

Quickly looking up at the sun, Lexa realized she did not have much time left until she has to be back at the palace in time for Clarke to start her routine. The thought was slightly annoying, she really wanted to spend the maximum time here training and freeing all her pent-up energy.

Octavia grabbed two wooden rods from a nearby weapons rack and tossed one to Lexa with a smirk on her lips. She spun the rod in her hands effortlessly as they circled one another, waiting for one of them to strike first.

A few guards were stationed around the arena, including Lincoln and Thelonious as they scouted out the Gladiators that were to be chosen for the next days' fight. Of course, a few with actual fighting talent would be chosen and the rest were to be easy prey that would suffice for gruesome deaths that would send the crowds up in jolts of excitement as adrenaline would course through their veins.

Lexa ducked under Octavia's staff and went into a spinning motion, swiping the back of her right leg toward Octavia's legs, knocking her off her feet and causing her to fall on the dry sand, sending up a wave of dust around her.

The air was knocked out of her lungs but as soon as she gets her breath back, she huffs out a laugh in defeat. Even injured Lexa kicked her ass and she knew she would but it was worth a try to attempt to best Lexa.

Lexa offered her a hand which Octavia takes in a tight grip and pulls down with all the strength she can muster, making Lexa stumble forward and fall on the sand next her. In a quick motion, Octavia turns and pulls Lexa's arm between her two thighs and presses her calves down on Lexa's chest. Pushing down and pulling Lexa's arm farther, Octavia had her in a submission hold and she had no choice but to tap out.

Octavia laughed as Lexa struggled in the hold, trying anything to get out of the lock she was in, she refused to tap and she never has. Somewhere was a weak spot she could exploit and free her arm from the hold but Octavia was starting to push and pull harder which started to make her shoulder ache which meant she didn't have much time left to either submit or risk injury.

As Lexa struggled farther in Octavia's hold, Josephine and Gabriel approached the two women wrestling. As they got closer Josephine clapped her hands and acted like she was cheering which caught the attention of both Octavia and Lexa.

Octavia's hold faltered and Lexa took the opportunity to pull her arm out. Lexa placed her hands beside her head and lifted her knees to her chest as she pressed up off the ground, landing on her feet. A quick motion they learned to do at the academy in the case of being knocked down during combat.

"Impressive move, Alexandria, I am impressed." Josephine coos, sarcasm dripping from each of her words. In the meantime, Gabriel had offered a hand to Octavia to help her up as Lexa did earlier which landed her in a shoulder lock but this time Octavia accepts the assistance.

Dusting off the dust from her clothing and quickly brushing at her hair to get the dust out, Lexa doesn't bother to look at Josephine when she speaks. "Salve, Josephine, how can I assist you?" When she in fact does look up, there's a grin on Josephine's lips and a bright friendly smile on Gabriel's face.

"Just came to see how our competition trains and I couldn't help to notice how attractive your glistening body is in the sun. You are like a Greek goddess and I would know because I'm from Greece." Lexa quirked an eyebrow because Gabriel was standing right next to her. Josephine had described him as her lover; did she mean the only lover or did she mean one of her many lovers.

Judging by her unashamed flirtations in front of Gabriel, Lexa guessed it was the latter. He was one of her many lovers for sure. "Thank you? I think." Lexa averted her eyes to Gabriel and extended her forearm to him but to her surprise, he wasn't like any other man she had met in the city yet that took her forearm in greeting; he takes her hand raises it to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you Alexandria, I have heard a lot about you and from the stories, I surely admire your skillset."

Releasing her hand, he looked to Octavia and extended his hand to her and slightly shocked by this man's mannerisms; Octavia places her hand in his and he kisses her knuckles too. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Octavia. Your skills are more breath-taking than your natural beauty."

Stepping back and acknowledging both Lexa and Octavia, he smiles again. "I look forward to meeting you both in combat, it will be an honor I would never forget. I hear it is your father, Alexandria, that holds the record for most victories in the Colosseum. It is actually a dream of mine and Josephine as well to create a new record."

"What he means to say is, we're killing you both and taking the championship again this year, equalling us with your father's record, and next year we'll break it. We will create history and the people will talk of us until the end of time itself."

Lexa couldn't stop herself from laughing as Josephine's ego exploded. It was safe to say now that she was definitely all talk and nothing more. Someone who spoke of their victories and coming victory without justified proof made them airheads. All talk and no skill.

Lexa bent down and picked up the two wooden rods on the ground and threw one to Josephine in a challenge. "Before we fight with steel, first see if you can beat me with a simple wooden rod. I promise I won't even try my best, I'll go easy on you, Greek."

Tightening her grip on the wooden rod, making her knuckles turn white, Josephine lunges forward. Instantly showing her weakness to Lexa, she fought with emotion, and not with her wits. Easily she blocks Josephine's thrusts one after the other and not even with both hands on her own rod.

Octavia and Gabriel had moved to the side, watching the women brawl with one another. Octavia was amused by how easily Lexa deflected each of Josephine's hits and Gabriel, well, his lips were in a straight line and he was stoic, no emotion on his face.

Lexa was quick on her feet, adding style to each block as she twisted and turned not once making an attack of her own. This was a strategic move from her, she wanted to experience Josephine's fighting style and how she liked to use her hands, how she placed them, and in which type of strikes she put all of her strength into.

As they circled for the tenth time, Lexa saw someone along with other Praetorian guards stand and spectate herself and Josephine brawling. A not so pleased looking Empress.

Quickly, her eyes went to the sky and the sun was much farther than earlier and she was overly late for duty. Taking her eyes off of Josephine for one second was all Josephine needed to make a successful strike, landing it right on Lexa's binding on her thigh that covered the gash on her leg.

With a wail of pain, she dropped to her left knee. "Matris futour! You fight dirty!" Lexa yells in anger. Sure, she didn't mind getting hit, it was her own fault for getting distracted but hitting someone directly on a wound was uncalled for.

"I assure you that is not the only thing I do dirty, Alexandria." Josephine says as she offers her a hand but Lexa slaps it away. She gets up by herself, using the wooden rod for support as she looks down at her thigh; thanking the gods that it was not bleeding again, but it did really ache anyway.

Before Josephine could say anything more, Lexa pushes past her toward the Empress that had her arms crossed over her chest as she had been watching the two women for a while now. "I am so sorry your highness, the time had eluded me. I was just so excited to be active-"

"Don't worry, Alexandria. I understand that you have to train for your coming fights. It would be a shame to lose my newest guard. I thought I would come down to the arena to see you in training. You were right about what you said, you are definitely more than a Gladiatrix. You're calculated, it's very intriguing to watch."

Relieved that Clarke was in fact not upset with her about not waiting at her door as she should have; Lexa looks to the other two women with Clarke. The handmaiden Raven as well as Valentina. "Is everything fine at the palace my Empress?"

"Yes, everything is splendid. As I said, I just wanted to see you training. But I suppose that is the ulterior motive; Valentina has made me aware that your armour has arrived which means you have to be sworn in, immediately.

If Lexa's skin wasn't hot before, it certainly was now. She was about to be officiated and her nerves were getting the best of her and she knew if she spoke now; her voice would be shaky. "Yes, of course, your highness. Let us go then, I am as ready as I will ever be."

Lexa walked side by side with Valentina toward the palace, asking her about the coming process. It was simple Valentina told her, first she will get a stigma that would differentiate her from any other guard. It would make her notable as an official Praetorian guard until her day of death. She had the choice between a hot iron branding or a process Valentina herself would do; the same process that was done on Lexa's arm that gave her the tattoo she had that matched her father's.

Lexa would never in her life like to repeat that process since it was long and agonizing so she chose the branding. It was quick, painful yes, but quick. After her branding, she was set to put on her armour and then to be sworn in by one of the Legionnaire's General's in front of the Senate.

Upon entering her quarters, the once unlit and unused brazier was now filled with hot coals, making the room even warmer than it would be on this particularly hot day. Next to the statuette that held her Colosseum armour was another statuette now that held her new armour. It was different from the armour the other Praetorian guards wore and for a second Lexa was confused.

"A new Generation," Bellamy says from behind her. It seemed he was standing on the balcony when she came in. "Since you would be the first-ever female in the Praetorian guard, I only thought it fitting that you should get a new style of armour. I have to say, I am exceptionally impressed with how well it was crafted. Ilian is a brilliant craftsman."

Ignoring him for a moment, she stands in front of her new armour, lost in the beauty of it. It was as black as the armour Bellamy wore, except its engravings were different. It was shaped to fit her body perfectly and two golden griffins were etched into the abdomen piece. An olive branch on each side of each griffin, with the letters S.P.Q.R written in gold above them.

Senātus Populusque Rōmānus.

There were two golden badges on each front of the shoulders which were connected with a single chain. They clipped in place a blue sash like cape that hung over the back of the armour. The cape was the same blue as the sash that Clarke wore each day.

"She chose the burn branding, General." Valentina says, looking to Bellamy as he waited for Lexa to reply to him. "Thank you, Valentina. Please place the iron in the coals, it should be hot enough soon."

Lexa had turned around to face Bellamy. He was in the same armour he wore on the day she first saw him up on the royal balcony next to Clarke. The day of her very first fight. He was not only the main Senator but a General of the Praetorian guard as well. He almost held an equal amount if not more authority than the Emperor himself. She would fall under his authority and that made her feel uneasy.

Upon her first meeting with him, at the feast a few nights ago, she could tell that he made his decisions based on emotion not with intellectuality and that was not a trait a General should have. The second thought that crossed her mind was the remarks he made to Clarke a few nights ago which were quite unethical.

Pushing her personal judgement of him out of the way she walks to him and extends her forearm to him in gratitude which he takes with his own. "Thank you, General. It will be my utmost honour to serve under you. I hope to do Rome proud."

Both Clarke and Octavia entered the room and stood next to Valentina as they watched Lexa and Bellamy conversate until he gestured for Valentina to bring him the iron rod which she quickly retrieved from the coals with a cloth over the handle to avoid burning herself.

With great care, she carefully handed it to Bellamy and bowed her head. "Unfortunately, the Emperor is occupied with other priorities today so he will not be here to witness your officiation but he has instructed me that his daughter, the Empress would stand in, in his place."

He averted his gaze to Clarke who stood with her hands clasped in front of her. She wasn't sure how this worked, her father just said that she should be present and act out his authority for him. "Empress, will you do the honors? The Emperor does the branding himself, therefore it is you who will do the branding today."

Clarke's eyes widened and she made eye contact with Lexa who only looked to her expectantly. Lexa just wanted to get the branding over and done with. The faster she can get her hand under water, the better.

Swallowing hard, Clarke stepped forward and took the iron from Bellamy's hand, also careful not to burn herself accidentally. "Place your hand against the wall and keep it still, Alexandria. There's nothing as bad as a ruined brand, I assure you." As instructed, she places her palm flat against the cold marble wall and looks to Clarke who still stood in the same place, frozen.

With a small push on her lower back from Bellamy she steps forward, never once leaving eye contact with Lexa. For a split second she tears her eyes away and lifts the iron rod that held the Legionnaire's symbol at its tip, red as the sun as heat seeped from it. With a deep breath, Lexa nods her head for Clarke to continue and that's what she does.

She presses the hot brand to Lexa's hand and she doesn't wince in pain. She grunts a sound that comes directly from her chest, almost a closed mouth roar. As soon as the brand is placed on her skin, just as fast it's pulled away and the rod is handed back to Valentina that places it in a nearby pot of water making the water sizzle from the heat.

Lexa looks at her now shaking hand, staring back at her is a symbol similar to the one on her new armour. Two olive branches around the letters S.P.Q.R. It was now burnt into her skin, until the end of her days.

"Good. We will now leave you to clad in your armour, then I will swear you in. I will wait in the council hall along with the Senate. Please join us once you are ready." With that he leaves the room, closely followed by Valentina first and then Clarke.

"Will you join me to the council hall, Clarke?" Bellamy asks, holding out his hand for her to take but she smiles and shakes her head no. She just wanted a moment to herself, just to calm down. She had never hurt anyone physically, let alone branded them.

Meanwhile, Lexa had moved to the jug of water that was on the table. It was meant for drinking but instead, she shoves her hand into it, trying to ease the pain of the burn she had just gotten. It didn't hurt nearly as much as the one she got on her forehead but it was definitely a close second.

The day she had her forehead branded, she remembered it like it was the mere day before. She vividly remembers the sound of hot iron sizzling against her skin and right after, she pushed her own entire head into a barrel of water that stood nearby as her father looked at her amused. He told her it would hurt more than anything she had ever experienced but still, she insisted to get it.

After a minute of having her hand in the jug of water, she takes it out. When exposed to open air, it burns again but she would just have to endure it. She knew she couldn't keep Bellamy or the Senate waiting for long.

So quickly she jerked her dust and sweat covered linen shirt off and threw it toward her neatly made-up bed that was covered in furs.

Out in the hall, alone, stood Clarke looking down at her own two hands that shook like leaves in a major wind. Closing her eyes, she tilts her head back, trying to calm her nerves. She didn't know why, but she felt like crying, she felt terrible for what she had just done.

When she opens her eyes and realigns her head, taking in a deep breath once again and exhaling a shaky deep breath through her mouth, she realizes that she had not shut the door to Lexa's quarters completely.

Through the small gap, in front of her stood a bare backed Lexa. Sandals, greaves, trousers, and then skin. Skin glistening with sweat, skin covered in white scars on the woman's darkly tanned skin. Then her bindings and then more tanned skin as she lifts her arms to pull the black linen tunic over her body.

With each movement, the muscles move under her soft skin and Clarke can't get herself to tear her gawking eyes away. Lexa no longer wore any bracers and this was the first time her arms were completely bare. Even from afar Clarke could see veins all across her arms, running from her wrist up until her elbow, and from her elbow to the middle of her triceps.

She was scarred all over but Clarke had to admit to herself that Alexandria may be the most attractive person she had ever seen in her entire life, so perfectly etched. Every single one of her muscles were pronounced and very pleasing to the eye.

Clarke watched Lexa lift the armour off of the statuette with no effort what so ever and places it over her body. She flips her loose hair and few braids out from inside the armour and adjusts it into a snug fit. Truly, it was crafted specially for her.

After fastening the leather straps on the side, she turns around and she looks through the gap in the door where she sees Clarke, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. "It's not polite to stare, your highness. You may come in; you do not require my permission."

A dark shade of red sprawled across Clarke's cheek as she's caught staring. Mentally she curses herself for not looking away sooner but her inner self thanks her for not looking away.

"I actually require help, if you do not mind. Otherwise please send in Valentina, I cannot tighten my bracers effectively by myself." Lexa asks, still looking through the small gap in the door.

"Valentina has left but if you can guide me on how to tighten them, I'll try assist you." Clarke says as she pushes the door open completely and making her to where Lexa stood with one bracer in her hand.

Quickly wrapping linen around her arm, she slides the bracer over her arm slowly not wanting it to scrape against the fresh burn. When Clarke takes the leather straps in her hands, she notices that they were still shaking.

"Is everything okay, Empress? If you are uncomfortable helping me, I will try make do-"

"No, no, its just that I've never branded anyone. I don't like hurting people."

"I see. If it makes you feel better, I found it quite hard to do it myself the first few times. I was tasked to brand each new slave that came to the academy. I did this for approximately 4 years to hundreds perhaps thousands of people. I know it's not easy and if I knew you would have to do it, I would have opted to do it myself rather. I'm sorry, your highness." Lexa says earnestly as her eyes meet with Clarke's for a brief moment. A sympathetic smile crosses her lips and Clarke smiles back at her.

"Okay, so all you have to do is loop each strap through these holes and then pull it tight and make a knot, easy right?" Clarke nods at the instructions, it was simple indeed and after several minutes both of Lexa's bracers were fastened in place.

"Shall we go to the great hall then, my Empress? That is if you are attending otherwise, I will come find you later."

"I am attending, a new duty of mine apparently. But before we go, I would personally like to say to you, welcome to the guard and that I apologize for having judged you as harshly as I have. I look forward to having you as my guard, I can see that your intentions are true and I trust that you will protect me with your life."

Quickly fastening her newly made weapons belt across her back, both of her swords sheathed. "You need not apologize to me, your highness. You are entitled to an opinion of me and I would not take it personally. I know you do not approve of my ways but they do not define me. I too look forward to being your guard and yes, I will protect you with my life until I utter out my final breath and the last drop of blood leaves my body."

With a nod and not another word from Clarke, Lexa takes up step behind her as she had already started making her way toward the exit.

Not another word was spoken between them as they walked to the great hall and when they entered each member of the Senate went quiet and sat on attention. All their attention on Lexa that stood in front of them with her hands clasped behind her back, her posture as straight as possible, and her stoic expression in place.

"We are gathered here today to officiate the entrance of Alexandria Silvestre into the Praetorian Guard and the Roman Legionnaire. Lift your hand to the Senate to show them that you have taken up your branding and then we will proceed to the oath."

Lexa lifted her hand to the Senate, showing them her brand. Most shook their heads in approval.

"Now the oath. Do you Alexandria Silvestre oath to adhere to the following: As a Praetorian guard you are tasked to protect the Emperor and his family from all external forces that wish to declare war or ill will upon them. However, if the Legion or Senate decides that the Emperor is no longer fit to rule then it is the Praetorian Guards responsibility to remove him from power.

Furthermore, do you Alexandria Silvestre, agree out of your own free will, in the presence of the gods and these witnesses, that you solemnly promise upon your honour as a woman to never reveal any of the secrets of The Praetorians; that you will keep inviolate the transactions of this or any other Council coming to your knowledge.

Do you promise to abide by and support the Constitution and Laws of this Order and should you violate this solemn oath, will you submit to having your hands bound to your sides, and your body placed in a dungeon underneath the walls of Rome?

If your violation is found to be more severe, will you accept the sentence of death laid upon you by either the Legion or the Senate?
Answer with a simple I do, or I do not."

Lexa listened intently and it was a lot of information to take in and understand at that very moment. This was a large agreement to take part in and it could cost her, her life if she ever were to violate any of the promises but she knew what she had to say.

"I do."

"Welcome to the Cohortes Praetoriae, Alexandria. May the gods keep you true and constant. Repeat after me: Non nobis solum."

As instructed, Lexa repeats his words. "Non nobis solum."

Not for ourselves alone.

Chapter Text

Day after day Lexa's thigh healed more and more as it should and day after day she showed up at the door to Clarke's quarters, ready for duty. There were days Clarke was in good spirits and other days she wasn't and would spend the majority of the day inside of her quarters; hidden away from the world outside.

However, on Clarke's good days she would laugh at something amusing she saw in the city and a smile would tug on the corner of Lexa's lips since she enjoyed her duty on the days Clarke felt good.

Sometimes Clarke would even tell Lexa about her childhood in Britain. Her eyes would light up when she spoke of the days she considered 'easy' and it had Lexa wonder what made Clarke's days so hard now.

Lexa never asked her why she was unhappy some days simply because it was none of her concern. Not to get her wrong, she wanted to, so badly, but Clarke's words from their earlier days stuck with her: that she was only her guard and nothing more. Not a friend of any sort.

Perhaps it was better that way, it was never good to mix personal feelings with duty. With friendship came a sense of caring and with that came the surges of anger when friends would disagree about something. If they were to mix friendship and duty, feelings could cloud someone's judgment and could potentially cost either of their lives when the day comes.

On the previous day, Lexa was set to fight in the Colosseum but Valentina advised her not to. Perhaps just wait another 3 days, then you will be in perfect condition, she said. Not happy with the recommendation Lexa was upset but she knew she couldn't risk faltering. Only the best of the Gladiators remained and fights became smaller and smaller in order to preserve the festivities.

Today though, Lexa was standing on the royal balcony behind Clarke and Bellamy as they overlooked the arena. Word was that Josephine and Gabriel would fight on the day against some of the best groups. Lexa so desperately wanted in on the fight today, she just wanted to wipe that smug look off of Josephine's face but at the same time, she was grateful to watch from up above today.

From here she could see how Josephine and Gabriel truly fought in combat and that would assist her in predicting their moves when they would eventually face off in the Colosseum against one another. It was a day Lexa eagerly awaited.

Lexa noticed Bellamy place his hand on Clarke's while he intently watched the Gladiators fight and Clarke only acknowledged him with a tight-lipped smile. It seemed Clarke was doing just about anything not to watch the spectacle. She had even earlier made the joke with Lexa if they could not fake a taking of her just so she wouldn't have to attend today.

Lexa however didn't find it too amusing, speaking such bad omens into the world wasn't very intelligent since the gods had a strange way of adding their own twists to them. Perhaps even making them come true and Lexa definitely did not want that omen to come true.

Josephine and Gabriel were a brilliant set and to Lexa that was not a surprise. To be the champions of the Colosseum took great skill. She had to admit that she admired their show of skill and she could not help wonder where they had honed it.

She wondered which academy they attended and of what lineage they were. She was not familiar with the Lightbourne or Santiago lineage but then again, she wasn't very familiar with either Persia or Greece. Lexa knew her fathers' parents came from Greece many decades ago and she knew of the stories of Sparta where Maximus' father came from. But more than that, she did not know.

To no avail of Gabriel and Josephine's opponents, they emerged victorious as they held their conjoined hands in the air as the crowds chanted their names. Both of their chests heaving with fatigue, their bodies coated in a thick layer of blood. Josephine's once blonde hair now a dark shade of crimson red due to blood.

Gabriel was the one to look around him, at every single spectator. However, Josephine looked directly at the royal balcony, not once sparing a glance to those praising her. Lexa wasn't sure if Josephine's eyes were drilling into her or into Clarke but if it were to Clarke then she would have to make her protection more obvious.

Lexa took a step down, now standing next to Clarke, with her right hand on the hilt of her sword. Her stoic façade in place as a wicked grin crossed Josephine's lips as she understood what had just happened.

Clarke only looked up to Lexa, clueless as to why her guard had so suddenly taken stance next to her. The rustling of her armour had pulled Clarke out of the trance she was in; she was finding a small strand of skin on her finger particularly interesting as she picked at it, completely zoned out from the crowds cheering as the battle had come to an end.

"Is there something wrong, Alexandria?" Clarke asks, shielding her eyes from the sun that shined past Lexa as she adjusted her position to acknowledge Clarke. "No, I suppose not. It is no matter of importance. Forgive me for alarming you." With a curt nod, Clarke averted her gaze down toward the arena grounds.

Her eyes met with Josephine's and then she understood. She understood why Lexa had taken stance next to her, on guard and stating her status to the woman that held a wicked smile in place. A shiver ran down Clarke's spine but for the life of her, she could not tell why.

She turned to Bellamy and spoke close to his ear as the crowds still hadn't quieted down. "That was the last fight of the day, right Senator?" He quickly turned his head at the sound of her voice; a voice he started to actually admire. They had started to spend more time together since she insisted she wanted to get to know the man she was set to marry.

Understanding, he agreed to it. Perhaps it was a good idea, she was to be his wife and if he were to get to know her better, maybe he will grow to love her as well but it was too soon to tell. They had only known each other for a few months but had only recently started to make the effort of getting to know one another.

He was hopeful that she may have started to accept their betrothal. Forced marriage wasn't quite the idea he had in mind when he became the head of Senate but he knew this was a good move to make, one step closer to becoming Emperor in the future.

"Yes, indeed. Was it not spectacular? Josephine is such a fierce woman and Gabriel ... he's a man I'm setting into my training regime." Grateful that it was the last fight of the day, Clarke placed her empty chalice on the table next to her and raised from her seat. "Just magnificent, Senator. Now if you would excuse me, I am feeling quite tired so I will be making my way back to the palace."

Bellamy quickly stood from his seat as well, taking Clarke's hand with his own. "Will I see you tonight?" His voice sounded more hopeful than it usually sounded and Clarke found it awfully strange. "Perhaps, I will send for you if I'm up for it. Good day, Senator." With a nod, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Vale, Imperatrix."

Still a beginner in Latin, Clarke only smiled and turned to walk away, closely followed by Lexa. When they exited the Colosseum and turned onto hidden routes that led to the palace, Clarke spoke. "Say, Alexandria, this is very embarrassing for me to ask but do you have an idea of what the Senator had just said? See, I'm quite new at learning Latin and I took the liberty of only learning the bad words."

She finishes with a chuckle, with a hopeful look in her eyes that Alexandria wouldn't judge her for it. "Do not feel embarrassed, everyone starts somewhere. I too learned the bad words first as a child. The Senator said farewell, Empress." Clarke hummed as she thought of the words, mentally noting them for future reference.

"If it is not overstepping your highness, I could teach you Latin. Admittedly it is a very complex language and I do not know the entire extent of it, but I know the majority. My mother taught me the important things and my friends taught me the bad words, just to clarify."

Clarke tried to stifle her laughter at Lexa's last words that came out at an increased pace, desperate to validate what she had meant to say. "I would like that, Alexandria. Perhaps we can work it into my routine. May I also ask if you were taught to read and write since you were taught Latin."

Proud that she in fact was taught to read and write since not many were; she answered with pride in her tone. "Yes, indeed I was. That too my mother taught me, she said I was a very quick learner, your highness. We can only hope that I can teach Latin as well as she did."

"I will be sure to tell you if you are a terrible teacher or not." Clarke says as she looks to Lexa with a joking smile. They were walking through the palace gardens now and Lexa just walked next to Clarke, going in whichever direction Clarke pleased to go.

They reached the door to Clarke's quarters and as usual, Clarke entered after Lexa looked the room through for anyone that should not be in there. When she exited and gestured for Clarke to go inside, she was shocked to hear Clarke ask her to come inside.

She had been with Clarke in her quarters a mere two times. The first time when she pinned Finn to the floor and the second time when she grew impatient with Clarke not coming outside on her first day of guard duty. Not once after that was she in the room again, up until now.

Uncomfortable and out of her element she walked in and awkwardly stood in one place as Clarke poured herself a chalice of wine. "Would you like a chalice, Alexandria?" Clarke asks, looking over the rim of her own cup. "Unfortunately, I will have to decline, your highness. I should not drink while on duty and I feel it would be inappropriate of me to drink in your presence."

Clarke furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding. "Not in my presence? Why just in my presence, Alexandria? Afraid you will say more than the few words you normally only speak to me in the day?" Clarke enjoyed teasing Lexa every now and then because she knew it made her uncomfortable and she never knew how to react. "I'm only joking. But I insist, have one chalice with me and I'll let you go for the day, I will probably not leave my quarters again today. Consider it an order directly from your Empress."

With a sigh, Lexa gave in. Although Clarke meant it as a joke, it indeed was an order directly from the Empress. "Please, sit down and I will pour you some wine. Choose, anywhere." Clarke says gesturing at the chairs around the table in the middle of the room. Taking the invitation, Lexa unclipped her weapons belt and propped it up against a wall, and after, she took a seat at the table.

While waiting for Clarke, she looked around the room and noticed painting materials in the corner of the room. Linen covered in paint shaped in beautiful scenes of nature and people it seemed. One, in particular, caught her eye, as it was sprawled out over the others that were rolled up. But before she could study it further, Clarke set the chalice in front of her.

"Thank you, your highness. This is a great honor of mine even though I must admit it feels wrong. Please excuse me if I seem uncomfortable." Lexa refused to meet Clarke's eyes; afraid she will feel even smaller than she already felt under Clarke's intense gaze.

Lexa took her first sip of the wine and it wasn't sweet, rather dry, just the way she liked it. She remembered her father always compared it to the blood of an ox, a hard dry taste. "So, Alexandria..." Clarke trails off, soothing her index finger over the rim of the chalice.

"Yes? Your highness."

"I was just wondering that now that you are in my guard and being cared for financially, are you still going to continue to fight in the Colosseum? I know you said you fight freely but-"

"I am, yes. As I told you, it brings me peace and abolishes my demons for a period of time. I do not fight for financial gain, I in fact have more aureus than I can count already. Being in your guard or not being in your guard, I probably have enough gold to live very comfortably for a long time. My father had left it for me, we never lived a life of opulence so you can imagine my surprise upon finding it."

"I see." Clarke says, taking another sip of her wine as she sat back in her seat, studying Alexandria from head to toe. "If you say you have as much coin, then why join my guard? And why risk your life in the Colosseum if you can be peaceful somewhere outside of the capital?" Clarke was a very curious person and inquisitive. Perhaps she was a little nosey too and it often got her in trouble.

"Permission to speak freely, your highness." Clarke answered with a single nod, waiting for Lexa to continue. "I joined your guard to serve Rome, overall. I joined your guard because the Emperor requested me to do it." She paused for a second as she felt a bit of rage coil inside of her. This was Lexa's problem; she had a very short fuse.

"I will say this one more time, I fight to free myself of the pain and guilt I feel. I am haunted, constantly and I do not expect you to understand that because it is clear to me that you have not felt a quarter of the pain I have. So, I request of you to please refrain from asking me any more questions about the choices I make in my life."

"You say I do not know pain? I have felt more pain in my life than you could possibly imagine! So you watch your tongue, guard!" Clarke was seething, how dare the Gladiatrix make such an assumption that she did not know pain. Alexandria did not know anything about her life.

Done with the conversation, Lexa downed the chalice of wine and set it down hard on the table next to her. "Vale, Imperatrix!" Lexa says rather loudly as she picks up her sword sheath from the ground and makes her way to the door. What she does not expect is Clarke grabbing her arm, right where the gash was.

"Do not turn your back on me, Alexandria!" Lexa yanks her arm free of the Empress' grasp though. She didn't want to be touched, especially not right now while so much raged filled her. Memories of her fathers' void of life eyes staring back at her fills her mind along with the scene of Costia's clouded eyes as Lexa was burying her head and body in a shallow grave.

"I know the pain you speak of, Alexandria! Don't you dare try to invalidate my pain simply because of who I am and what I came from. Even the Empress suffers!"

Lexa had, had it then. She was livid as she threw her weapons belt to the floor and grabbed the soft linen dress that covered Clarke's body. Pushing her against the nearby marble wall with full force. Clarke's body made a hard thump against the wall as fear set in over her.

This was the savage Gladiatrix, the woman Clarke feared. This wasn't the friendly guard she had grown to like the past few weeks; this was the woman that killed without hesitation and Clarke was frightened to her very core.

Clarke was staring back into the emerald eyes of the Gladiatrix that had a very tight grip on her clothing. Tears were brimming in both women's eyes; Clarke's with fear and Lexa's with unimaginable heartache. "You do not know my pain, Clarke! You will never understand it! Feel me holding my father as the life drained out of his eyes! Feel me carrying my lover's headless corpse to her grave! Feel me finding my mother's body burnt to a crisp, unrecognizable, nothing but her jewelry left to identify her! Feel that!"

Their faces very impossibly close and Clarke could feel every one of Lexa's rushed hot breaths against her skin. She was drowning in Lexa's scent that smelled of nature and the various oils she used on her skin. It made her feel dizzy and her knees were going to buckle very soon if Lexa did not remove the hold she had on her.

"I'm sorry..." is the only words Clarke manages to utter in a very shaky voice that was cracking. It was as if Lexa's pain had seeped into her heart and it was overwhelming. Long forgotten of her own pain, she now felt everything Lexa felt and it confused her beyond belief.

"Lexa, I'm sorry." Lexa's chest was still heaving inside of her armour, making the leather straps at the sides suffer under the strain of her flexing muscles. Her lips were quivering and she knew she was about to cry. The woman in front of her stood broken and guilt filled Lexa as she saw the fear she ensued in Clarke. She didn't mean to frighten her, or hurt in any sort of manner.

This moment had crossed a line that they would never be able to go back over. From here on out everything will be different. Lexa wanted to remove the tight grip she had on Clarke and gather her up in her arms. To tell her she was sorry that she had frightened her, that she was just angry and lost control.

But instead, the women stood in silence as they exchanged body heat with one another. Eyes locked with one another, both waiting for the other to do something, anything. Lexa was the first to do something as she started to regain her composure.

She released her grip on Clarke and took a few steps back as Clarke stood with her back still firmly placed against the marble wall, her breathing starting to even out. Slowly Lexa bent down and picked up her weapons belt then exited Clarke's quarters without another word. She almost bumps into the maiden Raven, but avoids the collision at the very last second as she hurriedly makes her way down the corridor.

Lexa didn't understand how Clarke managed to invoke so many emotions in her. From happiness to comfortability to anger in a matter of seconds. When had the Empress taken up so much authority of her personally?

She didn't want to admit it but she knew they crossed another line a while ago when Clarke told her about her childhood. The next line was crossed when they were in the palace gardens and a leaf had fallen in Clarke's hair and Lexa couldn't manage to stop herself from taking it out of the Empress' hair.

Another line was crossed when they shared lingering gazes at caesna when the Emperor insisted Lexa eats with them. She certainly wasn't treated the same way the other guards were treated and perhaps it wasn't very fair but it was beyond her control.

[A/N: Caesna = Dinner/Supper]

And last but not least, the final line was crossed when she had just laid hands on Clarke. Her hands felt like they had caught alight as she remembers how it felt to have Clarke so close to her and she knew it was wrong but she reveled in the thought.

Lexa had to admit to herself that perhaps she wasn't just the guard anymore. Her emotions stretched beyond that, Clarke in her mind stretched beyond someone she was assigned to protect. Clarke was someone she longed for now she realizes but she too knew that it could never happen.

Even though Clarke just had her on the breaking point, she couldn't manage to retain the anger. Once again, the feeling of Clarke so close to her washed over her entire being. The feeling of anger now replaced with a hunger she had not felt for anyone but her beloved Costia.

Right there and then she wanted to turn around and almost run back to Clarke's quarters and apologize for what she had just done. That she had no right to hold her that way. Chances were other Praetorian guards were already on their way to take her to the dungeons for inflicting harm to Clarke but little did she know that it was not the case at all.

Back in Clarke's quarters, she watched Lexa leave, and when the door closed behind her with a hard slam; Clarke slowly slid down the wall. Trying to regain her composure completely. Yes, she was frightened by Lexa beyond anyone's belief but the attraction she had just felt for her was just as unbelievable.

Clarke had never felt so connected to anyone in her lifetime. The physical and spiritual attraction was crazy; she felt so much of Lexa now. All of her pain, everything. The connection they had just shared was almost erotic in Clarke's mind.

Soon her thoughts were interrupted by Raven who entered her quarters without knocking. At the sight of Clarke on the floor and the encounter she had just had with Lexa almost bumping into her, immediately panicked Raven as she rushed over to her friend on the floor.

"Are you okay Clarke? I heard shouting so I came as fast as I could, what happened? Did she hurt you, should I get the guards?" She spoke hurriedly, almost getting up from her crouching position and calling the guards without Clarke's permission. To her taste, Clarke's answer comes too slow and Raven flies up to find guards down the corridor.

But she's stopped by Clarke who grabs her right wrist, inevitably stopping her in her tracks. "No, Raven. She did not hurt me, we ... I think we just had a misunderstanding, it's okay. She just went to compose herself. I believe I overstepped one of her boundaries. It was my fault." Clarke spoke softly, not meeting Raven's eyes, it was as if she was looking right through Raven as she got lost in her own mind again.

"Why are you so flustered, Clarke? You're glowing like hot embers. Did she touch you? Did you touch her? What a taboo, the guard and the Empress-"

"It wasn't like that Raven! It looked like she was about to kill me! Now help me up, will you?" Clarke held out both of her hands for Raven which she took with her own and pulled Clarke up from the floor. When she was up, she straightened out her now crinkled linen dress that she will most likely never look at the same way.

In the meantime, Lexa needed to relieve the tension she was feeling, and as much as she disliked the idea she had in her mind right now; she knew that it was what she needed to do. Someone needed to feel her wrath.

After asking servant after servant for directions to the Greeks' quarters, she finally found it. Before she could manage to convince herself that this was a very bad idea, she raises her hand and knocks on the hardwood door in front of her.

On the other side, she could hear someone moving to the door. Lexa knew she could still escape this, there was still time to leave. She wanted to apologize to Clarke but if she were to go back to Clarke's quarters without releasing some of her tension then she will certainly release all of her tension on Clarke. Lexa was convinced that such would not be welcomed by her Empress.

Not only unwelcome but inappropriate as well. Unprofessional.

When the heavy door opens, Lexa is met with brown eyes and a grin on the woman's lips. "Salve, Alexandria. How can I help you? Have you finally accepted-" Lexa interrupts Josephine's smug comment by slamming her lips onto her fellow Gladiatrix's.

Josephine was an attractive woman; Lexa couldn't deny that and perhaps she was overreacting when she said she would rather visit a brothel than visit Josephine. For what Lexa needed right now, Josephine was perfect for.

A release of tension without any sort of commitment or complications. Josephine eagerly matched Lexa's pace as her fingertips locked in a grip on Lexa's breastplate, pulling her into her quarters and shutting the door behind Lexa.

Their tongues fought for dominance and teeth often clashed with one another. This kiss was nothing more than lust and it was rough. Surely both of the woman's lips will be bruised after and perhaps Lexa would walk away with a bloodied lip as well.

Every time Lexa would be on the edge of dominance, Josephine would take Lexa's bottom lip between her teeth. The farther and farther they grew to Josephine's fur-covered bed, the more Lexa's mind filled with another blonde's blue eyes and for a second she imagined that it was her Empress that she was kissing so passionately.

Lexa ran her soft yet calloused hands over the exposed skin on Josephine's back when the back of the other woman's legs were against the foot of the bed. All Josephine needed was a soft push and she'll fall on the bed, allowing herself to be taken.

Josephine had decided that she would let Lexa take the lead, or let her think she was in control anyway. But when it came to it then she will take control and have Lexa in every single way she wanted to. Another woman she could add to her uncountable tally.

As Lexa's delicate fingers soothed over Josephine's skin, she felt small little scars and some more pronounced than other's. That's when the illusion had started to falter. The illusion of Clarke being the woman she was kissing. Clarke's skin would be perfect, without any marks.

When Lexa pulls away for air, she's disappointed to see that it in fact was not the blue eyes that had been in her mind this whole time. It was not the woman with the beauty mark above her lip and it wasn't the blonde hair she wanted to feel under her fingertips again.

Lexa in fact does push Josephine back though, hard, almost painfully so. Essentially seperating their lips with extreme haste. When Josephine's back meets with the furs, she props herself up on her elbows and looks to the armoured woman standing at the foot of her bed. Josephine was taken aback by the force Lexa had just used on her.

She couldn't tell if it excited her or if she just put herself in a position she wasn't ready for. Waiting for Lexa to make her next move, Josephine looks to her with hungry eyes.

Though Lexa never does make a move Josephine wanted, instead she raises her forearm to her mouth and wipes it with the leather bracer that covered her arm.

Lexa wanted to wipe Josephine from her lips. This was a mistake. She does the gesture as she locks eyes with Josephine and she only looks back to Lexa with a facial expression that says "Really?"

When Lexa turns to leave, Josephine yells from behind her. "What, you're leaving?! Am I not up to your standards? Not royal enough, is that what it is? I'm not the blonde you actually want to take? I see the way you look at the Empress!"

Lexa then turns around again, laughing bitterly. It was bittersweet really. Josephine was right, she wasn't the blonde she wanted. "No, I just realized I really don't fucking like you. My apologies for interrupting your night. See you in the arena, cunne."

[A/N: Cunne = Cunt (You've seen this one.)]

"You'll be back! They always come back!" Josephine yells again as Lexa opens the door, exiting into the corridor.

The sun had moved considerably fast today she notes, hiems was really close. The daylight would become less and less now and it would become colder and colder. It was already dark outside which meant all the candles were lit in the corridors.

[A/N: Hiems = Winter/Cold (You've seen this one.)]

At every fourth door, a brazier was placed as well that held hot wood fire, lighting the halls even more.

Lexa was making her way down the corridor toward Clarke's quarters. She had released enough of her tension; she would be able to have a civilized conversation with Clarke now if she allowed her to speak.

When she reaches her door, she softly knocks on it. Bowing her head and shuffling on her feet. She shook her head at herself, how many more mistakes would she make today? First laying hands on the Empress and then almost having intercourse with someone she despised with all of her being.

To her disdain, no one answers to the knocks. Clarke was either asleep already or she wasn't in her quarters. Perhaps she simply wasn't seeing anyone because she was most likely still upset about what Lexa had done.

In utter defeat Lexa turns to leave, accepting that she will not sleep tonight because she felt an unimaginable amount of guilt. When turning on her heels, she in fact does hear talking coming from inside Clarke's quarters. She couldn't hear what was said but it was a male voice and Lexa had heard Bellamy's voice enough to know that it was not him.

It wasn't the Emperor's voice either which meant that there was someone with Clarke who wasn't supposed to be there. It was a clear instruction from the Emperor to Lexa; that no man was to see Clarke except for himself or Senator Blake.

Panicked that she had utterly failed at her one task, Lexa hurriedly bursts through the door, her right sword already drawn. She looks to her right first and scans from there over to her left where she sees Clarke's balcony door ajar.

With heavy steps Lexa makes her way there in a swift movement, not giving whomever the chance to come back inside. She hears the voice of a man she had bested so many times before that she had lost count.

Finn.

"Come on, Princess..." He had his hands firmly placed on Clarke's hips and Clarke only loosely draped her arms over his shoulders. She was leaning into his touch but her mind was somewhere else; thinking of someone else.

"You!" Both Clarke and Finn's eyes dart to Lexa's authoritative voice as she approaches them in long hard strides. Sheathing her sword again, she wasn't going to kill him, not yet. Finn quickly removed his hands from Clarke, putting some distance between them.

"Nobody but the Empress' betrothed may lay a hand on her!" Lexa yells as she grabs Finn by the blue linen tunic he was wearing. He stumbles under her grasp when she yanks him away from Clarke. She practically throws him back into the room and he loses his footing, essentially making him fall hard.

"Lexa!" Clarke yells, trying to reprimand her guard, or at least just stop her from harming Finn. She had requested him to come to her quarters since she had her own build-up of tension that needed immediate release.

Lexa doesn't bother to look to her Empress as anger fills her. Who was this advisor to lay hands on the Empress? He had no right. Angerly she walks toward him as he starts to get up, when he props up his one knee, she grabs the material of his clothing again.

In a tight grip, she drags him across the floor toward the door. "Lexa! Don't hurt him, I asked him to be here!" At the simple few words, Lexa freezes in her tracks. Of course she had asked him to come here. Bitterly Lexa nods her head and lets go of Finn's clothing. He on the other hand was still in too much shock to say something.

The talk amongst the slaves and maidens in the palace was true. Lexa didn't want to believe the whispers she heard when she walked through the halls. She simply considered the stories as falsehoods. She respected Clarke too much to believe what the whispers said. Clarke didn't seem like the type of woman to betray her betrothed.

Perhaps human yes, only longing for other people but never acting upon those desires.

Lexa couldn't help feel disappointed. Clarke was exactly what they said she was, an entitled royal that did exactly what she wanted when she wanted without consequence. Even though Lexa wasn't the fondest of Senator Blake, she couldn't help feel sorry for him that his betrothed was having an affair with his advisor.

"Finn would you mind coming back later? I think I need to have a private conversation with my guard."

Again, Finn got up from the floor and met Lexa's eyes in a distasteful glance. She was clenching her jaw and her eyes followed every single movement he made on his way to the door. When the door closed behind him, she turns around to meet the angry eyes of Clarke who had her arms crossed over her chest.

"Aren't you just the biggest hypocrite? Did all the blows to your head make you have memory lapses, Lexa? Because I'm pretty sure you had your hands on me not so long ago."

Lexa unclenched her jaw and comfortably walked closer to Clarke, only leaving five feet between them. "Alexandria, my name is Alexandria, your highness. I would appreciate it if you were to use my full name. Also, that is why I am here, I'm here to apologize for what I had done. I lost my temper and reacted with emotion. I only hope that you can forgive me, Empress."

"That's rich, Alexandria. Because I can also recall you inappropriately addressing me, using my name." Clarke exhaled a deep breath as she dropped her arms to her side again. Keeping the tension between them would make for very uncomfortable coming days, so she decided it would be better if they just made peace now and get a good night's rest. Perhaps all the feelings she was feeling will be gone in the morning as well.

"I forgive you, Alexandria. But if you ever do anything similar to that again-"

"I won't, you have my word." Lexa says, straightening out her posture, puffing her chest, and firmly grounding her feet on the marble floor, standing on attention for whatever order Clarke would have for her next.

"You will also never come into my quarters again unless I tell you to come inside. You are only to enter if it is a matter of life or death if I do not answer, is that understood?"

"Yes, your highness. Understood." Contemplating if she should ask the one question that's lingering in her mind, her judgement seriously falters and so does her self-control. "This Finn... you said to me that he was a fool in love with you. I did not realize that you reciprocated his advances, is this an agreement you have with the Senator? Perhaps it is none of my business I just-"

Before Lexa continues, Clarke immediately interrupts her before she could finish whatever she was hoping to say. "You're right, it is none of your business. But I will disclose this to you since I would like to keep it hushed; the Senator does not know and I would prefer if he did not find out. You see he believes that he can have any woman he wants while I see no one but him and I'm sure you can see the problem with that."

Nodding understandingly, Lexa bows her head. But when she raises it again, her eye catches on the piece of linen with a scene painted on it. The painting she had tried to study earlier but Clarke interrupted her. Now standing a bit closer to it, she could make out more details of it.

What she did not know was that the painting she was looking at, was one of her. The scene that had been in Clarke's mind ever since she saw it. The glimpse she had of Lexa's bareback and the muscles it elicited, all coated in a thin layer of glistening sweat. The veins on her arms and the scars her skin held. A sight to behold indeed.

Lexa's eyes land on one of the arms, a tattoo, and almost in disbelief, she looks at her own arm, making sure if what she was looking at was indeed real. However, Clarke notices where Lexa's eyes were; what they were studying so intensely. Embarrassed, she steps into Lexa's line of sight, blocking her view of the painting.

After doing a doubletake of the image and the tattoo on her arm, her mouth goes dry. Lexa could swear that it was a painting of her; the Empress had painted her. A wave of insecurity set in over her that Clarke would do such a thing.

Clarke cleared her throat as she felt a rush of heat shoot up her neck then reaching her cheeks, giving them an intense shade of red. "I will see you in the morning. I have to meet with the settlers if you recall; it is part of my routine."

Pulled out of her own world, Lexa lays her eyes on Clarke again when she finishes talking. Quickly swallowing she bows her head again, but doesn't say a word; afraid that her tone will betray her.

Chapter Text

The next morning before first light, Lexa finds herself in the woods outside of the city walls. It had been some time since she truly ran which was strange since it was among her most favorite activities.

Then again she had been preoccupied with other matters from the first day she arrived in the capital. From her first fight to her injury and then to becoming part of the Praetorian guard. Though, if she never endured the injury to her thigh, she probably would've found time in between to go running.

The gash on her thigh had now merely reduced itself to a large scar. It was pronounced and she found herself looking at it quite often. She had never had a scar of this size or of such visibility and perhaps it made her feel a sense of insecurity. However, Valentina assured her that she knew of oils that could render the scar almost invisible.

At her top speed, gravel crunches under her sandals as their straps pull taught over her feet and legs with each hard step she took. She ducks under branch after branch and the thin ones she simply swipes out of her way.

As the smell of pinecones, olivewood and an abundant amount of herbs fill her senses; she can almost imagine herself running through the woods of Polis again, shortly followed by her fellow Gladiators and Gladiatrix. But there's no one behind her now, it is just her in the large vast forest.

The sun had just started creeping over the mountain tops behind the city and Lexa halted on top of a hill that was higher in altitude than all of the trees she had just run in between. Running had the same effect on her brain as killing had. It cleared her mind of all thought and heartache.

Placing one hand in front of her, she lowers herself onto the ground. She raised her knees in front of her and rests her arms on them trying to regain her breath. Her chest heaved inside of her thin black sleeveless linen shirt. Lexa focused her eyes on the rising sun and a sense of calmness washed over her.

Nothing but the sound of bird's cheerful chirps filled her ears and perhaps in the distance, she heard the howls of a pack of wolves that had made their very first kill of the early morning.

In thought she raised her right hand into her line of sight and intently studies her new brand that too healed very well thanks to Valentina. Of course, the scarring was crucial to stay behind. Ignoring the fact that it in fact was a branding; it was actually quite beautiful.

Lexa stayed on the hill admiring the sunrise for perhaps another thirty minutes until the sun hung firmly over the city of Rome. Signaling for the start of the day and even from here she could hear the bustle of the city.

She followed the path back that she had run this morning; only this time it was a slow jog. Every now and then she would wipe off the perspiration that had formed on her temples when each droplet became quite a tedious trickling over her skin.

Lexa trailed the main route into the city, passing a countless amount of carts accompanied by merchants from far and wide. All of them clearly ready to sell their wares in the market.

Feeling particularly cheerful this morning she greeted each person that made eye contact with her which was quite out of the ordinary. Eye contact with strangers made her feel uncomfortable most of the time but here she was, greeting each one of them.

At the gates she flashes the branding on her hand to the guards which allow her easy access into the capital. Pushing through the growing crowds of people ready for their day in the city, Lexa finally makes it to the stairs that lead up to the palace. Making her first step on them she decided to count how long it would take her to reach the top. From now on she would count how long it takes her every time to see how much she improves over time.

Even going down the corridors toward her quarters, she greets each servant with an acknowledging nod. She might even have quite some of the women blushing. Almost reaching her quarters, she spots Valentina with a tray of food.

"Good morning, Valentina. May I help you carry that?" Lexa offers as she takes up step next to the older woman that quirks an eyebrow at her as she composes herself again. Lexa had completely surprised her with her presence so early in the day.

"Salve, Lexa. Strange to see you awake so early and ... sweaty? Where were you? Do not tell me you were in training already without any sustenance." Valentina opts to ignore Lexa's offer to carry the tray since this was quite literally her obligation to fulfill.

"No training. I was just running in the forests. I have to stay in form if I wish to win this year. Fitness and vigilance my dear Valentina. That is part of the recipe to victory." Lexa finishes, prying the tray out of Valentina's hands.

Valentina only shakes her head at Lexa as a smile crosses her lips because of Lexa's playfulness on this particular morning. She could certainly get used to serving someone as easy going as Lexa. She wasn't like the royals that all demanded something a certain way. She was happy with whatever came her way and she didn't mind straying away from formalities.

"And? How is your thigh feeling? Any sort of discomfort?" Valentina asks, taking a quick glance to Lexa's thigh that too was covered in sweat. Valentina only saw such perspiration on soldiers after a large battle or on Gladiators after their final battle. It makes her conclude that Lexa must have pushed her body's limits this morning.

"Oh no, not at all. It feels great, I think my muscles enjoyed the run more than my mind did."

They made it to Lexa's quarters and Valentina opened the door for Lexa to enter since she still held the tray in her hands. "Perfect, I will have some servants fill your bath for you while you eat. You have a long day ahead, the Empress will be quite busy."

With a small sigh, Lexa nods with a forced smile as the memories of the previous day fill her mind and thoughts. Dread washed over her as she knew she would have to be with Clarke the entire day. Lexa had the feeling Clarke would not make the day easy for her.

Lexa ate and bathed while thinking of the many scenarios that could play out today. She found herself only liking two of the scenarios but they both were equally impossible.

One was that yesterday was just a dream and it never happened. That no one was hurt, no truths were revealed, and that no feelings were acknowledged.

The second was that Clarke could somehow read Lexa's mind. That she could see why Lexa reacted the way she did and perhaps Lexa would even give Clarke a glimpse of how she actually felt. To show Clarke that she was the one that filled her dreams now.

Morta no longer haunted Lexa, Clarke did.

[A/N: For those that have forgotten. In Roman mythology, Morta was the goddess of death. She is one of the Parcae, related to the Roman conception of the Fates in Greek mythology. She is responsible for the pain and/or death that occur in a half-awake, half-sleep time frame. She visits and/or warns in advance of the pain and/or death about to be endured or was already endured.]

Of course it was an irrational thought though. Clarke would never look at her the same way and even if she did; it could never happen nor would it work in their favor.

Lexa made her way down the corridor toward Clarke's quarters. She was fully clad in her Praetorian armour; the blue cape easily flowing down her back. She opted for a normal weapons belt that clipped around her waist on the day. Her newly crafted belt that sprawled across her back interfered with the cape.

When she would go into the Colosseum again, she would unclip her cape to avoid it getting blood splatter and avoid it from getting rips and tears due to swords and spears. In the Colosseum, she would make use of her new weapons belt since it was easily maneuverable and added a certain flair to kills.

She took stance in front of Clarke's quarters, not bothering to knock and announce her presence. The longer she could avoid Clarke, the better. Though the goddess Fortuna was not on her side today and nor was she working in Lexa's favor. A short twenty seconds after Lexa stood still next to Clarke's door, it swung open.

Clarke exited her quarters, still shoveling a couple of grapes into her mouth. It was as if she had been listening at the door, waiting for the rustling of Lexa's armour to show up.

"Salve, Imperatrix." Lexa greets with a slight bow of her head as she watched Clarke shove the last grape into her already full mouth.

A lone trail of juice runs down the side of Clarke's mouth, making Lexa only widen her eyes in a sense of surprise. "You have a ... uhm, something here." Lexa says gesturing with her index finger. Clarke only looks back to her in confusion, not knowing what her guard meant.

Without trying to explain further, Lexa reaches out and wipes the trail away with her thumb. "There." She says, quickly retracting her hand as she realizes she crossed a line she promised not to cross again. Not to touch the Empress in any sort of way.

Embarrassed, Clarke only looks down at the marble tiles and swallows the remainder of the grapes, licking her lips after. "Thank you, Alexandria." Soon after silence envelopes them, Clarke brushes past Lexa into the direction of the discussion hall.

Falling out of the trance she was in painfully hard, Lexa falls in step behind Clarke.

"We're late, Alexandria."

Furrowing her eyebrows, she continues walking behind Clarke, trying to figure out what the Empress was referring to. After a few seconds, she remembers and she wonders how the task could've slipped her mind. "Right, late. I don't think royalty can be late for something, your Highness."

"They definitely can be Alexandria. Especially if the so-called royalty is me since I like to be punctual. Judging by the position of the sun, I should've been there already. It is a good thing you arrived when you did, I was about to leave without you."

"I'm sure they don't mind waiting, my Empress. Besides, you know you are not allowed to go anywhere without me. Especially not into a crowd of people that could become violent at any moment."

Clarke scoffed at Lexa's statement lightly bumping Lexa on her shoulder plate. "Puto vos esse molestissimos."

"I am not annoying. Just persistent and I take my title very seriously." Lexa says with a slight chuckle at the mocking tone Clarke has just used on her. Lexa clasps her hands behind her back in satisfaction because she didn't feel any sort of tension between them that she almost expected to feel.

"Besides Alexandria, if you recall, we both have been doing things lately that we are actually not allowed to." Clarke grinned in Lexa's direction and instantly the smile from Lexa's lips disappeared as she focused in front of her again. She didn't want to dig into the statement Clarke had just made, surely she would just drift into the wrong direction than into what Clarke actually meant.

The remaining short walk to the discussion hall, passed painfully slowly as neither of them said anything more but Lexa could see that Clarke was deep in thought about something or someone.

Lexa hadn't been in the discussion hall yet since her arrival at the palace. Upon entering the hall, she notes that it is one of the largest rooms in the entire palace.

"I would not really refer to this place as the discussion hall. It's more of a throne room, you know?" Clarke states to Lexa who had slowed in pace as she admired the incredible architecture.

There were six large marble columns erected around the room that held up the roof. Each painted with its own unique scene. Some of the gods, some with olive reaves, and others with grape wines. The floor was set in patterns with beige colour tiles along with dark brown.

At the very end of the room, stood three thrones. One larger than the other two, presumably it was the Emperor's throne and the other two belonged to the two Empress'. Abigail and Clarke.

Each was made of a combination of steel and marble, then detailed with gold. For comfortability were pillows set on them, each covered in the same blue crimson colour that was a key symbol of the Gryphem's.

Lexa only continued to follow Clarke toward the thrones. Above the thrones was a large stained window that allowed the room to be filled with natural light as the many other smaller windows spread across the walls did too.

The settlers had not been allowed to enter the hall just yet. The guards were waiting for Clarke's orders to open the door for the mobs.

When Clarke reached the throne in the middle; the one belonging to the Emperor she circled it. Caressing her fingertips over the cold marble, softly as if it were a lover. Soon she relaxed on the seat, lifting her chin as if readying herself for the coming battle of words. Her blue eyes looking over the empty hall, they held determination and Lexa could clearly see that Clarke was now in her element. A whole new side of Clarke was revealed at that moment, she showed clear potential to lead. Perhaps even to lead the entire Roman empire.

Comfortably she rests both of her arms on either armrests next to her on the throne then crosses her one leg over the other. "Let them in, Dominic!" Clarke gestures to the one guard who quickly bowed his head to her. With his hand firmly placed on the hilt of his sword, he proceeds to carry out his given task.

Soon after when the guards opened the doors, rushed in came the settlers of Rome, all burning with requests from the Empress. Requests they full-on know the Empress will most likely deny but they were going to try anyway. On the throne, Clarke realizes that more than triple the amount of people than normal came today. Surely it will erupt into a riot of sort.

"Do you see the hallways behind me, Alexandria?" Clarke asks in a tone just loud enough for Lexa to hear over the bustling of the settlers.

"Yes, Your Highness. It is quite hard to miss; what about them?" Lexa had taken stance next to the throne Clarke sat one. The voices of the crowd echoed through the room because of the high ceiling and the lack of furniture except for the thrones.

"They are emergency exits, Alexandria. Take me through there if things become too much for the guard to handle, understood?"

With a curt nod, Lexa looks to the ever-growing crowds again. "Understood, Empress. Hopefully, that will not be necessary today."

The settlers practically stumbled and trampled one another just trying to get to the front of the crowd, hoping the Empress will hear them today. Clarke never stayed long enough to hear what everyone had to say. Lexa moved to the front of the throne, almost in front of Clarke as it seemed the Praetorian guard will soon falter under the immense pressure the crowd was putting on them. All trying to get impossibly close to the throne.

Clarke however sat on the throne in contentment and soon she even boredly started picking at her nails. Tired of waiting eventually, she raised her right hand into the air, and instantly the room fell quiet. In a feeling of shock and relief, Lexa pushed her sword back into its sheath and moved back to the side of the throne.

It was as if a spell fell over the settlers of Rome, all of their eyes trained on the Empress on the throne that she had just made her own. Lexa knew Clarke had power, obviously, it came with her status but the status did not come with respect; it was earned and at this moment the mob all looked at her with respect.

"Greetings, my people." Clarke addresses the settlers in a soft voice that immediately makes Lexa move her eyes to Clarke. It was really strange how calm she was but perhaps she had grown accustomed to the roars of the settlers and she too knew she could silence them with one single gesture.

"You, step forward." Clarke pointed to a man in the front. He wore raggedy clothing and his hair clearly hadn't been washed in a while either. Lexa could only imagine the stench that followed him around. She herself could not remember a day she had not bathed, even it was in the lake back in Polis.

The guards let the man through and with struggled steps, he stopped several feet in front of the throne. He didn't make eye contact with Clarke and he nervously fumbled with his thumbs. "What is your request or complaint, settler?"

When Clarke spoke to him, only then he raised his line of sight to her. Briefly, his eyes scanned over Lexa but soon rested on the woman on the throne. "Salve, Empress. I think I speak for quite a few that have gathered here today. My Empress, we need more bathhouses. They are too crowded now and the owners shun us commoners away."

Clarke herself looked the man up down in acknowledgment. At first, she nodded, considering his request. It wasn't outrageous and recently she had seen an incline in unbathed settlers. "Noted, settler. I will conversate with the Emperor about it. I'll make sure it's done. You may go." Gratefully the man bowed at Clarke and quickly scampered into the crowd of people again, making his way toward the exits.

In the corner of the room, Lexa noticed a group of men in togas approaching the empty gallery. In a quick glance, she figured that they were members of the senate. Noticing Lexa's obvious interest in the group of men, Clarke quickly spoke. "They like to see how I handle things. They are not fond of the idea that my father placed this task solely in my hands. Do not worry about them. Ignore them, as I do."

With a single nod, Lexa returned her attention to the crowd of people that grew impatient once again. She stiffens at the sudden outburst as a group of men get into a fistfight in the middle of the crowd. Angry shouts fill the room and Clarke doesn't bother trying to silence them this time; she merely presses her open palm to her forehead.

After several minutes, some of the Praetorian guards managed to throw out all of the men that were taking part in the scuffle, and once again the room fell quiet. Clarke listened to another fifty settlers easy, none with too outrageous requests. Most related to one another but she assured them all that she will heed their requests.

Most knew hiems was coming and like every other year, they requested for more braziers in the streets, and most were concerned about the rumors of the dwindling food supply. At first, it caught Clarke by surprise because she had not heard these rumors as of now. However, she knew that all rumors carried some sort of truth and she surely will ask her father about it later.

Lexa in particular hadn't been intently listening to any of the settlers. It wasn't her job, she was intently studying a man that walked among the thinning crowds from one side to the other. His gaze filled with distaste as he looked at the Empress.

The other members of the Praetorian guard did not seem to notice him but unlucky for him, Lexa had watched him with the intensity of a hawk. As the request of the current settler came to a seeming end this particular man Lexa had watched, made his way to the front of the remaining people.

"You, step forward." As if Fortuna could not be any less to Lexa's help today, Clarke chooses the man that had been looking at her with repugnance. Choosing not to judge the man any farther, Lexa doesn't move from where she is standing. But she keeps a close eye on him, studying his every single move and body language.

Her gut tells her that she's right but she hopes not to be this one time. Unlike the other settlers, he walks right up to the throne, his eyes firmly placed on Clarke. He holds out his hand to her, in a gesture for her to give him her hand. Which she does, intrigued by this man's bravery.

"Cagenous Wallace of Caledonia. A pleasure to meet you, your highness. I have traveled very far for your hand. My father, Dante, the King of Caledonia, wishes for us to marry. He wishes to thoroughly join forces with the Roman Legionnaire. Because let us admit it, without Rome, the world falls." He seemed to be saying everything a normal Royal would want to hear but Lexa sensed a snake in the grass.

With the firm hold he had on Clarke's hand, Lexa steps forward, her fingertips grazing over the hidden dagger beneath her bracers, firmly tucked between the straps. He notices Lexa step forward but doesn't pay her much mind.

"Perhaps this is informal, but what do you say, Empress?"

Clarke retracts her hand from this bold man. Equally intrigued and shocked by his request, surely everyone had to know that she was betrothed to Senator Blake and to nobody else. Were he Roman, Bellamy would have his head if heard of this.

But this man was of Caledonia, a place close to where Clarke was from but that did not change a thing. "I would have to decline, my fine sir. I am already betrothed to a Roman. A Senator. I suggest you leave Rome before he catches wind of your request, he will not take it lightly. Leave, Cagenous Wallace."

With a curt nod and a lick of his thin lips, an evil grin crosses his features. A grin equally as eerie as Josephine's Lexa thinks, except his made a shiver run down her spine. Taking another step closer almost in front of Clarke, Lexa starts to draw the dagger since the Empress had already given her order and this man had not budged.

"If you will not agree to such, then we will not join Rome." Clearly, this man held a sense of certain egotism. Clarke spared a glance to the members of the senate that was seated in the gallery, noticing that they too were laughing at this man's statement.

"Perhaps we do not want Caledonia, sir Wallace. So I ask you again, leave. Before my guard drags you out!"

With a seemingly bruised ego, never being denied by a woman, Cagenous takes a step forward and so does Lexa. They were standing shoulder to shoulder, their eyes boring into one another. She didn't want to take too drastic measures too fast. Who was to say that this man was of actual Royalty anyway?

In a swift but calculated manner, he draws a dagger of his own out of his toga and lunges for Clarke. However, Lexa didn't have time to draw her own dagger, she only hand time to catch the mans wrist, cutting her hand on the blade in the process.

For his normal frame, Lexa surely underestimated his strength when he yanked his wrist backward, pulling her with him. They both tumbled down the three steps onto the floor in front of the crowds.

The Praetorian guard tried to intervene but Clarke only waved them off as she watched Lexa and Cagenous struggle for dominance on the marble floor. Clarke stared in awe, there's was something about Lexa's will to fight for her life that excited Clarke to her very core.

Lexa's teeth were bared as the dagger dug into her skin now as she held the blade with her bare hand. Cagenous was on top of her, his knees on either side of her as he pushed down on the back of the blade's hilt, trying to thrust it through her neck. For the first time ever, she truly feared for her life but it only motivated her to push harder.

Holding the blade with her bare right hand she used her left fist to land a few punches on the gut of Cagenous, one after the other. On the seventh hit, his grip on his blade faltered and Lexa rolled them both over, her on top now, she hit his wrist with her bloodied hand, sending his blade flying across the floor.

If one blinked, one would've missed it as Lexa slipped her own dagger from her bracer and cuts the man's hand off that was gripping around her neck. In horror, Cagenous screams looking at his now bare wrist that blood spewed out of.

Lexa wrapped both of her hands around the hilt of the dagger, one over the other as she grimaced at the throbbing pain in the palm of her hand. Just as she was about to thrust it into his chest, the Empress yells next to her. "Don't kill him!"

Half way down, Lexa stops, her chest heaving inside of her armour and blood running down her arm onto the soft linen that was wrapped around her arm under the bracer. She obeys her Empress' order, as she has every over time and as she will in the future.

"Dominic, take him to the dungeons! I decree that he will be in the next Colosseum fight where he will pay with his life! Cauterize his stump, do not give him any oils for pain, I want him to suffer!" Clarke yells as she rises from the Emperor's throne that she had now made her own.

Lexa stands up, stepping away from Cagenous as Dominic towers over the man. However, the first thing he does is tip the man Cagenous over and pulls away the back of the toga to expose the skin of the Prince. Upon quickly studying his bare skin, Dominic looks up to Clarke.

"My Empress, this man is an imposter! I am from Caledonia, their King and his future successors have a stigma on their backs marking them as Royalty. This man may be from Caledonia, but he is not of pure blood."

With her eyes not once leaving Clarke, Lexa watches as Clarke slowly takes the few steps down toward the man that called himself Cagenous. With her dress firmly tucked into her fists, careful not to step on the material or to drape it in the blood that now slowly ran over the floor, Clarke stands just far enough that the blood does not reach her when she drops the linen at her sides again.

"An imposter, that is interesting. I wonder if I should send you back to your people so you could face charges of treason but then again, I doubt they would miss you, Cagenous. After all, you are a nobody." Grunting, Cagenous tries to rise to his feet, his remaining hand firmly placed over the exposed flesh that blood poured out of.

However when he props up one knee, Lexa places a strong flatfoot kick to his chest in the manner of the Spartans that sends the man flying back onto the cold floor. "You will not rise until the Empress says that you may rise!"

Perhaps it was harsh of her to do but to her surprise she finds Clarke looking at her with a satisfied and approving smile on her lips. "My decree stands, he will face death in the Colosseum. He will bore no weapon, he will just have his one hand. Now, Praetorian, please empty the hall, I am done for the day."

Shouts of disappointment came from the crowd but on the inside, they understood her reason for wanting to be done. They would return on the next fortnight, hoping that she will hear them then. After a few minutes, the discussion hall was close to empty. No one but the few men of the Senate remaining as well as Clarke and Lexa.

With a nod in the Senate's direction from Clarke, they left. Satisfied that she had taken up some of their traditions; that she had finally sent someone to their utter demise due to their crimes and this time even for entertainment purposes.

When they too exited, the hall held nothing but the thrones, the blood on the floor servants will clean later, and then last but not least, Clarke and Lexa.

Clarke was the first to move closer to Lexa, taking Lexa's bloodied hand into her own, inspecting the gash. To Lexa's surprise for probably the thousandth time today, Clarke tears off a piece of linen from her dress and firmly wraps it around Lexa's hand.

"Thank you, for protecting me again." Clarke says, her tone a little sheepish, struggling to meet Lexa's eyes. "I'm sorry this happened." As Lexa's breathing evened out, she only wished that Clarke would meet her eyes so that she could see that her loyalty would never waiver.

As if on cue, Clarke in fact does meet her eyes and she gets lost in the eyes of her guard. The green intensity of the forests outside the city walls; the green intensity of the emeralds that lay in the royal treasury.

Lexa on the other hand finds herself comparing the eyes of her Empress to the blue ocean she had only seen once in her life and she was sure the next time she would see it, even then it would not compare to the blue of Clarke's eyes. Not even any blue of a clear sky could ever overtake Clarke.

Slowly Clarke raised her hand to Lexa's cheek, softly stroking her thumb over her soft skin. The gesture made Lexa's mouth go dry and she felt needles under her skin due to the touch of her Empress. It felt surreal and she was sure now that she may be dreaming.

"Blood." Clarke says, once again slowly retracting her hand from Lexa's face. She couldn't get herself to utter a single word. She was lost at sea that ruthlessly waved around in Clarke's eyes. Not only could she not say anything but she could not get herself to move either.

"Prandium is waiting, Alexandria. Let us go."

//

The sun had set over an hour ago and still, Clarke and Lexa sat in the atrium. Only a few slaves still traversed the halls, the more unessential ones had retired for the night. They had sat in silence for a while, neither actually wanting to speak. The peace and quiet were enough for them both.

"I'm exhausted, aren't you?" Clarke asks, sitting forward on the marble seat next to Lexa. She had demanded Lexa sit down, because apparently 'she couldn't stand all the time'. Reluctantly, Lexa in fact did sit down next to the Empress.

"Not really, but if you wish to return to your quarters, I'll obviously accompany you there. Anything your heart desires, that is what we will do."

"Anything?" Clarke asks eagerly, there was this one place that she had been dying to go to again. A place that was so contradictory but yet so peaceful to her soul at the right times.

"Yes, anything, your highness." Lexa looked to Clarke with a quirked eyebrow, wondering why she seemed so excited. It was peculiar of the Empress to have such a burst of excitement at this time of the day. Normally she would have already retired to her quarters.

"I want to go to the Colosseum. There is simply no better place in the city to view the stars. You are welcome to decline if you are too tired, I will understand, and do not worry, I will not go alone either." Clarke assures with a grin, knowing what Lexa was thinking. Of course, she was thinking that Clarke would go even if she declined to go with her.

"As I said, anything. It is quite late though and surely there will be a few drunkards so you will have to stay close to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes! I understand, now let us go, it's even a full moon, surely we are in luck!" Immediately Clarke shoots up from her seat, grabbing Lexa's hand in the process, dragging her toward the palace gardens that lead into the city.

With a small wince, Clarke lets go of Lexa's hand realizing it was her injured hand. "Sorry." With a slight wave, Lexa lets her know that it is no problem but she wasn't going to lie to herself and say that did not hurt.

As according to Lexa's predictions, a few drunkards littered the streets but none that caused them any trouble. In some part of the streets, it was so quiet that the only thing that could be heard was the small clanks Lexa's armour made when the tips of her swords connected ever so lightly with her metal greaves.

Clarke was almost skipping through the streets, occasionally spinning and never once did Lexa see Clarke ever look so free. Nothing but the moon lit up the streets and perhaps a few braziers that gave off more heat than actual light. The moonlight perfectly reflected off of Clarke's golden hair and again Lexa felt something inside of her that she never felt for anyone but Costia.

Eventually they made it to the Colosseum and Clarke insisted they sat on the royal balcony, explaining that she snuck out of the palace often to come to sit here and clear her mind. A cold crisp wind drifted over the Colosseum walls onto the royal balcony and a slight shiver set in over Clarke's skin.

Her goosebumps did not go unnoticed by Lexa however. She on the other hand was used to cold nights like these; these were the prime nights to train on back in Polis. A cold wind and a full moon were all she needed to unleash all of her passion.

Without another thought, Lexa unclipped the thick blue cape from her armour and draped it over Clarke's shoulder with a small smile. "There, you need it more than I do. I like the cold."

With a thankful smile, Clarke wraps the cloak around her shoulders tighter. "I don't get how anyone could like the cold or the heat for that matter. I wish it could be just perfect all the time, no sweat and no shivers."

Lexa only softly chuckled, looking up the stars, not replying to Clarke's statement. Clarke followed lead with her, also averting her gaze to the stars above them. "We use to train under the moonlight. Every full moon my father would have the entire academy train until the outrageous hours of the morning but truthfully, I would give anything to do it again."

Lexa couldn't stop herself from confessing this. It felt like it was time she spoke it into the world and Clarke felt like the perfect person at that moment to admit it to. Clarke gave her a strange sense of safety to be whomever she liked to be even after the day before. Even though she treated Clarke the way she did, Clarke did not look at her in any distasteful way today, in fact, they shared a few laughs today. Lexa's theory had been proven right, she no longer was just the guard, she was someone; something else now.

"If you don't mind me asking, Alexandria, but what happened to him? From the stories I've heard throughout the palace since your stay, Maximus seemed like an incredible man."

Memories of that dreadful night filled Lexa's mind and she could hear all the wails of pain again. Without any self-control, she dipped her head, still trying to comprehend and accept every single event that took place that night. On her shoulder, she felt a soft palm, Clarke. "You do not have to speak about if you do not wish to."

With a small smile, Lexa's eyes met with Clarke's and that gave her enough strength to finally speak about it. "I was with my beloved Costia on the night when I heard screams in the distance and I just knew something was wrong. Being the person I am, I quickly rushed outside to find my entire village up in flames. The first thing I did was run to my parents' home but they were not there; somewhere along the way I had found Octavia as well. We returned to the academy and ultimately I decided that I had to go back to Costia and protect her..."

Lexa swallowed hard, as the memories flickered in front of her. A large lump formed in her throat and she didn't know if she could continue but soon enough she felt Clarke's soft palm soothe over her upper arm in comfort.

"Smoke filled the air and I only saw her in the distance and one of the barbarians rode up behind her and ... he killed her in front of me. Right after, my father found me and told me my mother had burned to death in our home, he could not save her."

Lexa choked back a sob as she wiped away a stray tear that ran down her cheek, not wanting Clarke to see that she too in fact could cry but it was too late, Clarke had already seen it and she already acknowledged the vulnerable Gladiatrix in front of her.

"We went off into battle and it went on for an eternity, but when it was over I looked for my father which I found on the blood-soaked soil. He had multiple stab wounds and ... that was it, I held his hand as the life drained out of him."

Clarke herself wiped at the tears that formed in her eyes. Lexa was right, she could never imagine the pain the Gladiatrix felt. Clarke thought she knew the pain but she did not know the pain Lexa felt.

"I'm so sorry, Alexandria." Clarke croaks as she continues to slowly soothe her palm over Lexa's arm. Lexa soon raised her left hand and places it over Clarke's that was on her shoulder, stopping her hand in motion. "Thank you, for listening, your highness. I did not mean to burden you with my pain."

"No, do not apologize. I asked and I'm happy that you shared something so personal with me. I am sorry that I spoke to you the way I did yesterday. You are right, I do not understand your pain."

Lexa only tightened her grip on Clarke's hand that was still firmly placed on her arm acknowledging Clarke's apology even though it was not necessary.

Comfortable silence enveloped them as they stared up at the stars again, Lexa's hand still over Clarke's, neither of them wanting to let go seemingly.

In the distance Lexa's trained ear heard panicked screams and her eyes quickly darted to Clarke. "Do you hear that?" Clarke furrowed her eyebrows, straining her ear to hear whatever Lexa was hearing.

As the night on Polis Lexa could never forget, she heard a man yell "Fire!" into the empty night. In an instant she shot up, running toward the exit, closely followed by Clarke that did her best to keep up in pace but miserably failed.

When Lexa got outside, she halted and looked into the sky, looking for smoke alighted with the light of the fire which she quickly found. The fire seemed to be in the direction of the stables. Clarke reached Lexa and stopped next to her out of breath. "What is it?"

"Fire, at the stables I think. I need to help them!" Lexa says in a rush as takes off running toward the stables and again Clarke runs after her, only this time she just barely manages to keep up since Lexa's muscles were still seemingly worn out from the run she had in the morning.

As Lexa arrives she sees a bunch of slaves coming out of the stables, some carrying other slaves that coughed due to the smoke that engulfed the air between them. While Lexa evaluated the situation, Clarke flies past her into the burning stables. "Empress!" Lexa yells to Clarke but she doesn't stop.

Without second thought Lexa runs into the stable after Clarke. Other than the cracking of wood above her, she heard Clarke call out to her horse. "Liberius!" However, Lexa is the first one to spot Liberius next to Vitus, her own horse. "Clarke! Over here!" Lexa calls for Clarke who quickly swings around, running toward where Lexa was standing with the two horses.

Strangely Vitus was more panicked by the fire than Liberius was. Liberius simply stood and occasionally stampeded his hooves into the soil impatient. Not wasting any time, Lexa takes a firm grip of Clarke's hips and lifts her onto Liberius before taking the reins of each horse pulling them toward the exit.

She tries to cover her mouth and nose with her hand but it doesn't help much and she still coughs due to the smoke she inhales but nevertheless, she gets both horses and Clarke outside to safety.

But when they reach outside, Clarke jumps off her horse and looks to Lexa, a serious look on her face. "There are still people inside, we have to help them, Alexandria."

"You stay outside, I'll go back inside and see who I can help. Stay out here, I'm serious, I cannot lose you in there do you understand?"

With a vigorous nod from Clarke, Lexa undoes the bracer on her left arm and throws it to the side. Running toward the entrance of the stable, she unwraps the linen from her arm and places it over her mouth and nose, hoping it will muffle the stench of smoke.

She carries out two people, one over each of her shoulders, and places them on the soil as softly and rushed as she possibly could because there were at least eight more people inside that she saw. Before entering the stable again, she makes eye contact with Clarke that still firmly stood in the same place with horror in her eyes.

Some settlers had come with buckets full of water but their attempts at containing the fire were futile. Flames engulfed the entire frame and soon it will fall into itself but Lexa being the person she was, ran in again, retrieving two more people.

However this time when she places the people on the ground, gasping for a breath of fresh air she does not find Clarke. Looking to a man she carried out before that was now coughing, she rushes to. "Where did the Empress go, settler?"

"Inside." He coughs, pointing to the burning stable that was going to implode at any given second.

"Futuo!" Lexa yells before she gets up to run into the stable for hopefully the last time. She could not save more people, she could only save Clarke. Lexa was not going to let her burn to death, not as her mother did.

"Clarke!" Lexa yells before she coughs, wiping at the tears that had formed in her eyes due to the thick smoke. "Clarke! Where are you?!" To the left of the stable, she sees Clarke struggling to lift a man that was at least twice her size. Even on a good day, Clarke would not be able to lift him.

Her once white dress now covered in soot, her once milky skin now coated in soot as well. Without hesitation, Lexa wraps her arms around Clarke and effortlessly throws her over her shoulder. Lexa runs to the exit as fast as she can but a flaming wooden beam falls in front of her blocking their exit.

Clarke only flailed her arms, not caring for the flames that would soon start to lick her skin if she did not stay still. Lexa looked around, trying to think fast. But this was the only open exit, if she wanted another exit she would have to create one or burn to death.

Deciding on a plan that may or not work, she sets Clarke down in an open spot as the fire burned hot around them. This was the only plan she had, it was their only choice. "Listen to me!" Lexa yells as she places her soot-covered hands on either side of Clarke's face. "I'm going to pick you up okay? As soon as you feel my grip tighten I want you to lift your legs, we're going through there!"

Clarke looked to where Lexa pointed but only shook her head, it could never work. Before she could contest, Lexa circled her and wrapped her arms around Clarke's waist lifting her off the ground. Realizing it's too late, Clarke does as Lexa instructed and lifts her knees as high as she could.

"Hold on to my arms best you can!"

The wooden wall she was referring to was already almost burned right through and she only hoped that it would break under the force she was about to inflict on it. Getting to the longest distance possible, she ran toward the wall with Clarke still firmly held in front of her and all Clarke could do was hold her eyes shut tightly.

Right before the collision, Lexa swings around, making the back of her armour collide with the flaming hot embers. Thankfully she does burst through the wood into the cold night outside. Clarke lands on top of her and in an instant Lexa hears the sound of cracking wood, indicating that this was it, the structure was collapsing.

Hooking her forearm under Clarke's arms, Lexa pulls her backward as far as she could before the structure falls into itself with a large thump with hot embers flying all over the surrounding area.

Quickly scampering out of Lexa's hold, Clarke's already on her feet, but her features don't portray gratitude, they show nothing but anger. Somehow, Lexa too finds her feet and coughs a few times before she looks to the large fire.

"You let them burn!" Clarke yells at Lexa that averts her gaze to the Empress in shock. She had just saved her life, risking her own in the process but she's angry?

"You let them all burn, Lexa!" Clarke repeats, taking a step closer to Lexa that struggles to hold her solid stance under Clarke's intimidating gaze.

She didn't feel any sort of anger toward Clarke, she felt relief. Relief that she was able to save her, Clarke was all that mattered at that moment. To get her out safely was all that mattered.

"Not everyone ... not you." Lexa replies in the softest voice possible.

Chapter Text

When Lexa awakes after first light she can't help to turn over and bury her face into the pillow farther. She didn't feel like leaving her quarters today, especially not after what happened last night. From sharing her deepest emotions with Clarke to the near-death experience they faced together.

What made the whole situation much worse was the way Clarke acted after. Lexa had just saved her life but Clarke ... she seemed ungrateful and that was when it hit Lexa. Clarke's people mattered more to her than her own life mattered.

However, Lexa couldn't say the same. Her duty required her to put Clarke at the top of her list. Clarke was what mattered most and over time it wasn't just Lexa's duty that put Clarke on the top of her list, it was Clarke in general.

But the previous night, they returned to the palace separately. Clarke in her angry yet passionate stride and Lexa closely following her to make sure she reaches her quarters safely. Lexa did not bother to catch up to her completely nor did she attempt at a conversation. She decided to just let Clarke be for the night.

Lexa understood that the Empress must have been in shock and that perhaps she will soon understand that Lexa could only save her and not the rest of the people that still laid unconscious in the stable. Clarke had to understand that Lexa did her utmost best; she saved four which was better than none and the gods knew that Emperor would not have forgiven her if she let his only daughter burn.

Lexa's unbraided hair sprawled across her face onto the cold pillow and she inhaled a deep breath hoping for a breath of fresh air but her hair still only smelled of smoke. The scent made her stomach churn and without another thought, she stumbled out of her bed toward the backroom.

Her bath was still filled with water since she did not have the will power or energy to take a bath the previous night. When she returned to her quarters she practically threw her Praetorian armour across the room out of frustration. Although she was frustrated, she couldn't tell why. Whether it was at herself for opening up to the Empress or if it was for the fact that Clarke did not even acknowledge that Lexa ran straight into a fire for her. Even after she knew that Lexa's mother burned to death.

Lexa only managed to eat half of the meal Valentina had left in her quarters and after she simply fell face first onto her bed and drifted off to sleep. Somewhere in the night she woke up and unbraided her hair and quickly fell asleep again with not much trouble.

Looking down at her hands now, they were still covered in soot and they made the callouses on her hands ever more evident. She had never had the palms of an elegant woman, and early in her life, she had also lost the privileges of elegant soft skin that held no scars.

As she lowered herself into the cold bath she couldn't help run her hands over either of her arms, from the wrist up to her shoulder. From knicks of blades to the many times she fell off of her horse when she had just started to learn how to ride.

A small smile quirked at the side of her lips as she remembered the fond memory and the laughter of her father as he watched her fall off of the horse for the fourth time in a row. Next to him stood her mother Becca that swatted his arm for laughing at their daughter's failure.

Ever so softly she smoothed her fingertips over the scar on her wrist, savoring the short-lived happy memory. The water around her had turned a greyish color as the ash and soot washed off of her skin. She relaxed her head against the rim of the bath and slowly she submerged her head under the water, freeing her mind for just a moment.

She and Octavia were set to compete in the Colosseum again on the day. They did not know who their opponents will be; all they knew was that it was to be against another team of sort. The Emperor said that the people of Rome craved more combat between the two Gladiatrix and just about anyone else that they could either easily mutilate or perhaps even find a challenge in to mangle.

Lexa had not found much time to spend with Octavia, only now and then they had the opportunity to speak. Octavia was either in training or she was exploring the city, but when she did have free time she spent it with the guard Lincoln supposedly. Lexa was always on duty except on the afternoons that Clarke was in training with Valentina to learn how to be a healer.

Yesterday was such a day, after Lexa and Clarke had prandium, Clarke went to her teachings and Lexa went to see Octavia that was thankfully in the training arena. For perhaps an hour they swung wooden rods at one another and shared a few laughs until both were too tired to continue.

Octavia shared with Lexa what she heard amongst the slaves that she trained with every day and with that information she crossed referenced it with what Lincoln had told her. That was how she came to the knowledge of what kind of group they would face today. Then again, it wasn't any specific information but it was peculiar.

Apparently it was to be something that neither Lexa and Octavia had ever faced and that made both of them nervous. They had faced just about everything in their lifetimes. They couldn't think of any tangible opponent for the two of them.

When Lexa finished bathing and braiding her hair, she dressed in her Praetorian armour, leaving her Colosseum armour on the statuette. She had not worn it in so long, it had started to form a thin layer of dust. It had been at least two months since she arrived at the capital and two months since her first fight.

It wasn't exactly how Lexa planned her stay here to go. She would have preferred to have fought more in the Colosseum up until now but not only Valentina but the Emperor as well insisted that she recover from her injury before she traverses into the Colosseum again.

Although he wouldn't admit it to anyone but his wife; Jake had grown quite fond of the guard. He admired the way Alexandria carried herself and in every single conversation he had with her he could tell that he was talking to a piece of Maximus Silvestre. She was so much like her father and that was exactly what Jake admired most.

Slightly confused, Lexa looked around for her blue cape but did not find it. But soon enough she remembers that she had given it to Clarke the previous night when she became cold in the cool nights' breeze.

They so abruptly left the Colosseum that her cape must have been left behind on the balcony in the haste. She chooses not to ponder over it further or of how she would explain to the Emperor later why it was there in the first place. He would likely find it there when he comes to watch the games.

Unclipping the one Praetorian badge from her left front shoulder, she clips in the badge that holds her family crest along with the red sash. It had gotten a few slits in the war her father fought and then it got maybe two or three more in the last battle she fought in the Colosseum. Yet, it was still a stunning crimson red and still harbored all of its symbolic power.

Skipping ientaculum, Lexa closes her bedroom door behind her and makes her way to Clarke's quarters. She assumed she was to escort the Empress to the Colosseum before she would make her way down to the dungeons to meet Octavia before they would enter the arena.

Lexa only wished that Clarke's anger had dissipated since the previous night. She hoped that Clarke now understood why she had chosen her over the other people in the stable.

She adjusted the leather straps on both of her shoulders, fastening the strapping across her chest. Her newly crafted weapons belt held both of her swords across her back in a crossing manner and it was perfect for the arena.

Soon Clarke's quarters came into view and two men from the Praetorian stood in front of her door, seemingly guarding it.

There had never been guards at Clarke's door and Lexa couldn't help worry now that there were. "Greetings, Dominic, and Quintus, what is the meaning of this? Is there unrest in the palace?"

The two men exchange a wordless glance before Dominic decides to answer Lexa. "Greetings, Alexandria. There is no unrest, the Empress instructed us that you will not join her today therefore we are on duty."

Furrowing her eyebrows, Lexa looked left and right down the corridor. If she recalls the Emperor's words, he explicitly said that he no longer wanted men in Clarke's guard for the reason of her coming betrothal. "I believe there is a misunderstanding, gentlemen. I'm sure you would not mind calling her so that I may have a word with her."

Neither Dominic nor Quintus answered Lexa, they basically ignored her presence completely. "Fine, I will go inside myself. I just wish to see that she is safe upon the order of the Emperor." Lexa takes a determined step forward but Quintus soon places his palm on her chest plate, stopping her in step.

"I cannot let you do that, Alexandria."

"Get your hand off of me, Quintus." Lexa warns as she meets the guards' eyes in a deathly glare. She wasn't in the mood, she just wanted to do her duty and get the day over and done with. Perhaps not the entire day, she just wanted to get to the Colosseum already, she needed to feel the rush of fighting.

"Look, Alexandria, she has instructed us that she does not wish to see you today. Whatever the reason, we do not know, we just follow our orders and she made them very clear. So go, the Colosseum and mobs are waiting. May the gods be with you in the arena."

"May the gods be with you." Dominic repeats, as Lexa darts her eyes to him as well. Clearly, Clarke must have still been upset about the previous night. Lexa took a step back and pursed her lips as she clasped her hands behind her back in a tight grip. Although she would not admit it to anyone, she had to admit to herself that Clarke acting this way was upsetting to her.

"Very well. Thank you." Lexa says as she turns around to make her way down the corridor once again. If she did not have to escort Clarke then perhaps she can work on a plan of sort with Octavia before the fight.

She needed to get her brain into the right mindset before she enters the arena. She couldn't have any sort of distractions but that, in particular, was not going very well. The Empress was clouding her mind and Lexa didn't like it one bit.

Without knocking on Octavia's door, she enters but soon realizes that Octavia is not alone in her bed. This wasn't an odd sight, even from the days of the academy, Octavia often shared her bed with someone else. At first, Lexa assumes that it must be the guard Lincoln but the frame under the sheets is too small to fit his.

"Octavia?"

"Lexa?" Octavia sits up on the bed, her chest bare and herself free of shame for exposing herself like such. It was nothing Lexa had not seen before anyway. "Am I late? Has the fight started already? Faex!"

"No, it hasn't, I just figured we could discuss some strategy—" The other person in Octavia's bed sits up as well with slightly disheveled hair and also bare-chested. "Maiden?" Lexa asks as her eyes land on the woman next to Octavia.

"Salve, Alexandria, fancy seeing you here." The maiden Raven says as she lazily rubs the sleep from her eyes. The Persian was not someone Lexa ever expected to find in Octavia's bed but she supposes that Raven was the type of woman Octavia normally sought after. A slender figure, toned and a pretty face that everyone desired.

Octavia was a free spirit of a sort, she liked what she liked. The boundaries of sexuality had never been able to tame her; she truly lived the full Roman life. Lexa would probably not even be surprised if Octavia was a sexual exhibitionist of sort.

"Certainly interesting, I'll say maiden. Does the Empress not require your assistance? The games in the arena will soon start and I expect you have to go ready her for such."

"Of course, you're right." It seemed Raven shared Octavia's free spirit because without warning, she stepped out from under furs completely nude as she bent down to retrieve her scrunched-up dress from the previous night.

With one last glance at Octavia still in bed with a large grin on her lips, Raven leaves her quarters smugger than ever before.

"The Empress' handmaiden, Octavia? Seriously, you must be foolish. You cannot just bed anyone you want in the palace. She has a status—"

"Right, and I don't have status, I know. You do not need to remind me. Lexa becomes part of the Praetorian and Octavia gets left behind, again." Octavia interrupts as she too swings her bare legs from the furs and walks around Lexa still fully nude.

"Octavia, you know that is not what I meant—" Lexa tries, the last thing she needed was to get into a fight with her best friend as well. Especially not before a fight in the Colosseum. "I just meant that you should be careful. She's Clarke's best friend too, she's not just her handmaiden. I do not want any sort of drama when things potentially become complicated."

"Lexa, you're rambling. I was only joking, I am overjoyed that you are part of the Praetorian and I seriously do not care who Raven is connected to. You shouldn't either, we are both adults and this is Rome after all. Besides, Clarke? Are you two on a first name basis now, did you finally—" Octavia returned from the back room, now clad in a dark knee-high trousers that hung loose on her and a sleeveless beige linen shirt.

"No, we are not on a first-name basis and no I did not do anything. Anyway, what about the guard, Octavia? Lincoln?"

"Not anything yet anyway. But what about him, Lexa?"

Choosing not to continue to entertain Octavia's mocking about Clarke further, she goes on with her actual wondering. "I only supposed you were seeing him exclusively, it seemed that way anyway."

Octavia sat on her bed, slipping on her one greave after the other over her legs and then her leather sandals. "Oh please, Lexa, you and I both know that I was not made for monogamy. Not as you were. You are a one-woman type of lady, I am a well ... a multiple partner type of lady." Octavia says with a grin as she mockingly pats Lexa on the shoulder.

"You do not judge me for it, do you?" Lexa asks almost disbelievingly and perhaps a little embarrassed. She did not like the idea of spending nights with multiple partners, it simply did not make sense. Why waste so much time on multiple people when only one can make you happy and give you more than what you need. As Costia did.

"Of course not, I think it is very beautiful of you. Now can you please help me out here? My arms are pretty worn out from the previous night."

"Oh please stop, I do not want to hear about it." Lexa says as she contorts her face in a joking manner while she wraps her fingers around Octavia's breastplate in a tight grip. Octavia had considerably lighter armour than that of what Lexa wore and it was concerning.

"Do you think the armour my father had crafted for me would fit you? It's just sitting on a statuette gathering dust, it would be a waste if no one used it." Lexa asks as she runs her eyes up and down Octavia's body. They kind of had the same body structure, perhaps an adjustment or two and it would be perfect.

"Hey, don't look at me that way, you cannot bed me, Lexa."

"Don't be ridiculous. I am way too good looking for you. Now come on, let's see if the armour would fit you. Judging by the cheers we can hear all the way to here, the games are starting soon."

//

The drop door opened and it was only Lexa and Octavia to exit into the arena and nobody else. Lexa didn't wear her father's helmet today, only her house crest. It turned out that Lexa's armour fitted Octavia perfectly and even though her father crafted it for her, Lexa was sure he would not mind that she had gifted it to Octavia.

As per usual the crowds cheered and chanted their names as they walked to the center of the arena. There were still spears laying around from the previous fights and still sand stained with blood.

Octavia thrusted her fist into the air a few times making the crowds yell even louder and Lexa only tried to keep her eyes away from the Royal balcony for as long as possible. Even though she knew she would have to look in that direction as soon as they reach the middle of the arena.

Once again the musical horns started playing and the dark-skinned men started beating on the war drums signaling that the Emperor was arriving on the balcony along with the Empress. When both Octavia and Lexa looked up to the balcony, they noticed that Clarke was not present.

"Where is the younger Empress? Weren't you suppose to escort her to the Colosseum? Don't tell me you forgot Alexandria." Octavia says close to Lexa's hear, loud enough for her to hear over the loud cries of the crowd.

"She didn't want to see me. She's upset with me about what happened last night. So no, I was not to escort her this morning. Dominic and Quintus were supposed to, perhaps she is just not in the mood to watch the festives today. You know she is not fond of our ways."

"Lexa, what did you do this time? You didn't grab her out of anger again did you?" The Emperor waved to his people in the stands, as did Abigail. Senator Blake however already took his seat and looked down at the two Gladiatrix with extreme intensity, ignoring the people of Rome.

"Well yes, I may have grabbed her, but with good reason. I'll tell you later, there was a fire and I had to act as fast as I could—"

"A fire?!"

Before Lexa could answer again in haste, the musical horns and drums fell silent, indicating for Lexa and Octavia to salute the Emperor before the fight was to start. Both women raised their blades into the air toward Jake that patiently waited for the crowds to fall silent as well. "Emperor Jake we salute you! Men and women who are about to die, we salute you!"

With a valiant smile, Jake raised his chalice of wine into the air toward Lexa and Octavia. "Let the games begin!" His voice echoed through the entire Colosseum and surely even people at the very top could hear him.

The announcer did not speak today, therefore it meant that they were not reenacting a war today, they were strictly fighting for entertainment. A large gate on either side of the Colosseum opened and out of either drop door came riding in a single charioteer.

"Charioteers?!" Octavia yells to Lexa that only looked to both chariots circling them. "How are we supposed to win this? Do they want us dead?!"

Octavia and Lexa were standing back to back, their swords drawn, circling simultaneously as their eyes each followed a charioteer not wanting to lose sight of them. Two excessively large brute men steered the chariot and on the back of each was a female archer.

"Pick up a spear, aim for the spikes of the wheel or at the archer, either will work, can you do that?" Lexa instructs as she sheathes her swords across her back again. With a nod, Octavia follows her order and reaches for a spear closest to her.

Arrows flew past their heads one after the other and Lexa just only dodges each one of them as she tries to reach a spear herself. The crowds were going crazy and none of them were sitting down anymore.

John was up in the stands with the other slave masters placing bets on Lexa and Octavia again. Marcellus however decided not to bet against John again because he had learned his lesson from the previous time he did. Which meant John had to look for the next poor fool he could take coin from.

His newest lover Emori joined him in the stands on the day, he had bought her from her master for not much coin. She now was a free woman but somewhere along the line she had taken a liking to John and she chose not to leave, he was actually a pretty incredible man.

Lexa threw a spear as hard as she possibly could making her muscles ripple under her skin as the spear flew through the air, just perfectly wedging in between the spikes of the wheel of the chariot. The chariot hitched and flew across the horses pulling it.

With grunts of the horses as the chariot lands on top of them, the brute jumps from the chariot, rolling until he comes to stop. The archer however was not as smart or as lucky to jump from the tumbling chariot and she lands on a sharp piece of wood from the broken chariot, piercing through her back to through her abdomen.

Octavia had managed to throw her spear through the other archer, making her tumble off the back. Though, Octavia did not accomplish this before the archer's arrow went through her thigh making her wail in pain.

Her cry immediately drew Lexa's attention where she saw Octavia crouching with her left leg stretched out in front of her. "You know what to do, Octavia! Break off the shaft and continue, I need you to get up!" Lexa yells to her before she returns her attention to the brute starting to get up from his previous tumble, still pretty delirious of his surroundings.

He was taking his time, which may give Lexa enough time to assist Octavia best she can. Lexa runs toward where the chariot had overturned, quickly searching for the archers' bow which she luckily finds without wasting too much time.

The archer that was impaled on the wood, was quickly thrown off in order for Lexa to recover the quiver filled with arrows from the dead Gladiatrix's back. Perhaps Fortuna was on Lexa's side today, or she hoped so anyway.

Slinging the quiver over her shoulder and holding the golden bow in her hand she quickly ran to Octavia's side. Octavia was a better archer than she was and it became painfully obvious that Octavia was not going to stand up at all; the arrow had pierced through her thigh completely, hopefully not severing a muscle or a crucial vein.

"Here," Lexa says handing the bow and quiver to Octavia. "Take care of the brute on the chariot, I'll get this one. Yell if you need help."

Not allowing Octavia to reply, Lexa makes her way to her own giant brute again. He was practically the size of a bear and for the life of her she did not know how on earth she would best this man in hand to hand combat but the gods knew she was going to try.

Well it was that or she was going to die in the arena today.

With one last look to the Royal balcony, Lexa's eyes only briefly meet with the Empress'. Out of breath, Clarke sat down on her own seat next to Bellamy, not looking at him while he spoke. Her eyes trained on Lexa, and Lexa alone.

Before Lexa could smile to herself and figure out what Clarke was yelling in her direction, a roar echoed through Lexa's ears and she is met with a hard hit to her chest plate which flings her through the air.

She landed with a tremendous crash, a burst of pain shooting through her chest as she rolled onto her side trying to regain her breath. Her head connected with the soil equally hard, just about knocking her unconscious. With much effort, she slowly blinked as dust slowed and clouded her vision as some particles settled in her eyes making them burn violently.

In a close distance she could see the brute approach her with his mallet tightly gripped in his fists. She was barely breathing and she couldn't manage to get her body to move the way she wanted it to. This must be the end she thought, on this day was when she was going to die, by the hands of a brute just hoping to win his freedom eventually.

Little did he know that a Gladiator winning his freedom was merely only a tale told by fools. A Gladiator never won their freedom, slaves were condemned to the Colosseum until their demise. Their so-called freedom came with a certain fine print; their freedom was given, freedom from their masters but soon after they would become the property of Rome itself. Essentially gaining a new master.

She expected him to end her life immediately as he stepped over her and it was true what they said; one's life does flash in front of your eyes before your death. The brute raised his arms to the crowd around him, riling them up even more before he would kill the Gladiatrix in front of him.

Lexa's mind went to her fond memories of being a child, then to her mother and father, and then to her beloved Costia and to the last but not the least, her Empress; Clarke.

The giant poised his axe at her throat and looked up to the Royal platform where Jake stood calm, sipping on his chalice of wine. Clarke on the other hand had risen from her seat and anxiously stood next to him, looking to where her guard laid under the authority of an axe.

The brute was waiting for the Emperor's decree if he was allowed to kill this member of the Praetorian. "Father, you cannot let him do this! She is in the Praetorian, she is my guard! You have to do something!" Clarke nervously yelled at her father, afraid that the brute might make his own decision before Clarke could convince her father in time.

"There is no favoritism in the Colosseum my dear daughter. It is a shame, I liked her but it was her choice to continue fighting in the Colosseum. I'm sorry, but the show must go on." Jake raised his hand into the air, his thumb horizontal as the crowds looked to him in angst.

Octavia had managed to shoot the brute on the chariot through the neck after her seventh arrow but still, she laid helpless on the soil, bleeding, watching her best friend at the mercy of a giant. Darkness was threatening to flood in due to her loss of blood and she could do nothing to help Lexa except hopelessly wail in her direction.

The brute still looked to the Emperor, waiting for his decision and Lexa's eyes too drifted to the balcony. Clarke had both of her fists tightly wrapped around her father's upper arm, trying to sway his decision that he already made but it was too late. In a swift movement, Jake's thumb went vertical, downward.

Death.

Unbridled rage pooled in the pit of Lexa's stomach seeing the Emperor condemn her to death but she wasn't naïve enough to keep such rage toward him, instead, she would divert it to the giant brute in her very last stand against him.

She understood that Emperor condemned her for the purpose of the ongoing show, it was nothing personal.

In a last attempt, feeling enough strength in her body and enough rage to kill at least several men his size, Lexa hits the axe away from her neck with her metal bracer, rolling out from the now pendulous weapons reach. Before the brute could enact the Emperor's decree, Lexa was out from under his axe and clawed at the dry sand in order to get to her feet.

They stood face to face again and the chants of the crowds grew even louder and every settler of Rome was at the edge of the steps they stood on intently watching the fight unravel. Up in the Royal balcony, Clarke stood relieved that Lexa had gotten to her feet, she didn't want to lose Lexa, not today and certainly not in this way.

Bellamy had joined her on the front of the balcony but his eyes were no longer on the fight, but rather on the woman that laid on the soil bleeding to death. The more he stared at her black hair splayed across the sand, the stronger of a connection he felt toward her.

With a slight gesture with his hand, he called two of the closest Praetorian guards. "Without interrupting the fight, enter the arena and recover the woman bleeding and get her to the best healer, immediately." With a nod, both men took off in a jog, eager to carry out the task their General gave them.

Down in the arena, Lexa reached behind her back, looking for the hilt of her sword that was supposed to be there but it was not. With her previous crash to the ground, she had landed so hard that the leather straps ripped from her chest and arms. The pain of the blow had seemingly distracted her too much to realize that her swords now laid a few feet away from her.

Seeing Lexa had nothing but her bare hands, the giant surged forward toward her with his axe drawn, both hands firmly wrapped around its wooden handle. She too ran toward him to gain enough momentum to avoid his attack.

With a powerful swing of his axe, Lexa slid under its sharp edge. She slid until she was behind him, where she dug her fingers into the solid ground painfully hard to bring herself to a halt. As fast as her battered body allowed her, she got up and ran towards the back of the brute.

Before he could turn around she launched herself at him wrapping both of her legs around his abdomen as far as she could, clinging to him as an infant would to their mothers. Her strong arm wrapped around his neck and locked her fingers around her other arm, trapping him in a chokehold.

The brute flailed his arms around but they were too muscular to reach any tangible piece of Lexa to pull her off of him. She pulled her arm around his neck best she could but she was not strong enough to choke him out for the muscles in his neck were abnormally strong, pushing back against her hold.

In desperation, he grasped the red sash that hung over her shoulder and yanked it. Unfortunately, all that gesture did for him was break Lexa's family crest badge out of her armor along with the sash and that angered her beyond belief when she saw it land on the ground in front of her.

There was only one thing left to do before the brute inevitably decides to drop onto his back on top of her, ending the battle once and for all.

Lexa released the hold she had around the brute's neck, keeping her thighs snuggly wrapped around him. She pressed her left hand to the side of the man's head and her right on his shoulder, opening his neck up for the barbaric move she was about to make.

With unbridled rage she sunk her teeth into his neck, ripping a piece of flesh from his neck with each bite spitting it to her side until she reached his throat. The brute was in such shock at the outlandish brutality the Gladiatrix had unleashed on him that he now only flailed his large arms with no goal.

Holding onto his head with her left arm, she reached into the now exposed cavity in his neck with her right hand and yanked out his trachea.

As he dropped to his knees, Lexa couldn't get herself to hold on any longer and she falls next to him on her back, once again gasping for air as blood ran down the sides of her mouth. She was breathing harshly and with one slight push to her right side, she concludes that she may have a broken rib or two.

The crowds cheered around her but she was on the verge of unconsciousness. This was one of the hardest fights she had ever been in. It was physically taxing to the max and she only prayed that her next fight would not be soon.

Looking to her side where she last saw Octavia lay, was now only a pool of blood and she had absolutely no idea where her fellow Gladiatrix had now gone. Unwilling to give up, she tried getting up but with the sudden movement, her head spun and her legs gave out under her and she was sent tumbling down again, this time not getting up.

//

When Lexa awoke it was no longer daytime outside, although the full moon did shine into her quarters, and here and there were brightly lit candles and a single brazier with hot coals inside warming her room.

She blinked her eyes a few times to try to remember recent events or how she had gotten to her quarters in the first place. When she tries to move, an unprecedented wince of pain escapes her mouth; the sound coming from so deep in her chest that it echoes through the entire room.

Lexa removed the thin sheet from her body, just to be greeted by bandaging around her entire ribcage and waist. Softly she presses her palm to the wrapping, noticing that it was quite warm underneath meaning she was definitely injured.

She impatiently licked her lips, noticing that she was quite thirsty but the jug of water and a cup was all the way across the room on the table. Trying to moisturize her dry mouth with saliva, she gets an overbearing taste of iron and that's when it all comes flooding back.

The fight she had in the Colosseum, how she ripped pieces of a man's neck out with her bare teeth and then ripping his throat out with her hand. Anything after that she does not remember much of except not seeing Octavia where she left her before taking on the large brute.

Trying again, she finally sits up in her bed, throwing her legs off the side of the bed. Her legs were covered in scuff marks and bruises from the many tumbles she took today. She only thanks the gods that she did not get cut by a blade today.

However she was sure that something was broken on her inside. Her ribcage ached and so did her chest, perhaps a few broken ribs that she had only once experienced in her life as a child when her father took her mountain climbing to reach a beautiful waterfall.

Of course little Lexa didn't quite know much about climbing and went tumbling down the mountain quite a few feet when she lost her footing on a loose rock.

With a huge grunt, she pushed up from her bed, her palm firmly placed on her side that hurt the most. Soon her feet met with the cold marble and slowly she trotted toward the table in the middle of the room.

Resting her left hand on the hardwood surface of the table, essentially holding all of her weight on her one arm, she reaches out for the jug of water and pours herself a cup of water with a shaking hand before chugging it all down in one go.

When she wipes her mouth, the door to her quarters slowly opens, revealing someone that Lexa did not expect to see. On the inside she actually wished it to be Valentina with dinner but it was Clarke instead.

"You're up...good."

"I am." Lexa says with a quite hoarse voice due to the lack of use. They continue to stare at one another for a few seconds but it feels like an eternity to both women, neither knowing of what more to say.

With slight hesitation Clarke walks farther into the room, up until right in front of Lexa who still had a palm on the table, trying to hold herself up straight. Slowly Clarke placed her hand over Lexa's, as Lexa did the previous night when they were in the Colosseum looking up at the many stars in the night skies.

Ever so slowly and intimately, Clarke moves forward and snakes her arms around Lexa, careful not to hurt her any more than she already was. But to tell the truth, Lexa's entire abdomen was pretty sensitive under any sort of touch.

Lexa only bites back the yelp of pain before wrapping her free arm around Clarke's shoulders, pressing Clarke's body closer to her own. When Clarke releases a sigh of gratitude, Lexa rests her scuffed chin on top of Clarke's head.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't help them all, your highness. I wish I could have." Lexa says referring to the few people that she could not manage to help in the fire the previous night.

"Shh, I don't want to talk about it. What happened, happened and you saved my life for the second time in one day. I'm just happy that you're okay, I tried to stop the fight but my father wouldn't have it."

"Dulce periculum, Imperatrix." Lexa says her chin still firmly placed on the golden hair of the Empress. For a single moment, all of her pain was forgotten and danger wasn't the only thing that was sweet.

"Danger is not sweet, you are just slightly out of your mind." Clarke says with a chuckle as she pulls away from her guard with stars in her eyes. She didn't mind that she invaded Lexa's personal space, she felt like she needed to.

Something unspoken had passed between the women and as the weeks before, there was no going back from this but perhaps the unspoken thing was that neither of them wanted to go back from this.

They found each other exhilarating. Clarke admired the swing of Lexa's blade and her uncanny will to live and fight for what she wants. Lexa admired Clarke's taste for leadership and how she perfectly inserted herself into Royalty and the fact that she will surely take the throne one day.

It went without saying what Lexa felt for her Empress but such things would be something she will likely take to the grave. As she almost did today if she did not outsmart the brute.

"Your Latin is certainly getting better, Empress. I'm impressed. With my help and the help of those in the palace, you will teach me Latin in no time." Lexa says as she steps away from the Empress, afraid that she might gather the Empress up in her arms again.

"Please, I still have much to learn from you," Clarke follows behind Lexa that slowly walks back to her bed, her thirst now quenched. "I was thinking, perhaps it would be good if you trained me in combat as well. I know it's not very Empress of me but I think it would be good to know my way around a sword."

With help from Clarke, Lexa softly lays down in her bed again but without the sheet draped over her again. The room had grown considerably warmer since the Empress arrived.

"Once I recover, it would be my honour to teach you, your highness. Speaking of, what did Valentina say of my injuries? Is it bad?"

"Actually, Valentina has not been around, she is still caring for your friend Octavia. Strangely my betrothed has taken an intense interest in her, he insists that he knows her from somewhere which is peculiar since he had not been to Polis since he was a very young man. In any case, I was the one who had been caring for you all day."

"Strange indeed... but you, Empress? Surely there is another with the talents of healing other than yourself. I do not wish to burden you with my injuries. You probably have more important things to attend to, please—"

"Lexa, I volunteered to. It is of no inconvenience. You are my guard and to care for you during injury is the least I could do for what you have done for me." Clarke says sheepishly yet rushed, not allowing Lexa to say anything more. Behind her, the door opens and it's Valentina with a tray of food. Clarke only acknowledges with a friendly smile as she averts her attention back to Lexa. "But from what I can tell, you do not have any broken bones. Perhaps a few fractured ribs and that is what's causing the bruising and discomfort. Two or three fortnights at most and you will be as good as new. That is if you take it easy and do not go one those crazy runs of yours through the forest."

"Dinner is ready in your quarters, Empress. I will take over Alexandria from here. Your father is in your quarters, awaiting your presence. He wishes to speak."

With a slight squeeze to Lexa's hand, Clarke rises from the seat she had taken on the side of Lexa's bed and makes her way to the door. "Goodnight, Alexandria. I will see you soon." With that Lexa's eyes does not leave the back of the Empress as she exits her quarters.

Chapter Text

It wasn't too odd for Clarke to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex nor was it to have some sort of feelings for them as well. She had never lived under the constraints of sexuality; she lived her life to the fullest even if it was in the shadows.

Her father wasn't too fond of the idea of his daughter's endeavors ever since he moved his family to Rome when he became the Emperor. In a sense of rebellion, Clarke often spent her time to defy her father's every single request and order. If it angered him, it made her happy and craving to do more rebellious acts.

The past year she however grew tired of the games she played and had significantly calmed down. Clarke started to take her status seriously and act the way royalty should but still she kept a small piece of her rebellious life around: Finn.

In her rebellious days she certainly had her fair share of affairs with her guards; there was something about it that excited her to her very core. The chance of getting caught with someone she was not supposed to be with was the best part of her day.

When Clarke got bored of the guards, she and Raven would go to the many taverns all across the city and find their next sexual interests; whether they were men or women, it didn't matter to either of them.

However, up until this day she had never found herself attracted to a Gladiator, or in this instance a Gladiatrix. Clarke was absolutely beyond infatuated with Lexa's brutish ways now, she loved to watch her fight and spill blood.

This wasn't like Clarke, she was always in love with the idea of life but now all she wanted to see was Lexa unleashed in the Colosseum. Now that she had looked at it from a different perspective, she could manage to see the exhilarating rush of the fights in the arena.

It was a conflicting idea, she loved to see Lexa fight but not anybody else. The thrill of Lexa's kills was what she liked not the kills anybody else made.

These thoughts rushed through her mind as she walked back to her quarters. Perhaps it wasn't even the kills at all that excited her, but just Lexa in general. The perfectly etched Gladiatrix in all of her glory and her valiant smile when she heard or saw something amusing. The passion in her voice when she spoke of her childhood and the exuberance of her laughter.

Clarke simply couldn't help falling for her no matter how badly she didn't want to. Her days of affairs with guards were over, especially the ones with members part of the Praetorian. The last member she had an affair with was sent off to a Roman fort on the wall of Hadrian upon her father's order.

When he was sent off, Clarke thought of it as a strange coincidence since she was involved with him but soon forgot of the man once he was gone. What she did not know was that he was handpicked by her father to send away; so far away from his daughter so that he could never see her again.

Clarke never loved him but for some time she was sure that she would have grown to love him if he were not sent away to the wall. Fenix was an exceptional man and an even more exceptional lover but to the Empress, he was long forgotten now.

As Clarke walked to her quarters, knowing her father was there waiting she couldn't help wonder what he wished to speak with her about. For one thing, she did not doubt that he was going to scold her for questioning him in front of his subjects on the balcony earlier in the day.

Upon entering her father had already started to eat the feast that was splayed across the table. The scent of the hot meat filled her senses and she was sure she smelled a vegetable stew she so dearly loved ever since her childhood.

"Evening, father. To what do I owe this pleasure, you never join me for supper lately. This must be important."

With a piece of cloth, he dabbed at the sides of his mouth and gestured for Clarke to sit on the chair across from him. The many rings on his hand were all spectacularly illuminated by the candles all around her room.

The balcony doors were open and the wind slowly blew in, making her curtains glide ever so lightly and the flames of the candles flickering every now and then. The night breeze filled her room with serenity but that feeling of calmness did not match her father's body language.

He wasn't her father right now, he was the Emperor.

"Where were you? Strange of you to keep me waiting for so long, it's not like you."

If only he knew just how much she wasn't acting like herself lately.

Clarke took a seat at the table, taking a plate and dishing up for herself as she sat under Jake's watchful eyes. "I was checking on Alexandria. She's awake and I was just curious about her state or if she needed anything."

Her mouth started feeling dry suddenly at the thought of how close she was to Lexa again. Their bodies pressed together again but this time without any anger. Just relief and perhaps a small amount of intimacy involved.

Then there was the simple gesture of holding the Gladiatrix's hand in her own as their eyes not once left one another while they spoke. Clarke couldn't read Lexa very well yet, but she was convinced that Lexa felt the connection they shared.

"That's not your task, Clarke. Checking on Alexandria is Valentina's task under your mother's order. However, she tells me that you insisted to take Alexandria's health into your own hands. There are servants for a reason, use them. You cannot forget who you are; you are the Empress not a servant of a Praetorian."

Clarke reached over the table for the jug half full of wine, wanting to pour herself a chalice to loosen the sudden nerves she was feeling. But before she reached it, her father took it, offering to pour a chalice for her being the gentleman he is.

With a tight-lipped smile, she allows him to. "I figured since I had the skill to care for her, I would. Valentina already has her hands full, the least I could do was help her. I don't mind and I don't understand why you mind so much either."

"I mind because I am not an idiot, Clarke. I've seen this before, you get too involved with those that serve you. Look at your handmaiden, she gets away with just about anything she wishes because she knows you will help her out of any predicament she lands herself in. I will not let you get comfortable with another member of MY Legionnaire, I forbid it!"

Jake slammed his clenched fist on the table to get his point across. Like the night she first met Alexandria, and the last time she was afraid of her father, it was like she was reliving that moment now. Although her father was an honorable man and would never lay a hand on a woman, she couldn't help fear him when anger surged out of him as it did now.

Clarke didn't answer, she only kept her eyes trained on the almost empty plate in front of her. She had completely lost her appetite and she just about wanted to chug down the entire jug of wine, the chalice wouldn't suffice anymore.

"Don't get me wrong, I like Alexandria and she is an exceptional warrior but she is not to be one of your toys or one of your friends or even one of your pawns. She is your guard and is never to be anything more without my say so. Don't think I have forgotten of your rebellious stage and if you dare decide to relive it, there will be great consequence. I will not overlook it again. And lastly, don't you EVER dare question my decisions in front of anyone again. Are we clear?"

"Yes, father. We are clear and I understand perfectly." Clarke says in a soft voice, unable to meet her fathers' glare that was burning into her. Upon seeing he won't get any more reaction from his daughter, Jake rises from his seat abruptly and leaves her quarters without another word.

That night she doesn't cry nor does she weep, all she does is devise a plan. Her rebellion was to come full swing again and there was nothing he could do about it. He had no right to control her life the way he wished to and there was no way that she would submit to him either.

If her father, or how she saw him now, the Emperor; if the Emperor does not want her close to her guard, then that was exactly the opposite of what she was going to do. Clarke was going to get close with her guard, how close that was going to be, she was not sure but she couldn't wait to find out.

//

With each fortnight that passes, Lexa's bones start to mend again however Octavia's leg did undergo a slight infection which Valentina was doing her utmost best to stop but Octavia was getting worse and worse with each day that passed.

On the days Lexa felt up for it, she traversed the corridor to get to her friend's quarters. On most days she would spend her time in Octavia's bed next to her. Often she came down with chills due to her fever but Lexa would wrap her arms around her and only hoped her friend would become better due to her body heat.

At night Lexa would return to her quarters in good spirits, knowing who would show up only minutes after her. Like clockwork, Clarke would come to her quarters and they would talk for hours about nothing too important or personal. They just enjoyed one another's company.

This went unnoticed by her father simply because he wasn't in the capital. He had traveled to a nearby city for some sort of lengthy celebration hosted by a rich Persian prince he hoped he could win the favor of. His treasury was running low with Aureus and hiems was approaching. He needed to buy maize from an overseas merchant to last the city through the cold season.

On this particular night, Clarke insisted Lexa continued to teach her Latin but in the end, they had drunk more wine than they had done any sort of teachings. "Okay, okay—" Clarke says between laughs after the fourth Latin insult Lexa taught her. "Teach me something I could say at a fancy gathering with wine in my hand."

With Lexa's laughter quieting down as well, she fell into deep thought. "If it's a celebration, I would recommend saying something along the lines of 'ad meliora', it's simple, try it out."

"Wait a moment, how do I know that you're not teaching me an assortment of ridiculous things that I will surely embarrass myself with if I say it anywhere outside of this room."

Lexa couldn't stop herself from laughing at Clarke's suspicion. Perhaps it was the wine that made it more humorous but she found herself even throwing her head back as she laughs. "Probatus, de omnibus dubitandu, Imperatrix."

"Great, now what does that mean? You're probably making fun of me in Latin at this point and I have no idea." Clarke says, raising her cup to her lips, taking another large gulp of the red wine. She couldn't get herself to peel her eyes away from the woman that sat in front of her laughing with such glee. She wasn't a Gladiator at this moment, she was just another young woman enjoying a chalice of wine and the little things of life.

"I swear to you I have not made fun of you once ... okay, maybe I have, but only one time I swear."

With an exaggerated gasp, Clarke leans forward and swats the arm of Lexa that fell into another fit of laughter, almost spilling her chalice of wine as she shook with euphoria. "Come on now, tell me what you said, I'm getting impatient with all of your laughter."

"Fine, fine, as you wish. So, you would raise your chalice and say 'ad meliora'. It means 'Toward better things.' I assure you most will approve of your statement and well-wishing. The other phrase I used was because of your suspicion that I would teach you wrong. I said 'Good, be suspicious of everything, Empress."

Clarke pursed her lips amused with a small grin and furrowed her eyes in thought. "Hmm, that is a very negative way to think but never the less, ad meliora, Alexandria. May there be many more nights we get drunk on the entire palace's wine supply."

With a bright smile, Lexa follows Clarke's lead and raises her chalice in the air as well. With not much conversation to follow after that, both women feeling the buzz of the wine, Lexa decides to suggest that their night should probably come to an end.

"You're right," Clarke says getting up, with a slight stumble but Lexa is quickly to catch her forearms to steady her. "That's embarrassing, I should definitely get to bed." Their faces were only a few inches apart and if either leaned forward in the slightest, there was surely to be a clash.

Their eyes were locked in stare and without any sort of control, Lexa slightly parts her lips. They were so close that she could feel Clarke's breath on her and she could even make out the scent of the wine they just shared.

Lexa may have had a few more chalices of wine than she usually had but she still managed to keep a level head and that was exactly the reason why she cupped Clarke's cheek the moment her Empress leaned in closer.

"Factum fieri infectum non potest ... It is impossible for a deed to be undone." Lexa utters softly, immediately translating herself after.

Clarke had raised her hand in the moment, soothing her thumb over Lexa's bottom lip while she spoke. She wanted to kiss her guard now more than any time before and she couldn't understand why Alexandria was stopping her. She was sure she didn't misread any of the gestures. The past few nights there was harmless flirting and even so-called accidental grazes and touches by one another.

"What if I wouldn't want this deed to be undone, Alexandria?" Clarke answers, quite breathy herself as she felt her skin burn hot under the touch of her guard.

"Tell me those exact words in the morning and I will give you everything you desire." They continued to stare into one another's eyes, getting lost in the endless abyss of lust. "In the meantime, may I escort you to your quarters? To assure you make it there safely."

Slightly blinking, Clarke steps away, seemingly coming to her senses as she removes her arms from Lexa's grasp. Looking around ashamed that she was rejected, she takes a few steps backward in the direction of the door. "No, I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I'll manage, thank you. I'll see you in the morning."

Backing away farther, Clarke stumbles over a chair slightly but quickly regains her footing before she finally exits the quarters of her equally bewildered and burning hot guard.

With a slight shake of her head and a smile on her lips, Lexa decides to call it a night herself. She was back on guard in the morning and she promised to train Clarke how to use multiple different blades. From swords to daggers to spears, she was going to teach it all.

//

The next morning when Lexa came to meet Clarke at her quarters, fully clad in her Praetorian armour again, she had to wait a few minutes for the Empress.

During her recovery period, Clarke had her armour fixed from the many scrapes and dents it received. From when she broke them through the stable wall to when she was hit on the chest with a mallet with tremendous force.

Her armour looked brand new again and her blue cape was safely returned to her along with her red sash and golden family crest badge. The badge's clip was also fixed so she was able to use it again thankfully.

This gesture alone from the Empress was enough to make Lexa fall even deeper for Clarke. She did so many things for Lexa that she was in no way obligated to do and she went out of her way to have such things done as well.

However, as Lexa stood in front of the door of the Empress waiting, she so desperately wished that Clarke would utter the same words to her from the previous night. But such hopes and wishes did not go far and they were soon crushed by disappointment.

When Clarke exited her quarters, she had a bright smile and no signs of a hangover luckily but she insisted that she did not remember much of the previous night. In her words, she clearly had too much to drink and that was the cause of her memory loss.

But that wasn't the complete truth, she remembered everything. She just didn't want Alexandria to know as much. There was no denying the connection they shared but she just had to try to ignore it somehow.

Something inside of her decided that denial or supposed forgetfulness was her best option now even though she knew exactly what she wanted the previous night. To tell the truth, Clarke was afraid that if she was to get romantically involved with her guard, all sorts of difficulties would arise. She knew her father's threat wasn't empty, he really was a man of action.

Yes, she wanted to defy her father's order but her budding friendship with Lexa mattered more to her. If things were not to work out between them, it could certainly turn her day to day life sour.

Clarke could see her admission of apparently not remembering the previous night had clearly hurt Alexandria, but soon she shook off the disappointment and continued on as if nothing happened. But both women knew as clear as day what happened between them and it certainly wasn't going to be forgotten anytime soon.

The sun was at its highest point in the sky which meant the sun was at its hottest and it was not being kind to Clarke's sensitive skin. She looked out of her element wearing a sleeveless shirt and knee-high trousers without any sort of jewelry.

Her rings and necklace were now neatly packed away in a wooden box lined with blue velvet linen in her room. She wore no sort of shading around her eyes and no dots between her eyebrows and certainly no golden arm cuffs around her upper arms.

She looked like any other warrior in training except for her lack of skill. Clarke had made sure the arena was clear of any slaves today who trained for the Colosseum. It was just Lexa, herself, and her maiden Raven sitting in the distance.

Lexa had given up on trying to teach Clarke how to throw a spear simply because she had little to no upper body strength. The strength of an infant as she put it bluntly which Clarke thankfully laughed at.

They had switched to swords now and both women were dripping with sweat. Clarke had to admit, training with and against Lexa was beyond taxing. She noted that Lexa turned into someone else when she was training; she oozed authority.

"Would you mind if I take off my armour, Empress? The sun is boiling me alive inside of here, but if I may not, can your maiden please bring a bucket of water of sort." Lexa was constantly wiping the sweat from her face and neck with her hands and forearms but simply nothing was working anymore.

Understanding, Clarke called Raven over and Lexa mentally cursed herself for making a second suggestion for water. She just really wanted to take this heavy metal off her body and continue training,

"Raven, would you have the servants bring water as cool as possible, and would you also assist Alexandria in taking her armour off. She seems uncomfortable." With a quirk of her eyebrow to her friend and a smirk on her lips, Raven obeys as she swiftly helps Lexa unbuckle the clips of her armour.

When the buckles were undone, Lexa lifted the armour from her body effortlessly and handed it to Raven who buckles under the unexpected weight of the metal. "I got it, I think. I'll be back with water now." Raven says as she struggles her way back to where she sat on a sheet of linen.

"Shall we continue with swords? Or would you like to move on to something different, Empress?"

"Whichever you prefer, but I'm enjoying these blades actually." Well, she enjoyed watching Lexa use the swords anyway. Her demonstrations were the most satisfying to watch, even though Clarke understood what Lexa did the first time, she would have her do it once or twice more just for the sight.

They continued on for a few more minutes, thrusting their swords toward one another but obviously Lexa wasn't giving it her all. She swung her sword at Clarke as a fool would, clumsy, even a child would be able to deflect her every single strike.

But she did it simply because she liked to see the twinkle in Clarke's eyes when she thought she had bested the Gladiatrix. Letting Clarke win time after time wasn't a big gesture and Lexa wouldn't do it for anyone else nor has she ever but Clarke's sense of accomplishment made it worth it.

Soon Raven returned followed by two servants that each held two jugs of water and herself held a tray with two cups for each of the women. However, when Lexa laid eyes on the jugs of water she almost immediately dropped her sword and took it from the woman.

Her body was already overheated by her armour and removing it didn't help much, it was too late. An obvious sign of overheating being when even her legs started to sweat as well. She could feel sweat trickle down her neck onto her shoulders and from her shoulders down to her wrists.

Without another thought she tilted the entire jug of water over her head, just wanting the coolness of the liquid over her skin. There wasn't any sort of feeling she could compare to how relieving it was to feel one's entire body cool down in one singular short moment.

Not minding any of her surroundings, she takes off her linen shirt as well as she did at the academy back in a day. She often trained without her shirt on, her bindings covered what they had to. Except it was forgotten that she was no longer at the academy, but in front of the woman she swore to serve.

Once her shirt was pulled over her head and her eyesight on Clarke again, the Empress' mouth hung agape as she stared at Lexa.

Her braided strands of hair hung wet over her shoulders and the loose strands matted to her skin. Her accentuated stomach was on full display to both Clarke and Raven along with the two servants and none were hiding their unabashed stares.

Self-conscious under their eyes, Lexa held her wet shirt in front of her exposed body but soon a wave of Clarke's hand came to her maiden and servants to leave.

"Shall we continue?"

With a few laughs they continued to train with one another and occasionally Lexa would give Clarke advice on how to improve her stance or how to balance her weight better.

In the corner of her eye, Lexa sees two people approaching them ever so slowly as if they were really intently watching her train Clarke to some extent. It had really just become a sort of game, they were just jokingly swinging their swords at one another at this point.

Lexa slowed her movement and fully averted her gaze to the two people approaching them and instantly she felt bile rise up into her throat. The last person she wanted to see today, was approaching them.

Josephine. Luckily she was joined by Gabriel and Lexa only hoped that if he was here, Josephine would at least act with a shred of humanity. Following Lexa's gaze, Clarke's eyes also land on the approaching Gladiatrix.

"How is it that you would train with her, but not with me, Empress? I'll take my clothing off for you too if you wanted me to." Josephine coos as she takes a brave stance in front of the two sweating women. Gabriel on the other hand wasn't paying much attention to what Josephine was saying, his interests were more piqued by the beautiful maiden that sat on a sheet of linen not so far from them.

"Here I thought my guards were competent enough to keep you out of the arena today. Is there something important you would like to discuss, Josephine? I am very busy as you can see— actually, my father will be back soon so whatever request you have can wait for him to hear personally."

Josephine wasn't paying Clarke any mind as she spoke. Her gaze was burning into the body of her fellow Gladiatrix. She no longer had any interest in Clarke sexually, she wanted Lexa all to her own. She was set on getting her as well, after Lexa left her high and dry over a month ago, her fantasies had run wild.

"Will you be visiting my quarters again soon, Alexandria? I was really hoping we could finish what we started, you can even bring the Empress this time if you and her both please to. I love beautiful women after all, even Gabriel can join; I'm sure he won't mind either."

With a sly look between both women and a slight sense of shock at Josephine's statement that Lexa would visit her quarters, Clarke quickly regains herself. "Here." Clarke says as she holds out the hilt of the sword to Lexa, indicating for her to take it.

Showing all formality, Lexa slightly dips her head as she takes her sword from Clarke. "I think we're done for the day, do you agree, Empress? The sun is too high to continue and if I must say so myself, I feel quite starved." Lexa says as she sees Clarke's maiden approach them as well, struggling under the weight of Lexa's armour.

Upon seeing Raven struggle, Gabriel quickly goes to aid the maiden by taking the armour from her into his own strong arms. "I'll help you, these armours are no joke to carry, I'm surprised you have fared as well as you did, maiden."

"I agree. I appreciate your training, Alexandria. You may meet me at my quarters later."

"I can escort you back if you give me a minute to put my armour back on—" Lexa says quickly, completely ignoring the presence of Josephine.

With a slight wave of her hand, Clarke quiets Lexa instantly. Josephine however couldn't help a giggle from escaping her lips, knowing she had struck a nerve in the Empress with the bold statement she had made. Her theory was right, Alexandria's feelings for the Empress was not one-sided after all.

"No, there are guards waiting already. I will not require your watchful eye until later. Feel free to continue your training with Josephine. I'm sure she will appreciate a skilled hand like yours."

Lexa could swear she heard a tone of bitterness in Clarke's voice. Was the Empress experiencing a sense of jealousy about whatever she thinks happened between herself and Josephine? If only Clarke knew that Lexa's visit to Josephine's quarters was her fault; that Josephine was supposed to be Lexa's coping mechanism to not tear Clarke apart instead.

"Very well, I won't be long, Empress." Lexa says defeated. Perhaps the Empress leaving her behind was for the better because now she could have a word with Josephine for once and for all.

Clarke doesn't meet Lexa's eyes again before she turns to walk away, closely followed by her maiden, Raven. Gabriel's eyes were glued to the back of the maiden, vowing to get to know her in the close future, something about her intrigued him beyond belief.

"Shall we train then, Lexa? Just you and me?" Josephine asks, just loud enough to still land in the earshot of the Empress, making her walk away even faster with her fists clenched at her sides.

Watching Clarke walk away, Lexa quickly pulls her dust-coated shirt over her head, her teeth almost bared as she looks at Josephine. "Stay away from me, Josephine. Tu scroniam es. And I am not interested in whores." Lexa says before she spits on the ground next to Josephine, conveying her clear disgust. "When I see you again, it will be in the Colosseum and I will bathe in your blood."

Grabbing the neck lining of her armour out of Gabriel's hold, Lexa kicks up dust as she walks away, making her way to the exit of the Colosseum. She was beyond seething that Josephine would say what she did out of pure spite in front of the Empress.

Embarrassment overwhelmed her simply because she had fallen victim to her lustful thoughts and she had taken out her compulsive urges on the worst person imaginable. Lexa was sure this wouldn't be the last time it will bite her in the ass.

As Lexa walked away, Gabriel took stance next to his fierce lover, placing his palm on the small of her back. He had his signature valiant smile on his lips. "You have a terrible obsession with her, Josie. You are going to get your heart broken, heed my words."

"My heart broken? Please, to have such broken, I would have to have one in the first place. Besides, what about you my love, the maiden? I saw the way you looked at her, absolutely infatuated aren't you?"

"Oh, my love, beyond belief." He says before he crashes his lips onto Josephine's, pulling her body closer to his. When they separate after running their lips over one another in a sensual kiss, he leans his forehead against hers. "Isn't Rome just the best thing in the entire world?"

//

Clarke was pacing her quarters, her hands behind her back. She was freshly bathed and her hair was in beautiful braids again in an up-style. Her golden arm cuffs around her upper arms and her many rings on her fingers again accentuating her opulence.

She was no longer looking like a warrior, but like the Empress again and she wanted nothing more than to practice her authority. Clarke was embarrassed by the feelings she had developed for her guard, just to be treated like a fool in front of the woman she despised most.

How could she have been such a fool? Of course, Lexa was the heartbreaker and womanizer her body language conveyed her to be. Then again, many who were besotted with Clarke would also consider her as someone who played with people's feelings.

But she was sure that she and Lexa had some sort of unspoken agreement. Could it be considered an agreement? All these mind games that were being played, could it all have been for show? Did Lexa really see her as just another person to bed while she causally bedded another, an opponent of hers even?

Yes, she had absolutely no claim over Lexa but jealousy was boiling inside of her. A dangerous mix of embarrassment and jealousy coursed through her and when Clarke became lucid again and no longer too blinded by her emotions she found herself bursting through Lexa's door without warning.

"Empress?" Lexa stood close to the backroom, busy drying her freshly washed hair with linen. Her full nude body in the view of none other than her Empress but she made absolutely no move to cover herself.

Closing the door behind her in a quick movement, Clarke's mouth hung agape. Perhaps she should have knocked first, but it was too late now, she was already seeing everything she had been fantasizing about the past month and a half.

The Gladiatrix stood in all of her glory, her perfectly etched arms and breasts on display. Her toned abdomen muscles moving under her tanned skin with each slow breath she took and her long muscular legs moving as she walked farther into her room.

"Empress? Is there an emergency?"

Lexa's voice snaps Clarke out of the trance she was in immediately but her eyes stay glued on Lexa's perfect body and not even close to near her eyes. "No, there isn't, I'm sorry for intruding, I should have knocked—" Her eyes trailed over Lexa's body again, trying to memorize every single contour because she already knew herself, surely she will paint this scene later.

"Will you please get decent, I can't have a conversation with you while you're nude. Aren't you ashamed to stand in front of someone completely nude?"

Lexa looked down at her own body and pursed her lips in consideration. "Hmm, I think I'm good. The gods gave me this body, why should I be ashamed of it? But as you wish, if you can just give me a minute to dress, we can talk."

Painfully slowly, Lexa walked across her quarters toward a table which she laid her clothes on before taking a bath. Clarke's eyes never once left her body, noticing that there was steam still coming from her guard's skin. Either her bath was extremely cold or extremely warm.

Clarke was convinced that Lexa was being on purpose as she pulled her trousers over her long legs and turned around in Clarke's direction, still bare-chested. She only pulled her thin linen shirt over her head as she was walking toward Clarke again, giving the Empress one last glance of her body.

Clarke's skin was burning hot just at the sight of Lexa and she wondered how it would feel if she could just gently soothe her hands over every single part of Lexa's body. Oh and on the gods how it would feel if Lexa soothed her hands all over her own body.

Lexa stood in front of her without a single word, just a grin on her lips knowing exactly what thoughts were coursing through her Empress' mind. She just patiently waited for Clarke to say something first.

Placing a firm palm to Lexa's chest, Clarke pushed her back slightly, desperately needing distance between them, and Lexa obeys, taking two slight steps backward.

Clarke was scraping together every single ounce of self-control she had left, trying to repeat to herself like a mantra why she was here in the first place. What exactly had landed her in this fortunate and unfortunate situation.

She was angry.

She was angry about Lexa being with the woman she despised most. With her palm still firmly placed on Lexa's chest, she shoves her even harder, making her take a few unexpected steps backward. Not asking why Clarke's mood had so suddenly changed, Lexa doesn't say anything; she just furrows her eyebrows confused.

"Josephine? Really? Why her, Alexandria? Of all the people in the city, you just had to choose her."

As comprehension sets in over Lexa she steps forward again, walking right into Clarke's drawn palm again. Lexa could feel her heart racing and under normal circumstances, she would feel embarrassed to let anyone know, even Costia, how much someone else excited her to her very core.

Surely Clarke could feel this pounding under her palm now, Lexa only hoped that Clarke would know exactly what it meant and how much it took out of her to expose so much of her inner being to someone else.

"Clarke, Josephine and I—"

Upon hearing those simple three words, Clarke had heard everything she needed to hear. Everything she didn't want to hear. Josephine and I.

"I don't want to hear anything about it, Alexandria. Spare me." Removing her palm from Lexa's chest, she turns to exit the room that had grown too large for her to handle now. "Report for guard duty in front of my door once the sun sets."

Lexa doesn't bother trying to stop her. She could see Clarke was upset and she wasn't good at comforting people or to make them feel better. It came as a shock to see that that Clarke was so affected by the little information she had.

Instantly convincing herself, Lexa tries to plead her case. Perhaps if the Empress had all the information, she wouldn't be as upset as she currently was. "Clarke, Josephine—"

"Dammit, Lexa! What did I say? I don't want to hear about it! What don't you understand?" Clarke yells before she slams the door shut behind her. She needed release and she needed it as soon as possible.

Unfortunately it was only early afternoon now and the release she required was only something she could find in the shadows of the night. Perhaps it was wicked of her to do, but there was a reason she requested Lexa to return for duty once the sun sets.

Perhaps Clarke already had a preconceived idea that took action the moment she heard everything she didn't want to hear. Her body was already running hot due to the sight of Lexa's body and her teasing ways.

Clarke was hell-bent on revenge now. There was no way she could have mistaken Lexa's actions for anything other than real feelings over these past months and she was going to put that to the test now in the worst way possible. She wanted Lexa to feel the pain she felt upon hearing that she had been with Josephine.

//

Later that night, Lexa showed up at her post and the halls were eerily quiet. Normally there were still a few servants that walked the halls, hearing from all the guests if they still needed one last thing for the night, but tonight there was nothing of the sort.

There weren't even any guards that patrolled the halls. Lexa stood alone among the many statues and braziers that lit the halls. It was odd, Clarke had never asked her to stand on night duty, there was never such thing. Why was there now?

An hour passed and Lexa grew bored as she only stood there, nothing to occupy her except for her dagger. In boredom she spun its hilt on the tip of her finger, wondering more and more why Clarke had requested her to be here tonight.

Everyone in the palace must have been asleep by now including Clarke but Lexa could still see candlelight shining from underneath the door. She was tempted to knock, to hear if everything was fine, and to ask if she really had to stand here the entire night.

If she had to stand here the entirety of the night then she would be exhausted the coming day. It wouldn't be ideal at all since she was made aware not so long ago that she was scheduled to fight in the Colosseum the following day in a one-on-one match.

There were to be no weapons, only the two warriors with their bare hands and nothing more. It was surely going to be a spectacle to watch.

Just as she was about to knock on the door, she sees a figure in the distance coming right in her direction. The figure wasn't armoured at all, but she was able to recognize the bounce in that stride anywhere.

She had stared at this shadow distastefully many nights after she had dinner with the Emperor when Senator Blake joined them along with his advisor.

Lexa would recognize his shadow anywhere, his long hair, his slightly muscular frame, and that damned bounce in his step. If she could've strangled him until his eyeballs popped from his head, she would have already but unfortunately, Senator Blake would probably wonder where his loyal advisor went.

Sir Finn Collins of house Cato, may the gods curse him she thought.

Unnoticed by him, followed two members of the Praetorian in the shadows, assuring her that he was probably up to no good.

Finn feigned a dismissive wave to her, trying to keep his posture straight and strong in front of her. It was comical, to say the least. "Salve, Praetorian, I have an.. appointment to discuss.. you know, it doesn't really concern you. Let the Empress kn..know that I am here, please."

"Finn, I was not told to expect you. Wait here while I try to reach her attention." Lexa says with the most distaste she could possibly conjure up. She wanted him to know that she did not approve of his late night visit and perhaps deep inside of her she knew why he was here but she was not ready to admit it to herself.

Before turning to the door, Lexa gestures with her eyes to the two Praetorian that now stood close behind Finn, that they should take stance next to the advisor while she turned her back on him.

With a slight knock on the door, came Clarke's voice. "What is it, Alexandria?"

"Counsellor Finn is here; he claims to have an appointment with you. This is out of the ordinary for so late at night, should I request of him to come back in the morning?" Lexa so desperately hoped that her suspicion wasn't right. She hoped that Clarke would tell her yes, to send him away. But she doesn't.

"Send him in."

"Your highness, I beg you to remember my taking, your father said that there is to be no man to enter your quarters except for—"

"You answer to me and not my father! Send Finn in at once and I expect you to stay on duty the entirety of the night."

Slightly bowing her head, Lexa nods as she retracts her head from the crack of the door, closing it behind her again. Dread filled her and on the gods she wished that Clarke was not going to do what she thought.

Turning back to Finn, she sees him nervously fidgeting with his fingers under her gaze. What a pathetic man. "The Empress will see you now." Lexa says as she feels a tightening in her chest.

Finn brushes past the guards and chuckles when he passes Lexa when she opens the doors for him. His chuckle of victory was like a stab to her gut and rage filled her entire being but before it even settled, Lexa's eyes met with Clarke's for the smallest moment before she averted her gaze to Finn that entered.

Quickly, Lexa closed the heavy doors behind Finn again and turned, facing the wall in front of her where the two other Praetorians stood. She took a deep breath as she heard talking coming from inside the quarters, hoping it will stay just as that.

Soon she heard the familiar chuckle of her Empress, followed by another few words being exchanged between the advisor and Clarke. For a moment silence followed before a soft thump was heard by Lexa's trained ear as she ever so lightly turned her head toward the door.

More silence followed until Lexa heard the one thing she didn't want to hear. A moan. A moan she knew she had to accept for what it was. The halls were already empty except for herself and the two other Praetorians.

She was damned to duty tonight, but these two men weren't. And upon the gods, it was already bad enough that she had to endure the sounds that came through the Empress' door, but she was not going to allow the other members of the Praetorian hear it.

"Take the night off, you may leave. I will assure that the Advisor leaves in due time."

It seemed that they did not hear what she heard since they stood all way across the hall in front of Lexa, far away from the door. She was grateful that they did not hear and she wasn't going to take the chance that they may hear later.

With nods from both the guards, they set out into the dimly lit corridors, grateful that she had dismissed them and that they could spend the evening with their families.

More moans filled Lexa's ears and she could feel more anger coil inside of her. It was wickedly evil of Clarke to order her to stay on duty the entire night knowing damn well what activities she was going to take part in with the advisor.

She knew she would have to do her utmost best not to go into the Empress' quarters and drag Finn out by his hair and then strangle him to death.

This was her duty and she agreed to it, she just wished it was easier and that she had not fallen for the Empress along the way.

Chapter Text

The days in Rome were long and grueling and they bled into equally paced nights. Thus is the ballet that all Romans partook in on a daily basis. From the merchants to senators, bakers, and scribes, life in the capital and center of the Roman Empire was not for the idle minded.

The yelling and constant shoulder-rubbing were piled onto food shortages and constant plague and disease. The city was alive, she was the mind of the Roman Empire, her citizens were her heart and this heart had been beating violently. Finn was one of these people.

Finn walked purposely down the marble hallways of the Emperor's palace. Columns, paintings, and absurd excess decorated every aspect and area of the palace. His steps drummed across the open-aired hallways along the interior atrium. Exotic birds flew freely about, and wildflowers dotted the open air like freckles on a beautiful face.

After a long and mostly unproductive day, his mind danced from one topic to the next. From road repair to taxes, he had spent the near entirety of the day arguing on behalf of Senator Blake, like his whipped dog. But the most constant thought in his mind was the face of Clarke, the Emperor's daughter.

Ancestry was hardly an avenue for the throne. The Senators and Generals dominated spheres of influence, furthermore, the many wealthy families of Rome and the Flamines of the many temples loomed ominously over the Seven Hills of Rome.

However clearly, Senator Blake and his promised Clarke were the next to command the empire. Of course, Blake's chances to the throne depended fully on Clarke, she had always been the key.

It had been some time since he had last chased these very steps to Clarke's quarters. As if a cruel joke, each step felt as if it took Finn further away from Clarke's door. Lining the walls were glaring statues, staring at Finn as if they knew the reason for the purpose in his steps. Hercules and the Nemean Lion, Jupiter and Juno, Hannibal and his Elephant, all from different corners of the empire that Finn spent his days and nights working for. Working for Senator Blake was thankless work, but it gave him unrestricted access to the city and allowed him to dig out other benefits, including the Emperor's daughter.

As Finn approached, the ever-growing figure of Alexandria revealed itself and slowly grew larger like a storm approaching a quiet harbor. Finn fancied the newly named Praetorian from a distance but internally squealed like a pig being hunted by bored nobles.

She stood proudly as if carved from marble stone into a stoic pose. Her veins danced down her forearms like small streams bleeding out of a river. Her face was soft, planted with two emerald eyes that saw everything and anything.

Oh of course she's there, always standing over Clarke like a vulture over a piece of meat he thought as he approached, hand raised in a dismissive greeting.

"Salve, Praetorian, I have an.. appointment to discuss.. you know, it doesn't really concern you. Let the Empress kn..know that I am here, please." He sputtered like a frightened child, just barely getting his words out.

Finn was absolutely intimidated by the sight of the Gladiatrix. She wore the Praetorian colors, which meant she was one of the most powerful people in Rome, and yet she clearly did not understand that. Emperors rise and fall by the blessing of the Praetorian Leaders equally to the ruthless influences of the Senators.

"Finn, I was not told to expect you. Wait here while I try to reach her attention." The reply drew like a cool and abusive wind from Lexa's lips.

Finn noticed Alexandria shoot her eyes to either side of him, and within the blink of an eye, two large Praetorians stood beside him. Finn looked to his right and his left, awkwardly diminutive beside the Emperor's Palatial Guard.

"Is this really needed? I am here almost EVERY week! You two may go about your day! I am here on behalf of Senator Blake." Finn moaned in his normal feigned voice.

Finn was flustered and annoyed when neither guard bothered to move away much less acknowledge his presence. He was a man between two towers awaiting for an escape with the Emperor's daughter, yet he never felt like a smaller man.

His fingers fidgeted with annoyance as his eyes glanced around. To live in this palace was the ultimate symbol of wealth in the Empire. At Clarke's door were the finest pelts and rugs in the land, from Hannibal's Carthage and twin statuettes from Hector's Troy. The most valuable prize lay beyond the door and without notice, Finn was snapped to attention by Alexandria.

"The Empress will see you now." Alexandria said at the now relieved Finn.

He smirked and waved her off as the doors ahead of him were pushed open by Alexandria. The two guards moved into posture against the wall, all eyes on him as he glided out of their sights. He gave a louder chuckle as he passed by Alexandria, sure that it exemplified his superiority to her.

"My Empress..." Finn said with a bow.

Clarke was cut and formed from the sky and atmosphere. Her golden hair was a cascade of starlight and her eyes deeper than the sea. Finn would never tire of seeing her. She stood serenely like a fountain of beauty flowing gently across the room.

Her energy was magnetic and Finn was caught in her gravity today like the first time he met her. She wore a soft blue shirt over her pale skin and her gaze had locked onto Finn, causing his cheeks to burn.

"You're late. This is unacceptable, Counselor. You should never keep the Empress waiting."

Finn smiled. He could recognize a glimmer of the playful tone that Clarke would save for their time together. He moved towards her, his hands gently reaching out and tangling into hers. She had recently bathed. The smell of flowers and other intoxicating aromas covered her hair and skin.

"Your Praetorians kept me waiting, perhaps we should replace them?"

Clarke's dismissive chuckle sent insecurity through Finn's bone. Clarke would normally submit to most if not all of his suggestions. It was not common for her to so easily and freely ignore his ideas.

"And who will protect me might I ask? You?" Clarke laughed with a slight tone of mockery. "Oh Finn, Alexandria is among the finest warriors in Rome and I trust her with my life and soul."

Finn felt jealously in his blushing cheeks. Of course, he could not protect her, he could barely protect himself from the angry old senators and plebians who flocked the streets.

[I should probably say sorry for what is about to happen next but it was crucial for Clarke's self-realization and well Finn realizing he's actually a loser. You can skip it but it may be good to read to see how Clarke starts to understand herself. However, if you choose to skip it, bold text will highlight the end of it and you can continue there.]

He let out a sigh as his hands pulled Clarke into his embrace, her warmth lighting a fire inside of him. Finn's hand lifted Clarke's face to his and he chose to ignore a distant look in her eyes as he landed a kiss on her lips which she slowly returned.

"Besides, I did not ask for your presence here to speak about my guard."

"In that case, for now, you will do as I tell you, Clarke."

Finn lifted Clarke and carried her to bed. He tossed her onto the soft cushions and smiled as she landed softly and with a soft moan. His eyes widened as her hands dragged her shirt over and off her shoulders, revealing her body to him. Finn casually undid the few strings of his shirt before pulling it over his head, exposing his toned chest and perfect shoulders.

His heart must have shown itself beating below his chest like a Barbarian war-drum. These fleeting interactions with Clarke was always a rush of excitement and fear. She was promised to Bellamy but she would often throw herself at Finn and although he was not proud of this, he took it like a hungry dog taking food from a stranger, with eagerness and hesitation.

Finn's lips brought themselves to Clarke's ankles, dragging upwards to her knee. Finn felt Clarke lay back and submit herself to his mouth. He raised her other leg above his shoulder as his kisses danced over her thigh and towards her folds. Clarke's shifting of her body pushed her closer to Finn's mouth.

This was not like her. She was normally not one to rush any of their intimate operas. Finn brushed this off as he planted his mouth firmly on her wet folds. His hands moved upwards and gripped Clarke's thighs aggressively. Her soft moans filled the air like music, starting slow and controlled and slowly pushing the tempo with a grandiose crescendo.

Finn pushed his tongue deep inside of Clarke, stabbing into her like an angry warrior fighting for his life. He feasted on her being like a lion consuming its dinner. He felt her legs tense and slowly come to a shake with each passing second. Finn did many things wrong, but there were somethings that he did in fact know how to do correctly.

Before he could feel her climax, Finn felt his hair get pulled up to Clarke's level. Her lips violently crashed into his, lips dueling with tongues and bites exchanged recklessly. Finn noticed that Clarke's lips were beginning to become bruised and inflamed, causing him to suck harder on them.

He would love to mark her, to let the world know, including Blake, that there was more he was capable of. However, he felt Clarke pulling back at once, a sly smile crawling across her moist lips.

"Counselor, don't you dare," Clarke says, knowing the look in his eye wanting to bite down on her neck, wanting to make himself known beyond the privacy of her quarters. "Now show me why you so eagerly accepted my invitation for you to come here."

Finn and Clarke's hands both went to his trousers, fighting with his legs to pull them off. Finn was not as tall as Alexandria, nor was he as strong and beautiful, but he was a man none-the-less. His body was hard and determined.

His body was thirsty and only Clarke would quench it. Finn grabbed Clarke's ankles, spreading her legs more, and positioned himself in front of her. His hard member lined up with her delicate folds as he brought his face into her neck. He could never get enough of the scent of her perfumed neck submitting itself to his mouth.

"I will be sending you.. home soon.. so I hope... you're ready." Clarke whispered close to Finn's ear, her hot breath tickling his skin.

Finn was surprised. Clarke's quarters were very much secluded from the rest of the palace and he was typically allowed more than a few hours, sometimes even entire nights, in her bedroom. This entire moment felt rushed but he did not allow his mind to dwell on that fact and farther.

He pushed his member slowly but firmly into Clarke once again. Her legs tensed as they wrapped around his waist, pushing up against Finn and forcing him to go deeper inside of her. By now, her moans had become much more noticeable, and certainly whichever guard was stationed outside would have absolutely no doubt of what was happening.

The echoes of their bodies connecting with each other joined their chorus of moans as the seconds turned to minutes. Finn's hand had taken a hold of Clarke's neck as he dominated her.

Finn's thoughts were racing as he noticed that Clarke seemed disinterested after awhile.

A cool breeze floated loudly through the room, sending chills up the arms and back of Finn. It was a nice respite from the heat of the afternoon. By now, both Finn and Clarke were drenched in sweat. Finn dripped from his face onto Clarke who was herself likely in desperate need of a bath afterward.

"Please, will you finish, Finn?" Clarke moaned, more annoyed than pleasured.

Finn invoked Jupiter himself in excitement, ruining his rhythm and picking up pace. Finn was too caught up in his own mind to notice the negative impact it had on Clarke. Her loud moans had already dissipated into soft groans, her closed eyes were now open, staring off through the dimly lit room at the entrance, deep in her own mind.

In his hurried pace, Finn failed to recognize that Clarke was not feeling the same high that he was. Within moments, Finn felt his legs give way, his breathing became much more rapid, and his eyes rolled back. He felt himself ready to let go and in an instant, he pulled himself out of the Empress, finishing next to her with a large groan.

"Clarke.. by Jupiter and Juno, that was the best yet..." He moaned as his weakened body collapsed on the heaps of expensive silks and furs over the bed.

[That's the end of it, carry on.]

Finn's hand was not met by Clarke's as was usual. Instead, she had already lifted her body off the bed. She walked in the nude towards the balcony, overlooking the gardens and courtyards of the lavish palace.

Finn admired the curves of her body. The small of her back led to her perfectly formed buttocks. They were carried by toned pale legs, feminine in every sense of the word. Her back was dripping sweat and her hair had ruffled into a violent mess. She carried herself as if she floated, magically and effortlessly to the back of her own mind and thoughts.

Finn was mesmerized. She was more than a key to power. She was the beauty of Rome. She was the Seven Hills. She was the Rubicon River. Finn found the world in her soul and had long hoped for the same in return.

But soon his mood dampened. She had not spoken much to him in the brief moment they had just spent together.

She had not yet turned to him and offered him the long hugs and kisses that normally followed passion. Instead, there was an ocean between them.

"Clarke, come here... Would you like me to get a servant to bring food? Or perhaps we can go over...some of the policy you had been speaking of?" Finn was grasping, reaching for her heart.

"I don't think so... Not tonight. But perhaps another day? I am tired, and I have a lot on my mind. Perhaps you can show yourself out as well?" Clarke replied, her voice growing more and more distant.

From the corner of his eye, Finn noticed a partially covered painting. It looked familiar, someone he had seen before. The arms, the skin tone, but not much more. Perhaps it was Clarke's mother the Empress. Or perhaps her handmaiden.

It sickened Finn to think that it could possibly even be the Gladiatrix herself but to his disdain, he noticed it indeed was her as he recognized the tattoo on the woman's arm. Alexandria loomed large over Finn even separated by a room.

"As you ... wish, Clarke." Finn mumbled in defeat.

His clothes lay in a mess on the floor. He picked up his undergarments and slid them on quickly over his skinny legs. His feet slid carefully into his sandals, one foot at a time. Last was his shirt. It fell over his shoulders with a heavy thud, weighing itself over him, over his life, his future, his past, and the present.

Finn's eyes looked for Clarke, who had remained facing away from him. He knew that she had not finished. He failed to satisfy her and surely now this swift dismissal was punishment for his shortcomings.

The columns of her room lined symmetrically across the length of the floor. Casually laying across the room were beautiful flowers, timeless statues, and a sole table in the middle of the room. The marble of the floor amplified each step Finn took across the room, directionless.

Every so often, he would turn back and look for Clarke, look for the hunger in her eyes, hunger for his body, and his pleasure. But she was not there. Clarke was slowly becoming a phantom. He was losing her to Senator Blake.

Dejectedly, Finn pulled open the doors, his eyes refused to meet Alexandria's as he stepped past her. He heard the door close swiftly yet silently behind him. His footsteps echoed across the halls with each step and the singing birds were now silently asleep, and the sound of fish swimming loudly near the surface of the ponds was no longer to be heard.

Everything was changing and Finn suddenly had never felt any smaller than he did this day.

The days in Rome were indeed long and grueling. It was not a city for just any man. It was a city for dreamers, for workers and fighters. It was a city for the kings, the gods, and the legends. As Finn stepped out of the palace, he was neither a dreamer nor a fighter, he was no more near becoming a king or a legend.

"Gods be damned. I won't be tossed aside to die so easily." He whispered to himself in the cold windy night, his words drifting away from him on a lonely breeze.

Again, the days in Rome were indeed long and grueling. But Finn was not just any man. And Finn would make sure that his mark and memory would impact the city and its hills in one way or another, someday.

//

Back in Clarke's quarters, she tightly shut her eyes as she heard the door of her quarters close, indicating that Finn had left. A lone tear slowly ran down her cheek and she allowed it to. She was a mess infatuated with a woman she could never have because her father would never allow it.

She was trapped in a coming betrothal that she did not want to be in and for the first time in a very long time she admitted to herself that she was the farthest thing from happiness.

The moon firmly sat in between an array of stars in the clear night sky, taunting her with its white light that shined over her tainted body. Once again she had submitted herself to a man she no longer wanted to submit to.

Her rash decisions had finally caught up to her emotionally and made another tear stream down her cheek. She wished she could have the day over, to train with Alexandria and to leave before Josephine had said what she said.

That she and her guard could have prandium together and laugh, casually getting along with one another. But instead, she had Alexandria stand outside of her door, forcing her to hear what she had just done with Finn.

Her elaborate scheme of revenge was something she regretted now deeply and she had not even faced Alexandria directly yet.

The thing was that when she laid on her bed, and Finn buried himself between her legs and her fingers dug into his long brown locks, she imagined it was Alexandria instead. Oh, how she wished it was her now.

She had to drag him up to her level before she climaxed simply because she knew the moment her high would hit its peak, it wasn't going to be his name that she screamed, it was going to be Alexandria's.

However, when he started to plunge into her, the illusion was broken; the spell broken. She was with a man she no longer desired and instantly she had lost interest in the entire occasion. As she laid there regret already filled her for even having this idea, to even consider that he may have the power to make her forget of Alexandria.

But the only thing he did was make Clarke burn even hotter for Lexa. She wanted Lexa, intensely all over her body, until the hours of the early morning and then well into the middle of the day.

She was sure that she could probably spend hours with Alexandria between the sheets and still not have enough of the Gladiatrix under her touch.

As the cold night breeze stung Clarke's nude skin, she slowly returned back into her warm room, closing the balcony doors behind her. Searching for ever more heat, she slipped her light blue shirt over her body again.

She wanted to call it a night and hopefully sleep and dream away the entire day but right before she climbed under her furs, her eyes landed on the silk sheet that Finn had finished on earlier. How sickening.

Her anger bubbled inside of her again, the anger she felt toward herself for doing this with him. She ripped the sheet from her bed and scrunched it up in a messy ball before she swiftly made her way to the brazier in the corner of her room.

She threw the sheet into the hot coals and added wood to the fire before she threw olive oil over it, intensifying its flames. She wanted her room clean of him and right then and there she vowed to never let him come to her quarters again as she stared into flames.

The thin lines of fire danced in her blue eyes, dreading the following day. Not only would she have to face Alexandria, but her father was returning from his trip as well.

After admiring the fire for a few minutes, she moved around her room and blew out a few candles, only leaving the two candles lit on either side of her bed. With a sigh she sat down on the side of her bed, throwing her head back in fatigue.

When she tilts her head back, her eyes land on the partially covered painting in the corner of her room. The one she had painted of Alexandria the first time she saw her bare back covered in many scars and her strong veined arms.

Mindlessly, Clarke moved to the painting and lightly smoothed her fingers over the scene before she picked it up and brought it to her eye level. Her eyes ran over every single detail she had painted on the canvas, from the dimples on her back to the large scar that was on her left shoulder blade and her beautiful tattoo.

However, Clarke no longer just had the sight of Alexandria's back etched into her mind but she had Lexa's bare body etched into her memory. Oh how perfect she was, she just had to be a decedent of Aphrodite or Venus themselves. She was a goddess all on her own.

Clarke soothed her fingertips over the canvas again, imagining to herself that it was Lexa's skin she was touching. She was tricking her own mind into thinking that she was touching soft delicate skin and an occasional scar that intensified her imperfect beauty.

That was the moment Clarke's mind really went to a place it had not been in a very long time.

//

The moment Finn exited Clarke's room, Lexa drilled her gaze into him. She wanted to kill him and laugh at him all at once. However, she notices the pained look on his face and she finds joy in it.

He knows that he didn't satisfy the Empress and that brought Lexa even more joy. Not only was he a pathetic man but a pathetic lover as well. He had not been in there long, perhaps twenty minutes and she couldn't help wonder if he left upon his own accord or if Clarke had sent him away.

Lexa enjoyed the latter conclusion more, concreting the idea that Clarke may not have enjoyed Finn as much as her moans led him to think. Lexa heard every single sound that came out of the room and at some point, Clarke was quite vocal but then she went silent for a few minutes before Lexa heard a heavy manly grunt. Which she now assumes was Finn finishing because soon after, he left.

Lexa wondered what she was supposed to do now. Even though she enjoyed the fact that Finn was pathetic she still felt hurt that the Empress would make her listen. Lexa thought that because of the previous night when they almost kissed that Clarke may actually share her feelings but now, she wasn't so sure.

Even after all the open jealously Clarke experienced, it should have solidified the idea that Clarke felt for her too. The harmless flirting they did throughout her recovery and the many grazes of fingertips, it had to be something.

Did she imagine it all? Did she fall for the Empress so hard that she imagined Clarke's feelings for her? Did she feel so much for Clarke that she forced the idea onto herself that Clarke felt the same?

These thoughts danced through her idle mind as she heard sounds coming from inside of Clarke's room, indicating that she was moving around, and soon the light that mercilessly shined from underneath her door considerably dimmed.

The halls were quiet and a sense of loneliness set in over Lexa and she considered to even quickly slip away to Octavia's quarters to see how she was doing but she was afraid that Clarke may actually not be asleep and notice if she were to leave even for the shortest time.

Lexa stood in the hall, in a staredown with the statue of Apollo, the God of music, archery, healing, poetry, and the truth. His still stance and stoic expression felt like it was mocking Lexa. So much for truth, she thought, when was it finally going to reveal itself?

And poetry? On the gods, Lexa knew she was terrible at poetry but it never stopped her from trying. A small smile crept onto her lips as her mind drifted to Costia. Costia was a brilliant poet and often recited her poems to Lexa in the early morning hours when they were tangled up in each other's embrace.

Lexa lowly chuckled to herself knowing that Costia would've most likely laughed at her if she knew of the predicament she was in. She would likely say something along the lines of "What are you waiting for Lexa? It's clear you've set your mind to her, what is stopping you?"

Costia was always so understanding and wise for her age. Lexa knew that Costia would not mind if she loved another one day. Even though she was no longer around in person, it sometimes felt like Lexa could still feel her spirit protect and comfort her when she needed it most.

A low sound came from inside Clarke's quarters again, loud now since the night was quiet. Only now and then crickets could be heard chirping from the atriums side among the greenery. Another sound came and Lexa turned her ear toward the door, wondering if she has mistaken herself.

She knew Clarke was alone in her quarters but why was she—

Moaning?

Lexa could feel her heart racing in her chest once more and a warm feeling fleeted across her bare skin. That sound ... that noise ... it was genuine, not like with Finn, Lexa could tell that much.

Was the Empress really pleasuring herself now? Knowing Lexa was still standing outside her door? As a louder moan escaped Clarke's lips and entered Lexa's senses, she quickly backed away from the door in haste.

Why was she panicking? Her heart was racing and her breathing had started to pick up but she simply couldn't help herself from not returning to the door just to hear Clarke one last time.

When she returned to the door, she almost pressed her ear to the door but that wasn't necessary because Clarke was loud enough to hear now without a trained her, she wasn't hiding what she was doing any longer.

However, what Lexa wasn't expecting to hear, comes from the other side of the door. A low growl of her name into the cold lonely night. "Mhm, Lexa." After hearing that, Lexa backs away from the door again and rubs at her eyes.

It was sleep deprivation, it had to be. Or was she dreaming? Without thinking, she pinches herself on the arm best she can but feels the spike of pain instantly. Confirming that she in fact was not dreaming and that her Empress was actually saying her name.

Perhaps the Empress was dreaming, that seemed like a good enough reason for Lexa as she backed up against the wall next to Apollo. Giving him a sly look before she looks in front of her again, standing as far as possible from the door.

//

The next morning Lexa is woken up by servants traversing through the halls with trays of food and water. She had fallen asleep leaning against Apollo somewhere in the night. Her every muscle ached as she pushed off of the marble statue.

It was safe to say that she positively and absolutely hated night duty. It was exhausting and strenuous and she never wanted to do it again.

Slowly rubbing at her eyes, she looked left and right down the hallway, peering over the servant's heads. To her luck, she spots two Praetorians approaching and she sees her opportunity to escape. She needed to bathe and definitely eat before her fight. She hadn't eaten the previous night and her stomach was making that violently known to her.

"Salve, Evander, Remus. Would you mind standing here until I return? I was on night duty and would just like to go have ientaculum and bathe. I have a fight in the Colosseum soon and I have no time to waste."

Evander nodded at her. This was a good thing about the Praetorian; one member could ask another member for assistance at any time and if you have no order from your General, then you could carry out the favor another member asks of you.

"Of course, Alexandria. Any message we should give the Empress if she exits and you are not back yet?"

Lexa thought quickly, her eyes trailing over the Persian rug they were standing on. "Tell her that she should wait and that I will be here soon."

"Will do, Alexandria."

Lexa sprinted the short distance to her quarters, almost slamming the door open with her shoulder in the process. Valentina had already set meat and fruit on the table along with a jug of water. Rushing past the table, Lexa thanked the gods for Valentina, she knew exactly how to save Lexa's life.

She quickly bathed, not washing her hair this time. She had washed it the previous day's afternoon and had not done anything taxing to make her sweat. However, she definitely needed a set of new undergarments and bindings along with a shirt and trousers.

Bathing doesn't take her much time; what takes time is to put her armour back on along with her greaves and bracers with the linen wrappings underneath that.

Knowing she's going to be late she pours herself a glass of water and quickly drinks it and takes the plate of food with her. She slathers the meat down first, hurrying back to Clarke's quarters, careful not to bump into anyone.

She twists and turns and lifts her plate over many heads as the halls started to crowd. Lexa hadn't slowed down enough this morning to think about the previous night but when she hands off her empty plate to a servant on the way, her mind opens up, and her memories flood in.

Finn's disappointing night and Clarke— Clarke that pleasured herself afterward for Lexa to hear as well. None of it was a dream and Lexa couldn't tell if she was happy, flattered, or frightened by the latter.

When Lexa reached the Empress' quarters, the Praetorian no longer stood there.

Quickly, Lexa knocked on the door. She didn't have time to wait, she needed to get to the arena. However, no answer came and she remembers what Clarke had instructed her some time ago.

To never enter her quarters without her say so unless it is a matter of life or death if she does not answer. Shaking her head at the thought, she opens the door anyway, only slightly peeking inside for convenience in case she needs to make a quick escape if she was interrupting something.

"Empress?" She waits a few seconds and peers her head in farther, looking around the room for any sign of Clarke. Her bed was stripped of its linen and her furs laid folded up on the table. "Imperatrix?"

Lexa felt a tap on her shoulder from outside and she got a fright, seemingly getting caught peering into the Empress' quarters but when she turns around she only finds a servant much shorter than her.

"Yes, maiden?"

"I couldn't help notice you were looking for the Empress; she left with two other guards not so long ago. I assume they were going to the Colosseum; perhaps she thought you weren't coming."

"Thank you, maiden." Lexa says with a bow, before she shuffles past the servant, through the people again toward the Colosseum. Of course, Clarke would not listen to the instruction Lexa left with the guards just to simply wait for her. On the way, Lexa decided she would visit Octavia again after her fight for if she visited now, she was surely going to be late.

The foot traffic toward the arena was busier than usual and the crowds were already cheering which meant the first or second fight of the day was already underway. Lexa grew nervous as she got closer to the arena, she didn't know who she was facing today but she hoped it wasn't a brute.

She knew she wouldn't be able to take a brute giant today, not after her last injury. Her bones were still brittle and going back to fighting so fast was a risk but mentally she was ready to go back.

Lexa walked through the dungeons, occasionally making eye contact with the slaves in their cells. It smelled foul down there, urine and feces coated the walls along with the other types of grime, whether it was rotten food or puke.

Surely all types of plague and disease grew down here and she struggled to understand how anyone could live in these conditions. She noticed there weren't many Gladiatrix left; over the day's slave masters brought new competition and there were a few women among them.

There was one woman who's stare sent shivers down Lexa's spine. Her hair was matted to her head in braids and white ash coated it. Her face held self-inflicted scars, all made with such precision in intricate patterns.

Lexa could tell she wasn't Roman, nor was she Greek. Perhaps Persian but her skin tone did not match such ethnicity. She was as pale as the ash in her hair and her eyes an impossible blue as a wild wolf had.

Lexa was intrigued by the woman and she knelt next to the cell, studying the woman more. She sat in the middle of her cell, crossed legged with her palms resting on either of her knees.

"What is your name, Gladiatrix?" Lexa asks, but the woman only stares back at her blankly.

"Quod est tibi nomern, Gladiatrix?" Lexa tries again in Latin, figuring the woman doesn't speak English but still the woman doesn't answer her with words. She answers her with a harder stare, almost sizing her up.

"They call her the white wolf," A member of the Praetorian says next to Lexa. "She doesn't have a tongue it was cut out when she was a child. You see, she's not from here. There's a tribe up in the mountains that have their own dialect that none of us understand. She understands us but we do not understand her. Our past Emperor Titus led a raid on her tribe's village, looking for the assassin that killed his wife and it turned out to be her father. The Emperor slit her father's throat in front of her and almost wiped out her entire tribe except for the ones that fled farther up the mountain. Our white wolf here cursed his name publicly and in return he cut her tongue from her mouth publicly, making an example of what is to happen if you slander his name. Years later she came here to the capital to exact her own revenge on the Emperor but was caught by our current Emperor and she had been in these dungeons ever since. Or so the tale goes anyway."

Lexa stared back at the woman, evaluating the information the guard gave her and she remembered the people that attacked Polis and killed her loved ones. Azgeda of Atticus.

"Azgeda of Atticus, that's where she's from." Lexa says blankly and the woman's eyes widen in shock for she had not heard her tribe's name in ages. She remembers they were secretive and rarely ever left their lands except for the past few years.

They had been searching for her, pillaging small cities and villages in search of her, that's what the stories that spread among the dungeons spoke of. The man that was executed by the Emperor, her father, was the leader of their tribe and now her mother ruthlessly led them.

She snuck away from their village in the darkness of night, telling no one of her plans but unfortunately, she was caught in the act and therefore no one knows where she is.

"Never heard of that, Alexandria. But anyway, she doesn't fight in the arena but she is allowed to train with the others but she tends to miss behave and kill during training, so she hasn't been out in a while."

"Thank you for the information." Lexa wished she could speak with the woman and receive an answer but the woman had no tongue, which meant the conversation was going to be quite one-sided.

Another member of the guard approached them, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. He didn't look like much of a warrior, more like a messenger. "You're up next, Alexandria, follow me."

With a pat on the shoulder of the Praetorian, she leaves him standing in front of the white wolf's cell and follows the other guard as instructed.

"Do you know who my opponent is?"

"Personally, obviously not. But he's special. The Emperor asked me to tell you that he has an arrangement with you and that your opponent is part of that arrangement. The Emperor says to make the kill slow and painful, and that he has all the faith in you that you can indeed deliver."

Lexa nodded her head as they walked toward the drop door. She remembered this agreement they had. That he would have special kills for her in the Colosseum once she joined the Praetorian. She remembered the night like it was the day before, it was the first night she truly laid eyes on the Empress.

"I understand. I will deliver, give the Emperor my word. Will you keep this safe for me?" She unclipped her weapons belt from her waist and handed it to the scrawny man along with her Praetorian armour, only keeping on her greaves and bracers.

"He asked for you to wear a helmet. So choose one." Lexa looked between the many helmets that sat snug on statuettes. None particularly caught her eye until she reached the very end. "That one."

"Very well, take it." It was made of iron but tinted black, matching the color of her armour that she was not allowed to wear in the arena today. It had sharp features, open at the mouth and accentuated trimming at the eyes.

At once she slid it over her head, hiding her identity ever so lightly. But still, her green eyes pierced through the eye slits and nothing could hide her sharp jawline.

"Enjoy it." The guard says to her with a smile. No words of good luck or may the gods be you. But the words "enjoy it." His choice of words was peculiar but it indicated to her that this fight will indeed be exceptionally easy.

The drop door opened and Lexa jogged out, the sunlight meeting her eyes fast. She had to blink a few times to adjust from the darkness of the dungeons. The battleground itself was empty, nothing but sand surrounded her.

The gallery was filled with Romans, Greeks, and Persians all eagerly throwing their coin around, placing bets. Only newcomers betted against Lexa by now and the locals no longer did. Their new betting system worked on how fast she would be able to kill her opponent.

Lexa jogged to the middle of the arena before she looked at the crowds that surrounded her. Tens of thousands of people cheered her name over and over again, her helmet not being able to hide her identity. Her tattoo set her aside from any other Gladiatrix.

When she raised her eyes to the Royal balcony she was met with the watchful eyes of the Emperor with a smile playing on his lips. Abigail sat next to him, not paying attention to what's in front of her since she was indulged in conversation with the announcer.

Lexa notices that Senator Blake wasn't present either but Clarke was. She wasn't looking down at the arena either, her attention was on Finn. She looked uncomfortable under his watchful gaze as he continued to speak with her.

She looked like she wanted to escape from his conversation. Emperor Jake called for Clarke then and Lexa practically saw the relief that filled Clarke's body as her father finally freed her of Finn's conversation. But he takes her right hand into his and raises it to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

Her grimace is noticeable up until where Lexa stood and rage had already started to boil inside of her at the mere look at him conversating with Clarke in her clear discomfort. But the last straw was drawn when he kissed her hand.

Lexa wasn't the jealous type but after the previous night she spent listening to his poor performance and his bold move now to show Clarke affection publicly, sent her seething.

"There is to be no salute today!" The announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "For the Praetorian is tasked to kill a treasonous man. This man of Caledonia chose to impersonate his Prince and then attempted to kill the Empress. Upon her order and decree, he was sentenced to death and has awaited trial until this faithful day. Under the Empress' terms, there was to be no armour worn by either party nor was any weapons to be used. Furthermore, our newest member of the Praetorian and our very own Gladiatrix had been matched with him upon the Emperor's order."

Lexa recognized the man that walked into the arena across from her. This was a double victory for her, he tried to kill her Empress and he had the same shaggy long hair Finn has and that damned bounce in his step. She was going to enjoy killing him indeed.

"Let the games begin!"

The man that called himself Cagenous had an iron cap over his stump and showed no sign of infection. Her clean-cut was immaculate and allowed him to heal fully after they cauterized his stump and he even had an advantage now; a solid iron plate.

They both ran toward one another and Lexa ducks under the first swing of his stump and lands a hard punch to his gut, making him tumble to his knees, his breath knocked from his lungs.

"Get up you pathetic excuse of a man!" She envisioned that she was finally meeting Finn in the arena and she could finally live out her fantasy of killing him; she just couldn't decide quite yet how she would do it.

He scraped up sand with his remaining hand and threw it to Lexa's face, temporarily blinding her with the fine dust entering her eyes. A loud grunt escapes her lips as even more rage fills her being that he would use such a pathetic move on her.

Sand crunched under her teeth as she blinked her eyes, holding her arms in front of her face in case he decided to strike while she was trying to regain her sight. His first attack he lands on where her fractured ribs were a few fortnights ago and she winces under the force.

The second he lands on her jaw as her hand moves down subconsciously to protect her sensitive ribcage. In a desperate attempt, she sends a kick in his direction with one eye scrounged open but her foot only lands on his thigh, yet it staggers him enough to buy her some more time.

After a few more blinks, she sees again but the sand still crunches in her mouth and the sensation sends shivers down her spine. Recklessly he swings at her head again, thinking she's still blinded by sand but she moves out of his reach.

They circle one another, as a feline would before they inevitably attack each other. Lexa grins at him amused but his face only portrayed hate and frustration. Perhaps his eyes had a tinge of defeat as well, knowing he was going to lose.

As Lexa decides that they will circle for the last time, she takes one last glance up to the balcony and Clarke's blue eyes are firmly fixed on her. She sat on her seat as if it was a throne, her one leg crossed over the other and her arms resting on either side of her.

But behind her stands Finn, looming over her like an annoying shadow. The same smug look on his face he had when he first entered the Empress' quarters last night when he thought he had won a victory over Lexa.

His smug smile was enough to make Lexa lunge at the man in front of her, tackling him to the sand before she got to work on his beautiful face. He tried shielding it, but she was ruthlessly swinging her fists at his temples and jaw, landing a punch where she finds an open spot.

Blood splatter covered her hands after her ninth hit but she didn't stop. Her own knuckles started to bleed when his mouth opened hoping for a breath of fresh air and her fists connected with his teeth.

She gripped the material of his shirt in her fists, lifting him from the ground as she rammed her helmet into his temple and eye bank. He was on the brink of falling unconscious and she had certainly followed the Emperor's order. Slow and painful.

Warm blood ran all across his bruised skin and his hands no longer tried to protect his face, they only laid at his sides as Lexa continued, her own face and helmet covered in blood from the few times she rammed her head into his.

She tasted the iron in her mouth and she could feel blood trickle down her skin. He wasn't moving much anymore, only occasional muscle twitches. It was time.

Lexa stepped off of him, getting to her feet once more. Her knees were scuffed again due to the dry sand and small particles wedged themselves in her shallow wound. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and started to drag him closer to the balcony.

His shirt's front was practically choking him as she dragged him closer. When she drops him she raises her hands into the air, seeking the favor of the crowds and growing drunken mobs. They all chanted her name and she turned, her hands still raised conjuring up more shouts.

They wanted a Gladiator and that was what they were going to get today. She felt animosity and barbaric and pure savagery. When she was satisfied with the crowds, she took her helmet off before throwing it to the side. Revealing her sharp features for all the spectators to see.

Her face was slathered in blood and the smell had filled her senses a long time ago. It was like a breath of fresh air. This was who she was meant to be she feels as she walked up to the man's head, kneeling above it.

She picked his upper body up by his shirt and curled her arm around his neck before pointing one single finger up at the balcony. She pointed to Finn, with a smile on her lips that was clearly visible now without her helmet.

From up there, the clueless Emperor smiled back at her, thinking she was pointing to him, honoring him. But she was conveying a message; a personal one and Finn knew she was pointing at him.

Clarke was at the edge of her seat, her fingers digging into the wooden armrests as she waited in anticipation, waiting for Lexa to unleash her savage inner being.

Finn looked at the Gladiatrix with fear-filled eyes. He feared her more than he feared death itself because he knew that she would make him suffer. "For you, Empress!" Lexa yells, her own hoarse voice echoing through the Colosseum, loud enough to rise above all the crowd's chants.

In a swift movement, she wrapped her fingers around the side of the man's head and yanked his head in a twisting motion and a sick crack echoed through the barren plains of the arena.

She had snapped his neck, her warning clear and Finn knew if he did not tread light from here on out, that he was next.

Chapter Text

It was just about the perfect day in Rome. The weather wasn't as hot as the previous season and the coldest season of the year was closer than anticipated. The settlers of Rome knew this well as stories spread through the capital and the cold started to sting their skins in the earlier mornings and late at night.

Their hiems food supply was dangerously dwindling and many were going to die if the Emperor did not fulfill his duty.

Emperor Jake was unsuccessful in winning the rich Persians favor and he was being forced to look for the next opulent settler to help him. Yes, he commanded just about the entire Roman Empire but they were all facing the imminent threat of cold.

All the crops were withering and dying and they had just harvested in time, but it wasn't going to be close to enough. Animals were going into hibernation and the others were going to become scarce due to the cold which meant meat wasn't much of an option. Hunters were also more prone to be injured during the cold season since the only meat out was wild wolves; they too starving and even more savage than normal.

Octavia had since recovered mostly, she was walking again but her skin and muscles were weak due to being constrained to her bed for so long, only occasionally taking baths with the help of servants or Valentina. Clarke's maiden Raven brought Octavia food often, bathed her and just kept her company when no one else was around. They had formed a strong bond but it was no longer as sexual, they were almost the best of friends but there was still occasional flirting.

Senator Blake had been in Octavia's quarters often, speaking with the Gladiatrix about her past. He couldn't help feel connected to her in some way ... she felt like more than a stranger, almost a ghost of his past. She looked beyond familiar, a precise image of his mother from when he was younger and she was still in her youth.

Octavia's familiar eyes had haunted him at night and he decided to see go see the High Priestess. On behalf of him, she went to see the oracle, and the oracle had told her that Senator Blake had all the answers he needed in his grasps, he just had to reach for them. He had a chest in his quarters filled with books and ledgers his father had written in but he had never bothered to read them. For the past five nights, he constrained himself to his quarters, reading every single text his father wrote of his life.

Octavia on the other hand visited Lexa on many days while she worked through her few remaining recovery days. She found it odd that the Senator visited her so often, asking about her past but she always answered his questions to the best of her knowledge.

It had been a few days since Lexa's fight in the Colosseum and she and Clarke had not spoken at all. In all honesty, it seemed like Clarke had been avoiding her every single chance she managed to grasp.

Somehow Clarke even managed to employ a different group of guards each morning before Lexa managed to reach her quarters and on the seventh day, Lexa decided to stop trying as hard as she was. Surely if Clarke needed her then the Emperor would intervene as he would catch onto her schemes.

But he never does; Clarke implores Lexa's company on her own after a fortnight, finally ready to face the Gladiatrix, or so she hoped anyway.

Lexa was sitting on her balcony, her legs crossed over one another in her sitting position as her hands each laid on either of her knees. She was talking to the gods, asking them if she was following her true route and if this truly was her calling.

Each day she put on her greaves and leather bracers but not her body armour. She wore her simple protectors in case the Empress came calling and she could just throw her body armour on. There was no point to wear full armour or her two blades when she just walked through the streets.

She carried her simple pouch of Aureus and a dagger hidden under her bracer if a problem arose itself. Lexa spent most of her days with Octavia or John and his current lover Emori, the slave girl was a brilliant human and it was a pity she fell into slavery at such a young age.

A soft knock rang on Lexa's door, interrupting her discussion with gods as she slowly turned her head, expecting it to be Valentina or Octavia. "Enter!" Lexa answers from her balcony, not bothering to get up as neither woman ever required anything crucial. Octavia either took a seat next to her or Valentina only asked if Lexa needed anything, was it a drink or food.

"Alexandria?" A soft unsure voice asked from inside her quarters; a voice Lexa would recognize among any.

"My Empress?—" Lexa answers quickly, rising to her feet as fast as possible, hurrying back into her room. She was excited to see Clarke; she had only seen her in the distance the past fortnight and they had not spoken a single word to each other.

"My apologies, was I interrupting something?" She asks, almost peeking over Lexa's shoulder, expecting someone to enter after her since she heard Alexandria speaking before she came in.

Clarke had tried her best to get her day-to-day life going on without Alexandria's guard but it had gotten tedious the first few days and up until now she handled it fairly well, but here she was in front of her guard again. Her own guard that she had been dreaming of nonstop. Clarke was disappointed when Lexa stopped trying to see her but then again, she did not give Lexa much of a choice due to her cowardice move to avoid her.

Clarke knew as clear as day that Lexa did not deserve the manner she had been treating her. Lexa always did her best and even more than that; she always had a smile on her lips even though she had every reason not to and she always made Clarke laugh even if it wasn't her duty to. She always looked at Clarke with a certain admiration in her eyes, but quickly looked away when the Empress noticed.

"No, not at all." Lexa answers, swallowing hard before she straightens out her light grey shirt. "Is everything okay? How can I assist you?"

Clarke had gotten lost in her thoughts as she slowly walked through Lexa's room, looking at every item on the few shelves and the parchment on the table resting next to a piece of coal.

She thought she was ready to see Lexa and face her guilty conscience but she couldn't even get herself to meet the green orbs she had grown to love with time. "Everything is fine, I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted and the way I have been treating you. I had no right to be upset about the women you choose to bed and it was terrible of me to—"

"Please, don't apologize, my Empress." Lexa interrupts, closing the balcony door behind her to stop the cool breeze from furthering itself into her room. She knew what Clarke was going to say next and quite frankly she did not want to hear of it again. "It is I who is a hypocrite, I told you that I did not wish to know my opposition and I did what I did. Not that I bedded her, I would never, I swear it."

"You didn't?" Clarke was relieved and that was proven even more with the shaky breath that escaped her body. She couldn't believe that she had been foolish enough to conjure up a conclusion in her own mind and that she had not even given Lexa a chance to explain when she wanted to.

"No, Empress. We had kissed but I realized my mistake and left. I do not desire her in any way and I now know that I never did. She seemed like an easy escape but ... but there is no such thing I'm afraid."

Clarke couldn't manage to stop the slight smile that grew on her lips. Perhaps she was the jealous type after all and she had not handled it well. "I need to apologize for imploring you in my guard that night, the advisor and I—"

"I graciously ask you not to explain yourself to me, Empress. What you do in your personal time, is none of my concern. I protect you from harm when you require me to, I walk with you when you require me to and I eat with you when you require me to. More than that, we do not have to share with each other."

'Not unless you wish to anyway' Lexa wanted to add but she did not want to involve her personal feelings, not when she was finally in a half-decent space with the Empress again. She believes that they had made it abundantly clear to each other without a word that one was not good to the other in the slightest and that they should stop while they can.

"You're right. Why do you always have to be right, Alexandria?"

Lexa let out a hearty chuckle as she allowed herself to smile as well. "It is a blessing and a curse I'm afraid. Is there anything else, your highness? Do you require something from the market?"

A cold breeze flew in from Lexa's ajar door to her quarters which Clarke had neglected to close when she entered. Chills prickled over Clarke's exposed skin and she quickly soothed her hand over it, trying to warm herself.

"Well, the weather isn't too pleasant to stay in the palace. I was thinking of going to one of the sauna's in the bathhouses and I suppose I need a guard to escort me." Clarke hints less than subtly, she was eager to have Alexandria at her side again. "I'm sure the other members of the Praetorian won't mind escorting me but they cannot enter. You may since we're both women but if you do not wish to join me, I would understand."

"No, of course. If you would just give a minute." Lexa brushed past Clarke, their shoulders only slightly grazing each other. Wordlessly, Clarke nodded as she occupied herself with the many objects all across Lexa's quarters.

There were many scrolls rolled up firmly stacked on a shelf on top of one another and there were also many ledgers that littered every shelf as well. "Quite a reader aren't you? What are all these about?"

"I suppose so yes. They are about many things, tales of gods, eye accounts of scholars, and just retellings of battles. You're welcome to have a look if you'd like, just be careful, I have to return them to the bibliotheca. The scholars are less than friendly and will probably have my head if even one page is torn."

Lexa had returned from the back room, with her Praetorian snuggly fit to her body and all the strappings pulled tightly. She felt content and at home with her body inside of the armour again.

"Which god has your favorite tale?" Clarke asks absentmindedly as she slowly paged through a Latin ledger she barely understood a single word of but luckily it had illustrations that were almost recognizable.

"That's a hard question and even harder to answer. There are so many ... Hmm, I have always found Bellona and Mars quite interesting, perhaps Saturn and ... well Venus as well, who couldn't love the goddess of love and beauty?"

With a sheepish smile, Clarke nodded her head satisfied as she placed the ledger back on the shelf before turning around and finding Lexa fully clad in her Praetorian armour again. On the gods, she could not deny that Lexa looked beyond astonishing in her armour.

"See? Not that hard. Good answer, Alexandria. I see you are ready, shall we go then?"

"After you." Lexa gestures with her hand toward the door, shortly following Clarke.

They walked in silence toward the exit of the palace and before they reached the outside, Lexa had already given Clarke her Praetorian cape to keep her warm. It was as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened between them and they were going on as they did on their best days.

Clarke held the cape over her head, trying to avoid snow from falling in her hair and simultaneously hiding her identity from settlers they passed in the streets toward the bathhouse.

Lexa kept close to Clarke, her hand not once wavering off her sword's hilt and her eyes did not once stop scanning their immediate surroundings. The streets were busier than they normally were during the very cold days. Many settlers opted to stay home when the snow was falling, but not today, something was arising among the people.

When they reached the bathhouse, Clarke gestured for Lexa to walk in, in front of her. "Tell the owner to send away everyone and to prepare the sauna and warm pool. I expect it to be ready as soon as I am undressed."

"Very well, Empress." They walked up the steps together before Clarke peeled away toward the room that was strictly reserved for royal use. Lexa had been to this bathhouse once before when the Emperor sent her to look for a particular Senator the previous week but she failed to find him there. It turned out that he was in a brothel down the street.

However, that Senator wasn't the only Senator she found at the brothel when she looked through it. Senator Blake had himself firmly placed inside of a Persian whore in the open, he had no shame in what he did. For her own good, Lexa only pretended not to see Senator Blake and continued to search for the Senator she was tasked to find.

He was alone in a room, getting dressed for he had just finished his coin's worth with a girl Lexa could not imagine was an age over fifteen summers. Emperor Jake's instruction was clear and simple: "Get rid of him." The Emperor knew that Lexa worked as a misthious before she came to the capital so she had no problem making contract kills.

Except she wasn't getting aureus for her kills now, it was simply her duty. The Emperor's dirty work essentially. The Emperor explained to her that this Senator was going against him in a crucial ruling he needed the favor of; this fact wasn't very convincing for Lexa to make the kill. But the information that followed was enough for her to put the kill at the top of her list.

The Senator enjoyed spending his time with young girls. In fact, he had them taken from surrounding villages and sold into the brothels for the people that were likeminded to him. He had overtalked himself at a previous meeting of the Senators where he explained that there were now very special girls at the brothels.

The Emperor did not approve of such and so he sent Alexandria to deal with the perverted man which she had no problem with doing. When she entered the room and closed the door behind her rather loudly, locking the hinge in the process, fear coursed through the Senator's eyes for he knew why she was there.

The kill was quick, yet brutal. A simple slit of his throat but that was not all she did. She castrated him alive and shoved his manhood into his mouth, down his throat. Unlucky for him, this wasn't the first man of his kind that she killed and her previous clients from her misthious days appreciated this flare she added to the kill.

Lexa walked the short hall into the bathhouse, there weren't many people. Clearly, only opulent men and women remained who already had the bathhouse cleared of the plebians, too bad they would have to leave now as well.

The bathhouse owner came from the backroom in haste, closely followed by a young woman that spoke to him in a hurry. Lexa recognized the woman's task, she looked innocent but she was the most dangerous in this entire building.

The rich that visited the bathhouse often thought it was a safe place to speak about sensitive matters and paid no mind to the servants that walked among them. This young woman in particular only had one task; to listen to the talks of the rich and report back to her master.

Lexa had noticed the young girl when she and Clarke came in at first, the girl tried not to look obvious as she stared at them but to Lexa, she stood out like an inflamed thumb.

"Salve, Praetorian. My people say that the Empress is here, what does she require?"

"Salve," Lexa greets, hooking her fingers on her weapons belt as she continued to survey the bathhouse and its occupants. "She requests for you to clear the bathhouse of everyone including servants. Also, prepare the sauna and hot pool with linen, food, and wine. She expects this to be done before she is done undressing and she is an impatient woman, get to it."

Nervously the owner nodded his head and scampered away from Lexa, yelling for all his workers to come closer so he could give them their appropriate orders to get everything done as fast as possible.

Lexa returned to the hall Clarke turned down into, it led down to one single door made of the grandest oak she had ever seen. She could hear angered moans of defiance echoing from behind her. Clearly the rich weren't too happy about being asked to leave.

Lexa laid a soft knock on the door, letting Clarke know that she's back. Lexa had neglected to remember the most crucial part of a bathhouse and its sauna: nudity. She could feel her chest constrict, realizing what she had gotten herself into.

"You may enter, Alexandria."

Slowly Lexa pushed the door open just wide enough for her to slip in, shielding Clarke if she was nude already but the Empress sat still on a wooden bench, clad in a thin linen robe that made no effort to hide her milky skin.

"The uhm— owner is preparing everything for you. Is there anything else you need before I leave?"

"I need you to undress, I'm not sure where you want to run off to. You deserve a hot cleanse more than I do, there's your robe, join me at the pool once you're ready, that's an order." There was a playful tone to the Empress' voice and Lexa couldn't tell if she was serious or not; if it was actually an order. A white see-through robe hung on a hook next to a shelf where one could lay their belongings.

"We're both women, and I have seen all of you already." Clarke adds as she brushes past Lexa, toward the exit of the dimly lit room. Lexa's eyes unconsciously drifted over Clarke's chest as she slowly passed her and a breath audibly caught in her throat.

When the door closed, Lexa released a shaky breath. "Oh gods what have I gotten myself into..." she mutters to herself. Was it too late to run away? Was she willingly go to walk out in the nude for Clarke to see?

Yes, she had seen her nude already, accidentally, and perhaps she was feeling particularly confident on the day. The words she spoke were empty, the truth was that she was self-conscious of her body, or her skin in particular.

She wasn't fair at all, she was covered in scars, some she had no clue where she got them. Some were large, especially the one on her thigh that she got in her first fight in the Colosseum. The one on her left shoulder blade that she got in her seventeenth year of life when Felix outsmarted her.

And the one she hated most, the wolf claw across her ribcage that she got when she was eighteen and was sent out to hunt on her own as per the tradition of coming of age. Four white lines the length of her fingers laid across her ribcage, her olive skin forever ruined.

Lexa laid her Praetorian armour next to her bracers after she had already removed her weapons belt and greaves. All that remained was her shirt, trousers, and undergarments that she removed slowly, almost unsure if she was ready to walk out to the hot pool.

It was the Empress' order, she couldn't disobey. She exited the room, nothing but the see-through robe over her skin and her dagger in her hand. Lexa never went anywhere without some sort of weapon, just in case.

"Finally! I was starting to think you would never come. Please join me, would you like a chalice of wine?" Clarke exclaimed, already in the hot pool. Steam was coming from the water, completely disguising the Empress' nudity.

"Yes, please." Nothing that a bit of liquid courage couldn't fix.

"You brought a dagger? Are you finally going to kill me? I probably won't blame you, to be honest." Clarke joked while she poured another chalice of wine. Her back was turned to Lexa, nothing but her firm soft milky skin on her shoulders exposed.

Slowly Clarke moved to the side of the pool, holding out the chalice to Alexandria. "You only get it once you get in. Undress, come on. What were your words? The gods gave me this body, why should I be ashamed? Why are you acting so coy now?"

"I— don't you think it will be inappropriate if I join you? You're you and I'm—"

"My guard and under my authority, get in. I'm not going to ask again." Lexa was shocked at the tone Clarke had just used on her. She had never spoken to her in such a way; such a tone was reserved for when she spoke with the settler when she saw them in the throne room or when she spoke to the Senate.

"Yes...your highness." Lexa slowly slid the robe from her body, letting it fall to the ground as she still clenched the hilt of the dagger in her hand, seemingly her only safety at the moment. She took two slow breathes as she walked to the steps leading up to the pool.

"Careful of the coals, they're quite warm." Clarke softly feigns as she sips from her own chalice before she places it on the side of the pool. She elegantly glided through the warm water toward Alexandria, offering a hand to her guard for assistance into the pool.

With a shaky hand, Lexa accepts it as her skin gets the first touch of the water. It was just perfect and she could possibly spend hours in the water.

"Nice, isn't it?" Clarke's eyes had not once left Lexa, a certain hunger shined brightly in her blue eyes and she was making no effort to hide it. "Have you ever been in a warm pool?" Clarke asks as she hands Lexa the promised chalice of wine.

"No, it's my first time. It's marvelous... thank you."

Clarke walked away from her, returning to her spot. She took a seat on one of the steps inside of the pool next to where her almost empty chalice sat. The topside curves of her breasts were making themselves known just above the water and they certainly didn't go unnoticed by Lexa.

In fact, she couldn't look away. She wondered if Clarke had even listened to her when she spoke this morning when she explicitly said that they did not have to share more than any royalty would share with their guards. This, this was certainly beyond the threshold.

"Mhm, this wine is spectacular. So, Alexandria, if I'm not overstepping, I noticed you have that mark across your shoulder, how did you get it? Tell me of your wonderful adventures."

Insecurity set in over Lexa immediately. As a warrior, one should probably be proud of your battle scars but she obviously wasn't. She wanted to hide them all; she knew she was imperfect but her scars were the biggest problem.

"They were hardly wonderful. At the academy, I was among the few women that were allowed to train with the men because I was capable of holding my own. I was seventeen summers and I was in a single sword battle with my greatest competition. His name is, was, Felix. I had turned trying to block him, he struck abnormally fast and I suppose I miscalculated his swing and he cut across my shoulder blade."

"Was it painful?"

"To my soul, yes." Lexa laughed lowly, looking at her hands through the clear water in front of her. She couldn't look at Clarke because she knew her eyes would be too tempted to drift somewhere else. "The cut of a blade is cold, sharp, it burns but it was my ego that got hurt. I was undefeated but Felix ... he bested me many times after that. I was unsure of myself every time I faced him."

"I noticed you said was, did he die in battle when you defended Polis?"

"No, he came here with his slave master. I only recently heard that he had died in his cell after another gladiator killed him. Apparently, Felix had killed his brother in the arena and the gladiator exacted his revenge." The thought saddened Lexa, even though he was her biggest competition and she was supposed to resent him, she didn't. Felix was among the few things she still knew from home; among the few things that reminded her of Maximus.

Clarke clearly noted Lexa's dampened mood. "I'm sorry for your loss, Alexandria." A silence fell on them and Clarke desperately felt like she had to do something, anything to change the atmosphere so she approached Lexa.

When Lexa noticed the ripples in the water in front of her, she averted her gaze to Clarke who was gliding through the water toward her. Her blue eyes clear, piercing and hungry.

"What happened here?" Clarke asks as she stands right in front of Lexa, her finger trickling of a scar on Lexa's shoulder. There was still steam surrounding them but it wasn't enough anymore to hide either of their bodies from each other.

Lexa swallowed the lump in her throat as she felt Clarke's soft touch on her skin. Her body was screaming, her mind was screaming and even in the heat chills arose on her skin. "A wolf, it is among the many scars he gave me that day. I was hunting and a pack surrounded me, I tried to fend them off with little success. His claw...scraped across my ribcage as well."

"I know of them, I saw when I cared for you." Clarke says lowly as her hand in the water finds its way to Lexa's skin exactly where the four lines trailed over it. The Empress' fingertips followed the same path and to Lexa, it felt like the wolf all over again.

"They make you different, you know? I have never seen someone so beautiful yet scarred. It's breath-taking..."

Lexa was sure that the coals were no longer needed to heat the water. Her body was warm enough to bring this entire pool to a boiling point. Clarke's delicate skin was there for her touching and on the gods, she wanted to. The Empress' eyes were inviting even, almost begging for her to take her right there.

But she couldn't, not now, not here, not like this.

Lexa needed to retreat as a coward would from battle before she does something that could cost her, her life. Lexa moved away from Clarke's touch, heading for the steps that lead out of the pool, no longer minding to show all of her body once again.

"I- I- will wait for you outside. Take your time, it's gotten too hot for me. The water I mean, it has gotten too hot for me." Lexa stutters as she gets out, wrapping the useless robe around her body, scampering to the room her clothing was in like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Clarke didn't bother to protest for she knew she had overstepped but she could no longer stop herself. She needed to feel how Lexa's skin would feel under her fingertips and she had no regrets, she just wished Lexa hadn't run away.

Clarke wanted her, there was no denying it and she wished now that Lexa wanted her too like the night they almost kissed. The thing Clarke regretted most was being with Finn as she assumes that was the night she once and for all ruined what Lexa may or not have felt for her.

Downing the remaining wine in her chalice, Clarke herself steps out of the pool. She decides that she will skip the sauna today, not wanting Lexa to stand out in the cold for too long since she just had her body surrounded by warm water. It was a sure recipe for a fever.

When Clarke reaches the room, Lexa is already slipping her Praetorian armour on again but when she sees Clarke enter with the robe matted to her skin, revealing her breasts and her every single other curve, she quickly brushes past her, trying to keep her eyes off of Clarke.

Lexa didn't know how long she could keep this façade up anymore, the pressure was weighing very heavily on her and her lustful thoughts even more. She wanted to eat Clarke alive and she wanted to have her in every single way possible.

Lexa rushed out of the exit of the bathhouse, stepping out into the cold hoping it will cool down her burning skin. Blood was coursing through her and the veins on her arms were accentuated more than they normally were.

The cold didn't do much for her racing heart nor did it do anything for her mind to forget how perfect Clarke's body was. She felt terrible and guilty that she no longer thought of Costia anymore, it was Clarke all over.

Lexa no longer thought of the love she and Costia made, she no longer thought of her nude body under her fingertips, she no longer thought of her perfect lips, she no longer thought of her soft as velvet lips and she couldn't even remember what her voice sounded like when it cried out in pleasure. Costia had become a blank figure, a phantom. Lexa couldn't even remember her voice in general anymore; even her features had started to wither in memory.

"Damn you..." Lexa says, cursing herself.

On this particular day, small crowds had started to form all throughout Rome. Strikes for change; strikes for food. The markets had started to quiet; merchants no longer able to travel the routes with their fragile carts. The settlers were growing impatient more and more as they were on this day.

Those that were in the city before the cold storm, was now trapped and also weighing on the food supplies and Emperor Jake had not left his chambers in days. He had no Aureus left to buy maize from merchants overseas and even if he did, it was probably too late.

Lexa stood outside a few minutes, with her palm pressed to her forehead. She was frustrated beyond belief, with herself and her body, oh gods her body was frustrated. She needed hours of training or sex, those were the two choices she had left.

And she didn't see the latter on the horizon at all so training it was. Long strenuous hours of training till she struggled to catch her breath.

When Clarke exited the bathhouse behind Lexa, clear unrest could be heard from up the street. Loud chants and angry shouts coming out of the settlers of Rome as they protested. In recent weeks protests had started to increase since the cold winter season was upon them. Word had spread among the people that the city's food reserves were dwindling which led to protests and food strikes.

There must have been hundreds if not thousands rioting and with frustration, they became violent and Lexa knew that very well. The protests were now blocking the way to the palace which meant she couldn't take Clarke through there; it would be too dangerous. She would be one versus hundreds.

Lexa needed to push her frustrations to the side momentarily. She just needed to get Clarke to the palace and then she could excuse herself and go to the arena to clear her head. She certainly wasn't going to a brothel and she surely wasn't going to visit Josephine again.

Luckily in her free time in the afternoons when Clarke was training in healing with Valentina, Lexa took the liberty to traverse the capital, learn the routes and where some specific merchants were stationed, and while doing that, she managed to find some back routes as well that lead to the palace.

"We should take another route, leaving the palace today may not have been the best idea considering the riots. I know of a few routes, stay close to me okay? Don't fall behind, your Highness." Slightly looking over Lexa's shoulder at the protesters, Clarke quickly nodded and fell in step behind Lexa, basically right on her heels.

Route after route they took, none of them said a word. The air between them had grown considerably tenser after the glances they exchanged in the pool and the so-called harmless touches Clarke laid to Lexa's skin. As Clarke watched Lexa move determined in front of her, she couldn't manage to wipe the image of her nude body nor the feeling of her skin out of her mind.

She was clad in her Praetorian armour again with her cape easily flowing over her back and her swords at her sides. Her bracers were tightly wrapped around her arms again and her braided hairs ends were still damp from the pool water.

A hot feeling passed over Clarke's body as an image of Lexa's nudity flashed in her mind again. While Clarke's mind erupted with different thoughts of Lexa, Lexa's own mind was racing as well with different thoughts and assumptions along with anger at her uncontrollable thoughts and urges.

She couldn't erase the sound of Clarke's moans from her mind that she had heard many nights ago when the Empress was with Finn, but the most memorable ones were from when after he left when she pleased herself.

When he walked out of her room, with a smug look on his face, Lexa wasn't sure if she should laugh at him or strangle him with her bare hands. Clarke had clearly faked her pleasure and little did he know that she finished herself off after he left.

"Why are you so tense, Alexandria? Was it something I did? Something I said?" Lexa's already tense muscles, tensed even farther. Was Clarke really so naïve? That she would dare ask why she was tense after how she touched her, looked at her even. "Why don't you tell me why you're having an affair with Senator Blake's advisor, Clarke?"

Lexa using her name instead of the formality she's used since she became her guard, took Clarke aback completely. She had only heard Lexa use her name a few times before but she had to admit, she wanted to hear Lexa say it again, over and over again.

"You don't get to ask me that, Alexandria. I have no obligation to answer that and you made it very clear earlier that you did not wish me to explain either, why do you want to know now?" Clarke stuttered nervously, she didn't like to be called out for the things she had done; not by others anyway. It was bad enough that she hated herself for her actions.

Lexa stopped in her tracks and turned around to face Clarke. She was absolutely sick of playing cat and mouse, she just wanted it all over. "Tell me then, why do you have intercourse with him, knowing I'm standing outside of your door? Why do you pleasure yourself and utter my name? Why do you look at me and touch me like you want to ravage me instead?"

Lexa stepped closer and closer to Clarke, making Clarke take a few steps back herself until her back was against a nearby wall, cold against her thin linen dress she opted to wear today. They were fairly secluded from the streets, deep in an alley between huge architecture.

She hadn't been so close to Lexa since the day she laid hands on her and proclaimed the pain she felt after losing the woman she loved. Clarke didn't even think about the one embrace they shared because it was nothing like this; so angry and tense. So erotic.

Clarke still hadn't forgotten the way Lexa's eyes had turned a darker shade of green, almost an emerald color. She couldn't forget the way her hands felt, tightly gripped on her clothing. Lexa's hot breath escaping her lips and both of their heaving chests pressing against each other.

All of it, it was all etched into Clarke's mind ... and just as much etched into Lexa's mind as well.

"Because I think of you while I'm with him ... It's the only escape I get from you." The words barely left Clarke's lips, in just above a whisper, just loud enough for only Lexa to hear as she places both of her hands on either side of Clarke's head, her palms placed flatly on the cold marble. "You what, Clarke?"

Clarke swallowed hard, her mind had become fuzzy and she became lightheaded. She couldn't form a coherent sentence or have a thought that made close to sense. "I think of you because it's the only thing that brings me pleasure."

Lexa placed her forehead on the wall next to Clarke's head as she pressed her own body into Clarke's, her skin was on fire and she was drowning in Clarke's sweet scent that always followed her around.

Clarke turned her own head just slightly to the side to see Lexa's jaw flexing under her soft skin. She too drowned in Lexa's scent that she had grown addicted to each morning Lexa would come to her quarters or would find her in the atrium.

She smelled of nature, her early morning run among the trees outside of the city clung to her along with the oils she massaged into her skin. Once again Clarke succumbed to the scent that had been driving her absolutely insane.

"Maybe the real thing would be better..." Clarke whispers into Lexa's already close ear and Clarke could visibly see the goosebumps on Lexa's exposed skin rise.

Slowly Lexa's palms slid down the marble wall up until Clarke's hips, both of their minds racing and both of them breathing in an equally quick rhythm, their chests rising and falling with one another. Lexa was facing an internal battle, one she had been fighting for longer than she cared to admit and she was losing now, at an increasingly fast pace.

Though, anger boiled inside of her and she couldn't quite figure out why. Perhaps her ego was bruised for the fact that she had been compared to some plebian that had no idea of what he was doing.

Lexa's soft hands found the material that hung over Clarke's hips as she gripped it in her fists and roughly turned Clarke around, pressing her front against the marble wall. Lexa pressed her own body against Clarke, a groan escaping her lips. Immediately Clarke's hand flew up, finding the back of Lexa's head, massaging her fingers into the loose brown locks.

A low moan escaped Clarke's lips as she felt Lexa's fingertips and then palms smooth over her abdomen and right there and then she was sure that no man had ever made her feel so ready with such a simple touch.

Slowly Clarke could feel the soft linen of her dress being pulled up over her bare thighs, exposing her soft skin to the cold Roman air and along with that Lexa's soft fingertips. She could feel Lexa's hot breath on her neck and it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Is this what you desire?" Lexa whispered hoarsely next to Clarke's ear, nipping at her earlobe. She wanted Clarke right now, right here and she only hoped the Empress would approve.

"Take me." Clarke utters as her hand lightly urges Lexa's mouth closer to her neck and she was sure that she would lose it the moment Lexa would lay her lips on her neck, but she never does.

Without any further thought, Lexa moved her hand to Clarke's core where she found that Clarke had neglected to wear undergarments on the day. The feeling of Clarke's delicate skin against her fingertips made a low growl come out of her chest and when she finally runs a finger across Clarke's folds, she feels that Clarke was already so wet and that's what sets her over the edge.

Lexa was absolutely drunk on lust as another low moan escaped Clarke's lips and for a second, she forgets that they were in the open and that anyone could see them. It didn't matter, both women wanted immediate release.

The first-ever female Praetorian and the Empress losing themselves in each other. It was too late and Lexa couldn't stop herself. She had fantasized about this moment for far too long and here they were just for all the wrong reasons.

She was pressed up against Clarke because truly she was angry and felt so much jealously toward the fool named Finn; the fact that he had laid hands on Clarke. What angered Lexa most was that Clarke had the audacity to think of her while she was with him. Why didn't Clarke just come to her directly; why be with a man instead when their attraction to each other was just so obvious?

Anger coursed through Lexa and she decided that this will indeed happen, but it will be as impersonal as she could possibly make it. Impersonal but pleasing. She was doing this to prove a point, that she in fact could do better than Finn; just as Clarke wanted.

Lexa ran her middle finger through Clarke's folds again and she pushed back against Lexa's body, her steel armour blocking Clarke from feeling Lexa's body heat against her. Clarke wanted to stop Lexa and allow themselves to make it back to the palace.

She wanted Lexa all to herself, she wanted to memorize every single part of Lexa's body with her lips and then scream her name at the top of her lungs. Clarke decided that she would not mind speaking of this in the future, she wasn't ashamed, not like she was of Finn.

Slowly Lexa started to circle Clarke's clit with her middle finger just to see how the Empress would react; her eyes shut tightly and her mouth hung agape as she moaned a breathy cry of pleasure again. "Mmm, yes, Lexa, please!"

Teasing more, Lexa dips her fingers through Clarke's drenched folds again, gathering up as much of her arousal as possible before she glides her finger upward, stopping at her clit as she starts to rub lazy patterns once again.

After several seconds, Lexa urged not one but two fingers into Clarke's wet entrance, and in return, Clarke grabbed a fistful of Lexa's hair as a loud cry of pleasure escaped her lips. This was even better than her dreams allowed her to think. Clarke was sure that she was in Venus' grasps, only her touch could be so pleasing.

Clarke tried to pull her in for a kiss but instead, Lexa aggressively grabbed Clarke's jaw and turned her face away; they weren't going to kiss Lexa decided.

Like a mantra in her head, Lexa repeated to herself that she was simply doing this to prove a point, that she could in fact pleasure the Empress better than Finn or anyone for that matter could. However, from here on out, the Empress was to be hers and nobody else's.

A shocked breath escaped Clarke's lips when she felt her face being turned away, she guesses she was supposed to feel offended that Lexa wouldn't kiss her. But instead, she couldn't manage to conjure up a feeling other than pure ecstasy as Lexa's fingers moved in and out of her at a pace she easily matched as she rocked with them.

Lexa's free hand that was once on Clarke's jaw now moved down to her neck as she wrapped her long delicate fingers around Clarke's throat, quickening her pace into the Empress as each soft moan left her lips. Clarke was vocal, enthusiastic, authentic and Lexa loved it.

Clarke had become even more undone and her whimpers of pleasure louder which was a sign to Lexa that Clarke was nearing her edge and she wanted the Empress to yell her name to the entirety of Rome but Lexa knew they couldn't risk being caught.

Lexa wanted to turn Clarke around, lift her leg over her shoulder and devour her entire being, taste her, but that would destroy her purpose; this was to be impersonal.

A loud moan escaped Clarke's lips and, in an instant, Lexa's hand moved from around her throat to her mouth, muffling her Empress' sounds of pleasure. Clarke only furthered her sounds of pleasure with soft whimpers as her eyebrows furrowed, nearing her climax.

Clarke's legs were starting to buckle under her, but both of Lexa's hands were too busy to steady her so she propped her thigh up under Clarke, holding her up best as she could while pressing her armoured body harder to the Empress.

Clarke pressed her free palm against the marble wall in front of her, just trying to stable herself more because she knew she was about to come completely undone. Her other hand dug into Lexa's hair even more and she so desperately just wanted to feel her lips against her neck.

Clarke practically wanted Lexa to eat her up right there and then.

Lexa continued to breathe heavily against her neck and she found herself almost wanting to bite into the exposed skin of Clarke's shoulder but she doesn't, instead, she groans knowing that Clarke's pleasure was bringing her pleasure as well. Lexa herself started to feel a throbbing sensation between her thighs; something she would have to deal with later.

Lexa let her hand slip from Clarke's mouth, resting it around her neck again, unable to resist the temptation of hearing Clarke's moans as she felt her walls about to tighten around her fingers. "Lexa, please, don't stop, oh Venus." Clarke bit down on her bottom lip hard, almost drawing blood.

Lexa continued to pump her fingers in and out of Clarke while her palm rubbed against her clit with every single movement. "Oh, Alexandria ... futuo!" Clarke yells at the top of her lungs as she comes undone; if no one had heard her moans before, they certainly heard them now but Lexa didn't care. She was infatuated with the way Clarke had just said her name with such passion and pure ecstasy.

Lexa held Clarke up longer, slowly moving her fingers in out of her as she rode out her orgasm. Clarke removed her hand from the back of Lexa's head as she came off her high and she could positively say that she had never felt so much pleasure at once in her entire life. She placed her hand over Lexa's as she exhaled an unsteady breath, trying to compose herself again, still feeling aftershocks shoot through her body.

Reality set in when Clarke opened her eyes for the first time since they started and she realized that they were in fact outside, in the open, practically in the middle of the city.

Lexa took a step back, removing her body from Clarke's but Clarke refused to let go of her hand. It didn't matter to her that they were outside, in fact, it excited her even more.

Clarke turned around in a slow movement, her linen dress covering all of her again while she still held her hand over Lexa's. When their eyes meet, the world itself stops and they both realize that whatever just happened, it couldn't end well, and nor could it be undone.

Clarke couldn't care less though, she felt like the goddess Aphrodite herself as she raised Lexa's fingers to her lips, placing them both in her mouth as she licked them clean of herself. Lexa couldn't stop herself from biting her lip at the sight, that simple gesture, it was everything.

"Clarke-"

"Shh, you will address me accordingly." Clarke says with a smug look on her face as she releases her hold on Lexa's hand and pushes off from the wall. She effortlessly unclips Lexa's Praetorian cape from her shoulders, not bothering to ask for permission. Then she brushes past Lexa, once again continuing into the direction they were heading in as if nothing had just happened.

Lexa stood in place, bewildered by what just happened; what she had just done. For several seconds she watched Clarke walk away from her as she wrapped the Praetorian cape around her shoulders again, elegantly swaying her hips in a seductive stride.

Snow crunched under each of their sandals, the sound almost deafening under the pressure of the new silence that enveloped them.

Chapter Text

It was reaching the end of the annual festives in the Colosseum which meant in the last leg of celebration, it was time for the chariot races. Emperor Jake had decided to expedite the dates of the chariot races in his last desperate attempt to procure aureus for maize and dried goods from an overseas merchant.

He knew there was a lot of coin to be made from the games since he had his own all-time victor. The arena he built for the races was specially built for her; in an attempt to reach her heart when he felt like his only daughter was slipping through his fingers.

Emperor Jake was slowly rubbing his fingertips over his stubble of facial hair as he thought back in the days. Clarke had caused him many problems and placed him in very difficult positions and even almost cost him his throne but yet she was still his daughter.

He was in the discussion hall, upon his own throne with his two Empress' at his sides and the galleries on either side of the room were filled with every single Senator of the congress. Problems were arising over all of the Roman Empire.

From the north-west to the east and all the lands encompassed in the Mediterranean were suffering under protests and strikes. Somehow Jake's scribes had failed to make him aware just how severe the food shortages were across the Empire.

Senator Blake was particularly quiet all throughout this discussion that he himself orchestrated. His advisor was firmly stood behind him with his eyes on the Empress but her eyes were on her one and only guard that walked up and down the open hall in front of them with her sword at her hip.

There very many other Praetorians present along with the Senate but Clarke couldn't have been bothered even less than she already was. Angst filled her because she was keen to strap her horse Liberius into her chariot and set out around the arena. But then there were also those fleeting moments that Lexa would catch her staring and sheepish smiles would cross both of their features.

Emperor Jake was tired and his wife was bored with the many men of the Senate that couldn't agree with one another let alone let one at a time speak.

"Silence!" At once the room fell quiet and all the old men's eyes diverted to the Emperor in his throne with his palm pressed to his forehead. All of the loud chatter had started to give him a headache which made him even more annoyed with his straining situation.

"We have to send a Legionnaire to the lands with the largest unrests. We have to subdue them before the talks of their tactics spread to the other cities like plague."

"But Emperor, the Praetorian does not have close to enough Generals to lead men to the cities. We need another plan or a contingency at least." A younger member of the Senate spoke. He was new, one could tell as much because the moment he rose and spoke there was conviction at first but when he procured the attention his loud voice gathered, he quickly sunk back into his seat.

"Then we make more Generals! It's simple! Training intensifies and we begin immediate scouting for potential Generals, Senator Blake this is your charge. And Marcus, send word to Greece; Athens, and Sparta that we require their finest. Some simple food shortage will not make my Empire fall, I forbid it!"

Jake's voice rang through the entire hall for all to hear. Even the settlers outside could hear the anger in his voice and from outside one could hear their chants as well.

"Ready the fleet, I want our Legionnaires to set out in the coming three fortnights and nothing later, is that clear? I myself will lead a Legionnaire to the city that needs attention most; I will leave my wife, The Empress, in charge of the capital along with the Senate. Further detail will be discussed at a later stage."

Soft whispers were shared among the Senators, some positive and some negative. Some were in agreement with The Emperor's decree and some were hellbent on getting him out of power. They knew who they wanted in his place but they were still a small group of believers. Still a tight-lipped secret.

"Dismissed!" Jake ordered with his palm in the air, signaling for the Senate to leave. Upon his order, Lexa returned to her post next to Clarke the moment she saw Finn shuffling and brushing past members of the Senate to reach the Empress.

Jake and Abigail had already risen from their thrones and walked to the exit halls behind the thrones, hand in hand. One could say what they wanted of the Emperor but he loved his wife more than his Empire. He would turn the entire Empire upside down for his family and he would protect them fiercely and with his life. Lexa admired that in particular as she watched the Emperor and his Empress leave. She could only dream that she would one day share such a love with someone again.

Costia was her Empress but now, she wasn't so sure anymore. A quite literal Empress was starting to fill the empty part in Lexa's soul and she couldn't help pursue it. She was addicted to the sensation of feeling whole again. Her soul had left her long ago along with her father's corpse but day by day she could now feel it returning, piece by piece.

"Alexandria?" Clarke reaching for her attention was enough to snap Lexa out of the trance she was in, still looking in the direction of where the Emperor and Empress left. "I have to get ready for the races, will you accompany me?"

"I don't remember having a choice." Lexa answers, earning her a slap to her arm. Things had become quite informal between herself and Clarke even though Clarke still insisted that Lexa addresses her as the Empress or your Highness. There was no way around it, not even behind closed doors.

They had not directly spoken about what happened in the alley between them but Clarke certainly took every single chance she got to hint at it. She also found a newly procured strand of respect for Lexa being able to restrain herself because Clarke herself was finding it particularly challenging.

Behind closed doors, Lexa made no effort to hide her hungry eyes from the Empress but she had not once acted upon her urges again even though Clarke secretly wanted her to. A sense of comfortability enveloped them and it was on display for everyone to see, it was a dangerous spectacle to show off and it was only a matter of time until trouble would come.

"Of course I will accompany you, Empress. It is beyond me why you still ask—"

"Your highness, your maiden said that you wished to speak with me."

Clarke quickly averted her eyes to Finn that now stood in front of her. She didn't see him approach and quite frankly she forgot that she even asked Raven to request Finn's presence.

"Yes, I just wanted to request you to—"

"My Empress, I will give you your privacy. I will be at the exit, call for me if you need anything." Lexa wasn't keen to stand and listen, she felt comfortable in the new space she had taken up in Clarke's life. Even though this space wasn't spoken of with words but Clarke's actions were enough to solidify it.

"Alexandria, you don't have to, this will only be a second."

Lexa didn't answer, only nodded as she walked away from them, her hands behind her back and a smile on her lips as she fell into step next to another Praetorian. They had sincerely started to accept her into their legion. At first, they found it strange that a woman procured the same rank as they did as a Praetorian but she earned their respect as she bested each one of them when they trained together.

"That's new." Finn notes out loud as his eyes follow Alexandria walking away. "Did she finally learn where her place is? Not always in the Empress' business. I'm a supporter, I like it. Anyway, would it be wrong of me to assume that I already know why you asked to see me because let me tell you, I've been dying to see you again as well."

He took a suggestive step toward her, feeling risky under the eyes of the remaining members of the senate. But this time Clarke moved away from him, no longer wanting to feel his touch on her skin since she longed for someone else now.

"Respect her as you respect me, counselor. Come see me in quarters after the festives in the arena, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."

"Oh, urgent. I certainly look forward then, Empress. May the gods be with you in the race, I wish I could attend but I have other matters to attend to." Finn was excited by the mere idea of being invited to the Empress' quarters again, he wanted to redeem himself. He wanted to please her until the early hours of the morning like he used to.

"Thank you." Clarke says simply as she brushes past Finn toward Alexandria again. She was in conversation with the other Praetorian still but in the corner of her eye she could see Clarke approach and she quickly excused herself from the conversation.

Lexa's eyes were on the Empress but swayed from her when her eyes landed on a starstruck Finn still watching the Empress walk away from him. His eyes caught Alexandria's the moment her eyes locked in gaze with him. She smiled at him, the same fire in her eyes that she burned in his direction on the day she fought in the Colosseum; stating her warning.

Once again he cowered internally under her watchful eye as he remembered the bloodthirsty look in her eye. Finn didn't like Alexandria and she did not like him and that was a mutual understanding they shared, Finn just wondered how long it will last until one of them make a drastic move; one getting rid of the other somehow.

The walk back to Clarke's quarters passed faster than anticipated and that was probably thanks to how easy conversation flowed between Clarke and Lexa now. Not that it ever felt forced, they were just very light-footed with one another, constricted behind their own barriers of trust not wanting to cross them into unknown territory.

"Keep me company, will you? My maiden is already at the arena helping to set up foods and drink for the opulent." Clarke asks as she opens the doors to her quarters for herself, not giving Lexa the chance to.

"Your highness..."

"Don't be a prude, you won't see anything you haven't seen. I just want conversation, nothing more, don't worry." Clarke affirms but shortly after whispers to herself 'Unless you insist.' As she walks farther into her room, out of the earshot of Alexandria. "Take a seat, I'll be quick."

Lexa always felt uncomfortable in Clarke's quarters. Not worthy to be in it but as ordered, she in fact does sit at the table after she lays her weapons belt on it. She could hear the Empress move around in the backroom, undressing herself of her white linen dress and the blue linen that hung from her shoulder that identified her as the Empress.

"I assume you have never actually watched chariot races."

"No, your Highness. I have not, the capital has allowed me a lot of first times. My father only told me stories of it and I have heard from a few Praetorians that you are quite a force to be reconned with. Though I wonder if it is not Liberius that deserves the praise, don't you think so your highness?"

Clarke could hear the playful tone in Lexa's voice. It had become one of Lexa's favorite past times to tease Clarke about anything and everything but, to tell the truth, Clarke didn't want her to stop either because her laugh was absolutely intoxicating.

"Oh please, the horse is only as good as the charioteer, you'll see, I'm spectacular. I'm willing to bet that I will have a victory today. Are you willing to enter into such with me?"

"I never turn down a betting I will surely win, the question is what do you have for my winning that I do not already have? Wealth I have, a status I have, what can you possibly offer me?"

Clarke returned from the back room, now clad in dark trousers and smooth golden greaves perfectly wrapped around her legs. She tapped on her chin over dramatically in thought as she glided through her room like a lone wind. "Hmm, good point. I don't know, I'd have to think about it. Either way, it won't matter because I know I'll be successful."

She retrieved a pair of bracers from a nearby shelf that was hidden under a cloth that protected it from dust. Lexa was surprised to see that the Empress even had armour pieces, she didn't seem like the type at all.

"Will you help me fasten them?" Clarke asks as she takes a seat on Lexa's lap, holding both bracers in one hand as slings her other arm around Lexa's neck. This had become a common occurrence since the day in the alley. Clarke often invaded Lexa's personal space, in the privacy of her room she treated Lexa whichever way she wanted to.

Lexa never minded either. She wanted the Empress the same way Clarke wanted her but both women were too cowardice to say as much out loud. Instead, they just shared lingering touches and stares. One touch more suggestive than the last.

"Not with you in my lap, no. If you were to sit on your own chair, I would be honored to help you."

"You're no fun when you're in guard mode, you know." Clarke feigns as she in fact does take a seat on the chair that Lexa dragged closer with her leg.

"It's not a mode, your highness, but my duty, you know that. Now give me your arm." Clarke obeyed as she lifted her right arm to Lexa who placed the bracer over Clarke's arm with great care. Clarke's fingers played with the loose strands of hair that hung over Lexa's shoulder as she pulled the straps taught over her arm.

She repeated the process again and took a good look at her handy work when she finished. Clarke's skin was soft under her touch and she didn't feel like letting go of the sensation. "I know," Clarke says with a brightness in her blue eyes. "I like the way your skin feels on mine too. It feels as though there's a piece of velvet softly dragging across my skin. I could admire it for hours..."

Lexa took both of Clarke's hands in her own and raised them to her lips, laying a soft kiss on each. "The gods will grant you this victory, your highness. I know it." Lexa says, changing the subject, not wanting to get lost in the abyss that is Clarke Gryphem.

"And what is it you will give me if I get my victory? As you said, what can you possibly give me that I do not already have? I have wealth, I have royalty, I have you."

Lexa quirked an eyebrow at Clarke, their hands still entangled. "Hmm, that's strange because I do not remember giving myself to you. I remember something similar but someone was submitting to someone else ... unless I am recalling it incorrectly, will you do the pleasure of reminding me?"

Clarke, licked over her lips once as her eyes locked with the emerald orbs in front of her. "Perhaps in victory, I will." She teases as she gets up from her seat, removing her hands from Lexa's. "My body armour is at the arena already, shall we go?"

//

The preparations at the arena were finished and like at the Colosseum the gallery was full of spectators. Even though it could not hold as many, the settlers still tried to fit as many. Its capacity was made to hold at least half of the Colosseum but they filled it with three-quarters of the Colosseum each year. The settlers bumped and squeezed between one another to find a comfortable spot.

There were ten chariots lined up at the starting line, one horse more muscular than the next. All the racers were of royalty from all corners of the Roman Empire; all specially traveled here to take part in the event. Luckily it was not snowing on the day and the sun just barely shined but it was still cold, but not as cold as the previous days.

Some servants had scraped the arena of snow, making it suitable for the chariots. Only the thinnest layer remained and it would not make a difference to their speeds. Clarke was already standing by her chariot, conversating with the other royalty she would compete against on the day.

The Emperor and Empress sat proudly on the balcony, surrounded by servants holding trays of food and jugs of both wine and ale. Before Clarke went down into the arena she insisted Lexa be on the balcony among the Emperor and Empress, one more guard for protection as she stated it.

"Would you like ale or wine, Alexandria?" The Empress offered friendly behind her. She considered Lexa as her equal and not as a guard of the Praetorian. They had spoken every time when Lexa would join them for their feasts and over time she had even started to consider her a daughter of sorts since she was so close in age with Clarke.

"No thank you, your highness. It would be inappropriate of me to share a drink with you while I am on duty."

"Oh, come on Alexandria. We both insist." The Emperor had already enjoyed an ale or three himself, trying to forget the pressing matters of his seemingly crumbling Empire. Truly, he just wanted to share a drink with someone like-minded to him. Alexandria was exactly that, like her, he enjoyed the thrill of killing even though he had not picked up a sword for battle in over two years.

He already ordered a young servant to pour another cup of ale and Lexa had no choice but to accept even though she really did not want it. "Thank you, Emperor, it's an honor to have a drink with you, as it is every other time."

After the many feats they had since Lexa became part of the Praetorian, the Emperor would request Lexa's return after she would walk Clarke to her quarters. His feats went late into the night and ale container after container would empty by his hand and at some point, he would not even notice that Lexa was no longer drinking with him.

Although he was intoxicated, he always had many stories she found entertaining from when he served under her father in the Legionnaire many years ago in the battle of Danube against the Marcomannic.

It was evident in each and every one of his stories that Jake admired Maximus with his life. According to his drunken tales, Maximus was among the best that ever lead a Legionnaire, among the best like Scipio Africanus in his words.

Even though the stories made Lexa miss her father, it also reminded her of how honorable of a man he was and that he would not go forgotten. She vowed to herself that she would one day return to Polis and give her father the burial he deserved; for the warrior he once was, the soldier he once was, and the loving father he ended up to be.

"Lincoln told me I would find you up here." A pleasant voice said next to Lexa as she took a small sip of her ale. Octavia.

"Do my ears and eyes deceive me or is it really you!" Lexa placed her cup on a nearby table and gathered Octavia up in her arms, spinning her around in the air. She had not seen Octavia in over a week since she was on the other side of the city completing her recovery with Valentina at her side.

Valentina was beyond time in her healing, she was wise and had learned many techniques in her lifetime that she swore by and as much as the male scholars hated to admit it; she taught them many things that would live for an eternity in their writings.

Their ledgers and scrolls would still teach decade after decade of healers new techniques which they would later improve too.

"It is and it is so good to see you again, Lexa!" Octavia tightened the embrace they shared, unable to stop herself from smiling even broader. Though they were both very strong woman and not often showed their emotions; they had no problem showing one another that they loved each other dearly.

"And? Let's see, has Valentina worked her miracles on you too?"

Octavia let go of Lexa and extended her leg forward, showing off her newly healed thigh. "She said the angry scar will remain but it shouldn't affect my mobility in fighting and that is all I wanted to hear."

"That makes me beyond happy to hear, Octavia." Lexa exclaims, wrapping her strong arms around Octavia again, truly happy that her friend is healthy again. When infection overtook her and fever coated her skin, she could truly admit that she was preparing to say goodbye to Octavia.

"I missed you in the arena! Even though I only had one fight while you were injured, the grounds felt barren and lonely without you. You should've seen it, I destroyed my opponent."

Octavia patted Lexa on the shoulder with a broad smile still evident on her beautiful face. "I know, I know, I think you've told me the story at least three times already and I will say this to you again, congratulations, I wish I was there to watch."

Emperor Jake had since stood from his chair and approached the two giddy women. He was enthralled by the bond they shared and he found himself relating to it in the simplest human way. He shared the same bond with Maximus back in a day when they conquered arena after arena and battlefield after battlefield.

Not many knew this about the Emperor but he himself fought in the Colosseum too as Maximus' counterpart until Titus took both him and Maximus into the Roman Legionnaire. Maximus procured General and he Lieutenant General meaning he served directly under him.

When they were assigned their titles, Jake could admit that he envied Maximus for getting General but later he understood that Maximus deserved his title.

When Maximus decided that he wanted a quiet life after the battle of Danube; Jake was promoted to General and later Titus swore him in as the new Emperor. On some quiet nights when he was alone, Jake couldn't help wonder what if Maximus had stayed General after Danube? If Titus would have made him Emperor instead?

And of course that would mean that the Gladiatrix that stood in front of Jake at this moment would've been the Empress now, instead of his daughter Clarke. Alexandria, the brutish Gladiatrix, a member of the Praetorian ... perhaps an Empress instead, clothed in the most feminine clothing imaginable and no accentuated muscular form and no scars that coated her skin. A fair lady indeed.

"I have decided that you two will only have one more fight this year. The fight that would potentially make you the champions of the Colosseum or the fight that will end both of your lives. Perhaps it is not wise or fair of me to tell you this at this stage but you both will face Gabriel Santiago and Josephine Lightbourne in your final battle. Two of the fiercest teams Rome has ever seen going head to head for the title of Champion; your statues to be erected for all to remember."

"My Emperor..." Octavia was the first to speak, dumbfound by the information. She was being given the chance to be remembered, once a nobody, now the chance to be remembered for someone; something. A champion of the Colosseum alongside someone she considered family, her greatest love, Alexandria Silvestre.

Lexa figured this would be how it turned out considering the way the Emperor spoke at the banquet many moons ago. He counted on the both of them to stay alive up until now, to fight in his battle that would mark the 60th anniversary of the battles in the Colosseum.

"It would be our honor to fight the final battle, your highness. I do not know if I speak for Octavia in saying this, but I want to make my father proud. Becoming the champion would do exactly that."

"I agree. An honor indeed and I too want to make Maximus proud. He treated me as his own and for that, I cannot be more grateful. He trained me for years at the best to his abilities and the least I could do is procure a victory alongside his daughter in the Colosseum in the name of his honor."

"So it is decided then." Jake gestured for a servant to come closer to him. "Wine or ale, Octavia?"

"Ale, please. I am not much of a wine drinker, my Emperor." The servant quickly poured a cup of ale and handed it to Octavia with a slight bow which she gracefully accepted with a bow of her own. For a fierce Gladiatrix, she was certainly mannered, as was Alexandria, Jake notes. It was clear to see that they were raised by the same man.

Jake shot his gaze between the two women that stood in front of him and a weight set in over him for he knew he carried a dark secret. A secret that came to light to him only a few days ago and the coincidences were all too much to ignore anymore but he was to leave it up to the gods if they want it revealed or not. He was never a man to interfere with the plans of the gods and he was not about to start now.

A few days ago, Senator Blake had come to him, in search of advice. Apparently, he had stumbled upon information he did not know what to do with and he absolutely ached for guidance. Since the Emperor was to be his father-in-law soon and his own father had long passed, Bellamy figured that perhaps Jake was his very last choice.

At first Senator Blake was very vague with the information he now harbored and Jake grew quite impatient, not knowing how to advise Blake on something he did not know the full extent of. That was when the whole tale came to light and Jake had pieced it together part by part within his mind, never to be spoken from his mouth.

With a deep breath and sigh, Bellamy revealed to him that he had since started to read the ledgers his father left him upon his passing, and admittedly he had not paid them much mind up until now. Blake said that he felt an intense connection with the one Gladiatrix named Octavia with the blackest hair he had ever seen, and the most inviting eyes he saw upon closer inspection.

Apparently her features reminded him of his mother's and vaguely he remembered a female presence in his childhood but he was never sure if it was a dream or not and so he decided to visit the high priestess.

When he reached that part of the story, Jake was already preparing himself for whatever falsehoods the Priestess spoke into his ears. Jake wasn't a believer of the Priestess in the slightest simply because she was barely six years older than Clarke and the woman was clearly driven by coin and not the gods.

But still, for the sake of Blake's sanity, Jake chose to continue listening to his future son-in-law. According to him, the oracle advised the Priestess to tell him that he already had all the answers he sought, he simply just had to read them.

Concluding that the oracle was most likely referring to his fathers' ledgers, Bellamy set out to read them very intently. At first, they were quite boring and not informative at all until he reached a familiar name. Maximus Silvestre.

That was when the Emperor's interest was piqued and slowly information oozed from his brain, filling gaps by itself.

"You see, my father speaks here of my mother being a woman that worked in the palace whom he accidentally impregnated after a long night in a tavern. However, he claimed to have loved her and he soon married her as well. This baby she had, it was me, obviously, and two years after she was pregnant again and they were overjoyed. The thing is that throughout his ledgers leading up to this pregnancy was that they struggled to conceive ... he struggled to ... you know."

Jake listened intently to what Bellamy was saying and he had already pieced it together himself because he already had the information to piece the puzzle together completely. The coincidence of it all was just beyond anything ever before.

"Anyway, it was a girl, I had a sister. Though, every page after that was ripped out up until here." Bellamy held out the ledger to Jake, pointing at a particular writing in the book. Jake took the ledger from him, reading it himself. He wanted to confirm whether what Maximus had said many, many years ago was true.

"I had just come home from a meeting with the Senate and found my wife huddled in a corner crying. Obviously panicked, I rushed to her side wanting to comfort her from whatever was upsetting her, that's when she said she could no longer keep it from me. We sat at the table and I took her hands in mine tenderly and she sobbed, not able to get any words out. I soothed my thumbs over her hands until she was ready to speak to me.

The words that came out of her mouth, shattered me, gods. The girl I thought was my daughter, was not mine but she belonged to a friend of mine. Maximus Silvestre ... he was her father. Gods curse him and the peaceful city he now lives in happily with his own little family ... and curse his own blood daughter."

Jake read this piece out loud, a lump forming in his throat. This was among the many reasons Maximus left the capital to Polis, to get away from the woman he impregnated while he was married to another and she too was married to another.

Maximus had come to Jake one night, panicked. He said that he had made a mistake and he needed to leave immediately. Jake could now see that this was the mistake his friend spoke of; impregnating another's wife.

Not wanting to stop there, Jake continued to read the next entry that followed.

"It had been two weeks since my last entry because I had not been close to my ledger to write. I could no longer look at the girl that joyfully ran through my home and called me father when I knew I was not her father. So in the darkness of night, I put her on my horse and told her we were going on an adventure.

Even though I had woken her in the middle of the night she still looked at me eagerly and lovingly. Her green eyes looked back at me and I wondered if I had the strength to do this to the little girl that called me father and told me she loved me each night since she uttered her very first words.

Perhaps her green eyes should have told me she was not mine since not I or her mother had green eyes ... but Maximus did. Maximus had green eyes and everyone knew it, the woman swarmed after him, including my wife. He was an Adonis after all.

I rode throughout the night and the next day as well until I reached Polis where I left the little girl in the busy streets. I stayed in Polis until she inevitably ran into her real father as the gods would have it and in a hushed whisper I muttered to myself ... Goodbye, Octavia."

"My love, are you okay?" Abigail stroked over her husbands hand lovingly, drawing him out of the long daze he was in as he remembered the night Senator Blake came to his quarters.

"Yes, splendid. I was just thinking. I see the race is about to start, how exciting." He quickly drank the remainder of his ale, placing the empty cup next to him which his servant quickly filled again.

Octavia and Lexa stood to the side of the balcony, almost in the corner leaning against the railing with their arms, animatedly in conversation. Lexa's eyes were firmly locked on Clarke that held her gaze even from afar.

"You two finally did it, didn't you?"

With her eyes still on Clarke, Lexa only slightly turned her head to Octavia giving her just the tiniest bit of her attention. "Did what, Octavia?"

"You know ... that thing when even the gods look away." Lexa quirked an eyebrow at Octavia, pretending not to know what she was referring to, hoping she would give up trying to explain what she meant and just the overall idea.

"It's about to start, keep quiet." Lexa answers, looking at the charioteers getting onto their chariots. Perhaps it was biased of her to think but Clarke was the most beautiful of them all. Her golden hair shined in sun, right before she placed her gold-adorned helmet over her head.

If Lexa didn't know better then she was sure that she was looking right at a warrior like herself. Perhaps Clarke was much smaller in frame but she could still pass as a Gladiatrix.

"You had sex with her didn't you?"

"Will you shut up if I say yes?" Lexa comments, her eyes deadest on Octavia with a serious expression across her features annoyed with her persistency. "Yes, something like that, okay? Now let it go, I'm not going to speak more about it with you here."

"Fair enough but I want to know all about it later, every single detail."

The chariots flew past them at an incredible speed and the crowds cheered. Clarke wasn't in the lead quite yet and it made Lexa smile, she would love to rub Clarke's loss in her face simply because she was so convinced that she would win.

But what oh what was she going to request of the Empress if she in fact does win the bet they agreed upon?

They circled time after time and restarted on every fifth lap; each time with two fewer charioteers. They were narrowing down the best among them until they were only two left.

To no surprise, only Clarke remained along with another woman that Lexa couldn't describe better than to say she was as big as an Oaktree. Her frame was humongous and if she did not have breasts, Lexa wouldn't even have thought that it was a woman. The woman could probably pass as a bear if she was to wear its fur over her shoulders.

It was nearing the end of the last lap and Clarke was leading. Lexa found herself cheering rather loudly for her Empress that she would win, uncaring at this point that she'll lose their bet because either way, she would win a prize.

The brutish woman soon started to realize that she was about to lose and whipped the reigns of her horse even harder, wanting it to go even faster. The horse wailed in pain, baring its teeth as it in fact does go faster.

Her chariot yanked to the left, hitting Clarke's, and almost in shock, Clarke looked to the woman wondering what in the world she was doing but next came another bump that makes Clarke's wheel lift in the air.

Unable to control her chariot while in the air, Clarke's other wheel clips the side of the arena with a loud crash. The arch of her chariot broke with a snap and the side of it dropped onto the soil mixed with snow and soon enough it hitched, flinging the entire chariot over ... Clarke along with it.

"Clarke!" Lexa yells panicked, leaning over the railing farther. Gasps came from the many crowds, their cheers hushed immediately and both the Emperor and Empress were at the front of the balcony now as well. The brutish woman went over the line and thrusted her fist into the air in victory. Even though she cheated, she was still proud of her victory.

"You and you, seize her! Take her to the dungeons and on the gods get the healers into the arena! What are you all waiting for?!" The Emperor barked his orders and the Praetorian started to run around like headless chickens.

Lexa had already jumped over the railing, not caring for the height to the ground. She landed with a slight stumble but continued to run toward the turned over chariot with Octavia right behind her.

"On three!" Octavia nodded at the instruction and took a tight grip of the chariot. "One, two, three!" Both women lifted the chariot with a welp of effort, their muscles rippling under their skin. With a slight shake in strength, they flipped it over once again finding Clarke under it covered in mud, snow and blood.

"Clarke? Can you hear me? Clarke?" Lexa pressed her palm to Clarke's cheek, her eyes searching her face for any sign of movement, awaiting for her blue eyes to flicker open. A single groan came from Clarke's mouth as she lifted her hand to her head where a lone trail of blood trickled down.

A handful of healers gathered among the crowd forming around the idle Empress. Lexa looked between the faces not finding the one she was searching for. "Valentina? Where is she?"

"She's uhm— she's at the palace I think, but we can help the Empress" A young healer stuttered, intimidated by the Praetorian that fiercely protected the Empress.

Lexa placed an arm over Clarke and raised her other to the approaching healer in warning. "Don't you touch her! Get Valentina, the Empress needs Valentina!" Octavia had already set out toward the palace to find the experienced healer.

The brutish woman was being dragged away by three of the largest Praetorians and even they struggled to hold her under control. She yanked and pulled trying to free her arms but they stood as strong as possible against her. In a last glance, she looked over her shoulder at the Empress who still laid in the soil.

"Bring her up here! Get her away from the crowd, Alexandria!" The Emperor ordered from up on the balcony, his eyes as wide as his wife's who just stood beside him, both helpless in this situation.

Lexa shimmied her arms under Clarke's body and lifted her in one swift movement and Clarke only loosely hung her arm over Lexa's shoulders as she drifted in and out of consciousness.

"Move! Get out of my way!"

The frightened settlers stepped out of Lexa's way and whispers passed between them. Some wondering if the Empress was still alive, others asking what will happen to the woman that caused this accident.

Lexa climbed the steps leading up to the balcony and the remaining Praetorian stepped behind her, blocking the rest of the crowds from following her up which they eagerly wanted to. They admired their Empress because she actually cared for them, unlike the Emperor.

"Clear the table!" The servants followed Jake's order and quickly removed all the drink and foods from the surface before Lexa laid Clarke on the table. She quickly got to work by removing the Empress' body armour, trying to see for herself if there was any bleeding before Valentina came.

However when she eventually gets the armour off ever so slowly not to aggravate any potential injuries, Valentina comes up the stairs as well closely followed by a sweaty Octavia and Senator Blake who seemed genuinely worried about his betrothed.

"Is she okay? How did this happen? I swear I will end whoever caused this!" Everyone recognized the anger in the Senators' voice and that his words were indeed sincere. He was being driven on the pure essence of rage.

"The bear of a woman is being taken to the dungeons, you will find her there. I don't care what corner of my Empire she's from, I want her dead before sunset, make it happen General Blake, and make sure the Senate is present I want them to know that I can still exercise my power and authority whenever I feel fit!"

"Yes my Emperor." Bellamy says with a nod in Jake's direction and with one last glance in Clarke's direction, he turns and walks off with only one thing on his mind. Murder. His five personal Praetorian followed him away again like a few lost puppies.

"Her injuries aren't severe. No broken bones only a few scratches and cuts, I think she just took a rough tumble. This over here is a shallow cut, nothing serious. The Empress just needs rest, she's lucky to have come out of it with no serious injury. Her body will ache for a few days but that's it."

A relieved breath escaped The Emperor's lips as he lets go of the tight clutch he had on his robe. Abigail interlaced her fingers with her husbands', seeking his comfort and security.

Lexa wiped her own hand over the front of her armour where small droplets of Clarke's blood were almost hidden on the black contrast but when she pulled her hand away, the red color was evident.

"I'll take her to her quarters if that is what you wish, Emperor. Valentina can continue caring for her there." Truly Lexa just wanted to get Clarke away from the prying eyes of the few servants that surrounded them. Even a few settlers had climbed spots for vantage points to try to catch a glimpse of how the Empress was doing.

"Very well, thank you. Will you manage, Alexandria? It's quite far." Jake was looking at her with curious eyes. He felt pride within himself for putting Alexandria in his daughters' guard simply because it seemed like the woman would go out of her way for Clarke.

"Yes, she's not heavy. The sooner we can get her to comfort, the faster she can recover."

Without waiting for another reply, Lexa picked Clarke up again but she was no longer conscious. Her limp body hung in her arms but she was breathing steadily which was all that mattered.

Octavia and Valentina shortly fell in step behind Lexa as she pushed her way through the crowds once again with a few yells every now and then for them to get out of her way which they only reluctantly did this time.

//

A few hours had past and the sun was no longer in the skies, but replaced by a half-moon. It was just barely cloudy and it started to snow again the moment the sun had set.

Lexa was deep in thought as she dragged the whetstone across the blade of her sword, sharpening its edges. She had not done it in a long time but it calmed her mind when she could not go to the training grounds.

She had removed her armour early in the afternoon and rested it against the wall in the corner of Clarke's room. The Empress laid sound asleep on her bed, breathing slowly and she looked beyond peaceful.

Valentina had cleaned all of her wounds and only the angry gashes remained. They had already started to scab and apparently that was a good sign according to Valentina.

Lexa had only left Clarke's side for a short moment when Octavia came knocking with a panicked look across her features. It looked like she had seen a phantom and very few things in the world remained that could shock Octavia but what she told Lexa was not something either of them could have imagined in their wildest dreams.

A stirring came from the bed and Lexa only slightly lifted her eyes to see, her lips still pursed in focus as she dragged the stone across her blade again.

"Alexandria?" Clarke's voice was thick with sleep and she was evidently still very groggy. Lexa quickly placed her sword and stone on the table and made her way over to the bed, kneeling next to it.

"Lay back down, Valentina is insistent that if I stayed I would make sure that you stayed in bed snuggly covered under all of these beautiful furs. I must tell you that she is quite scary when you disobey her so don't get me in trouble."

A weak smile crossed Clarke's lips and her hand immediately went searching for the hand of her guard and quickly found it because it was searching for Clarke's as well. "How do you feel? I know you ache ... it just feels appropriate to ask."

"My head hurts a little bit but that's expected, I remember I tumbled a few times and not even a helmet could help for me hitting my head a few times. I guess I lost the bet I was so confident in... and I just know you won't let me forget it."

Lexa lowly chuckled as she dipped her head, trying to hide her laughter from the watchful eye of the Empress. "I will definitely not, no. I guess you owe me but I just don't know what quite yet, I suppose I have to think about it."

"Well if you do think about it, I would have won if that woman didn't ram me with her chariot so I can at least have half of the victory and I only have on request."

"If you put it like that, then I'll give you half of the victory. What is it you request?" Lexa rubbed lazy circles on Clarke's hand with her thumb, savoring the feeling of the soft skin under her touch.

Even though Clarke was injured and this was not one of the most convenient scenarios, Lexa could say that she was happy. She was the kind of happy that only Costia made her feel but this ... it was even more than that. A connection not even the gods could falter.

"Once Valentina allows me to get out of this bed I want to go to the Colosseum again and look at the stars and hopefully, a stable doesn't burn down this time. I just want the shortest moment alone with you, away from all of this and everyone."

Clarke dramatically swayed her free hand through the air, gesturing to everything she owned and metaphorically to all the people that constantly surrounded her.

"I would like that, your Highness. Very much so." Lexa could feel a rush of heat slowly rise up her neck and reach her cheeks. She was blushing for the first time in years and it was all because of the woman that laid in front of her with the softest smile on her lips.

Slowly Clarke placed her palm to Lexa's cheek, soothing her thumb over it once as Lexa did earlier when Clarke laid idle in the soil. Subconsciously Lexa leaned into her touch and placed her own hand over Clarke's.

"Thank you...for helping, and saving me constantly. Just thank you for being you. Even though you make me question my sanity often, I'm pretty sure you are the only reason I have sanity left. You bring me peace."

A quietness set in over them and Lexa felt that she needed to say nothing more. She just had to be there in the moment. Slightly adjusting her cheek in Clarke's hand, Lexa laid a featherlight kiss on her palm.

"Speaking of helping, where's Octavia? I'd like to thank her as well, the last people I saw before going unconscious was yourself and her."

Lexa closed her eyes and exhaled an unsteady breath. These few fleeting moments with Clarke had momentarily allowed her to forget about the news she received earlier. A strong sense of betrayal flowed through her entire being and it was because of the person she least expected it from.

"She left the palace earlier, she fled the capital. Senator Blake .... He's her brother according to some ledgers his father left him. Except his father isn't Octavia's father. My father is her father and Octavia is a ... I don't know ... half-sister of mine. She fears for her life because it's no secret what those with status do to bastard children I mean look at what Senator Blake's father did. He left her in the middle of a bustling city when she was just a child. I don't even think my father knew—"

Lexa's voice had started to break under the sadness that washed over her. Fate was beautiful but just as cruel when it wanted to be. Lexa didn't even have the opportunity to truly speak with Octavia about the blood they shared. They were the only real family of one another that remained and before either of them could comprehend it, Octavia was gone.

Clarke wiped away the lone tear that ran down Lexa's cheek. And ashamed that she was crying, Lexa quickly kissed Clarke's hand again, wanting to hide the emotions she felt. She could always suppress her feelings, bottle them up, but why was it so hard now with the feeling of her Empress so close?

A loud knock echoed at the door and that was the escape Lexa didn't know she wanted. Moving out of Clarke's grasp, she quickly made her way to the door, wiping her eyes on the way. Removing all traces that she had shed any tears.

"Counselor...I don't think the Empress is up to see you tonight. She's injured if you did not hear. Your physical activities will have to wait, I'm afraid." Finn was enough to cap the bottle of Lexa's sadness again; uncapping the bottle that held all of her rage and resentment.

"That is exactly why I am here. Senator Blake has sent me to check on her since he could not make it here himself. You see, he's still busy in the dungeons, torturing the woman that caused the Empress' injury, now let me through this instant!"

Finn had put on his bravest face and even attempted to pass Lexa, trying to make her believe that he was not frightened by her but she grabbed his arm, stopping him in his almost victorious stride.

"Bovis stercus." She spits, knowing that he had spoken a falsehood since Senator Blake was here earlier, searching for Octavia. Apparently, she had run from him the moment he finished telling her all he wanted to. He only assumed that she would run to Lexa, which she did, but Octavia was long gone before he caught up with her antics. "Lie to me again and I will have your tongue, Finn."

"Fine, Clarke asked me to come here this morning. I am only following her order, I'm sure you know how important that is to do."

"That's the truth, Alexandria." Clarke's voice rang from behind Lexa, followed by a soft wince as the Empress sat up in her bed. A smug smile crossed Finn's lips as he yanked his arm out of Lexa's loosened grip.

"I will be outside, your highness. Call if you need me." Lexa was about to leave but was soon stopped by a single word from Clarke's lips that would change the dynamic of their relationship until the end of time.

"Stay."

"Very well, your highness." Lexa closed the door again and turned around, standing on attention once again as Finn looked between the two women with a confused expression. He couldn't understand why Clarke had asked her Praetorian to stay.

"I'm going to make this quick and simple. I've been wanting to do this for a long time and properly this time." Clarke sat up in her bed, looking quite uncomfortable against the many pillows. "This affair that we have been sharing ... It's over. I'm done."

"But Clarke— your highness, I love you, you know I do. I don't mind sharing you with the Senator." He quickly rushed to her side and took a seat on her bed, reaching for hands which she quickly moved out of reach. He wasn't afraid to say what he thought in front of another person that happened to be Alexandria. He didn't care for her to know about the love he had for Clarke.

"Stercorem pro cerebro habes." Lexa mutters under her breath, only loud enough for her to hear even though she so passionately wished she could say it out loud for Finn to hear.

"I don't love you and I never have nor will I ever. You should move on with your life, Finn. You should find someone that will love you. I'm not that person. Someone else has my heart and you just have to accept that."

Finn stood up from the bed, his hands at his sides and tears starting to brim in his eyes. He knew he was starting to lose her to Senator Blake, but he failed to realize just how much she had slipped away already.

However it wasn't Senator Blake that had her heart, it was someone else.

"Please leave and don't come back. If you do ... just don't. I'm sorry Finn, but this was bound to happen."

Lexa placed a strong hand on his shoulder, letting him know that she was right behind him. "Come on, she needs to rest and I'll see you to the door."

"Get your hands off me!" Finn feigned as he yanked his arm free. "You will regret this, on the gods I promise you will regret this!"

Tired of his childlike behavior Lexa grabbed his shoulder, firmer this time, pulling him backwards toward the door. "Come on, counselor. I'm not in the mood." Lexa continued to guide him to the door and Clarke only resettled herself under the furs, looking for a comfortable spot once more.

Finn stumbled into the hall, just barely missing a statue on his way out. In a last attempt to show he had himself under control, he straightened out his robe and made his way down the hallway.

"Come sit with me, I've been sleeping all day, I'm not tired yet." Clarke orders after Lexa softly closes the door with a pang of joy brewing inside of her.

Clarke's voice was sweet, as light as air itself. Her voice settled Lexa's mind and could make her move any and every negative thought she may have out of the way. Settling her in a space of nothing but serenity.

Lexa moved a chair to Clarke's bedside and without thinking, their hands found each other again. "I'm glad I finally did it and I'm glad you were here. I feel like I can do anything when you're around me. Your courage is infectious."

Before sitting down, Lexa places a soft kiss on Clarke's forehead and her lips probably linger for longer than they were supposed to but she couldn't help it, Clarke's scent was intoxicating and Lexa drowned in it every chance she got.

"So, what would you like to talk about, my Empress?"

Chapter Text

Octavia had found solace deep within the Roman capital, hidden from Senator Blake and the many Praetorians that searched door to do door looking for her each day. Lexa was among the first to be questioned about Octavia's whereabouts and if she was aware of her father's indiscretions over twenty years ago.

Of course she had no knowledge of it and she was pretty sure not even her mother Becca knew of Maximus' infidelity. Perhaps not even Maximus knew that his long lost daughter had found her way back to him and almost lived under his roof.

Fate was a humorous thing; it could either bewitch you or bring you a lifetime of good fortune. Currently, Octavia was getting the short end of the stick and there was no way she could change her own fortune.

Senator Blake was relentlessly searching for her; his reason not yet made clear but neither Octavia nor Lexa could imagine his reason was positive.

A week and a half had passed since Octavia's disappearance, and a scrawny peasant boy approached Lexa in the market square when she came from Cassia's linen store after she bought a black dyed coat lined with wolf fur.

"Are you Alexandria?" The young boy asked, shivering under torn clothing he wore. Perhaps it was a foolish question since she was the only female member of the Praetorian but the woman that gave him a few aureus told him to make sure he was speaking to the right person.

"Who's asking?" Lexa kneeled in front of the boy, knee crunching the snow under it. The streets were matted thickly in snow and most braziers had not been lit yet making streets eerily quiet and barren of many settlers.

"The lady that sent me to find you of course. She has asked me to bring you to her. She said something about you fighting together and dying together as sisters ... at least that's what I think she said, she was talking really fast."

Lexa smiled at the young boy, recognizing the half right phrase he said. 'We fight together and we die together sister.' It had to be Octavia. The phrase however now held an irony of its own because it turned out that they in fact were sisters of shared blood.

"Thank you." Lexa's eyes drifted over the boy as a new set of shivers set over his small frame. "What is your name? And where are your shoes?" His feet were very pale and his purple veins were starting to show through the translucent skin. She felt sorry for him, he was out in the cold because of her.

"Adenious... my name is Adenious and I'm afraid I don't have any shoes. Can't afford them." The boy averted his gaze from Lexa's, twiddling his thumbs as embarrassment set in over him. The blush on his cheeks was the only thing warming his entire body.

Lexa stood up from the snow and held out her hand to the boy, offering it for him to take. Hesitantly he looked up to her again, finding kind green eyes staring back at him. Small flakes of snow had fallen on her brown braided hair and she almost reminded him of his eldest sister.

"Before you take me to my friend, let us get you some shoes first. I know a kind lady who would love to help." A warm smile crawled onto Adenious's face. He didn't know the woman that stood in front of him and his mother always told him not to speak with strangers but he felt that he could trust her.

He reached out and took her hand as Lexa flashed him another kind smile. Lexa knew Cassia would be able to help or at least know of someone that could cater for a child. As they walked through the quiet streets toward Cassia's store, Adenious scanned his eyes over Lexa's armour many times.

"So how many years are you, Adenious? And how is it that you deliver messages?"

"Eleven summers and I don't really deliver messages. Your friend gave me a few aureus to find and bring you to her. I know the streets pretty well and she said that I would find you in the market square. Sounded like free coin to me."

A low chuckle escaped Lexa's lips, recognizing the boy as an opportunist. "A witty one aren't you?" Lexa adjusted the coat that hung over her other arm, making sure that no snow landed inside of it on the fur.

"My sister says the same thing." He says simply as he finally looks in front of him again, done scanning over Lexa's armour and blue cape.

"Here we are, go in and look around while I speak with my friend." Eagerly Adenious followed her order, tracking in the snow that stayed on his feet as he entered the store. He had never been inside since he never had the coin to buy anything nor did his parent when they were still alive.

Cassia's curious eyes followed the boy as he walked between the many racks of linen, careful not to touch anything. "My apologies for that." Lexa says, gesturing to the wet footprints that led halfway into the store.

"No worries. This is certainly surprising; how can I help?" As always Cassia was friendly, not asking any questions, just willing to help without any sort of hesitation.

"Well, I noticed he didn't have any shoes and his clothing is pretty tattered, how far can you help with that? Or can you recommend someone?"

Cassia pursed her lips in thought, her eyes still on the boy that looked at everything that surrounded him. "I can make him something—" Suddenly she froze, her eyes lighting up as an idea crossed her mind. "Stay right here."

With not much of a choice, Lexa stayed in place, wondering where Cassia had run off to. For a few seconds, Lexa admired the coat that hung over her arm, it was going to come in handy when they traverse into the forests in the coming days.

She wasn't a terrific hunter but she definitely knew her way around a bow and arrow as well as spears. Many were refusing to go out in the cold to hunt animals to provide meat to the palace but Lexa was quick to offer a hand since she craved to be outside again.

She felt she had been confined to the capital walls and many buildings for far too long. Lexa missed nature and spending long hours among it, hearing the cheerful chirps of birds, the howls of wolves, the many tracks of animals to differentiate between, and even the annoying insects.

Cassia shortly returned from the back room, her arms almost full of clothing and three pairs of sandals. "It belonged to my son. It has been in storage for some time so there might be a little bit of dust but it will be perfect for the boy. Unless you want brand new—"

"No, no, this will be perfect, thank you, Cassia." Adenious slowly approached them, trying to gauge what they were talking about exactly before his eyes landed on the staple of clothing in the woman's arms.

Lexa gestured for him to come closer with a slight wave. "Cassia says that you can have these. Here, put them on." She handed him a pair of sandals which he reluctantly took since no stranger had ever been so kind to him before and his parents had always taught him not to take things from people because they always expected something in return ... but then again, his feet were really cold.

Adenious quickly took the sandals on second thought and slid his feet into them. Perhaps they were a little big but he would definitely grow into them soon. He wiggled his feet in them, hearing the leather creak. "Thank you, Cassia and Lexa."

Cassia quirked an eyebrow at Lexa. "A nickname." Lexa assures as she reads the questioning look in Cassia's eyes. Cassia stepped forward and carefully handed off the clothing to the boy. "This belonged to my son, so take good care of it, young man."

Adenious eyes widened, he noticed the clothing she was holding but he certainly didn't expect it to be for him. "Really? For me? Thank you but I can't take this." He tried handing the clothing back to Cassia but she only smiled back at him warmly, surprised by the boys' good manners.

"Yes, for you. I insist."

"But your son, won't he need it?"

Lexa overlooked the conversation, not wanting to intervene but soon saw sadness cross Cassia's features at the mention of her son from another's mouth. "No, young man, he won't. You need not worry."

Lexa placed a soft hand on Adenious shoulder before she spoke. "Wait for me outside, I'll only be a minute." With one last thank you to Cassia, Adenious does in fact go outside with his new clothing in hand and a full heart.

"How much do I owe you, Cassia?" Lexa retrieved her pouch of aureus and already started counting through them. "Nothing, Alexandria. It was just gathering dust, I'm just happy that he can use it."

"You know that's not how I work, Cassia. Here, and I don't want another word." Lexa handed Cassia twenty aureus. She never minded overpaying Cassia for anything because she was simply a woman with a kind heart that deserved it.

"Very well, but next time you come here I will have something for you. Under that circumstance alone, will I accept this."

"We have a deal." Lexa says knowing full well that whatever Cassia will prepare for her she'll end up paying for anyway. It was the rule of trade and just being humane overall. "Chaire, Cassia."

"Chaire." Cassia greets back with a slight bow, respecting that Lexa had spoken her native tongue. Cassia and Thelonious were of Greek origin and not of Roman. At heart, Thelonious was still Athenian.

Adenious was standing in the street, his eyes still skimming over the clothing in his arms. "Okay, now that we have that as my thank you, take me to my friend." Lexa's voice drew his attention quickly.

"Yes, of course. It's not very far and again, I say thank you, for this. I do not deserve it."

Lexa patted him on the back as they set out to their destination. "Believe me, Adenious, you do. I have not seen this friend in a while and I've been quite worried. You're doing me a big favor."

The boy only nodded his head as they continued down the cold street where snow still slowly fell. It was an odd sight to the settlers that started to flock the streets; a young boy walking alongside a Praetorian.

Lexa bowed her head in each settler's direction in greeting, acknowledging their presence as their eyes never left the odd pair. Adenious was right, it wasn't very far but not too close either.

Clear ruckus could be heard coming from inside the house they stopped in front of, the boy gave Lexa one weary look before he opened the door. A warmth engulfed Lexa immediately as she stepped through the front door. A fire had been lit in an old tattered iron brazier, warming the entire home.

There was one child running around but she immediately stopped when she spotted Lexa's large figure at her front door. She wasn't scared but curious instead because a similar woman showed up at her door a few days ago.

An older woman came from a different room of the house, clearly not acknowledging Lexa at first. "I thought you were never going to slow down, are you finally ready to help me clean?"

The younger girl only pointed a single finger in Lexa's direction. Lexa felt out of place seeing she had clearly just walked into someone's home who wasn't expecting her. "Venus, this is Alexandria."

"Adenious, what did I say about bringing strangers home? It's not safe." Venus' eyes landed on the armour Lexa was wearing and her eyes shot between the features of the strange woman and the clear S.P.Q.R written across her breastplate and the golden Griffin on her abdomen.

Venus knew she was harboring a fugitive and she certainly didn't want trouble but she knew that it would come sooner or later. "Alexandria—" The name flowed from her tongue but with a slight clear of her throat, she was back on earth again. "Praetorian, what can I do for you?"

Lexa extended her arm to the woman, Venus was perhaps a year younger than herself. "A pleasure to meet you, Adenious here found me in the marketplace and said that my friend had sent him to find me. I sure hope he hasn't lead me down a rabbit hole."

Venus accepted her arm in greeting, exhaling a breath of relief. "Thank the gods, I thought you were among the many Praetorian searching for her in favor of the Senator. Your friend said that she would somehow find you, I just wasn't aware she was putting my little brother up to the task."

"Adenious, why don't you go tell Octavia that Alexandria is here and you little lady, to your room. We'll clean the house later." Venus clearly gave Adenious a disheartened look, letting him know that she'll have a talk with him about it later.

When both kids were out of the room, Venus crossed her arms over her chest and stood her ground in front of Lexa, showing that she didn't fear her at all which was even odder to Lexa.

Normally the settlers stepped out of her way with ease and showed her some sort of fear because they all knew she was a Gladiatrix that walked among them and not just that, but she was a Praetorian as well.

"My apologies to intrude this way, Venus. I was worried about Octavia and I had to come see her. Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I got Adenious some clothing as a thank you for helping me. I suppose I owe you as well for helping Octavia, it means quite a bit to me."

Venus dropped her arms to her sides, dropping her tough façade. She could already tell that Lexa wasn't like the rest of the brutish Praetorian; she clearly hadn't let the abundant amount of power go to her head. Or at least not yet anyway.

"You didn't have to do that for him. Things are tough right now but I'll be back on my feet soon but nevertheless thank you and I suppose I owe you then. However, for your friends' part, I will continue helping her as long as she pays." Venus' answer was curt but it was the truth. The only reason she was helping Octavia was because she was in dire need of coin. She was looking after two of her younger siblings all by herself and work wasn't easy to come by.

"You don't owe me a thing and that won't be a problem, I'll make sure to pay whatever she owes."

Octavia rounded the corner and immediately jumped into Lexa's unprepared arms. Lexa placed her hand on the nape of Octavia's neck, pressing their bodies closer together. She was just happy to see that Octavia was indeed safe.

When they pulled away, Lexa placed her hands on either of Octavia's cheeks, quickly turning her head from left to right, looking for any sort of marks. "Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? I heard stories that they found you but you escaped a little beaten and bruised."

Octavia huffed a laugh, shaking her head as a lone tear ran down her cheek. "No, they were the ones that walked away beaten and bruised. The first people that said they would hide me, sold me out on the second day. After I escaped, I quite literally ran into Venus and she said she would help." Octavia spared a look in Venus' direction, with a grateful tight-lipped smile. "I supposed she was trustworthy, a goddess' name and all you know."

Lexa only embraced Octavia again, her armour clattering against itself once again, her new fur-lined coat now long forgotten on the floor.

"Listen, I have to be on duty soon but I'll be back later. Maybe I can find out from Clarke what Senator Blake's true intentions are with you then we can go from there. I think I've won her favor and she'll tell me whatever I ask."

"You have the Empress' ear?" Venus asked, interrupting the moment Lexa and Octavia were having. "My apologies, that was kind of aimless. Would you just tell her thank you? For helping the settlers, she's the ruler we deserve. The Emperor is well ... Emperor."

Lexa nodded her head in Venus' direction before she kneeled down to pick her coat up again, dusting it off. "I'll tell her, I'm sure she'll appreciate hearing that her people appreciate her efforts. Her next meeting with the settlers should be at the end of this fortnight."

Lexa placed her palm on Octavia's cheek, reveling in their newfound blood relation. "I'm proud to call you my sister, you know? No matter how it happened, I'm happy to have you."

The two women embraced again and Octavia whispered a quick "I love you too." in Lexa's ear before they pulled away. Venus stood in awe as she watched the two women interact, never in her life did she imagine that two Gladiatrix could interact with one other like this.

The tales and even the battles she herself watched always portrayed these fierce warriors as brutish and savage but after all, they were people, just like the rest of the settlers. Beings that could love and experience intense emotions.

"I'll be back later; Venus would you see me out?"

"Of course." She wasn't sure why the Praetorian wanted to speak with her alone but she knew she had no other option but to obey. Octavia herself raised an eyebrow but quickly shrugged it off as her newly found friend nudged her side. Adenious was certainly a curious child indeed.

When Lexa and Venus stepped outside into the cold again, the frozen breeze stung their skins. For the first time, Lexa actually acknowledged the woman's features and she could truly admit that the name Venus certainly did her justice. She was a beauty head to toe.

Her eyes were a shade of green mixed with blue and her hair was as black as the night itself. Her eyes were tired and laugh lines had already started to form on her firm skin. Her features were soft yet sharp and she had well-defined cheekbones as well as a sharp jaw.

She looked like Costia.

Lexa hated to admit it but she had started to forget her long-lost lover's face but if she didn't know better then she would think that she was standing right in front of her again. She got lost in the idea, forgetting the cold around her and the fact that she was unabashedly staring at a woman she did not know a single thing about.

"Praetorian? Alexandria? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, yes, sorry, I got lost in my own mind." Trying to conjure up some sort of reason why she had gotten so lost, obviously not wanting to say that goddammit you look like the woman I loved for over three years, she finally racked her brain to get to say something that didn't seem too odd to ask.

"I was just— I suppose I couldn't help notice the young girl and Adenious ... do you look after them all by yourself?"

Venus bit the inside of her cheeks, trying to unravel the Praetorian in front of her. She liked to do this, unravel and come up with her own profile of a new person she met. "Yes, I do. Our parents were killed by barbarian's months ago." She tilted her head down, acknowledging time itself. "Gods it has been so long."

"Eleven months?" Lexa asks, going out on a whim herself.

"How did you know?"

"Can't say that I knew, it's just that I lost my parents to barbarians as well eleven months ago. I was merely grasping for straws, the odds of it being the same occasion barely crossed my mind. I spoke without thinking, my apologies."

"Polis? Are you from Polis, Alexandria?" The woman's voice had started to break, she had not seen anyone from Polis since the day she and her remaining siblings left there. The mere thought of someone from there had tears threatening to spill.

"I am, my father, Maximus owned the Gladiatorial academy. Octavia and I trained there, we came to the capital once we finished helping rebuild Polis. Are you from there? Because I don't recall ever seeing you and I lived there my entire life."

Venus shook her head in disbelief, she couldn't believe that a hero of that day stood in front of her and she even had another in her home. "No, we're not from there. We were visiting my uncle and his wife as well as my cousin. When the barbarians came we kind of just hid until it was all over but we certainly heard about the warriors from the academy that defended the city best they could. Thank you for that."

"It was the right thing to do, no need to thank. What about your uncle and his wife? Did they survive the attack?"

"No, unfortunately not. Nor did Costia— my cousin, she didn't make it either. My uncle and his wife burned to death in their home but I'm not sure what happened to my cousin but we never saw her again."

It had to be a coincidence Lexa thought. Or it was fate but on the gods, she had grown so sick of fate these past few days. She stared at the woman in front of her, her face void of emotion but her mind racing with questions she couldn't seem to ask fast enough.

"Costia? Did you say Costia? The farmers? Lucius and Camilla's daughter?"

Venus took a step back, away from the woman that stood in front of her with a question ridden face. "How— you— you knew them, Alexandria?"

"Lexa, I'm Lexa. Costia was mine and I was hers. This is mad, it can't be ... Can it? How is it possible that our paths would cross this way? It shouldn't be possible; it can't be possible." Lexa was in her own state of disbelief, taking a step closer to Venus who stood her ground this time.

"I can't believe this just as much as you, perhaps even more. She told me about you a few times and I had even started to tease her that you did not exist because you seemed so— I don't know, unreal. She was deadest on introducing you to me the next day ... the day after the attack."

Lexa averted her eyes to the sun that had moved significantly since she had gotten here. She was definitely going to be late if she didn't leave immediately but she had so many more questions. Questions that were going to have to wait for now.

"Well, eleven months late, but here we are." Lexa says, trying to make light of the situation at the most inappropriate time. "I have to get going, the Empress expects me. But here, for the meantime. I'll be back soon and maybe we can talk again?" Lexa handed her the remainder of her aureus, perhaps twenty-four coins.

"Of course. I had completely forgotten that you were on your way. But this? What is it for? You need not take pity on me because we grieve the same people, Lexa."

"Take it, it's for Octavia's stay. And don't tell me it's too much either, she eats a lot and she becomes a hand full when she has nothing to occupy herself with. You'll probably tell me I owe you more once she comes out of her shell completely."

Lexa finished with a small chuckle, curling Venus' fingers over the pouch of aureus with her own hand. "Thank you, Lexa, but Octavia's really ... knowing what you two have done, I should be honored to help. Please, I cannot accept this."

"I have to go and I'm not taking it back. Vale, Venus. I will see you soon." And with that Lexa took off in the direction of the palace, not giving Venus another chance to say a single word. She watched Lexa's figure become smaller and smaller as she disappeared in the distance.

Lexa reached the palace without any trouble since the foot traffic was almost nonexistent in the streets. Her mind was racing with thoughts and a large sense of relief that Octavia was safe and well hidden.

Perhaps it was going to be bad of Lexa to take advantage of her friendship with Clarke by asking her to speak with Senator Blake, but she needed to know because Octavia couldn't stay hidden forever. If the Senator meant her harm, it would be better to get Octavia out of the capital as soon as possible.

Lexa laid a soft knock to the Empress' door as she does each morning to let Clarke know that she was there. She never waited too long, Clarke was always eager to leave her quarters especially since she was constricted to her bed for a few days after her chariot took a tumble.

"Salve, Imperatrix."

"Salve," Clarke unhesitatingly reached up and removed a single snowflake from Lexa's hair even though she had way more than one. The Empress really just wanted an excuse to step closer to Lexa, to drown in her scent and just in her presence overall. "You were outside already? Running again I presume."

Lexa wasn't sure if the goosebumps that formed on her skin was because of the cold or because Clarke was standing so close to her in the open, for every servant to see. "No, Empress, no running this morning. I was just at the market to get a coat for when the hunt starts."

She had given her coat to a servant on her way into the palace, instructing them to just take it to her quarters. Lexa was never someone that approved of having servants but she was now certainly starting to get used to it. It was extremely convenient to say the very least.

"Hmm, do you really have to go hunting with them?" Clarke brushed past Lexa, making sure her fingertips grazed over Lexa's hand. It was on purpose and Clarke had grown addicted to the rush that set in over her each time her skin touched Lexa's in the open.

This didn't go unnoticed by Lexa and she felt a familiar spark shoot through her spine. She almost reached out and really took the Empress hand in her own, just to experience the feeling all over again.

"Yes, I volunteered. I think it will be good for me to be in the open again. I've realized that I am not a city person after all. Being outside away from all the bustling and chatter of settlers is what I truly crave."

"You never struck me as the city type. I like that about you, among many other things of course." Lexa was about to reply, and tease Clarke again but the Empress quickly raised her hand. "Don't even think about it. I will not be flattering you today. Your head is big enough as is."

//

Somewhere along the line they had ended up far away from the palace, walking through the vineyard. All the grapevines were covered in snow but it was still a beautiful sight. It reminded Lexa of home and soon her mind drifted to Costia and then ended on Venus.

Clarke noticed the distant look in her guards' eyes. Lexa had gone silent a while ago which wasn't very common for her. She never let the conversation between them dim.

"Is everything okay, Alexandria? You're quiet today, what is bothering you?"

Clarke's fingers grazed over Lexa's again as she unclasped her hands from behind her back. It was a bad habit she had, whenever she would be deep in her thoughts, she clasped her hands behind her back to stop them from fidgeting.

"Polis I guess. This vineyard has me thinking of home, what I had and what I had lost. I miss it but other times I wish I could just forget it all. Forget the heartache."

Clarke didn't know much of Polis, only the small things Lexa had told her of it. Of course, she also knew the tale of when the barbarians ransacked Polis and killed everyone Lexa loved and Clarke couldn't start to imagine what it must have felt like.

"Do you miss her?"

"Who?" Lexa asks, averting all of her attention to Clarke that looked back at her with the softest eyes and smile. She looked genuine, innocent, untainted by the horrors of the world. Unlike Lexa who was tainted to the bone.

"Costia."

Lexa looked in front of her again, trying to focus on anything but that simple name that Clarke had just said. She even tried to drown out the expecting eyes of Clarke by listening to the crunch of snow under their sandals.

"Not as much as I use to and I'm a terrible person for it. It has almost been a year and the memory of her face has started to wither up until this morning when I could swear she was standing in front of me. I felt this twisting feeling in my chest yet the woman that stood in front of me was a complete stranger."

Lexa went quiet for a few seconds, blinking her eyes faster in thought. "I don't want to talk about her, about Costia. I feel guilty."

"I'd think it is normal you know? To forget, our minds aren't supposed to remember everything and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. Would you rather tell me about this woman you saw this morning? How it made you feel?"

Clarke's hand grazed over Lexa's again, this time lingering. She wanted to give Lexa some sort of comfort in this moment because she could see the sadness that had overtaken her.

"I don't feel guilty for forgetting, I feel guilty about the things I feel when I know I'm supposed to still be grieving her. It feels like I'm disrespecting her by falling for another already." Lexa clasped her hands behind her back again, fearing what will happen if Clarke touched her again.

Clarke's interest was piqued by Lexa's admission of falling for another. Her heart fluttered at the thought that the fierce gladiatrix was referring to her indirectly. But there was an entire city of women and Clarke had learned her lesson from the previous time: to never form her own conclusions.

"Perhaps it means your heart is getting the healing it has so desperately craved. I mean no disrespect but it wouldn't be fair to you if you continued to constrain yourself to someone that would likely want you to feel for someone again, to move on. To love again even. From what you have told me over time in your own way, Costia seemed like a wonderful woman and someone that loved you dearly ... I can only imagine that she would want you to be happy again."

Not minding their surroundings, Lexa in fact does take Clarke's hand in her own, interlacing their fingers. There were a few settlers between the lines of planted grapevines, looking for grapes they may have missed in the harvest.

The sudden touch, took Clarke by surprise but she soon relaxed under Lexa's touch. It was such a simple gesture but there was a certain intimacy to it that Clarke couldn't say that she had ever experienced.

The relationships she had been in over the years were never lacking in sexual encounters but they were lacking in the simplest human connection. She could never feel a connection with them above lust but here and now was different.

Lexa was different.

They started off completely wrong. Having the best sex in an alley and then it all changed from there on out. It started off as every relationship Clarke had, lustful but then the undeniable connection formed itself.

"Thank you, Imperatrix. She was one of the best people I ever knew and you're right, she would want me to be happy again ... with someone else."

Clarke could feel the Praetorian brand burned into Lexa's skin under her touch. Reminding her all too soon who Lexa was in her life. Her guard and with that she remembered the threat her father made; of what will happen if she got too close to Lexa.

Their shoulder brushed against each other, their bare skin touching. "You're freezing; why didn't you say anything?" Lexa notes as she takes her hand out of Clarke's. As she has done many times before, Lexa unclips her Praetorian cape from her shoulders and wraps it around Clarke.

"I didn't really notice..." Clarke says sheepish, her mind still a whirlwind of thoughts. She so desperately wanted to pursue something with Lexa but her father's words were a thorn in her side that constantly made itself known.

"Come here." Lexa pulled Clarke into an embrace, wrapping her strong arms around Clarke. Her armour was cold but her embrace was warm as ever. Clarke immediately submitted to her hold, laying her head against the cold breastplate.

They stood like that for a few minutes, their hearts beating in sync. Lexa rested her chin on Clarke's head, tightening her grip on the Empress. She could stand like this forever, she was sure, holding the woman she had fallen for accidentally. Or for as long as Clarke allowed her to.

"You know I'll do anything for you, Empress. I want you to know that."

"You're my guard, of course you will." Clarke was teasing and her playful tone confirmed it making Lexa laugh a little. "Can I request one thing of you?"

Lexa slightly pulled away, just far enough so she could see Clarke's blue eyes, her arms still loosely draped around Clarke's hips. "Anything."

"When no one's around ... use my name instead."

A smile curled at the sides of Lexa's lips. She had wondered when this moment would come; when the Empress would finally grow tired of all the formalities. Formalities that stopped applying to them both a very long time ago.

"Clarke then ... would you mind using Lexa instead?"

The moment was surreal. A smile on both women's lips as they stood in each other's arms. It was another line that was crossed and only one remained.

A kiss.

"Lexa... Hmm, I like the sound of that. We should probably get back to the palace. It's getting really cold. I am in desperate need of my furs and a fire. Perhaps a chalice of wine if you would care to join me for one?"

"Empress— Clarke, you know I don't like having a drink while on duty, why do you lead me into such temptation? I would never do such to you."

"Oh please, you are so dramatic." Clarke playfully pushed Lexa away but she came right back, snaking her arms around the Empress again. "You are the one with the wicked taste for temptation. Look at you, you can't keep your hands off of me."

Playing along, Lexa retracts her arms from Clarke and a feigned looked of disappointment crossed Clarke's features. "It sounds like you're complaining; I promise to never touch you again. You have my word, Clarke."

"I order you to embrace me again this instant or there will be great consequence, Praetorian."

Lexa laughed with glee as Clarke took a step closer to her, drowning in the sound of her laughter. "Is that so? And what is it the mighty Empress will do? Will she gawk me to death, will she continue to undress me with her eyes? Or will she perhaps paint me again?"

Clarke placed a single finger under Lexa's chin, making her laughter quiet down as a lazy smile makes itself comfortable on her lips. "I will do worse things than just lead you into temptation, Lexa." She trailed her finger down Lexa's neck, the touch as light as a dove's feather.

Goosebumps arose on Lexa's skin again and she had to admit that Clarke had won this round once again. But truly she did not mind losing to Clarke time after time.

Lexa simply wrapped her arms around Clarke again, rejoining their body heat. The longer they stared at one another, the more delectable their lips started to seem to each other.

"This is dangerous. What we're doing..." Lexa's voice was soft. Her pupils were completely dilated as she looked down at the woman she swore to serve.

"Dulce periculum..." Clarke says, repeating Lexa's words to her which she so proudly spoke many nights ago. She smoothed her hand over Lexa's cheek, uncaring of those who had started to stare.

"The workers, they're staring, I can feel it."

Clarke's eyes left Lexa's for a mere second as she took a quick glance around them. Lexa was right, at least several workers had stopped what they were doing and gawked at the two women with their hands on each other unashamed.

"And what will they do? If anyone says anything I'll deny it and you will do the same ... will you not?" A smirk coated Clarke's lips as she smoothed her palm over Lexa's cheek again.

"You're going to get me in trouble, Clarke. Your father will have my head if he were to find out."

Clarke knew Lexa was right and he had made it very clear already and she may have let it slip to Lexa as well during one of their late-night rendezvous when they enjoyed one another's company. Lexa wasn't very bothered by the threat for some reason; death wasn't something she feared.

"And I will have his throne. It's only a matter of time." Clarke soothed her thumb over Lexa's bottom lip one last time before she glided from her touch; continuing in the direction of the palace once again.

//

Lexa was stationed outside of Clarke's door once again after being asked to leave by Senator Blake. He and the Emperor were the only people other than Clarke that had authority over Lexa.

As Clarke's betrothed he was allowed in her quarters whenever he pleased to be there. Lexa didn't mind standing outside, Senator Blake wasn't like his advisor in the slightest. Clarke had made it very clear that he had absolutely no sexual interest in her however he wasn't willing to share her with anyone.

According to Clarke, Bellamy could have any woman his heart desired, were she a queen or princess from any corner of the Roman Empire, it did not matter. Lexa already knew that he enjoyed to spend his free time in local whorehouses with many different women.

But as his to come wife, Clarke was not to be with anyone. The Emperor had no objection with this agreement and that may have added to the resentment Clarke had started to feel toward her father.

What did they expect of her? Live a life of complete celibacy? Married but without any sort of sexual intercourse? Not that she was interested in him in such a way at all but he could at least share his freedoms with her.

Their marriage was arranged after all. Nothing but a political game, Clarke being the currency. She was the key to Senator Blake claiming the throne of the Emperor in many years once Jake stepped down.

But until then, Emperor Jake wanted a hand in the Senate, it being Bellamy Blake. He was a General of a Roman Legionnaire and one of the highest-ranked Senators; he had the same authority as the Emperor but he so desperately craved the title of Emperor itself.

It was clear to Lexa that Senator Blake was a power-hungry man. The worst kind of human. With power came great loss and great sacrifice. Victory stands on the back of sacrifice and he would soon learn that.

Lexa wondered if Blake would lead his Legionnaire into the corners of the Empire once the ships set out as the Emperor decreed not long ago. If the Emperor was to set out himself, surely Bellamy would as well.

As Lexa stood in the hall, surrounded by many statues, she mentally cursed herself for forgetting to ask Clarke to ask Senator Blake why exactly he was so desperately searching for Octavia. To ask what exactly his intentions were but it was too late now, she would have to wait for another opportunity.

Lexa knew she would be taking advantage of the bond she and Clarke shared but Lexa would be putting family first as she had many times before back in Polis. But then again, it would be a reasonable request to have; an innocent request.

On the other side of the door, Senator Blake and Clarke sat at the table, indulging in a small feast that was arranged by him. He and Clarke had a few things to discuss, some things more unofficial.

He dabbed at the sides of his mouth with a cloth that laid on the table before he gulped down the remainder of his wine. Clarke on the other hand sat seated with her one leg crossed over the other, as she lazily sipped on her own wine.

She knew he had been making small talk for the entirety of the time. It was typical of him, he normally beat around the bush, trying to get comfortable before he got to his actual intentions.

"I wanted to speak to you about our coming marriage."

Clarke quirked her left eyebrow, this was hardly something he ever brought up and this must be the topic he's been avoiding this entire time. "I'm listening; I believe we agreed to delay it another few months seeing the city is in a tad dip with supplies."

"Correct, I want to delay it further until all the land is peaceful again. Your father is hinting that I lead my legionnaire and I do not want to be married to you when I leave. I believe it will be more sensational if we marry after I conquer the battlefield, don't you agree?"

"Seems like a valid reason, we can wait five years for all I care. We can wait until the end of time. Neither of us wants to marry one another." Clarke said as a matter of fact, pouring herself another chalice of wine. "You can die on the battlefield and I won't shed a single tear."

Bellamy laughed harshly as he sat back in his chair. His armour had become uncomfortable, it no longer sat as snugly on him since he had not trained in a long time. He was losing muscle mass and it was starting to show.

"You're always such a treat to speak with. You better watch that smart tongue of yours once we're married because I will not allow you to speak with me like that. You will respect my authority or I will be forced to discipline you. Your father won't be ruling forever may I remind you."

"Is that conspiracy I hear, Senator? A threat perhaps?" Clarke enjoyed taunting him simply because she enjoyed his childlike outbursts. He hated to be undermined or to be accused of things he had clearly thought of doing.

"Oh, Empress. If I wanted him off the throne, he would have been off of it already. Time is my friend and soon he will come. Now, if we're done with our banter I have a simple request of you."

Clarke readjusted herself in her seat, setting her chalice on the table. She turned the ring on her index finger as she awaited his request.

"It's about Octavia. I know your guard knows where she is and I need you to find out. Alexandria is in my legionnaire but she insists that she does not know where Octavia is."

"And what makes you think she will tell me, Senator? I'm pretty sure she resents me. I can't imagine that it's a treat to be my guard. Besides Senator, I barely even speak with her, if she won't tell you, her General, then she will definitely not tell me."

Clarke was lying, however, she couldn't tell how convincing she sounded. Lexa didn't resent her, far from it. But she had to keep Bellamy off of any sort of track he might stumble upon connected to whatever she and Lexa was sharing.

Clarke wasn't even sure if Lexa would tell her in fact. If she did ask because even though Lexa served her, she would probably put Octavia first either way.

"Can we stop with the games? I wasn't an infant yesterday, servants talk and I know everything that goes on in this palace. I know you two share a certain ... friendship, which I will allow for the time being if you can deliver on my request. You will find out where my sister is, Clarke."

Choosing to ignore Bellamy's ploy for power in their discussion, Clarke slightly lifted her chin, considering his choice of words. Sister. "Say I do agree, what do you want with the girl? If she's running from you, surely there must be a reason."

Bellamy cleared his throat and adjusted his armour once again. He just wanted to get to know his sister, he held no ill will toward her but he could understand why she was frightened. Bastard children have a history of being butchered but he had no interest in hurting her.

"She's my sister, Clarke. I just wish to know her, give her a name, a status. It pains me to know that someone who shares my blood fights in the Colosseum and has no house name. She is a Blake in my eyes. I just want the best for her."

Clarke nodded her head. She recognized the genuine tone in his voice. He didn't speak falsehoods, he earnestly meant every word. He truly wanted to know his sister. "Very well, I'll see if I can speak with Alexandria but I can make no promises. And just so you know, whatever these servants are telling you, are lies."

"Sure they are." Bellamy abruptly stood from his seat and lazily threw the cloth from his lap onto the table. "A pleasure to talk again, Clarke. Come speak with me once you have word, I trust you will be successful. You will be, by any means necessary."

"A pleasure indeed, Senator. I will send for you. Send in Alexandria when you leave, please."

Bellamy slightly bowed and made his way to the door. He was satisfied with the outcome of their conversation. He knew Clarke would deliver and although he would not admit it to anyone, he was eager to see Octavia again.

Truly, he did not even mind if she did not wish to be named a Blake. She could be a Silvestre if she wished to be, he just wanted to fill the void that has been in his life since childhood.

When Bellamy closed the door behind him, Lexa stood on the other side of the hall next to the statue of Apollo. She purposely stood on this side, not wanting to hear what Senator Blake and Clarke spoke about for it was none of her business.

If the Senator wanted her to hear then he would not have asked her to leave in the first place. He approached her now with a stoic expression.

"We will have to speak soon, about coming plans. You're in my legionnaire and the Senate, as well as the Emperor, has decided on sending us to Egypt. It is not confirmed as of yet since you have your duty and I would hate to leave my soon-to-be wife unguarded. But I will send word to you soon."

He raised his forearm to her which she took with a tight grip. She loathed the possible idea of being sent to Egypt. She did not fear death, she feared war and what it took from a person.

She had fallen into a barbarian attack in Polis and on the gods she wished she would never experience such again. Killing so many people takes a part of one's self and she was not sure how much she had left for war to take from her.

"I await your word, General." Lexa had no choice, to be part of the Praetorian was to be part of a Legionnaire. This was bound to happen, she just hoped her position as Clarke's guard would exclude her from traveling to another continent.

"The Empress awaits you." Bellamy swiftly dropped her arm and with a slight nod, continued his way down the hall toward the atrium. Lexa watched as he walked away, exhaling a shallow breath trying to shove the idea out of her head.

She was sure to speak with the gods tonight and beg them not to send her to war because she knew she would likely not make it back as herself. Alive perhaps but without any heart or soul. Mass killing came at a price she was not ready to pay.

Upon entering Clarke's quarters, many candles were already blown out and only a few lit remained. Clarke had already removed all of her jewelry and had set to work on removing the few braids in her hair.

"Should I get your maiden to come help you, Empress?"

"What did we say about formalities, Lexa? But no, I don't require Raven, you will do. Pour yourself a chalice of wine and feel free to remove your armour."

Lexa was relieved, to say the least, she did not feel like finding Raven since her legs were beyond tired from all the walking and standing she had done today. The cold was aggravating her past injuries which made it all worse.

Clarke told her to take her armour off most nights because she knew how heavy it weighed on her and how uncomfortable it could become.

Slowly Lexa undid the buckles of her armour, not feeling any need to rush. Clarke was intently watching her, taking her time on undoing the braids in her hair herself. She liked to watch the muscles move under Lexa's skin when she removed the armour from her body.

"Take something to eat too if you wish, Valentina should be bringing more now if you wish to wait." Clarke didn't have to offer twice because Lexa was absolutely starving. She had not had anything to eat in the afternoon.

She directly went for the slices of untouched fruit, craving the sweetness. Taking an apple in her hand, she walks over to the rolled-up parchments and canvas' in the corner of the room wanting to see Clarke's recent works.

Clarke never minded Lexa looking at them, in fact, she was keen for Lexa to see them. She had an eye for art and Clarke dearly enjoyed the critique. Clarke never allowed anyone to look at her paintings and drawings, let alone touch them but she had made the exception for Lexa.

Lexa paged through them as she bit into the apple, making the crunch echo through the quiet room. "Would it be narcissistic of me to say that this one is still my favorite?"

Clarke approached her from the back and saw which one Lexa was referring to once again. The painting she had done of Lexa after seeing her bare back for the very first time. "It's a beautiful piece, it's my favorite too. The inspiration of the piece is even more beautiful believe it or not, I should introduce you to her sometime."

A low chuckle escaped Lexa's lips, she cherished Clarke's dry sense of humor. Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa from behind and rested her head against her back. Lexa's muscles were hard under her skin and so easily distinguished "Will you? She seems like someone I would definitely not mind looking at, I mean look at these arms."

"And she continues to flatter herself." Clarke placed a soft kiss on Lexa's shoulder, leading up to her neck, ending at the nape of it. Lexa slightly tilted her neck, allowing the space Clarke was hinting to explore.

"Hmm, again you lead me into temptation." Lexa turned in her arms, placing her hands on Clarke's hips firmly, pulling them closer to hers. She nuzzled the Empress neck, laying a soft kiss every now and then.

"...but I will not give in to you... not yet."

Clarke had loosely draped her arms over Lexa's shoulder, now returning the favor of tilting her head, allowing Lexa all the access in the world for her to kiss it. A low moan escaped her lips as she felt Lexa approach her pulse point.

"You're a constant tease...perhaps I—" The words hitched in her throat immediately when Lexa's lips glided over her pulse point but soon she softly sucked on the delicate spot, uncaring of what the Empress was about to say next.

Clarke dug her fingers into Lexa's brown locks, not wanting her to stop anytime soon. A low moan escaped her lips simply because she was so addicted to the sensation Lexa brought, that nothing would ever be able to surpass it. Lexa was marking her and Clarke didn't dare to stop her, not like she used to stop Finn.

The door to Clarke's quarters swiftly swung open and Valentina entered with an empty tray. Her eyes widened at what she saw in front of her, Lexa with her fingers digging into Clarke's skin through her linen dress, her lips firmly placed against the Empress' neck and Clarke's head tilted to the side as her mouth hung agape with pleasure.

They quickly moved apart upon hearing the door open and looked back at Valentina with wide eyes. They were caught and who was to say what will happen.

"Valentina...why— why didn't you knock?" Clarke asks, straightening out her dress. "You usually knock, can I help you?"

Valentina's shocked eyes moved from Lexa to Clarke, knowing she should probably answer and snap out of her astonished state. "My apologies, Empress, I just assumed you were alone at this time. I just came to retrieve the leftover plates since the cooks said you already had food sent to your quarters. I am so sorry for interrupting."

Lexa was the first to move away from Clarke, grabbing her armours neck lining and quickly moving toward the exit. "I will see you in the morning, Empress. Vale, Valentina." She says as she brushes past Valentina, refusing to meet the eyes of the woman that could singlehandedly destroy everything.

"You understand that you can't say anything about this right? Please, Valentina, I beg you."

Valentina had already started to place the many plates on her tray, not looking up at Clarke. "I was not planning to say anything and I'm not even sure why I am surprised. I knew this would happen the day I heard your father had put her in your guard. I've worked in this palace for the majority of my life."

Valentina placed the last plate on her tray, then placed her palms on the table. "Three Emperors, Six Empress' and their many children. You are not the first to have an affair with your guard. In fact, it is the least scandalous thing currently happening in this palace."

Valentina picked up the tray, ready to leave but she had one last thing to say. "Be careful, your highness. Especially with her. Many are watching you."

Clarke was about to ask what exactly Valentina meant with 'Especially her' but before she could ask, Valentina was already out the door.

Chapter Text

That night after Lexa so abruptly left Clarke's quarters with her Praetorian armour in hand, she angrily tossed it into her room as she passed it. She was disgusted by the sentiment it held, for the fact that it has been constricting her symbolically for far too long. To Hades with the entire Praetorian guild she thinks.

She wasn't sure if Valentina was going to tell the Emperor or Senator of Blake of what she saw, but if she does, Lexa knew all of her comfortability will be taken away. She was going to be punished for it, gravely for that matter.

Lexa walked in the cold abandoned streets of the capital, there was no one around, not even the normal drunkards. Everyone was in their homes, snuggly wrapped up in their furs or their significant others and she ...? She was out in the cold all alone.

She contemplated going back to Venus as promised this morning but she knew she wasn't going to be the best conversation tonight. The next option was the tavern and that's where she found herself twenty minutes later with two empty cups that were once filled with a strong oaky ale.

Lexa knew she would most likely be stripped of her title when the morning comes, so tonight she would take advantage of the perks being a Praetorian brought. Free ale being among the best perks.

"Rough day?" A maiden behind the counter asks as she fills Lexa's cup with ale again. She had not seen the Praetorian in the tavern for some time but when she did come by then she completely overindulged.

Lexa nodded her head as she chugged down half of the new cup of ale. "Something like that. I think the only stable thing in my life is going to be stripped from me in the morning. The gods alone know if I'll even make it out alive. Raptus regaliter. Literally."

"That bad huh? Do you want to talk about it kid?" The woman was in her late sixties and she had definitely seen kinder years physically, but her good heart was still intact. "Or I could pour you another ale and you can drink away all of your sorrows."

A man drunkenly stumbled toward the counter and fell onto it next to Lexa as he placed his left elbow on her shoulder, swaying backward and forward lightly. "Another ale please hag."

Lexa didn't look up from her cup, only circled its rim with the tip of her finger. "Get your arm off of me before I break it and apologize to the lady." Spitefully, the man shoved his arm down harder on Lexa's shoulder as he laughed harshly.

"And what are you going to do little lady? Because I would love to shove my cock into that smart mouth of yours."

Lexa shoved his arm off her shoulder, not saying anything more. She wasn't in the mood to fight or engage in any sort of conversation with any drunk idiot.

The drunk man spared a glance at the old woman behind the counter again, baring his slightly rotten teeth. His hygiene was poor and it was a vile smell that followed him around. "Did you not hear me say bring me another ale, hag!"

With a deep sigh, the woman walked away to the backroom to get a new jug of ale to serve him. He returned his attention to Lexa however who was still minding her own business. She could smell the man's vile stench draw closer to her and a little touch of her hair followed it.

He dragged his dirt-covered hands over her hair, his rotten teeth still bared. Even his hair was dirty, matted to his head and dirt still coated his cheeks. A miner of sort surely.

"Touch me one more time and I will ruin you." Lexa raised her right hand, placing it on the table exposing the branding that identified her as a member of the Praetorian. "They won't care if I kill you here tonight."

The drunken man quickly stumbled away from her, barely finding his footing and his hands only just catching hold of the side of the counter. "My apologies Praetorian, I thought you were just a normal maiden. Please..."

Lexa stood up from her stool, standing at her full height in front of the man. She was half a head taller than him and much bigger in muscle structure, practically a tower. "Do I look like a normal maiden to you, peasant? Be this any other night and if I didn't have enough trouble on my hands, I would've killed you without thinking twice. Tace atque abi."

The old aged woman came back with a new jug of ale and handed it to the man who quickly took it and returned to the other side of the tavern where the rest of his drunk friends sat, now making a fool of him because they saw how he cowered under Lexa's large figure. "I hope you charge him double for the jug of ale, he's a moron."

The older woman rested both of her elbows on the counter in front of Lexa after she wiped it off with a cloth that now hung over her shoulder again. "I pissed in it. Should teach him a lesson or two of how not to talk to a lady again."

A louder laugh than expected burst from Lexa as she dipped her head. The ale was getting to her but she probably wasn't going back to the palace soon. Perhaps the Emperor's guards were already looking for her, or maybe even the Senators'.

"You are a beautiful vile woman, Corvina. I love it." Lexa says as she finishes yet another cup of ale. The loud empty noise of the cup hitting the counter snapped her back to reality again and she exhaled yet another deep breath. "I did something I wasn't supposed to do and I was caught. Chances are I'll be in the dungeons by tomorrow afternoon."

Corvina poured herself a cup of ale, seeing it was near the time of the night she would close. "It couldn't have been that bad otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here, Alexandria. If you want advice, I'll need more details."

Lexa looked up to the old woman weary-eyed, wondering if it would even matter if she told another soul. Valentina had a responsibility as one of the head maiden's, she was to report everything she sees that may be worthy of reporting. What would telling a lady behind a tavern counter change?

"I'm the Empress' personal guard and things may have gotten complicated. Nothing was on purpose, you know how people function. None of us can help the way we feel—"

"I've heard enough." Corvina chuckled and shook her head. "What is it with these royals always getting involved with their guards? Emperor Titus' daughter had an affair with a guard as well, ended up marrying the fool too after her father disowned her."

Corvina furrowed her thin eyebrows in thought and rested her chin on the palm of her hand. "You said you were caught? By whom and doing what? You didn't have your head buried between her legs did you?"

Lexa blinked her eyes a few times, shocked by the old woman's blunt words. She certainly didn't beat around the bush; she got to the point. "I— no, my head was nowhere near between her legs. I may have been in the process of marking her and the head maiden Valentina walked in." Lexa covered her face with both of her hands, rubbing her fingers against her forehead in frustration.

"Valentina? She's harmless. She reports to Clarke's mother, Abigail, and well," Corvina leaned closer to Lexa, wanting just Lexa to hear what she says next. "Abigail has her own skeletons in the closet. That friendly announcer always walking with Emperor Jake, Marcus, not only does he do the Emperor's dirty work but he does his wife as well."

Corvina finished her ale as Lexa only watched her intently, wondering where she was going with revealing this information that seemed quite useless and none of her business. "You don't understand why I'm telling you, do you?"

Lexa shook her head no. "Ale makes me less sharp and quick-witted. Elaborate why you have told me about the scandalous relationship the Empress is having."

"Well since Valentina reports to Abigail, just make sure you tell Abigail that you know about her secret as well. It's simple extortion, you're a smart girl, you can definitely pull it off."

Lexa shook her head no again after finishing her ale. She stood from her stool again, this time to leave. "No, no, there is no way I am extorting the Empress. I brought this upon myself and I should face the consequences. Thank you for the ale, Corvina."

Corvina only waved in goodbye as Lexa backed away, retaining eye contact. "It takes two, Alexandria. Remember to say that when pleading your case before you get treated like a slave and receive a hundred whippings on your bare back. Who knows, maybe the one you guard will save you this time around."

//

The next morning when Lexa wakes, she's laying on her front and her face was deeply buried in the feather pillow and her arms firmly tucked under it. Her loose hair sprawled across her face and the few remaining braids had also started to loosen themselves. She only squinted her eyes slightly since bright light already filled her room. The sun was already high up in the sky.

"Faex..." She mutters to herself as she shuts her eyes again before stretching her limbs as far as possible. She decided not to rush herself this morning since she would likely be removed anyway, might as well enjoy the luxuries while possible.

When she throws the thick furs from her body, the cold of the morning quickly makes it home on her skin. Lexa didn't remember much before getting into bed, except for drinking the entire jug of water in the middle of her table and then tripping over her armour that still laid on the floor.

But clearly she had removed all of her clothing, including her undergarments and bindings. She wasn't surprised in the slightest since she did the exact same thing when she and Octavia visited the taverns in Polis. After a long night, they would return to their respective rooms and she would strip to the bone, not wanting to feel trapped in any sort of linen or cloth.

A soft knock echoed at the door, making Lexa open her eyes again. Luckily no hangover clouded her mind but she still felt very fatigued as the alcohol was making its way out of her bloodstream. Absentmindedly she pulled the furs over her body again before yelling "Enter!"

Slightly lifting her head from her pillow just enough to see who it was, the woman she started to dread more than Josephine walks in. "Salve, Valentina." As of every morning, she brought a tray of food and a jug of water. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"Salve." Her eyes landed on Lexa's armour that still laid on the floor and then the trail of clothing that led to her bed. She wondered if she was to look to Lexa's bed if she would find another lover but when she does, she only finds Lexa with her eyes barely open.

"I brought you food. May I ask why your armour is on the floor? And should I leave it there?"

Lexa sat up in her bed, drawings the furs up with her, covering her bare breasts. "I threw it there, I'm sorry. I'll pick it up, don't worry."

Valentina nodded her head, ignoring what Lexa had said further for she didn't have a legitimate reason for her armour to be on the floor. "I'll have servants fill your bath with warm water. The Empress has requested your presence and you know she's an impatient woman."

Lexa fell back in her bed, burying her head in the pillow again. Dread filled her just thinking about speaking to Abigail about what she had done. Maybe just maybe she could convince her not to tell the Emperor but how? She already decided that she would not follow the extortion route that Corvina suggested.

"Clarke, she's the one looking for you, not Abigail." Valentina says as she sees Lexa's mood sour. Walking farther into the room she fulfills her duty and picks Lexa's armour and puts it on the statuette then continues to dust it off. "You need not worry, Lexa, I won't say anything. What happens in each of these quarters in the palace, doesn't leave it. That is the oath that I have made and I honor it with my life."

Lexa didn't know what to say or what to feel other than gratitude. Perhaps there was a twinge of happiness as well but soon reality followed it as well. She would have to decide if she was going to continue risking her status for Clarke or if she was going to end whatever they had started. Chances were that they would be caught again and it might not be by Valentina.

"Thank you, Valentina, but I would understand if it is your duty to report me for what I have done. I know what I swore to do; to just protect her, especially from those that sought her affection but instead, I ended up being that very thing I was supposed to protect her from."

After Valentina picked Lexa's clothing up from the floor as well and throwing it in the basket the servants would later come to fetch and wash, she returned to the foot of Lexa's bed. "I serve Abigail but I serve you as well, therefore the oath applies. What you do in any of these quarters is not for me to speak of and what Clarke does is not for me to speak of either. But I need you both to understand that I am the only one constrained to this oath, the other servants are not. With that I would like to add that you both need to be careful, especially what you do in the open, there are talks already and the Senator is a very jealous man."

"Understood. And thank you again, Valentina. Your silence means a great deal to me. Will you please send in the servants with water and tell Clarke I will be with her shortly."

After finishing her food and laying in her bath for longer than she probably should have, Lexa makes her way down the corridor, still fastening the leather straps and clips on the side of her armour.

It had a few new extra scratches now from how she harshly threw it into her room the previous night and then drunkenly tripping over it, sending it scathing over the marble tiles into a pillar.

Lexa looked like a mess but she couldn't get herself to care. She was exhausted, both emotionally and physically. The entire night she feared to lose the status she had procured. As much as she loathed the Praetorian, she couldn't imagine herself without it.

But luckily Valentina sort of settled her mind that she won't say anything of what she saw but who was to say someone else won't walk in the next time she and Clarke get lost in one another. On the gods she knew she would get lost in her again, there was no denying it.

There was only one thing left to do, in order for this to never happen again. Lexa walked toward Clarke's quarters with one single goal in her mind, to end things with Clarke before it goes too far; before they both get hurt.

On the other side of Clarke's door, she stood, pacing from the right to the left side of her room. She needed to ask Lexa where Octavia was in order to get Senator Blake off of her back. He was looming over her like an annoying shadow that just wouldn't go away.

He had made it very clear to her that he half knew what she was up to and if Octavia's whereabouts could keep him tame for just a little while longer until he leaves for battle, it would be worth it. He held no ill will toward Octavia, or so he said. Clarke was willing to sacrifice Octavia's whereabouts just to have a moment longer with Lexa.

Once Bellamy would leave on a ship, she would have no one to worry about. No one in the palace would be able to keep her and Lexa apart from each other because her father was leaving as well. It was just time, that was her biggest enemy.

Clarke heard the familiar clang of Lexa's sword sheath occasionally hitting the side of her greaves and it made Clarke all the more nervous. What if Bellamy had lied to her? And he had become so good at it that she couldn't tell that he was in fact lying.

What if he really wanted his sister dead? What if Clarke gave up Octavia's whereabouts and she technically sentences her to death. Lexa would never forgive her, but if she doesn't tell Bellamy something ... what will he do to Lexa when the whole truth of them eventually reveals itself?

Clarke knew stories of her and Lexa traveled the halls, it was no secret and some had more truth to them than others. This was her own fault and it wasn't hard for her to admit it. She should have been more careful of sneaking out of her room to see Lexa when she was injured and she should have told Lexa to be more careful when she came to her quarters as well.

It was too late now, it was out there and if the stories the servants told were true or not, Bellamy wouldn't care. He would believe the stories he chose to believe and would act upon them as he always did. Ruthlessly.

On this particular morning, Lexa didn't bother knocking on Clarke's door before she entered. She simply figured Clarke was expecting her since she sent Valentina with the request. However, upon walking into Clarke's quarters, she can see something else in the Empress' eye. Nerves.

As Clarke's blue eyes met with Lexa's green ones, the ones she had so hopelessly fallen for, she makes the decision to leave it up to the gods to make their will known in their own ways. To let them do their only dirty work because she wanted no part in it.

"You sent for me, Empress."

"Yes," Clarke made the decision that she would believe what Bellamy said, that he did not mean any harm toward Octavia. "I spoke with Senator Blake, yesterday. He said that Octavia has nothing to fear from him. He only wishes to know her, give her a status and a name if she accepts. He does not care that she does not share his full blood." Clarke took a step closer to Lexa, looking up into the green eyes that burned into her soul. "You don't have to trust his word, but I believe him. In this instance, I do trust him, so you can trust me."

Lexa kept her gaze on Clarke, searching her eyes for anything out of the ordinary, to see if she was perhaps forced to say this. But Lexa found no such thing. "I do trust you, Clarke."

"I know how hard this must be for you, considering what she means to you and what she is to you."

"I have no trouble trusting you, if you believe him, so do I. I will get word to Octavia."

Clarke smiled earnestly, only now taking Lexa's full appearance in since she could feel a weight being lifted from her shoulders. Bellamy would be satisfied with that answer, for the time being anyway. "You didn't braid your hair today. I've never seen it like this."

Lexa ran a hand through her loose hair; that was what she forgot. "My apologies, I must have forgotten. I'll get it done and come back. Thank you for the news about Octavia, I was actually meaning to ask you if you would speak to the Senator."

"Nonsense, you're not going anywhere. If it were up to me you would have your hair this way every day. It's beautiful." Clarke tucked a loose strand of hair behind Lexa's ear which earned her a coy smile. "And it's a pleasure, I suppose. You must be more than grateful I imagine because your final fight is tomorrow, isn't it?"

"It is, Octavia probably would not have missed it though. She would've showed up even if it costed her, her life because she knows how much this entire event means to me. At least now she would be safe in doing it."

Clarke placed both of her hands on Lexa's breastplate, over where her heart would be. "Are you sure you want to face them? Josephine and Gabriel ... I know you have compassion but they do not, they will not hesitate to kill you or Octavia."

Lexa returned the gesture, placing her left hand over both of Clarke's that rested on her chest. She couldn't get herself to do what she needed to do. She couldn't get herself to tell Clarke that they should end their budding affair. Clarke's presence made it impossible for Lexa to think about anything other than the peace she brought.

"I know you think our ways are harsh but it is our way of life since childhood. It is the only way some will find the freedom they seek and for me, Clarke, it is the only way I can survive the demons of my past that haunt me. This will be my legacy."

A change came to Clarke's blue eyes as her eyebrows furrowed. The two women were impossibly close to one another and neither was backing down, not this time. "Shouldn't your legacy be about more than just surviving? Don't you deserve better than that?"

Lexa's eyes not once left Clarke's as she speaks to not only her, but to her soul as well. It had returned piece by piece the more she fell for the woman she swore to serve and protect with her life.

"Maybe I do."

Lexa closed the gap between them, softly resting her hand on the nape of Clarke's neck, gently ushering her closer. She kisses Clarke tenderly yet softly, careful as if she would break under her touch.

Slowly, they explored each other's lips with great care, uncaring if someone was to walk in now, but luckily no one does. This moment was to be never ruined and it would go on to be remembered until the end of time itself.

Clarke eagerly matched Lexa's pace, astounded at how soft the Gladiatrix's lips in fact were. This was what she had been waiting for; only for Lexa to finally cross every single boundary set but her father's shadow still arrogantly loomed.

It was only when Lexa tilted her head to readjust their kiss that Clarke softly pushed back on Lexa's chest, where her hands still rested covered by Lexa's own hand.

"I'm sorry, it's just—"

"I understand..." Lexa says, her lips still slightly parted and all of her walls crashing down on each other. She finally allowed herself to be vulnerable and she felt absolutely no regret for letting it happen, Clarke was worth it.

"I'm just afraid ... it's not you. I've wanted this for so long; I've wanted you for so long but I'm set to marry a man I don't love. I want to be with you, at least for now, I do, I don't know what the future holds but for now this is what I want ... if you would have me of course." Clarke pressed her palm to her forehead, closing her eyes in frustration. "Gods, I'm such a fool, I keep assuming things, what if this isn't what you want too?"

Lexa moved her hand from Clarke's neck to her cheek, softly soothing her thumb over it. "If this wasn't what I wanted, I would not be standing here. The day I saw you in the market; the moment I looked into your eyes something inside of me knew that you will be the one I live for. You were a complete stranger but my broken heart sought yours."

Lexa was right and Clarke knew it because she felt something too that day, something she didn't understand but it was as clear as day itself now. "I will be part of your legacy and you will be part of mine, and I am content with that if you are." Lexa's words were soft, her lips lingering and teasing over Clarke's again before she captured them again with her own.

A pronounced knock rang on Clarke's door, giving neither a fright just a call back to reality. "I'm perfectly content with that, now get the door while I go to the backroom and compose myself." With one last peck, Lexa lets Clarke move from her grasp.

She felt like a fool for even thinking she could end things with Clarke. It would have never lasted; they were both too stubborn to let anything go that they both desperately desired; each other.

Apparently, Lexa took too long to reach the door, but then again, she felt glued to the spot she was standing in, lost in the daze that is Clarke Gryphem as she walked away from her. Clarke's sweet intoxicating scent still made Lexa's head spin and she knew she would never grow tired of it.

As the door swung open, none other than Senator Blake walked in, leaving his four Praetorian outside.

"Alexandria, I thought I would find you here." He extended his arm to her in greeting as he always did, if Bellamy had anything other than his signature smile, it was his good manners. "General, how can I be of service?" The gods had a sense of humor of their own to have her grip arms with the man who was set to marry the woman she desired.

"The hunt is starting soon; we were looking for you and I figured I would find you here. Thought I would knock two birds out of a tree with one stone seeing I was meaning to come see my betrothed as well."

There it was again; the intense feeling of loathing Lexa had felt for her General. There was something about him that was so easily loathed but added on top of that was the fact that he would get someone she wanted.

Clarke returned from the back room, her smile falling when she sees that its Senator Blake. She so dearly hoped that it would be anyone but him, even Finn would have been better because she could at least send his sorry soul away.

"Senator, greetings, what are you doing here?"

Bellamy shrugged, an easy laugh coming from his mouth. "Do I need a reason to come see you?"

Clarke dipped her head, clasping her hands in front of her, sparing a look in Lexa's direction. "No, of course not, my apologies. I did not mean for it to sound rude; I'm just shocked to see you I suppose. I said I would send for you." Clarke averted her gaze to Lexa, who had moved away from them, making herself unknown. "Alexandria, would you mind waiting outside?"

"I think she can stay, don't you? You know why I'm here, Clarke, it does concern Alexandria after all."

Lexa was confused as to what was going on. Clarke never sent her out anymore when someone came to talk to her and Senator Blake seemed adamant that she in fact stayed. But what did he mean that it concerned her?

"Very well, she did not tell me of Octavia's whereabouts, as I told you she wouldn't. But I did convey your message to her, that you only wish to know Octavia. I believe it is up to her to decide if she chooses to trust you. I will not play your messenger again, if you wish to ask or tell Alexandria something, do it yourself." Clarke was confident when she spoke, unafraid of Senator Blake or what he could possibly do. Lexa's presence brought that out of her, confidence and fearlessness. "You are her General after all, I'm only the Empress she resents to guard each day. Whatever your little birds tell you, it is not true and your extortion you attempted to use on me is fruitless."

Bellamy raised his hand to Lexa, gesturing for her to come closer. His eyes were still locked on Clarke's and she showed no sign of falter. Lexa on the other hand only wearily approached, wondering what in the world Clarke was talking about. She didn't resent her and she never had and she doubted she ever would.

"You may speak freely and whatever you say, I will not take personally. Explain to Senator Blake how much you have hated to guard me each day because he is convinced that we have some sort of friendship."

"But Empress—"

"She said speak freely, Alexandria." Bellamy's order was clear, his voice demanding and impatient. "Is it true? Do you resent her?"

Lexa cleared her throat and puffed her chest. This would be the biggest lie she would ever have told but she understood what Clarke wanted her to say. "Yes, General, I do. She's among the most selfish people I have ever met and she does not accept my values. The Empress refuses to accept that I was born to kill and she in return resents me for it too. However, the Emperor has put me in her guard to protect her and not for us to have a friendship. Besides, I believe I can serve my duty better if she and I don't like each other. General, I am sure that you understand the saying of duty does not mix well with feelings. A friendship could be toxic and cloud my judgment when danger comes."

Bellamy raised his chin, his eyebrows furrowed. Perhaps he had been wrong indeed and the handful of servants were lying. After all their stories were all too familiar, almost sounding rehearsed. "Knowing this, would you request a new guard, Clarke?"

"No. She's among the best with a sword in the entire capital. I would choose to have no one else in my guard. I could care less about her resentment since the feeling is mutual. It's beyond sickening that anyone could even think they were born to kill and would have no other aspiration farther than that." Clarke looked at Lexa with the best facade of disgust she could conjure up.

Satisfied, Bellamy nodded his head. He made a mental note to remove the servants that only scouted for him; clearly, they had been incompetent and only spun stories that would earn them a quick coin. "Very well then, Alexandria, what do you decide? Do you believe that I will not hurt our sister?" Suddenly he raised a finger, coming up with a deal he knew Lexa could not resist since she so clearly made it known that she thirsted for blood. "Let us have an agreement, if I harm our sister in any sort of way, you may kill me yourself without consequence. Clarke being the witness of this agreement."

Lexa looked to Clarke that only nodded at her once in confirmation. This was a sweetener to the deal. She would've told Octavia to come out of hiding either way, with or without this deal simply because she trusted in Clarke's belief.

"Agreed then, General. If you lay a hand on her, I will kill you."

An evil grin made its way to Bellamy's lips. Today he had finally seen a different side to the Gladiatrix that served under him. She was the perfect killing machine and for a slight second, he even considered recommending her in the General selection that will be shipped out to different corners of the Roman Empire soon.

"It is decided then. Get Octavia to the palace at your earliest convenience. Furthermore, the hunting party leaves soon, get yourself clad comfortably, and meet us at the gate. Bring your daggers and leave your swords."

With a respectful nod in Clarke's direction, Bellamy turns and sees himself out. Once the door closed, both women continued to stare in its direction, waiting to hear the clatter of the Pratorians armour indicating that they have in fact left.

"I can feel the resentment ooze from you, Clarke."

"Shut up, that was the performance of the century." Clarke matched the teasing smile Lexa showed back to her. "Feelings do not mix well with duty? Is that the best you could come up with?"

"I didn't have a lot of preparation; I was put on the spot. It seemed like a valid thing to say, don't you agree?" Lexa snaked her arms around Clarke, pulling her closer, aligning their hips. "Oh, and how sickening is it that I was born to kill, I think that was a wonderful touch to add. You were really convincing, even I almost believed you."

Clarke ghosted her lips over Lexa's, pulling away each time just before Lexa would capture her lips. "I should have told him how much I hated when you made me scream your name in the middle of the capital. I should have told him how much I wanted you to do it again."

She was feeling particularly thrilled about them getting away with this affair. Even now Lexa looked at her with a certain hunger that she would not mind satisfying right at that very moment. Lexa herself felt enthralled but it was for a different reason, just the mere mention of that day from Clarke's lips was enough to get her excited.

In haste Lexa crashed her lips into Clarke's desperate to feel her again. A fire was ignited inside of her and was burning violently, ready to destroy anything and everything in its path. Her fingers dug into Clarke's hot skin under her dress and Clarke's own fingers tangled in her guard's soft brown locks.

Clarke took Lexa's bottom lip between her teeth before she fought back in search of dominance. But before Lexa allowed herself to get completely lost in Clarke and entirely skip the hunt she volunteered for; she separated her lips from Clarke's.

Both women were breathing heavily, unable to speak. Their lips were bruised already and Clarke had undone two clips of Lexa's armour somewhere in between their clashing tongues and teeth. "I have to go, but I'll be back later, you have my word." Lexa said breathy, leaning her forehead against Clarke's. "Skip it and stay."

"Stop leading me into temptation, Empress. I succumb easily under your touch." Clarke snuck a hand into the opening of Lexa's now almost undone armour, all the way under her shirt. Lexa's skin was like fire, hot under her touch. Clarke's hand was directly on the wolf's claw marks that were still sensitive up until this day. "I'll be back, I swear it."

"I'm holding you to your word, don't disappoint me." Clarke kissed Lexa's lips again, this time delicately, just tasting her one last time. "Be safe." Slowly dragging her fingertips over Lexa's skin, she removes her hand from underneath the armour.

//

The sun was close to setting over the seven hills of Rome, and they still had no luck in finding an animal to hunt. They stumbled upon many hooved tracks, but the tracker's attempts to follow them were futile. The snow was falling too fast and too thickly and covered each track before they reached its source. The odd hoot of owls close and far echoed through the vast night atmosphere.

A pack of wolves had also made themselves known not so long ago. The hunters may have been tracking herbivores but those carnivores were tracking the hunters themselves. Food had been scarce to the wolves too and they weren't too picky about the scents they followed.

Lexa was trailing behind with a young man that spoke nothing but Latin. He had been talking her ear off but she hardly paid attention, only occasionally answering him when it was absolutely necessary. Her mind was somewhere completely different. From her final fight the coming day to speaking with Octavia once she gets back to the city tonight and then finally going back to Clarke's quarters.

Absentmindedly she tightened the clips on her coat and readjusted the quiver that hung over her shoulder. Her hands were at freezing point and whenever she flexed her fingers just to get the blood flowing to them again, the ache was tremendous.

At the gate they were all given boots lined with fur. It was an interesting change from the sandals she was used to and quite frankly she didn't even know that such inventions existed but they worked brilliantly while tracking through the snow.

The snow was soft, not yet solidified and with each step they took, it reached the middle over their shins. She was glad she opted to wear trousers instead of the tunics some of the men chose to wear. Their skin had turned an odd shade of pale and was clearly suffering from the cold.

Bellamy was leading them, him too clad in a thick coat and trousers. Lexa could tell he was inexperienced, uncaring of the rare brittle twigs he stepped on, making them snap under his weight. Such sound traveled far in the quiet of darkness, it was no wonder they had found nothing. Every single animal probably heard them coming before even seeing them.

Lexa decided to pick up her pace through the snow, making her way to the very front next to Bellamy. "General, the sun is setting, do you not think it will be wise for us to return to the city. We cannot hunt in the dark, we have no vision and the wolves are drawing close."

He ignored her at first, not wanting to admit that she was probably right. His legs were burning from all the walking they had done and the thick snow wasn't helping his case. Even in the cold, he could feel that he was starting to sweat under his coat.

"Perhaps but we also can't go back empty-handed."

Lexa was getting annoyed with him and had long started to regret for even volunteering for the hunt. She thought someone trained would be leading them, not Bellamy that wouldn't allow his ego to be bruised by an unsuccessful hunt. "We also can't go back once the wolves corner us."

A rustling came from a thicket in front of them and Lexa's primal instincts caught alight. Again, she wasn't the best hunter but she knew what to listen for. She raised her hand into the air, gesturing for everyone behind them to halt.

Bellamy looked around him confused since he had not heard anything. "Audi, vide, tace." Lexa instructs, slowly walking toward the thicket by herself. As softly as possible she pulled an arrow from the quiver and centered it in the bow.

She pushed away some of the leaves from the thicket with the tip of the arrow, trying to see what was inside of it. A muffled snort came from within and she just barely recognized the outlines of a large boar.

The string of the bow creaked as she pulled the arrow back, after aligning it with a spot close to the boar's heart, she released the arrow making it whistle through the branches and finally cutting its way into the boar's side.

Loud squeals filled the air, indicating that she had clearly missed his heart. Lexa dropped her bow and launched herself into the thicket, breaking every single branch in her way. After drawing her dagger from its sheath, she swiftly slices the boar's throat, silencing its cries of agony.

"Quickly, get it out of here and make haste to the city! The wolves won't take long to find us now!" A few men desperately ran through the high snow, swinging their arms at their sides to gain momentum. Hot blood coated her hands but her senses were too numbed by the cold to smell the rich iron.

Four men dragged the boar from the thicket, making a red trail follow in the white snow. "To the city, quickly, we did well men!" Bellamy yelled proudly as if he had done anything. He patted each man on the back that passed him, the boar on their shoulders.

Their pace was slightly faster than before but they were too busy celebrating a supposed victory. Lexa trailed behind again, next to the young Latin man who smiled at her valiantly now. "Bene fecistis."

"Gratias ago tibi valde." She returned a smile before she picked up snow, attempting to remove the blood from her hands. Lexa was grateful to go back to the city and to make sure she never goes hunting with General Blake again.

The wolves howling was dreadfully close and they had clearly been following the fresh smell of blood that so eagerly flowed from the boar's throat. When the majority of the men turned around, the pack of wolves looked back at them.

A wolf as white as snow itself, stood proudly in front of its pack, impatiently stomping its paws in the snow. "Go! Run! Drop the boar if you must!" Lexa shoved the young man in front of her toward the direction of the palace before she fell in full out sprint behind him.

"Do not drop that pig or I will drop your head!" Bellamy yelled as he stopped, waiting for all the men to pass him. He probably wouldn't actually carry out his threat but it surely encouraged the men holding the pig to run even faster.

At least thirteen wolves were hot on their tracks and it became painfully obvious that there was no way that they would be able to outrun them. "My apologies boy!" Taking the cowardly way out, Bellamy slices the achilles tendon of the Latin boy as he passes him.

Lexa watched the boy fall and wail a cry of pain as his blood now too tainted the snow. He clawed at his heel where blood spewed out and he even attempted to get up. This wasn't right and she knew it. Lexa sprinted back to the boy, lifting him from the snow, hooking his arm over her shoulders.

"Leave him! That's an order Alexandria!"

The first white wolf caught up to them and sank his teeth into the boy's heel and he cried another shout of pain. Lexa hadn't even realized how close this wolf was and drops the boy when the savage animal pulls back and tears off a piece of flesh.

While chewing on his piece of meat, another wolf approached, the hair on his back raised and his teeth bared. Occasionally his tongue came through its sharp teeth, licking eagerly as it stalked closer.

"Alexandria get away from him, it's too late!" All of the hunters were far away from them already, only their torches of fire still visible. Bellamy was a few feet from Lexa that crouched over the boy, trying to shield him and come up with a plan.

The second wolf lunged at her but she didn't bother to move out of its way. It's teeth sunk into her forearm, easily going through her coat. It was times likes these she wished she wore her bracers but had neglected to.

She grunted at first but soon screamed when the wolf pulled back, taking her arm with him. Out of instinct, her fist flew up, angrily hitting at the wolf's jaw and head. The animal showed no mercy as its teeth sunk in deeper into her arm, it yanked its head side to side, trying to tear off a piece. Lexa continued to hit the wolf with her bare fist, but it was showing no sign of letting go. it was hungry and determined to get himself meat.

Before Lexa realized it, Bellamy was at her side again with his spear which he thrusts through the side of the wolf, making it exit on the other side.

The wolf left Lexa's arm immediately, biting at his own side, trying to reach the rod that was stuck right through him. "Come on! Deny me again and I will leave you here with the boy!"

Lexa rushed to her feet, accepting that there was nothing she could do for the innocent boy anymore. "Ave atque vale!" She exclaims quickly before Bellamy drags her away from the boy that still wailed in pain, tears mercilessly flowing down his cheeks.

Lexa gripped her hand over the exposed wound on her arm, trying to stop the blood best she could. Her new coat was ruined, slathered in pigs' blood, a young boy's blood, and her own blood.

The boy's screams soon stopped, whether they were too far away or if he died, Lexa doesn't know but adrenaline and anger flowed through her veins. Once they reached the city's gates, a few of the men were inside already, waiting for General Blake and Lexa to return.

As the gate closed behind them and the cheers erupted from the small crowd, Bellamy found his shoulder in a tight grip and being spun around. A hard thud connected with his jaw, sending him straight to the cold street.

Lexa towered over him, continuing her onslaught, not minding the pain that shot through her arm each time her fist connected with his face. "How dare you?! He was a child! And you left him for dead, you are the cause of his death!"

A few Praetorians pulled Lexa off of Bellamy but she didn't try to escape their hold on her, her adrenaline was running out and she got out what she wished to. Bellamy rolled to his side, his hand on his face trying to subdue the blood that flowed from his nose.

"It was him or all of us, you understand that. Sometimes sacrifices are the only things we can make in order to survive." He spat to his side; blood mixed with saliva landing on the snow. "I understand why you're angry and I would be too were I you, but I stopped being naïve a long time ago. Fix your act, if you thought that was brutal, ready yourself for war because it is coming and it waits for no one."

Bellamy walked away from the crowd, spitting blood again. He didn't bother to retaliate because truly, he did understand. He wasn't even angry that she had humiliated him in front of others. Even if he didn't understand her reasoning, he would still never strike a woman.

"You landed a few good shots, you have no idea how jealous I am of you." Lincoln says as he stands next to Lexa, watching Bellamy walking away, not partaking in the celebration. "Do you want me to clean your arm? It looks terrible."

Lexa nodded her head, slumping her shoulders. With her rush passing, she felt exhausted and even considered skipping the trip to Venus' home in order to speak with Octavia. "Yes, please, not only does it look terrible but it feels terrible."

//

After having her arm cleaned and wrapped in cloth, Lexa stood in front of Venus' door. It was well into the night and the moon was already high up in the sky. She wouldn't even be surprised if no one came to answer the door, but the candlelight that shined through the window gave her hope.

Luckily, someone indeed does come to answer the door after a short while. "Evening, Lexa, what are you doing here?" Adenious stood in front of her, clad in the clothing she had gotten him. It was a little big for him but nevertheless, it was much better than the clothing he had previously.

"I came to get Octavia, we have a fight in the morning and I definitely can't take part on my own."

Venus rounded the corner, her face freshly washed and her hair in neat braids. "Salve, Lexa, is everything okay? It's late." She stood behind Adenious, resting her hand on his shoulder in a protective manner. Her eyes drifted to Lexa's arm that was wrapped in a white cloth, with large red dots starting to seep through.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just came to get Octavia, it's safe for her to come back to the palace." Her answer was short and sweet simply because she did not have the energy to explain further. She wanted to get herself into bed and forget about the boy that was mauled and eaten alive.

"Aden, go get Octavia and tell her to bring her belongings."

When he was gone, Venus pointed to Lexa's arm but doesn't bother to invite her inside. "What happened?"

"Wolf, I don't really wish to speak of it if you don't mind. I have had a very long day. I apologize for not being the best conversation tonight, Venus. I am not like this usually."

Venus uncrossed her arms and dismissively waved her hand, shaking her head with a small smile. "No worries, I can see you're tired. I did not mean to pry. I was just trying to make conversation."

Lexa stepped backward, away from the doorway, and awkwardly looked up and down the empty streets. There wasn't much light other than the few braziers that were starting to burn out and the half-moon along with the stars. "Are you attending the fight tomorrow? It's the last one of the year. I hear they're planning something out of the ordinary."

"Hmm, probably. My coin is on Josephine and Gabriel, I shame the poor fools the Emperor matched them against. What about you? Are you putting your coin on them as well?"

Lexa laughed harshly. It wasn't of purpose, she was just laughing at the fact that she knew full well that she and Octavia were the so-called fools that are matched up against Josephine and Gabriel. "I suppose my coin will be on myself. Octavia and I are the fools matched against them. If you have seen me bare my blades then I suggest you put your coin on me as well."

"Brave now are we?" Venus was teasing, Lexa could tell as much and perhaps there was a tone of flirtation as well? She wasn't sure, she was too tired to even begin to try comprehend any sort of social cues. "If you're so confident then, of course, I will place my bets on you, good luck. Perhaps after you will join me for an ale in celebration? That is if you are alive afterward."

"Perhaps. But I hope to spend my night of celebrations with another, thank you for your offer though." Venus was definitely flirting and were Clarke not on Lexa's mind, she would have definitely given thought to spending an evening with Venus.

Octavia came to the door with her armour under her arm and her duel sword sheath under her other arm. Her smile was broad and she simply couldn't wait to get out of this small dwelling. She had been inside for days and the only time she saw light was when it shined in through the few windows.

"Evening Lexa, what's going on? Do I have to leave the capital?"

"No such thing, you can come back to the palace. I had a word with Senator Blake and well, he's keen to get to know you. I have made a deal with him if he was to harm you in any sort of way."

Octavia, turned her head slightly, skeptical of what Lex had said. Adenious had in the meantime joined them at the small doorway again, taking a stance in front of his older sister again. "You mean to say that he has been searching for me for over a week just so he could get to know me and play family?"

"It would seem that way, yes. If he harms you, I have his word that I may kill him without consequence, the Empress as a witness. Perhaps they are harsh terms, but they are terms I am willing to accept if you do too."

"If I can get out of this small space, I'll take any deal. No offense meant Venus, you have a beautiful cozy home."

Venus stifled a chuckle before she jokingly pushed Octavia out the small doorway. "It was refreshing to have you here for the few days, Octavia. I surely hope it's not the last I see of you. Your company wasn't all that bad; not as bad as Lexa made it out to be."

"Very humorous of you, but if we all don't mind, I would like to head back to the palace and sleep."

"Grumpy Lexa has spoken. Thank you again, Venus, for helping me. I appreciate it very much, even though it seems my brother has been searching for me for all the right reasons apparently." Octavia and Venus shared a lingering embrace, not one that Lexa would deem just friendly or thankful exactly. It reminded her of the nights she and Clarke didn't actually want to return to their respective quarters.

"Vale, Venus. I will have someone bring you aureus soon in a last thank you." Lexa thought that it would be better that this would be the last time she sees Venus simply because she was ready to let go of the last person that reminded her of Costia. Costia herself was to be always remembered but not to be dwelled on again.

Once they departed Venus' home after saying farewell to Adenious as well, the streets were quiet again. They walked side by side and every now and then they looked at a brazier just starting to burn out. "What exactly did he say, Lexa? Does he really wish to know me?"

"I don't know what he exactly said, Clarke only told me an excerpt of it. He wants to know you and give you a name, make you known as his relative. I suppose he wants to give you his name if you accept it. But if anything goes wrong or he says anything wrong, promise you will tell me."

"Already playing the big sister role huh? I like it. You know we only differ in a year ... I've been thinking about it many nights and that's the conclusion I came up with. After Bellamy reminded me of the horrible stories in his father's journal, I started to remember some things vaguely."

Lexa hooked her uninjured arm over Octavia's shoulder, pulling her into a half embrace. "If you ever want to talk about it, I will listen. I'm still struggling to comprehend the idea that we actually share blood and that we shared a father. I cannot be the only one that finds it odd."

"You're not, it is pretty mad. Maximus was our father and somehow, we ended up in the same city far away against all odds. I grew up with someone that had been my half-sister all this time as well. You considered me your family since day one and I couldn't be more grateful."

"Remember that when Bellamy asks if you want his name. I believe at heart and according to your birthright, you are a Silvestre. My only living relative and I love you beyond belief." Although Lexa was beyond tired, she wouldn't have had this particular moment any other time. She wanted Octavia to know how much she exactly meant to her.

"I love you too, Lexa."

They had reached where Octavia's quarters used to be but the door now seemed to be locked. "I suppose they have given your room to someone else or perhaps your powerful brother has made sure no one snoops around in it." Lexa joked, earning her a soft punch to her shoulder. "Not funny, quite frankly I'm not even sure if I'm ready to actually call him my brother openly."

"You will probably get used to it. Use my bed tonight, I will be there shortly. I promised Clarke that I would go to see her once I came back from the hunt."

"The hunt?" Octavia's eyes glided over Lexa's arm which has had her curious all night, but she seemingly forgot to ask what had happened. "Right, we'll talk about it another time. Go fulfill your sexual duties." This time Octavia was the one to tease Lexa.

"Stop, and don't ever say that again. I am her guard and nothing more." Lexa quirked her eyebrow at Octavia, a smirk coating her lips to let her know that she indeed was being sarcastic. "We'll talk later or in the morning. Rest so long, we have a long day ahead tomorrow, from what I hear Josephine and Gabriel are not individuals to be underestimated."

"You shouldn't stay up too late either. See you later." They separated from one another, Octavia going into Lexa's quarters and Lexa slowly walking down the corridor toward Clarke's room. It felt as if each statue she passed judgingly stared at her.

Once Lexa reached Clarke's quarters, she didn't bother to knock before she entered, for she barely saw any light shining through underneath Clarke's door. Lexa closed the door as softly as possible behind her, finding that the room was only lit by three candles. Clarke was already sound asleep under her furs.

Watching her every single step, careful not to bump into any furniture, Lexa finally makes it to Clarke's bedside. All of Clarke's braids and jewelry were removed already and it was clear that she was up waiting because she laid in a particularly uncomfortable position.

Lexa sat down on the edge of the bed, slowly leaning over, placing a soft kiss on the Empress' forehead. "Rest well, Clarke." She soothed the back of her hand over Clarke's cheek with the greatest care, careful not to wake her up but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Slowly, Clarke's beautiful eyes fluttered open, a lazy smile crossing her lips. "Benigne ades."

"Just waking up and you're already speaking Latin to me, I'm impressed. I promised you I would come here once I returned." Clarke lazily sat up in her bed and rested her hand on Lexa's thigh. "You're freezing cold, how did the hunt go? Did you find anything?"

"A boar and a pack of wolves. We managed to get the boar back in one piece so surely there will be a feast tomorrow night."

Clarke invitingly lifted her furs, draping it over Lexa's cold skin. "Get in bed with me, just until you're warm again at least. Then you are welcome to run off again."

"Do I have to run off? Because I am not sure if I can even do any walking off right now."

Clarke softly chuckled at Lexa's attempt at a joke, savoring the moment. "Barricade my door and you're welcome to stay the entirety of the night."

Lexa stood up from the bed and made her way to the door. "You plead a convincing case, I will accept your offer seeing I already have someone in my bed." Lexa placed the wooden bar in its hinges, blocking the door from opening from the outside. "Octavia, I mean, she is in my bed. Her room is closed so I offered my bed to her."

"You had me worried for a moment. You must be pleased that she's back." Lexa removed her fur-lined boots on her way to Clarke's bed, along with the slightly blood-stained shirt she wore. When Lincoln cleaned and bandaged her wound earlier, blood accidentally dripped onto her shirt. "What happened to your arm? Were you hurt?"

"Hmm, it would turn out that it was possible to loathe your coming husband more than I loathed him already. He was the cause of a young man's death tonight. I tried to help the boy and a wolf grabbed onto my arm." Clarke lifted the furs, allowing Lexa to get into her bed with ease.

Clarke had a worried expression etched into her delicate features, a clear crease above her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, Lexa." That was all she managed, not knowing what else more to say to Lexa who clearly still looked troubled by what Bellamy did. Clarke pulled the furs up higher, covering both of their bodies. Once Lexa looked down and was met with Clarke's soft eyes, she could feel all her worries dissipate.

Carefully Lexa dipped her head, hooking her finger under Clarke's chin, raising it for her to press a soft kiss to her lips. "Os meum es pace." Lexa had not felt as much peace in a very long time and the serene feeling made itself home in her heart. "You are my peace too..."

After sharing a slow meaningful kiss, Clarke rested her forehead against Lexa's. "You should rest, tomorrow is an important day for you."

Lexa was struggling to keep her eyes open as Clarke's warmth enveloped her. "Are you comfortable?" Clarke draped her arm over Lexa's abdomen and rested her head on Lexa's chest that slowly rose and fell as she breathed out a peaceful breath. "More than I have been in a very long time. "

Chapter Text

Once Clarke awoke from among the most peaceful slumbers she had ever had, she finds her bed cold and empty. In the haze of sleep, she reached over but did not find the woman that whispered sweet nothings into her ear the previous night.

At first, she was disappointed but figured it was for the best. Nevertheless, she was looking forward to waking up to Lexa's beautiful face, but perhaps she will one day and that was enough to drag her out of her short-lived somber state.

The smell of scrumptious food filled her senses and that was more than enough encouragement for Clarke to get out of bed for she was starving. "Since when do you barricade your door? Were you feeling unsafe or are you perhaps taking part in questionable activities?"

Clarke clutched at her chest dramatically, getting a fright from her maiden Raven that comes from the backroom. "Good morning to you too, I do love to start my mornings with your interrogations." The Empress indulged in the sliced fruit first, saving the meat for last. "Don't ask questions you don't want answers to."

"Oh, but I do, why else would I ask? Who is the lucky suiter? Have you finally given in to your husband-to-be?" Clarke snorted at Raven's presumption. She would never give in to Bellamy even if he was to change his mind about her sexually. Raven already knew who was in Clarke's room but she wanted the Empress to admit it.

"No one you should break your head over." Clarke says simply, pouring herself a cup of the hot tea shipped all the way from her homeland. She crossed her one leg over the other as Raven took a seat at the table as well; a smirk on her lips and a challenge in her eye.

Raven plated some food for herself as she would each morning when she and Clarke would speak and pick each other's minds. "You know, you should tell your suiters to exit more quietly and perhaps not in broad daylight." She poured herself a cup of tea as well, taking a sip of it as she stared at Clarke who grinned back at her.

"You know, that look on your face says it all. You have an erotic perversion for the Gladiatrix and you do a terrible job at hiding it. Although, I do not blame you. As you are fond of Lexa, I am fond of Octavia. These fierce women are just extravagant creatures."

Clarke quirked her one eyebrow playfully, setting her cup back on the table. She could hear the busy city bustle since her balcony door was open already. "That is one way of explaining it. Did you see Octavia is back?" Clarke's eyes widened; no wonder the city was so particularly loud today. "Oh gods, the games. Are we late? I don't want to miss it."

Raven watched as Clarke shot up from her seat, making haste toward the back room to take a bath. "No, Clarke. They start in two candle lines, we have more than enough time to get you ready, slow down and let me eat."

Clarke was quiet while she undressed and walked into her bath. She descended the steps slowly, indulging in the water's perfect temperature. Raven followed shortly, a plate in hand as she ate her food ridiculously slowly. "The arena ... it looks different I presume. I saw them carry in a lot of things yesterday and if you have not noticed, it has also stopped snowing. The sun is out, burning as hot as ever. It seems the gods approve of the Emperor's final match-up."

"What do you mean it looks different? It's round and covered in sand, how can it change in a single day?"

Raven shrugged her shoulders, placing her empty plate on a nearby table, still chewing on the last piece of meat. "I don't know, they carried in large stones, marble, and wood. Perhaps they constructed something to fit more spectators, who know, I suppose we'll see later."

Clarke accepted the body oils Raven held out to her; she was deep in thought. She was wondering how they could possibly change the arena on such short notice and if they were constructing more seating, where would they place it if they were not making the actual sandy arena smaller.

Clarke massaged the oils into her own skin as Raven started to braid her hair into intricate braids. Today was a special day and she was to look at her utmost best apparently. She had not attended the previous year's games; therefore, it was important to look dashing this year.

Once she stepped out of her bath, other servants entered and quickly dried the Empress' and applied another assortment of oils to her milky skin. She wasn't too pale but she definitely wasn't as dark-skinned as the rest of the Roman civilians.

The servants dressed Clarke in a dark grey dyed dress and accented it with a golden belt around her waist, accentuating her thin waist and perfect bust. She slipped her golden bands over each of her arms, reaching to the middle of her upper arm.

Raven brought Clarke's thin blue sash which she clipped on her dress on only one of her shoulders with the adorned Griffin pin. It hung to the length of her knee and covered the entirety of her arm. After carefully choosing the rings she would wear on the day, the servants placed the thin golden olive reeve on Clarke's head, identifying her as the Empress.

"Upon Alexandria's departure this morning, she sincerely excused herself seeing that she will not be meeting you and accompanying you to the Colosseum today. However, she did say that she will send you a protective detail and a convoy to be carried in." Raven chuckled as she applied the final touches to Clarke's outfit. "I see she knows how much you hate to dirty your dresses."

Clarke blushed, perhaps it was foolish but it was the little things that mattered to her. She merely only mentioned it once to Lexa that she hated to dirty her dresses while walking the streets of the capital and clearly her guard had been listening.

It was not common for those of opulence or the nobles to walk the streets. They were all carried around on convoys by between six and eight slaves. Convoys were wooden frames with a feather filled mattress and an abundant number of pillows as well as the finest linens. Some were fitted with satin curtains to hide the identity of the opulent.

Clarke however preferred not to be carried in convoys seeing they attracted too much attention but then again, she did not like to get her dresses dirty in the grime of the streets either. So, a comprise was in order.

As promised, a convoy was waiting at the bottom of the palace stairs surrounded by at least twenty Praetorians and eight slaves ready to lift their respective bars. "When she said protective detail, did she mean a whole legionnaire?" Raven jokes, nudging Clarke's shoulder with her own.

"Oh shut up, she just takes my safety seriously clearly. You can see how crazy the streets are today and the gangs will be particularly active today. All the nobles are in the city along with all of their coin." It was the best excuse Clarke could come up with as she felt yet another warm feeling starting to burn inside of her. It was clear how much Lexa in fact cared for her.

Both women got onto the convoy, covering the sides with the linen curtains to hide who the slaves were carrying. But then again, they might as well have left it open seeing the number of Praetorians that marched alongside and around the convoy.

It was obvious who they were carrying; clearly someone of royalty. This was evidently proved once they entered the crowded streets and civilians started to make it hard for them to pass. A few hitches took place and a few plebians were handled by the Praetorian as well without warning.

Both Clarke and Raven shared a chalice of wine each. The sun hung high above them, not showing any settler's shadow indicating that it was midday. Raven was the more adventurous one between the two women and she mercilessly smoked the dried herbs they had received from Corsica through a golden pipe.

She offered the pipe to Clarke once or twice but she refused it each time. She had tried it once and it was a less than enjoyable experience. Raven however could smoke an entire pipe by herself and would feel no effect of it.

Eventually they arrived at the Colosseum and were again closely escorted by the Praetorian up to the royal balcony. The Emperor and his wife were already seated, hand in hand and both sipping on chalices of wine. Clarke was late and she could tell as much because the crowds were patiently waiting for the Gladiators to enter the arena.

"You're here! So we can start." Jake waved his hand at his announcer and Marcus quickly stepped to his platform and started the announcement. "Yes, I'm sorry that I'm late—" Clarke looked out over the arena's grounds and she found where all the marble, stone and wood were used.

Down in the dungeons under the arena, Lexa and Octavia walked side by side. Lexa was clad in her Praetorian armour without her cape and her father's adorned golden helmet under her arm. Octavia wore the armour Lexa had gifted her and it fitted her perfectly now that it had been tailored to fit her body.

They had already completed two hours of training today in preparation for their final fight. They did not go easy on one another but with full force and both women had a cut or two but nothing major. Both were fairly confident about stepping into the arena on this day and achieving a victory. Lexa had tightly wrapped the velvet linen around her arm over the cloth that protected the teeth marks where the wolf sunk his teeth in the previous night.

Her arm ached at first when she woke up in Clarke's bed and found the Empress wrapped snugly around her. Lexa could tell she was still asleep and decided that she would leave her to rest a little longer. With a last soft kiss to Clarke's lips, Lexa scooted out of the bed careful not to wake the Empress.

"You! Gladiatrix, follow me! You will not be exiting through the same door." Octavia looked to the large man confused and then back at Lexa. "What do you mean? We're on the same side today, how can we not exit through the same door?"

The guard harshly gripped her shoulder, shoving her in front of him in the opposite direction of where the women were heading. He pulled Octavia toward a different side of the dungeons, where another exit supposedly was. "Emperor's order! Today isn't a normal day. No need to worry, your opponents are starting separately as well."

"Go, follow him, it's fine." Lexa assures. She could feel something out of the ordinary was going on. She felt uneasy but she remembered the rumors that a different match was to take place today. All she really hoped was that the Emperor wasn't forcing them all against one another; every one for themselves.

Lexa followed the large man that appeared in front of her toward the gate she would exit out of. He didn't talk much and almost came across completely mute. Normally the men down in the dungeons always interacted and started a conversation with the gladiators.

"Hand me your swords and every other hidden blades you have. I will have them returned to you after the match if you survive."

"What do you mean guard? I need them to compete, or are we doing hand to hand on this day? Is that what the special event is?"

The guard shook his head, an evil smile on his lips as he held out his hands. "No, Gladiatrix. You are to find your own weapon ... I suppose if you do not find one, you will die empty-handed." Lexa looked at the man overly confused, she did not understand a single moment nor could she imagine what in the world this man was saying.

"And this is under the Emperor's order? And not my opponents? Because if they are paying you to take my weapons, I will double whatever they are paying you, my fine sir."

"Emperor's order, Gladiatrix. I swear it on the stones of Jupiter and Juno. Josephine and Gabriel will be stripped of their weapons as well."

"Very well." She could tell the man was genuine. After handing him her weapons belt and four hidden blades, she slipped her father's helmet over her head. It felt like her very first time entering the Colosseum except without weapons this time.

As she made her way up the stairs, Lexa could see that the light of the sun was being subdued by some sort of blockage. When she reached the top of the staircase, a sort of wall was set up ten feet from the exit.

"Guard, what is this?" Lexa asks pointing at the obstructions that were never there before.

"Good luck, Gladiatrix. My coin is bet on you and your friend." He pulled the chains that raised the gate and motioned with his head for her to exit which she does slightly weary. The crowds and mobs around her cheered. She was surrounded by walls that were of stone, wood and marble.

"People of the Roman Empire!" The announcers' voice echoed through the entire arena; the crowds seemingly quiet as they listen. "Today the Emperor brings you a new event. The Labyrinth!"

"What in Hades..." Lexa mutters to herself. She was in a maze with three other people, two of them being her enemies. Josephine and Gabriel. She could only hope that they were also stripped of their weapons as the guard mentioned.

The arena was humongous, the gods alone knew how many halls this maze had. How was she to find a person, let alone a weapon? Who was to say what else was in the maze? Because letting free four people in such halls would take too long.

"The Gladiators are tasked to find their own weapons, ranging from swords, daggers, spears to bows spread across the halls! But careful Gladiators, you may encounter surprises you do not wish to find." The announcers' voice was loud and the crowds cheered with glee mixed with savagery.

Lexa looked down the hall to her right and left deciding which way she would go. "What have I gotten myself into..." She spared a glance toward where the royal balcony was and just barely caught a glance of Clarke arguing with her father.

"The victor or two victors of this match is to get their own statues in the middle of the city for all to see! And a celebration lasting sixty days in the name of the victor." Marcus raised his hands in the air, seeking the louder cheers of the mobs. "With no further ado, let the games begin!"

Out of intuition Lexa figured that she would do her best to reach the center of the maze; it would be the most likely almost guaranteed where she would find a weapon, no matter how small. She would be grateful for just a dagger.

After many left and right turns and stopping to catch her breath, she reaches a dead-end once again. Sweat had already started to form on her brow and she could clearly hear the rustling of chains and incoherent yells that sounded of struggle.

It was hard for her to identify what exactly she was hearing since the crowds were yelling all kinds of different things. Some yelled out directions but the gods alone knew which Gladiator they were trying to guide exactly.

This is sadistic she thought. Lexa had fallen in a state of confusion, her hands on her hips and turning around looking at all possible directions she could go into. Her heart was thumping in her chest already and she had not even encountered either Josephine or Gabriel.

Choosing to go right once again she saw a pedestal close to the middle of the arena where two men stood with several pots at their feet. Up on the balcony, the Emperor gestured to the men on the pedestal who were only waiting for his direction.

Lexa stood still for a moment, watching the men. Both of them picked up a pot and poured it over the side of the pedestal. "Release them!" The announcer Marcus exclaimed and again Lexa heard the sudden ripple of chains much closer than before. The men poured the next pots out over the pedestal as well; blood.

A headache formed in Lexa's head as she continued to run through the halls, the sun was shining hot on the helmet and it certainly wasn't helping the case. After another three corners, she reached a long hall with a quiver full of arrows and a bow hanging from a hook not so far away.

Quickly falling into a sprint again, Lexa ran toward it with all her might. She passed two more hallways and on the third was when she crashed through a wooden wall with something on top of her. For a moment her side ached, the burst of pain coming from the shoulder that connected with a part of her body that her armour did not fully reach. Colliding with the sand harshly Lexa quickly rolled over and slammed her elbow down three times.

Her elbow only collided with hot steel and it was making no difference. The person lifted their body and Lexa was met with an angry face and disheveled blonde hair. Josephine yanked Lexa's helmet from her head and landed a hard fist to her jaw.

Lexa moved her arm between their two bodies and lifted Josephine from her and landed her own fist, moving Josephine just slightly off her, long enough for Lexa to roll on top of her. She quickly reached for her helmet not so far from them and rammed that into Josephine's head as well, breaking her nose.

"Fuck!" Josephine yelled as Lexa scrambled off of her, running through the large hole in the wall they had just created when they crashed through it. There was no way Lexa was going to leave the quiver and bow behind. Just as her fingers wrapped around the bow, a loud roar echoed through the arena, making Lexa stop her movement.

That was not human and nor had she ever heard such a hoarse sound before, it was beyond terrifying.

Up on the balcony again, Clarke had gotten the answer she sought. It was a maze and each of the Gladiators started on four different sides of the labyrinth. In the very center of the maze was now a circular pool of blood and the predators were drawing closer.

All three of the gladiators Clarke could see stopped on each side of the labyrinth they were the moment the feline roared before valiantly shaking its mane. Two lions from Africa now traversed the maze as well, strongly making their way toward the center where the scent of blood came from.

"Interesting touch don't you think?" Jake asks from beside Clarke. "They arrived a few days ago with their owner and he insisted that they be part of the event today. Either these gladiators kill each other or the lions kill them. These beasts haven't been fed for four days so I imagine they are quite hungry."

Clarke was speechless as she watched Lexa run down the halls, closely followed by Josephine. Lexa was frantically calling out Octavia's name and on occasion, Octavia called back as they were getting closer to one another. Gabriel on the other hand was nowhere to be seen from where Clarke stood; perhaps he was still at the very edge of the maze, not visible from the balcony.

The senate members in the very front rows of the gallery eagerly spoke under one another, making bets on each Gladiator whether they will be killed by the animals or if the Gladiators were going to kill the animals.

Higher up in the Colosseum, Johnathan Murphen had not been too eager to make his bets on this day. The wild animals were a thorn in his side since they were so unpredictable and not even he had the faith in Lexa and Octavia that he normally had. He only hoped on the gods that they would make it out today.

"Stop running away from me!" Josephine yelled from behind Lexa. Her face was covered in blood and it had started to drip onto the breastplate of her armour and reached all way down to her tassets. She had not yet found a weapon but she was perfectly fine with beating Lexa with her bare fists.

Josephine was determined to get her statue erected and to be remembered until the end of time. Her name was going to be in the scholars' ledgers for all to see and the settlers of the Roman Empire will chant her name when she walked through the streets. Fame and riches, that was all she wanted.

Lexa ignored Josephine's demands and continued in the direction she thought she heard Octavia's voice come from but to her distaste, she reached the very center of the maze; finding the pool of blood. "Faex..." Lexa muttered, hearing Josephine's hard steps still colliding with the hard soil.

"I'm in the center O! Go toward the pedestal!" Lexa swung around, pulling an arrow from the quiver and aligning it in the bow. Pulling the arrow back as far as possible, she frees it, shooting it directly at Josephine.

However, adrenaline was coursing through Josephine and she easily ducked under the tip of the arrow and the other three as well which Lexa rapidly shot in her direction. It was clear Lexa wasn't the best with a bow and that was the only thing that allowed Josephine to avoid an arrow to the chest.

As Josephine got closer, Lexa dropped the bow in her hand, holding onto the bottom of it. She treated the wooden limb as a sword's hilt and swung it at Josephine's face, leaving a deep gash over her cheek.

Another roar echoed through the arena and the sound was almost deafening. It was no longer in the distance but too close for comfort. Lexa turned around and was met with the yellow eyes of a feline she had never seen before, its mane black with tints of brown.

For a moment, Josephine forgot that Lexa was the woman she was determined to kill for they both were now faced by an animal that would not hesitate to kill either of them. "What in the gods is that?" The feline roared again and both Josephine and Lexa took a slow step backward, side by side.

"A lion I believe. Native to Africa, what the fuck is it doing in Rome?" Josephine answers lowly, following another slow step Lexa took backward. "It's attracted to the blood we just stood in." Josephine averted her eyes just slightly, spotting another two figures emerging from a different hall. It was Gabriel closely followed by Octavia, both of them freezing in place once they laid eyes on the lion as well.

"Stay still—" Lexa is interrupted by Josephine shoving her forward toward the lion. The sudden force on Lexa's back makes her almost lose her footing, making her stumble close to the lion's grasps.

The lion lunged at her, swiping its paw directly toward her head. Its entire paw does not connect with her face but its sharp nails just barely drag over her eyebrow until the middle of her cheek. A shriek of pain leaves her lips and immediately her hand flies up, covering the cuts in her skin.

The next swipe of its paw dragged over her left arm, ripping through the flesh. The lion was mercilessly coming toward her, for now only toying with its prey. She had no blade and the bow laid fair away making the arrows useless as well.

In a final lunge the lion was on top of her, making her land on the hard soil once again, its one claw scraping over her metal armour making an eerie screeching noise. In a last desperate attempt, Lexa raised her arm over her face. The lion crunched its teeth into the metal bracer but it was no match for the force his jaw elicited.

A scream so loud came from Lexa's mouth that it left her throat raw. She could feel the bracer tighten around her arm, painfully so as the metal cracked and eventually broke, cutting through the linen and into her flesh.

The lion roared again, but this time it was a roar of pain. Josephine drove a spear through the feline's shoulder blade and pushed it through farther with the utmost of her strength, laying all the weight of her body on its shaft.

Blood spewed from its pelt but for the moment it only angered the animal more. With more effort Josephine retracted the spear from the lions' body and plunged it in for a second time, this time delivering a deathblow.

The animal's heavy limp body fell on top of Lexa, were it not for her body armour she would've felt crushed under it. Josephine rolled the gigantic lion off of her opponent and offered Lexa a hand. "If anything is going to kill you, I insist it will be me."

Lexa took Josephine's hand but held her other arm close to her body as she got to her feet. Blood trailed from her eyebrow, over her cheek down to her neck. The red liquid blurred Lexa's vision and she only desperately tried to blink it away.

"Yet you still shoved me in its direction, cunne." Josephine shrugged her shoulders, then wiped her own hand over her face, removing the fresh blood. "I needed a distraction to get a weapon to kill it. Can you blame me?"

"I can actually." Lexa looked down at her arm, her bracer was ruined and definitely irreparable. Blood coated her arms now, it flowed from the gashes, showing no sign of stopping soon. "What do you say we settle this fairly this time? No animals involved."

Once Octavia and Gabriel ran into one another, they too made a pact that they would kill the beast before they would engage in any sort of combat.

The mobs once screams of approval while the lion was on top Lexa had now turned into chants of distaste that the women were talking instead of being at each other's throats. Gabriel and Octavia approached them as well; clearly, they had been luckier on the front of finding weapons. Both carried two swords in each of their hands.

"That's going to make for an interesting scar." Octavia says, pointing at Lexa's face. "Save the small talk, hand her a sword fool. Let's kill each other and get it over with, I need a chalice of wine." Josephine orders before grabbing a sword from Gabriel's hand, walking away from the small group.

"May the gods be with you. I salute both of you." Gabriel says with a slight bow of his head toward both Lexa and Octavia before he follows in Josephine's direction, stopping twenty feet away. Josephine eagerly twirled the blade in her hand, waiting for the battlefield to be fair once again.

Octavia handed Lexa one of her swords. She was at a tremendous disadvantage. Her right arm was crunched inside of the bracer and her left bicep had a deep claw through it along with her forearm that was in a wolf's jaw the previous night. "Animals don't like me it seems."

Lexa opted to take the sword in her left hand, it being the least painful option. "It would seem they do not no," Octavia notes as she twirls her sword in her hand, matching Josephine's gesture. "Can you fight, Lexa?"

"Do I have a choice?" The sword was heavy in her left hand and her arm ached beyond belief. She held her other arm close to her body as she slowly walked forward, ready to face off Josephine. Octavia did the same, just sizing up Gabriel that was still a happy spirit. His smile was not of malice but of true honor.

Josephine was the first to swing her sword down on Lexa but it was blocked easily and so were the three slices that followed. Lexa notes that Josephine was clumsy with her attacks and she was driven by her emotion and not her wits.

Her attacks also didn't differ from each other, she had a clear pattern. Josephine thrusted her sword straight forward, intending for her blade to reach Lexa's neck but she dodges its sharp edge as she uses the hilt of her sword to redirect the force behind the blow.

Catching Josephine off guard, Lexa drives her injured arms shoulder directly into Josephine's jaw, sending her stumbling and disorientated. The crowds cheered violently again, excited that the women were fighting once more.

Lexa rose her sword into the air, gaining the favor of the crowds. They soon started to cheer her name in particular. She opted to play a mental game with Josephine, knowing that she was only seeking the undivided attention of the crowds. Lexa knew upon Josephine hearing that the crowds favored Lexa instead of her, would set Josephine over the edge.

With her chest violently heaving inside of her armour, Josephine angrily lunged forward and swiped her sword down mercilessly on Lexa once again with great force. Her teeth were borne and she gained ground at a tremendous pace.

Lexa allowed such, knowing with each step Josephine took in haste and each swipe of her sword, that she would soon lose her momentum and with that the will to block Lexa's coming attack.

As soon as her momentum started to slow, Lexa saw her opportunity to gain an even larger rise out of her opponent. Another jab came and Lexa blocked off the attack, strategically turning and stepping past Josephine. As she passed, making a full turn, Lexa thrusted her elbow into the back of Josephine's head, making her dominance known.

Josephine turned ruthlessly, a fire burning hot inside of her. Thinking Lexa was still close, she swung her blade again but Lexa was already walking away, her body slightly turned as she smiled. At this point, she was mocking Josephine conspicuously.

Lexa raised her sword into the air again, gaining even more favor from the crowds. Up in the Colosseum John and his counterparts couldn't place their best fast enough and the Senators themselves had started to throw their aureus around. On the royal balcony, Clarke was so indulged in the event that she was cheering her lungs out.

Jake and Abigail sat on their thrones, looking at each other with curious eyes. They knew full well that the games started with Clarke not even wanting to attend but now she clearly couldn't get enough of it. Jake returned his attention to his daughter that clapped her hands and continued to cheer, yelling her guard's name out loud.

The Emperor didn't bother to stop his daughter from acting the way the crowds did because he was just happy that she had finally started to accept the festives even though it was the final match of the season.

In the arena Octavia and Gabriel were playing games with one another, testing each other's capabilities. Neither was keen to get the fight over fast and occasionally they paid more attention to the other two women that fought not so far away from them.

"I don't want to kill you, Octavia! It would be a waste to lose a pretty face like yours." Gabriel matched the pace Octavia came at him easily, almost effortlessly. He got close to her, knocking her sword from her hand and maneuvering himself around her, wrapping his arm around her neck.

"I will not kill you otherwise the Senator will have my head. Pick up your sword, pretend to fight me, give it your all to make it look believable." Gabriel unhooked his arm from around Octavia's neck and aggressively shoved her away, creating the illusion to the crowds that he was being honorable to allow her another chance.

He spared a glance toward Josephine and Lexa who still went full force at one another. No deal was struck to spare Alexandria; only to spare Octavia.

Josephine enjoyed to use high rising attacks, swinging down toward Lexa's head. Lexa wondered on the gods who had trained her because such a tactic was only beneficial when one's opponent was staggered or disorientated.

At once Lexa crouched, blocking Josephine's blade with her own, and used her injured arm to swipe Josephine's feet out from under her. Josephine's back landed hard, sending up dust around them, and the braids in her hair starting to come loose even more.

In pain Lexa clutched her arm close to her body again as she circled Josephine that laid on the gravel. She breathed heavy breaths, trying to get air into her lungs for it had been knocked out of her upon collision.

Lexa allowed Josephine to get on her feet again since there was no honor in killing a gladiator that laid flat on their back after being merely outsmarted. It was sick perhaps, but Lexa wanted to taunt Josephine a bit longer; the only reason for it being that Josephine had caused her unrest and frequently flaunted her supposed skill.

Skill that was no match for Lexa even when she was gravely injured.

Once Josephine moved toward her again, Lexa moved the sword to her other hand that could barely hold the hilt at its tightest but she had one last humiliation to show before ending the fight. The sword was held upside down as Lexa started off in her own wave of attacks, making up ground for herself.

After Lexa's third thrust, as hoped, Josephine went on the attack again as she started to feel uneasy on the defending side. As Josephine's sword came down, Lexa was already so close that she grabbed Josephine's wrist and propped her shoulder under Josephine's armpit.

Lexa pushed down on the arm that was flexed over her shoulder. Josephine didn't expect the sudden movement as Lexa pressed her own shoulder up simultaneously, twisting her arm in a direction it should never go.

A bilious crack echoed through the arena as Josephine's shoulder broke out of its socket and she dropped her sword unwillingly. Pushing her shoulder up once again to create momentum, Lexa flung Josephine's entire body over, momentarily making her glide through the air before she landed with a hard thump again.

Slowly Lexa walked to where Josephine laid, her own chest heaving inside of her armour. She felt fatigued but had finished proving her point that Josephine could never best her, even when she was injured.

Lexa raised the tip of her sword to Josephine's neck as she placed her foot on the helpless woman's chest. Josephine's sword was far away from her and her other arm only laid awkwardly next to her. "I will not kill you today. I owe you as much for saving my life earlier. Do you accept my show of mercy on you, Josephine?"

"Alexandria!" Gabriel yelled from not so far away, seeing the woman he loved under the blade of the Gladiatrix. To him, it looked like Lexa was a short moment away from plunging her blade into Josephine's throat. "I surrender, spare her. Kill me instead."

"Very noble of you, Gabriel!" Josephine yelled to her side sarcastically before she returned her attention back to Lexa. "Yes, yes I accept your show of mercy and I am grateful."

Lexa bowed her head and removed her foot from Josephine's chest before turning herself toward the royal balcony, taking a few steps forward. Jake was already at its very edge, raising his right hand into the air to silence the violent mobs that voiced their displeasure.

"They surrender, Emperor!" Lexa yelled across the battlefield, loud enough for everyone to hear. "What is your decree?!"

Jake slightly raised his chin, a smile on his lips as he raised his thumb in the air, agreeing with the choice of mercy, surrender, and lastly, life.

At the sight, Lexa closed her eyes and breathed out a heavy breath, dropping her sword at her side. Gabriel had moved to Josephine's side in the meantime, slowly and softly soothing his knuckles over her cheek as he assessed the damages to her beautiful features.

Octavia had taken up stance next to Lexa, taking her left wrist into her grasp and raising it above their heads in victory. Lexa squealed a low cry of pain but Octavia only mocked her. "Stop being a baby, we just conquered the Colosseum!"

A smile crept onto Lexa's lips as she dipped her head, allowing the victory to seep into her bones. Her father would've been proud as she stood here in glory and honor. She was slathered in her own blood and a lion's as well even though she did not kill it.

Both Clarke and Emperor Jake made their way down into the Colosseum closely followed by the Praetorian that held the symbolic prizes the two women were to receive now publicly. Clarke's arm was hooked in her father's, both of them with smiles of valiance plastered on their features.

Once they exited into the arena the musical horns sounded and the crowds cheered again as they laid eyes on their rulers. The Empress and Emperor waived their hands in the air, acknowledging the praise they were receiving.

The Gryphem banners dropped from the Colosseum walls, signaling that it was the end of this annual festives. Baskets of flower petals were circulating among the crowds and soon it was raining red and white rose petals all throughout.

It was a magical scene to witness indeed.

As the Emperor and Clarke finally reached the two bloodied women, Jake gestured for the two Praetorian to step forward with the delicately carved wooden boxes they held.

"My people of Rome!" Jake exclaims as he takes the wooden sword from one of the boxes. "For any gladiator that steps onto the battlefield and emerges victorious, there is no greater honor than the ridus." He intently inspected the object he held. Beautifully carved into the entire blade of it was the word "Liberatio" referring to the freeing of a Gladiator once they come out victorious.

"This wooden sword is only awarded to the Gladiators whose ability transcends the battleground. Whose victories defy description and those who have proven themselves superior to all others. Their victories are witnessed by the eyes of the people, their Emperor, and the gods!"

The Colosseum was quiet and only the Emperors' strong voice could be heard all throughout.

"These two women are such Gladiators. Undefeated on the battleground. Both feared and revered by their opponents. They have done more than enough to earn these swords." Jake gestured for Clarke to retrieve the other sword from the wooden case.

Lexa and Octavia both stepped forward. Octavia kneeled in front of the Emperor and Lexa kneeled in front of Clarke. She was ashamed yet honored to be like this in front of the woman she had grown so fond of. Ashamed because of the state she was in, caked in blood but honored because she would not kneel in front of another.

"Although neither of them entered these walls as slaves but upon their own accord, they emerged victoriously. These two spectacular women came here to entertain you and only you, my people!"

Jake was sure to make this a spectacle for his people, knowing they would honor him later as well.

With much pain, Lexa reached forward to receive the sword offered to her. Clarke looked back at her with a proud smile but yet still a worried look in her eyes about the state Lexa was in. Her beautiful features ruined by the claw of an African Lion.

Yet, they were not ruined in fact, Clarke was sure the coming scar would only make her more beautiful and fiercer to the eye once she was clean.

One of the close friends Lexa had made within the Praetorian named Quintus and the adonis Gabriel, came from behind and lifted her upon their shoulders, celebrating her victory and honor.

Lincoln also removed his helmet and raised Octavia onto his shoulders as she thrusted her sword into the air. The crowds went mad as the Praetorian and one honorable past victor of the Colosseum carried the new victorious Gladiatrices on their shoulders.

This day marked the greatest celebration to date of the Colosseum games. The arena's sixtieth celebration and soon both women's statues were to be built and sixty days of celebration was to take place.

//

Defeated screams came from inside Lexa's quarters, clearly heard even through the heavy closed wooden door. Clarke only stood outside next to Octavia, either woman opting not to enter into any sort of conversation.

Inside Lexa's quarters, she sat on one of her dining chairs and was surrounded by four healers including Valentina as well as the blacksmith Ilian that had crafted her armour and blades. Two healers were hard at work sewing closed the gashes the lion's claw left on Lexa's left arm.

The third healer handed wet cloths to the two healers that sewed and to Valentina whenever they requested a new cloth. Valentina was cleaning the claw marks over Lexa's eye which was the least painful of all her wounds.

Both her arms were strapped to either of the armrests, retraining her from moving and jerking her arms whenever pain shot through them. Ilian had brought some of his tools but he was unsure how he would proceed to remove the crushed bracer around Lexa's arm.

In the last choice after trying to pry the pieces of bracer loose with tongs, he resulted to his very last option: A hammer and a chisel to break the remaining pieces, splitting it down the middle. "Why on the gods did I choose to wear this bracer today!" Lexa choked through gritted teeth.

Valentina snorted a laugh at Lexa's rhetorical question. "From what I can see and tell so far, it's the only reason that beastly animal didn't crush right through your arm. Were it your other bracer that wasn't complete metal you would no longer have a forearm."

Ilian placed his chisel where intended and struck his hammers head on it for the very first time earning a shrieking scream. Three more hits followed and only a small piece of the metal broke farther apart. "The real question is, why am I such a good craftsman?"

"That's not humorous Ilian." Lexa says again through gritted teeth, her eyes burning into him. The other two healers sewing Lexa's arm snickered to themselves as they only then finished the very first line. Three more remained and the center two were the deepest.

From the outside, both Clarke and Octavia heard another collection of defeated screams and yelps. Each scream followed a tang of metal connecting with metal. "Can they not hear they're hurting her or are they too thick?"

"I'm sure they're doing their best not to hurt her, Empress. You must understand that her injuries are among the worst she had ever experienced. She is used to the cold slice of a blade but not claws the size of that beast and especially not its jaw that crunched down on her arm like a scrumptious piece of meat."

Clarke shook her head, making her way to the door. "I will no longer hear this while I stand out here helpless."

Once the door opened, all the healers and Ilian looked up to see who had come through the door. "Empress, it would be better if you stay outside while we work here. This is no place for someone of your status." Valentina says, shooting Clarke a pleading look, almost begging her to leave.

"Shut your mouth!"

Clarke stood in front of Lexa, looking down at the women whose skin was coated in sweat. She refused to lift her head and expose her face for she did not want Clarke to see her this way. Her face was red and the claw marks across her eye burned hot, the skin being irritated beyond belief.

"I do not want you to see me this way, Empress, please." Lexa herself pleaded with Clarke. Scars were her biggest insecurity and now she would harbor one across her arm and unfortunately, across her delicate features as well. "Please, Clarke."

Understanding without Lexa saying aloud why she would not look Clarke in the eye, the Empress walks around her guard. As soft as ever she places both of her hands on the top of Lexa's shoulder, softly squeezing both of them, letting Lexa know that she was there for her.

With a nod in Ilian's direction from Clarke, he continued his work on the bracer. Lexa closed her eyes tightly and heavily bit on her lips, trying to contain the screams that threatened to escape her. "It's okay...I'm here." Clarke whispered close to Lexa's ear while she soothed her thumbs over Lexa's exposed skin. "You're okay..."

Unable to contain her whimpers any longer, a wail bursts from Lexa's mouth as she slumped in the chair. Tears mercilessly flowed from her eyes and stained her cheeks. She dropped her head back against the backrest of the chair, desperately looking for Clarke's eyes.

Clarke looked down at the woman she had never seen so broken; not once. "Please, stop," Lexa says choking on her tears, making her body jerk with sobs. "I can't take any more, please." Lexa's eyes shined brightly with fresh tears and her lips quivered. The three lines over her eye inflamed.

Ilian shook his head in Clarke's direction. He was very close to done and if he were to continue later, the pain would be even worse. "I'm almost done, I swear it. Maybe five more shots and I'll be able to take it off."

"Clarke, please, tell him to stop." Lexa slammed her foot onto the marble floor, struggling under the constraints that tied her to the chair. "It's going to be okay; I promise. He's almost done, just hold on for a little longer." Clarke nodded at Ilian again and he placed his chisel on the last piece of metal.

More hysteria followed and Lexa's screams traveled the halls of the palace, often frightening to the servants that passed by her quarters. She screamed until her throat was raw and tears blurred her vision but eventually unconsciousness followed.

When she eventually does awaken, she was no longer strapped to the chair but laid comfy on her bed, surrounded by furs. Blinking a few times and readjusting her arm slightly makes regret follow immediately.

Lexa could hear the festivities coming from the great hall, loud laughter and joyous music being performed filled the atmosphere. She hesitantly reached for her face, feeling for the claw mark she prayed wasn't there but evidently, the pain confirmed that it was as real as day.

"Don't pull your face that way, it will wrinkle." Clarke joked from across the room, setting down one of the many scrolls Lexa had on shelves. "I hope you don't mind that I had your clothing changed. It seemed like a damn shame if these beautiful furs were tainted with blood."

"Not at all, thank you for the consideration. How long have I been out?" Lexa used her least injured arm to push up from the best to get into a sitting position. Clarke shrugged making her way toward the bed. "Quite a few hours I suppose. You lost consciousness when Ilian peeled the bracer off of your arm. I'm not sure if it was all the blood or the pain that made you leave us for a moment."

"Pain, definitely the pain. I'm happy to see I still have both my arms but I must admit I am freaking out at the moment because I can only feel this arm." Lexa looked at both of her arms, her left sewn up and wrapped in a cloth to protect from infection; her right was numb and blood had already started to seep through the white cloth.

"That's normal, Valentina used some plants oil on it to numb the pain. It's in the backroom whenever you feel the need to use it again. Lucky for you the lion's jaw didn't snap your bone like a twig." Clarke sat down on the edge of the bed, setting her hands in her lap. "Congratulations on your victory. You earned it."

"Thank you ... Clarke. I suppose we should go to the celebration."

Clarke placed her hand on Lexa's thigh, stopping her instantly as she was about to get off of the bed. "Can you slow down for a moment ... and just let me look at you." Clarke moved in front of Lexa, standing in between her legs as she placed her palms on either of Lexa's cheeks, careful not to touch the cuts. "I would really have you not look at me rather... I must be hideous now."

"On the contrary, you're even more beautiful now." Clarke leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her guard's lips, savoring the feeling. Lexa followed Clarke's lead, her hand moving out of its own volition finding the curve of Clarke's back. "I was so scared today; I thought I would lose you to that beast."

Lexa slowly shook her head no, moving her hand to Clarke's cheek. She could feel the string holding her wound closed pull taut and a sharp pain followed through all four lines but she didn't bother to pull back and avoid the pain. "I don't die that easily I'm afraid. You will be stuck with me for as long as you would have me." Their lips found each other's again, engaging in another slow kiss that said more than simple words ever could.

"In that case you better not die; not ever."

Eventually Lexa stood up from the bed, her tall frame towering over Clarke. "Will you allow me to escort you to the celebrations, my Empress." A beaming smile crossed both women's lips as they shared nothing but adoration for one another. "Only if you promise to look at me this way for all the coming days."

"You have my word."

Clarke opened the door for Lexa, allowing her to exit into the hall first. The celebrations became more evident then, the sound intensified. They passed a few servants with empty trays and jugs of ale heading back to the palace kitchen to get more food and drink for the Emperor's guests.

Every person they passed honorably bowed and congratulated Lexa on her victory and some even asked that she would extend congratulations to Octavia as well. Even though they didn't earn their victory in the Gladiator way of fighting to the death, each civilian still respected both women immensely.

"Your popularity took wind fast through the capital and pretty much all of the surrounding provinces. I would not even be surprised if they knew your name all the way in Narbonne or Gades already."

Lexa shook her head again; she did not care for fame in the slightest. All she wanted to do since the day she entered the gates into the capital was to make her father proud. She wished to bring honor to her family name and she knew very well that she will return to the arena the following year in hopes to secure another victory.

"I do not want popularity, Clarke. I feel the worst part of this is that they will erect a statue of me in the city for all to see. Will you make sure they do not add this hideous mark on my face? If I'm going to be remembered let me at least be remembered in an almost flawless manner."

"I will do no such thing. This lion has marked you and I actually find it quite attractive, to say the least. Although it scared me to my very core, I would not change a thing if I had the ability. You are perfect no matter what, Lexa." Clarke carelessly took Lexa's hand in her own, giving it a light squeeze before letting go of it again.

They entered through the already open doors to the great hall and at first, no one noticed their entry. Lexa found herself grateful but the gratitude was short-lived as a drunk senator yelled out that the second victor had cared to join them.

Most if not all attendees raised their cups of ale or chalices of wine in the air with glee, making a round of cheering wash over the room. Josephine and Gabriel were the first to approach them. Josephine's arm was in a sling and she had clearly had a few ales already. Gabriel on the other hand carried his signature smile again, and still remained bare-chested, clad the same as he was in the arena.

"A congratulation is in order I believe. I gravely underestimated you, Alexandria. You prevail your father's name, you should definitely be proud. I feel I should perhaps apologize for throwing you to the lion, it was not honorable." Josephine extended her arm to Lexa, in hopes of forgiveness but soon realized that it was foolish. "Right, we are in a peculiar situation; both of ours arms being completely fucked. Admittedly I deserved it, it's what I get for being too cocky."

"The congratulations is appreciated and your apology is accepted. Perhaps we can grip arms in the future once we're both healed. The beast did quite a number on me as you can see." Josephine grimaced as Lexa showed off her shoulder and arm. "I should've broken both of your arms for this." Lexa jokes, earning a smile from both Gabriel and Josephine. "You were a worthy opponent, do not sell yourself short. I look forward to competing against you again."

Gabriel waved his hand dismissively, interrupting what Josephine was about to reply. "Josephine and I have actually decided to sheath our swords. We will not be in the arena again. We'll probably go back to Greece and find somewhere more permanent to stay."

"That is a shame. I—"

"Would you excuse us? My father is waiting." Clarke interjects as she notices her father raise his hand in their direction, gesturing for both her and Lexa to join him. "Yes, of course. Always a pleasure to see you, Empress."

"Enjoy the celebrations." Clarke was the first to walk away from the interaction, not wanting to leave her father waiting for too long. She had already been away for far too long. Lexa flashed a tight-lipped smile in the two Gladiators direction before walking away as well.

"She certainly changed her tone about you. It's almost tedious."

"Josephine just needed a humbling, your highness." Lexa walked in front of Clarke now, clearing the way of drunkards as best she could but most were already so buzzed that they saw nothing wrong about being in the way.

Out of the ordinary, Emperor Jake stood up from his throne-like chair to greet Lexa and show her to a seat close to his. He had clearly had a few too wines already but that's when the Emperor became the best version of himself; careless for once. He was a kind man when he was away from his throne but being Emperor forced him to be unkind in the eyes of the people.

"Salve, Alexandria, I was hoping you would come to join us in celebration of your victory! Octavia here has been telling us the most enjoyable tales about you and her when you both were just mere girls."

Clarke took her normal seat next to her mother and across from Lexa. Lexa noticed Abigail lean over and whisper something in Clarke's ear but she only shook her head in dismissal, a grin on her lips. The Empress' eyes never once left Lexa even when she was intently conversating with Jake and Octavia.

General Blake soon joined them at the table, sitting next to his betrothed that barely acknowledged him. On this night he was not Senator but General seeing he wore his full Legionnaire armour along with the red General sash.

His face was still bruised and an angry cut was situated on his lip. Lexa was sure she was going to be reprimanded at some point for assaulting her General because of personal beliefs but such never happened. Bellamy simply congratulated Alexandria and their sister on their victory and then sent an ominous nod in Emperor Jake's direction.

"Right," Jake placed his chalice of wine on the table and readjusted himself in his throne. "As much as we are here for the celebration tonight, a meeting is scheduled with the Senate in two days. The first Legionnaires and their respective Generals have already set out to specific provinces. As discussed in the last meeting, I myself was to go to the corner of my Empire that needed me most. However, I have received word from Egypt that my representative there has been assassinated, therefore it will be there where I will go. I'm taking ten Legionnaires each consisting of four thousand men."

Lexa sat back in her chair, her body ached and she regretted the bravery she once had to actually come to this gathering. The smell of all the food and ale nauseated her and Clarke's eyes burning into her made focusing on the Emperor all the more harder.

She noted it peculiar that Emperor Jake would take forty thousand men to Egypt just on the account of a representative being assassinated. Something else must have been going on in Egypt that he was not willing to share. Not yet at least.

"Further details will be discussed in the meeting. General Blake has requested that you be present at the meeting, Alexandria. It will be at midday in the senate-house, don't be late or we will start without you."

"I will be there, Emperor. It will be an honor to attend." She was fully aware that the full Senate consisted of six hundred men from the finest households in all of Rome. Some were more respected than others and each chair passed through generation after generation of men.

Finn lurked in the shadows around the tables, conversating with a few other senators but his eyes were on Clarke the entire time. He missed her intensely and she didn't even bat an eye in his direction on this night. She was so focused on her guard ... wait her guard?

He tried to get closer to the table, searching for an excuse to get a better look, trying to gauge if his eyes were deceiving him. To his disdain, they weren't and Clarke only had eyes for Alexandria not for the man he advised daily. Of course, how could he have been such a fool he thought. He was never losing Clarke to Senator Blake; he has been losing her to Alexandria, the Praetorian and Gladiatrix that emerged victorious today.

Gods, he watched the fight, and even as a man he could admit that he could never compare to her. Once the African lion towered over her she only screamed when it sunk its teeth into her arm; not once did she scream another time and there was no fear to be seen.

And then even injured beyond belief, she still fought a perfectly two-time victor of the Colosseum and absolutely destroyed her in combat as well. Alexandria didn't even bother to rest the entire night; she attended the celebration that was held in her name.

Finn couldn't compare, never. It made his mood sour even more. He could see that Alexandria didn't spare a look in Clarke's direction and it made him wonder if Clarke's longing eyes were only one-sided; that she was the only one besotted with the Gladiatrix and not Alexandria with the Empress.

In reality Lexa did her utmost best not to look in Clarke's direction, knowing she will crumble. The Empress was beautiful, as she was every other night. The way her dress perfectly accentuated her best features, to her blue sash of royalty and the many rings she wore on her fingers. Her blue eyes shined the brightest in the candlelight and her golden locks braided perfectly.

Lexa could feel Clarke undress her with her eyes and the mere idea made the pit of her stomach do flips. Oh, gods, what had she gotten herself into. "How do you feel about your statue being erected among the other champions, Alexandria?" Abigail drew Lexa out of the daze she was in, the daze that trapped her in a constant loop of how Clarke's lips felt against hers.

"Astound, to say the least, Empress. It is an honor but I feel I do not appreciate it as much as I should. Our opponents today wanted the fame and statues; I cannot speak for Octavia but I do not wish for such vanity. I simply take part for the rush and show of skill." Lexa dipped her head, swallowing to try moisten her already dry throat thanks to Clarke that had slipped her foot from her sandal and now dragged it over Lexa's smooth leg.

"I— Uhm, I didn't anticipate encountering such a feline today, in fact, that was the first lion I had ever seen in my life. It was such a beautiful animal and it's a shame that all it wanted to do was kill me when I just wanted to pet its soft pelt." The entire table laughed at Lexa's attempt at humor which proved to be successful. "In short, I hope the sculptor gets my best features and ignores the claw that dragged over my eye and cheek."

"I agree with Lexa." Octavia chimed, diverting her attention away from Lincoln that had been flirting with her the entire night. "Although I must say that I won't mind walking past a statue of myself every day. It's vanity but it's vanity I can definitely grow to appreciate."

"Speaking of, your statue will require a name at its base. Have you made a decision about the offer I made for you?" General Blake had asked Octavia earlier in the afternoon whether she wished to have his last name; if she in fact wanted to be a Blake of house Bellicus.

Octavia had forgotten about the entire situation, and having to talk about it in front of the entire table made her quite uncomfortable. It still had not sunk in for that she had a brother and a sister that both wished that she would choose their house names.

In choosing Blake as her house name, she would have immediate status and respect among the people of Rome. Essentially it would make her a noblewoman instantly. She would get her own villa with her own servants and cooks that would have no other obligations but to serve her all day, every day.

In choosing Silvestre would be just as big of an honor. It will not give her noble status and it will not grant her a villa or any sort of servants but she will have the name of the man that was her father and raised her. The man that trained her and loved her as his own without knowing that she was actually his daughter.

Perhaps the answer was more obvious than she anticipated.

"Yes, I have decided Senator—"

"You may address me as Bellamy if you wish to. We're family."

"Bellamy," Octavia corrected. "After careful consideration, I have decided that I will take Silvestre as my house name. I by no way wish to offend you brother or your name, but I do not want the name of the man that threw me away. Maximus was like a father to me my entire life and as fate would have it, he happened to be my real father after all. Therefore, the choice was obvious, Silvestre."

Lexa smiled as a proud parent would. Her eyes drifting over Octavia and then finally to Clarke. "I understand your choice. I won't lie and say I am not disappointed but I do understand." Bellamy's tone of voice sounded slightly defeated but he accepted her reasoning. It was fair.

The celebration continued until the early hours of the morning but around midnight Clarke excused herself, explaining that the wine was going to her head and that she felt fatigued. However, it was a lie, she just wished to get away from prying eyes and spend the remainder of the night with Lexa alone.

Clarke leaving the celebration, was enough of an excuse for Lexa to leave as well. In the public eye, Clarke was the Empress and Lexa her personal guard and nothing more. They ought Lexa courageous and brave for even fulfilling her duty while injured.

As the night before, Clarke's door was barricaded and both women laid under the lavish furs. The Empress tightly wrapped herself around her guard, careful not to hurt her. After sharing a long moment of kisses and sultry compliments, they fall asleep, nothing but each other on their minds.

Unknown to them both; Bellamy was right in what he said the previous night. War was coming and it waits for nobody. Great turmoil was about to crash over the seven hills of Rome.

Chapter Text

The six hundred men of the senate slowly filled the Senate house, all of them clad in their white toga's and the more superior ones in their white toga's with red sashes they snuggly held in place over their shoulder with their right hands.

Each greeted Emperor Jake nobly as they passed him. Some gripped arms with him, some bowed and some muttered a simple 'Salve'. Once everyone was inside, the more superior Senator's including Senator Blake was set to be seated in the forefront of the gallery.

Not among the more superior, was Finn to be seated more up in the gallery among the less superior men that consisted majorly of just advisors or chancellors. In due time he would move up in ranking within the Senate once he would get more experience with age.

Most of the senate consisted of old noblemen, war veterans, and old members of the Praetorian guard. All were respected men of Rome; just some were more respected than others, depending on their years of experience and how much capital they contributed to the Emperor's treasury.

Emperor Jake took a stance in front of his throne-like chair in the middle of the Senate house and waved his hand a single time indicating for the members of the Senate to be seated. Everyone but the speaker of the Senate seated themselves and soon the session started.

"Let it be known that we are convened here on the day by the request of Jake of the house Gryphem and the Emperor of the Roman Empire. I trust all of you have read the agenda's that were sent to you."

A less superior man stood from the gallery and raised his hand in the air. "I would like the floor, Emperor." Jake nodded in his direction and the Senate speaker announced that Aurelius would take the floor. "I wish to ask about this ... expansion of the Senate, what does that exactly mean, Emperor? We are at full capacity already."

Swiftly rounding the corner into the main hall of the Senate house, came Alexandria fully clad in her Praetorian armour and blue cape. Her hair was neatly braided and her swords were at her sides however she wore no bracers on the day. She seemed bandaged head to toe so to speak.

Her bicep was bandaged and so were both of her forearms and the three-lined claw mark over her eye had already scabbed.

All of the whispers fell silent in the Senate house, all of the men staring at the soldier who had just entered. Emperor Jake slightly turned his head to see the reason why the entire Senate looked like they had seen a dreaded specter of their pasts.

"My apologies for being late, Emperor." She immediately kneeled where she stood, bowing her head in the process. Though she wasn't a big supporter of kneeling to anyone, Clarke told her that it would be an appreciated gesture in front of the entire Senate.

"You're not late at all, we were just about to start. Please rise and come take your stance here." He pointed next to his throne and that was where she quickly moved under the watchful eyes of all the confused old men.

Another member of the Senate stood, this time abruptly without asking to take the floor. "And what is this, Jake? Since when are women allowed inside of the Senate house? Even worse clad in blood-soaked, war-driven armour. This is disgraceful!"

"You will hold your tongue, Marius! She is allowed in this Senate house under my rule."

Lexa was already very uncomfortable with six hundred pairs of eyes specifically trained on her, dissecting her piece by piece. She shuffled on her feet and clasped her hands behind her back, slightly puffing her chest once she almost fully composed herself.

"Now, to answer your question, Aurelius about the expansion of the Senate. As you all know we face an imminent threat from Egypt. Their king has fallen and along with him my representative and scribes so we do not have exact word what is happening there. All that we can presume is that it is an uprising and it has to be taken care of immediately."

Soon enough the whispers among the men started again.

"In that we do not have enough Generals within my legions. For that reason, I have requested Alexandria's presence today. All of you know her and were you smart, you would have placed your bets on her while our festivities were underway and she would have been the reason your coin grew."

Emperor Jake stood from his throne and descended the three steps, walking closer to the front rows of the gallery. "I know it is a not so fairly big occurrence for us to assign new Generals seeing they retire and others die in battle. The difference is that all of them were men; respected men and they were not announced on days like these. However, one thing Rome has never had was a female Praetorian up until the woman you now see stand in front of you. She was sworn in, in front of a handful of you. Some protested and some didn't."

The motion about to come was already discussed among the superior members of the Senate but the less superior were not aware of the motion but some could clearly be seen once realization struck them and all sat astound.

"Rome has never had a female General either up until today. Alexandria of the house Silvestre, daughter of Maximus Silvestre, a three-time victor of the Colosseum, one of Rome's proudest Generals, and the victor of the battle of Danube." Emperor Jake waved his hand in Lexa's direction for her to come closer; to stand closer to the Senate as well.

"Alexandria will soon be declared as a General of two Roman Legionnaire's, the third and the fourth, as acclaimed by myself and the majority of the Senior members of the Senate." Clear shock plastered Lexa's face and she could feel her hands start to shake. This was exactly what she didn't want; by being declared a General she would surely be sent off to another province or even continent.

"You all seem astonished." Jake jokes as he pursed his lips in a tight smile and a huffed laugh escaped from the front of the gallery where Senator Blake sat. The Emperor looked back at Alexandria as he paced the round structure. "What's wrong Alexandria? You look as if you have seen a wraith."

Lexa shook her head, looking down at the marble floors, swallowing hard. "I'm stunned, that is all. Shock has overridden me, Emperor."

Jake returned his attention to the old men that mostly held distasteful expressions. "Just to clarify for those who do not understand my decree of expansion of the Senate; this is it. With becoming General she is legally decreed a Legatus Legionis, a Commander essentially. Alexandria will receive her seat as a Senator of Rome and will serve a minimum term of four years under my decree. After the four years, she will retain her status of General and may resign from her Senate seat if she wishes to."

Lexa immediately kneeled again and bowed her head at the honor. A pounding headache had engulfed her as she tried to process the status she was about to be given. "What do you say, Alexandria? Will you serve as Rome's very first female General and Senator?"

She exhaled a deep breath and tried composing the few nerves she had left. "I would be honored beyond belief if you deem me worthy, Emperor. But it would be wrong if I do not tell you that I know nothing about leading an army let alone speaking for the people of Rome."

"There is none more worthy, you will make an excellent General and Senator."

Marius stood again and shouted across the entire gallery. "Forgive me but really, I must speak, this is sacrilege! A Gladiatrix and lowly assigned Praetorian as a General! And gods forbid a Senator of the female line! This is going too far, Jake, even for you!"

A few of the other low ranked senator rose from their seats as well, agreeing with what Marius was saying. The rest of the Senate sat quietly, only whispering to one another wondering why the Superior Senators were not voicing their displeasure.

"I veto this motion!" Many others started to chant the simple word "Veto!" As well but were soon silenced by the raise of the Emperor's hand. "This motion cannot receive a veto since the consuls have already declared it, I was simply making you aware." Jake says, swaying his hand over the lower-ranked members.

Bellamy stood from his seat to accompany Jake's word seeing this would work perfectly in his favor. "Indeed, the consuls have ruled yes in this motion and soon Alexandria will undergo the ritual if she accepts her new status."

Both Emperor Jake and Senator Blake looked in Lexa's direction expectantly as she rose to her feet again. "I accept." It would have been mutinous for her not to accept. This large decree would be her legacy and will be written of until the end of time; this will be what she is remembered for.

"Motion set then!" The speaker of the Senate decreed and all of the Senators took their respective seats again, knowing that there was nothing for them to do further since the consuls already agreed. Emperor Jake returned to his throne and Lexa followed him, standing where she originally stood.

"It's simple, Senator's, I want the Senate to be made of the best people in all of Italy not just the richest old men of Rome. Furthermore, I will set sail to Egypt in the coming fortnight with six legions. Alexandria and another General will set out to Egypt the day after tomorrow at first light with four legions to gauge the unrest in preparation of my arrival."

Lexa almost choked on her own saliva at the mention of when she would leave. Gods, she wasn't prepared and Clarke ... what about Clarke? Who was going to be her guard when she leaves and they only recently got to where they wanted to be...how was she supposed to tell Clarke?

The rest of the agenda was discussed but was not of much importance only what will be done about the food crisis and the changing of seasons once it would start to flood. Soon canals would have to be dug in order to avoid the flooding of small villages and cities.

After the session was formally ended, Jake requested Lexa that she would accompany him back to the palace because he had a few more things to discuss with her. Once they exited onto the busy streets, the many Praetorians surrounded them again and shunned the plebs out of the way.

"Once you arrive in Egypt you will have your rank but you will be subordinate to the General accompanying you. He will teach you everything you need to know and he will show you how to treat the men that serve under you. As soon as I arrive you will fall under my guidance and you will show me what you have learned and I will improve whatever you know already. Is that clear, General?"

The words sounded strange falling from his lips; that he was now addressing her as General. "Yes, that is clear, Emperor. May I ask what General will accompany me? Will it be Senator Blake?" Emperor Jake chuckled to himself and waved to the gathering crowds as they saw their Cæsar.

"No, he will not be accompanying you. In fact, he will not leave Rome. He suggested you for General and I thought it a fitting idea because let's be honest with one another you are the better one with swords and you have a strong personality that can gain the respect of your legions. General Magnus will accompany you, he's quite old but I trust him to teach you. Anyway, General Blake will stay in Rome as the people's consul and rule in my place until I return. I cannot risk to lose him on the battlefield because who else will be my successor? Rome can afford to lose me alone but not the Emperor and the prospective one as well."

"I would have to disagree, Emperor. Rome cannot afford to lose you. Permission to speak freely, sir."

"Granted."

Lexa wondered if she should tell the Emperor of her observations and what she truly believed of Senator/General Blake since they were two blatantly different people. "Bellamy is a man blinded by power and authority. He will throw anyone to the wolves if it assures his safety and position of power and humorous enough, I mean this in the most literal way possible. On our hunt a few nights ago, he sliced the achilleas of a young boy and left him to be mauled by wolves."

"Ah I heard about that, tragic. Though, I wasn't aware that, that was how events transpired. I was told the boy tripped and fell and was then mauled by wolves." Emperor Jake furrowed his eyebrows, knowing that there was no reason to dwell on it more seeing nobody could change the past. "It is what it is, Alexandria. He is a ruthless man but only ruthless men can rule this Empire. I fear I have become too soft to rule and I plan to step down as Cæsar as soon as I return from Egypt. You are not to tell anyone of it though or the hungry wolves in the Senate will conspire to make this happen sooner. It's no secret that I am not popular among them as you saw today."

Lexa nodded her head, adjusting her arms behind her back seeing the wounds were starting to ache. "Very well, Emperor. I will tell no one of this. But I fear Senator Blake will be the fall of Rome were he to take the role of Emperor and Clarke— the Empress, if you marry her to him, it will solidify his role and give him even more power that he does not know how to control."

Jake smiled to himself, satisfied that Alexandria was already assuming her role as a member of the Senate. She was already wracking her mind with political views. "Qui totum vult totum perdit." He says simply, meeting the green eyes that looked at him intently. He wondered if she understood Latin.

"Indeed, sir. That is what I fear. Why set up a man you know will fail?"

Jake shrugged simply. "Impressive, I did not expect you to understand my tongue. It is not that I am setting him up for failure, it is just that I hope he will gather the experience he must before the day comes when he takes my throne. It's not like I have a son to put on the throne."

"Yes, Emperor, but what about the Empress? I have spent many days with her while she spoke with your people and they admire her. She shows great authority and leadership and I have no doubt that she will do much better in leading the Empire you have built than Senator Blake would."

Jake knitted his eyebrows in thought, considering what Alexandria had said. He knew Clarke showed great promise but the Empire would not accept her rule while he was still alive; they would only accept Bellamy's rule since the Empire was still quite primitive in their ideas that women in fact could lead.

This was the exact change Jake was trying to invoke; to show Rome that woman could make a change. That was part of the reason he had given Alexandria her role in the Praetorian and she proved herself beyond measure. And today he made her a General of two Legionnaire's as well as a member of the Senate. He had absolutely no doubt that she would be great at both as time passes and she gains the experience she needs.

"Keep your talks going and keep impressing me the way you do and I might set you on the throne once I resign my power." He was joking to a certain extent but perhaps in the future, it would become something he would actually consider. If she proved successful in the military and political endeavors, her rise to Empress would surely be a tale to tell.

Sensing that the Emperor merely made a rhetorical implication, she stays silent until they ascend the steps to the palace. "If you do not mind me asking, Emperor, but who will take over my role as the Empress' guard? I only wish to know if she will be in good and capable hands."

"Your sister Octavia, she will assume your role in the guard. She will not become a Praetorian but I believe she will be the most prospective and promising choice. As you recall I do not want any male guards around my daughter at all times. I believe she enjoys to be surrounded by such powerful feminine forces such as yourself and your sister."

Lexa was satisfied with such and she knew Octavia would be more than happy to take the role. She also knew that Octavia would be more than capable of protecting Clarke once she left for Egypt. "Splendid idea, Emperor. Will you allow me to share the news with her?"

Jake nodded wordlessly as they continued into the palace. "Ah, I almost forgot, seeing you are leaving so soon, I will need you to be seen by the sculptor immediately, you know where his workshop is right? Take Octavia with you and perhaps then you can share the news with her, I'll have word sent to my daughter that you will not accompany her today."

"Yes, I do. Very well, Emperor. Will you give her my apologies as well? I know she hates to be constrained to her quarters the entirety of the day."

The Emperor laughed with a certain glee before he placed his hand on Lexa's shoulder. "You and I both know that she will escape her quarters whenever she feels like it. That damned maiden of hers is the instigator I'm sure. Now go, you are losing sunlight."

//

Octavia and Lexa both stood fully clad in their respective armours along with their weapons belts. There were a few different men scampering around in the small workshop each looking for different materials.

The owner of the workshop barked a few orders and soon everything was in order. "You two, work specifically on their facial features," he pointed to two men with different sheets of parchment in their hands. "And you two, focus on their body structures. The rest of you focus on the different elements of their armours and weapons."

Each person quickly got to work and sat at different tilted flat surfaces. Occasionally they looked around the edge of the surfaces to see the model they were responsible for sketching for future reference.

"I must apologize, we're not always as unorganized. Most of the time we would have whoever is being sculped stay in place while we chiseled them down in person. Unfortunately, I hear that we cannot have one of you in the flesh so the sketches of you will be more intricate, Alexandria."

Octavia quirked an eyebrow in Lexa's direction. She could sense something was off the entire walk to the sculptor's workshop. Lexa was making small talk and that was uncommon of her. "What does he mean not both of us will be present in the future, Lexa?"

Lexa turned to Octavia but was quickly scolded by the sketcher that said she should stay still. "I was waiting for the appropriate moment to tell you, I'm sorry. I wanted us to have this moment and truly appreciate our victory but it seems I have no choice now." She returned to her original position, her full front in perfect view of the sketcher.

"Emperor Jake has set me in the legionnaire. I am to be a General of two legions and I also received a seat in the Senate. I set out the day after tomorrow at first light from Neapolis to Greece and from Greece to Egypt."

"What do you mean you're a General? And a member of the Senate?! They must be beyond outraged." Octavia laughed out loud, shaking her head in disbelief. The sketchers and sculptors all looked up from their current projects, paying attention to what the women were saying.

"Yes, for some reason he has made me a General, Octavia. I don't know the first thing about leading a hundred men let alone about eight thousand. I am barely twenty-two summers old and the Emperor just placed so many lives in my hands. You should have seen the Senate, they lost it."

Octavia continued to shake her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. A few of the unworking artists started to talk under one another. The Romans were a bunch that loved a twinge of gossip especially if it was this sweet.

"Furthermore, you are taking my charge as Clarke's guard. You will not be a Praetorian otherwise you would be legally obligated to ship out with us but you will have all the perks that a Praetorian would have." Lexa took a deep breath and stepped closer to Octavia so that they were out of the earshot of the nosey artists. "Will you do this for me? You are the only one I trust her with."

Octavia nodded her head. "Of course, it would be an honor and let alone that I will do anything for you, sister." They gripped arms then stepped away from one another again, facing the artists again. "This is mad, you know? We have been in the capital what? Six or seven months and look how far we have come. I'm curious to see what the coming years will bring but I'd lie if I say that I do not fear the future."

Lexa exhaled another unsteady breath; it went better than expected to tell Octavia of her coming expedition but she knew that stubborn Clarke will have a harder time with the news. Perhaps it wouldn't be the case and she was mirroring her own emotion onto Clarke; perhaps it was her who was too stubborn to accept what was coming.

"I fear it too, sister. The senate discussed ... a long journey. A year minimum in Egypt but if it is a quarter as unrestful as it is in Gaul; it could last four years which would mean that I would have to serve my entire term in another continent and would likely be forced to renew my position." Lexa laughed unhumorously, shaking her head side to side and biting her bottom lip. "That is if I survive my term."

Octavia pushed Lexa's injured shoulder with a hard thump, making her stumble a single step and wince a little. "Don't you dare talk like that in front of me. Mars is on your side and he will return you to Rome whether it is a year or four or however long from now, you will return here, victorious. By the furies, I will sacrifice an animal to him each day if I have to."

[For those that are unfamiliar with Roman and Greek lore, it was quite common for them to make sacrifices to the different gods. Mars, the son of Jupiter & Juno, for example, is/was the god of war.]

The sculptors shared uneasy glances with one another before they continued their sketching. "I'm sure he does not require so much to keep me alive sister, but I do appreciate the thought. Truly, I only hope that I do not have to serve my entire term in Egypt. I have grown quite ... fond ... of the people of the capital. Unfortunately, time changes everything and everyone. I fear what I will lose to time itself."

"You need not worry about her, Lexa." Octavia assured.

They stood in one place for perhaps four hours and often unclipped and clipped their belts on again for the sculptors to get an exact idea of how the objects look on and off the Gladiatrices. The workshop owner leaned over one of the sketches and looked up at Lexa specifically. "Tell me, Alexandria, would you wish for me to include the stigma on your hand and arm?"

Lexa nodded simply, considering the words Clarke spoke to her days ago. "Yes, sir. I want all of it, from the branding of my house crest between my eyebrows to the three lines over my eye. If I'm going to be remembered by the people of Italy, they might as well remember me the exact way I was." The many features on her skin could all easily be seen as imperfections but she knew eventually she would grow to love and appreciate them.

"Very well, you will be remembered as a victorious and fearless gladiatrix and a Praetorian." The man moved over to Octavia's sketch and he looked up to her curious eyes. "You, my dear, will be remembered for your uncanny skill with a sword and the beauty of one that can be compared to Venus herself."

After another hour or so, the artists finished with their sketches, adding the final fine touches from the significant scars on their skins to the fine elements of their armours and blades. "I think we're all done. Octavia, I trust we can request your presence again if we require more detail. I would sincerely appreciate it if someone would bring us your bracers as well, Alexandria, seeing you are not wearing them today. I like to chisel whomever I sculpt down to exactly every intricate element of them."

"Of course, I will send a servant of the palace to you with them but I must request that I have them back before I set out on my voyage."

"Yes, it will only take an hour at most. May the gods be with you on your travels and it is my honor," he waved over the employees that stood behind him. "Our honor to sculpt women of your magnitude. I personally hope that your time in Egypt will not be too long and that you will return in time for the next annual festivities in the Colosseum."

With last thank you's to the artists, Lexa and Octavia set out into the busy streets of Rome again. It was clear to see that soldiers were readying to leave since the streets were littered with red capes and simple bronze bowl helmets. They were normal soldiers, all leaving their wives and children behind in the name of Rome.

The clatter of horse hooves echoed between the buildings, even above the loud chatter of the plebs. It was a normal merchant's day but most civilians stopped to stare at the jogging soldiers in their respective parties. With their spears in hand and their shields in the other, all led by different cohorts of the Centurions.

Lexa watched them with great admiration. She could see the pain in the soldiers' wives' eyes, having to say goodbye to their husbands once again, unknown if they will ever return. Lexa remembered the look on her mother's face when her father set out to war in Danube.

She prayed each night to different gods that they would bring her husband home so that they could raise their child together.

"I have something to show you if you would care to join me." Octavia drew Lexa out of the daze she was in as she continued to watch each and every single civilian go about their daily lives. "Of course, what is it? Please tell me it's not your favorite brothel." Lexa joked.

"Haha, very funny. No, you fool. With my newly accumulated riches from our victory, I have bought myself a villa. It's among the posh side of Aventine Hill where a lot of nobles live. My brother—" Octavia still uttered the word 'brother' uncomfortably but yet she still continued. "He found it for me. I figured it would be strange if I continued to live in the palace so I decided on this instead."

Lexa followed Octavia through the lonely routes as she continued to study the infrastructure. It was clear that they were entering the more opulent side of the capital. More statues of different gods stood in each corner all surrounded with candles and different offerings from reaves to stains of blood.

There were no longer dirty clothed plebs but cleanly dressed nobles instead. There were no graffiti on the walls and the streets were clean, no grime to be seen. Even Praetorians Lexa had never seen before walked the streets, guarding each noble home against whatever might come.

"It's quite nice I suppose, it's very private and only ten minutes from the Colosseum and training arena so I can walk there with ease. Also, with your news that I will be taking over your duty as your beloved's guard, Palatine hill and the Flavian palace are only ten minutes away."

"Very nice, indeed." Lexa concurs with a roll of her eyes. "She is not exactly my beloved. It's fairly new and I'm afraid I won't get to see where it may have potentially led. I assume she will marry your brother anyway and I will ... have to constrain myself from her if I do return."

"Nonsense, if she is as fond of you as you are of her, no time in the world will make a difference. Besides my brother has no interest in her, merely the power she will grant him. He spends his time with women of the lower class. Whores if you must."

Lexa pursed her lips as they walked through the now quiet streets. "Perhaps you're right, but Clarke says that he is a very jealous man and I do not wish to be in the way of a marriage, political or not. It would be a sure way of losing my head."

Octavia laughed valiantly as they rounded the final corner, pointing in the direction of a villa almost at the end of the street. It had high walls painted with intricate patterns. "You make a good point but I'm afraid I will not take your side on this matter; if the Empress is who makes you happy, pursue it as long as life allows you to." Octavia stayed quiet for a moment, deciding if she should speak her heart. "After you lost Costia, I wasn't sure if you would love again or just harbor any feeling other than hate and revenge but it seems the Empress has changed you. You glow again, sister, you are openly happy and by the way you talk, you have started to fear death again. I can only imagine that it is because of her; because you are afraid of not seeing her again."

"And say that is the case? What good will it do me if I admit to myself that I do love her? I leave soon, Octavia, realistically I do not know if I will return. What if she grows fond of another and forgets me? I will not survive losing another person I love, not again."

They approached a large double oak door with two Praetorians stationed outside of it. Octavia easily pushed the doors open, followed by Lexa. The Praetorians closed the doors behind them and the soft chatter of servants could be heard throughout the villa.

"Have you told her? How you feel I mean."

"No, I have not and I do not plan to do so before I leave. It is better I do not utter those words when I know I might not return. It would be better for myself even if that sounds awfully selfish."

"Selfish indeed." Octavia gestured for a bald man that stood in the corner of the room. "Cassias will you be such a dear and bring us wine and food, I'm starving."

"Yes, domina." The bald man disappeared around the corner as Lexa and Octavia neared the center of the villa. There was an atrium in the middle of the room, surrounded by different sized chaises.

[Chaise were like double to triple size couches that didn't have backrests. Chaise are still made today but not as popular. Anyway, they were normally laid on during celebrations or parties while the nobles ate and drank while chatting with their guests.]

"Enough of your tragic love life; I trust you will do the right thing. But what do you think? Nice isn't it?" Octavia spun around, her arms raised horizontally next to her, basking in her surroundings. "I have it all to myself."

Lexa nodded her head looking around, it was an unfamiliar sight. They were both not used to such opulence and it was strange how comfortable Octavia was with her newly found wealth. "Very nice indeed, all to yourself, eh? Not for you and all of your many suitors? You are a lover of fine men and women sister; do not try to fool me and say you will be living here alone."

Octavia chuckled audibly as she removed the armour from her body, placing it on a nearby newly carved statuette made of wood. "You know me far too well. I will definitely have many lavish parties when I am not on duty." Octavia fell silent for a moment as she laid down on one of the chaises, resting her forearm on her head. "I wish you could attend them; it would have been great fun."

"It would have been, wouldn't it?

"Egypt huh?" Both women laid flat on their backs, looking through the large opening in the roof at the sun that slowly moved through the sky along with the few white clouds. "Egypt, indeed," Lexa replies, lazily unclipping the side of her armour with one hand.

"Apparently General Magnus and I have to stop in Athens and form up with their fleet." Lexa fell quiet evidently as she wracked her mind for answers. "Don't you find it odd as well? We're being sent there on accord of an assassinated representative. But the Emperor is taking what, ten legions? That's over forty thousand men not even counting the Athenians, Octavia. Something else is brewing in Egypt."

"Agreed, that is beyond odd. They have been talking of a food shortage have they not? Perhaps it has led to an uprising of sort." Octavia states blankly. "Whatever it is, I find it hard to believe that whatever it is could destroy forty thousand men plus whatever the Greeks are sending as well. Unless Xerxes has arisen from his tomb and brought a million Persians."

Cassias and three other servants brought out multiple trays of different foods and two jugs of wine setting them on the different tables around the two women. "Much thanks, Cassias." Cassias bowed his head, his hands tightly gripped in front of him. "Of course, domina."

"How humorous of you to bring up the battle of Xerxes and the Spartans; how legendary that must have been to witness. Besides King Leonidas of Sparta only had about six thousand men of which only three hundred were elite Spartans. They nearly killed two hundred thousand men all on their own, were it not for the traitor Ephialtes, they would never have been cornered and would have most likely won the land battle." Lexa served herself and Octavia a chalice of wine, her leather sandals creaking as she adjusts her feet on the marble floor. "But no, I doubt Xerxes has risen. Perhaps the Emperor is just overly cautious or so I hope anyway."

"Count on Lexa to turn any conversation of war into a history lesson." Octavia laughed mockingly. "I'm only joking, your interesting facts are always the most entertaining."

They spent the rest of the day until fairly late in the night just enjoying each other company and reminiscing about their childhood days. Perhaps once or twice the wine got the best of them and they shed a few tears because that they would be separating soon but there was nothing an embrace or two couldn't fix.

Once daylight came again and the sun shined brightly through the open roof right into Lexa's eyes, she grumbled, rolling off of the chaise, landing on the cold marble floor. Next to her Octavia did the same with a lot more protesting grumbles. "We have to stop drinking so much, it's really not good for the both of us."

Lexa rubbed the tips of her fingers against her forehead, trying to ease the dull pain that coursed through her head. One of the female servants approached them; she was more on the older side of life, a wise handmaiden perhaps. "Good, you're up. Domina, there are four men outside the door requesting the presence of your guest. They do not wish to tell me why they're looking for her."

Lexa slightly lifted her head from the floor, looking through only one of her slightly opened eyes, her mind still thick with sleep. "Are they armoured or are they wearing toga's?"

"Toga's, domina, men from the temple of Jupiter I believe."

Pushing herself up from the floor with force, Lexa is on her feet. "Gods I must be late, again! Octavia, where is the bath in this place? I definitely cannot walk into the temple of Jupiter smelling like a tavern's top rooms full of whores that haven't bathed in three weeks. And will you tell the men I will only be a short while?" Lexa asks looking at the maiden with her last request.

Octavia laughed for three seconds before she clutched her forehead with the palm of her head. "It's too early for you to be humorous Lexa, I have a headache. Uhm— what's your name? Will you take my guest to the bath and make sure she has clean clothing as well? I'm going back to sleep."

The elderly woman bowed her head and offered Lexa a guiding hand. "Come, domina, it is this way. Do you prefer dark or light undergarments and would you prefer a long or short tunic with trousers?"

"Any undergarments would do, I'm not fussed. A short tunic of your thinnest linen, I can feel the city will be hot today. Oh, and dark trousers preferably." They walked into a dimly lit room, the only light coming from a blue stained window. The room was lined with six marble pillars all equally spaced from one another.

The blue-white lines of the pool danced on the white roof, giving the atmosphere a feeling of serenity. Three servants emerged, one holding white cloths and the other two proceeded to undress Lexa before she could utter a single word of protest. It was an odd occurrence, to say the least; an entire year in Rome and living in the palace but she still couldn't get used to strangers undressing her.

Either woman invitingly gestured for her to get into the pool and that's what she does. The cold bit at her skin but it was exactly what she needed to shun away the dull pain in her head. With one deep breath, she submerged her head underwater and stayed under for perhaps a minute and a half.

When she comes up for air, she takes a shallow calm breath as she smooths her palms over her wet hair out of her face. The two women joined her in the bath, still fully clothed in their dresses, one holding an assortment of oils and the other a few cloths.

Carefully they unwrapped the bandages from her arms, slowing down once they get to the very center. Lexa was surprised to see the claw mark over her arm was no longer inflamed but rather a natural color. The bite the wolf left was healing rather well also thanks to Valentina's miracle oils.

However, the wound on her forearm where the bracer crushed into, didn't look much different although it did ache much less than the day before. Ever so softly, each woman washed Lexa's wounds, careful not press too hard.

Lexa didn't have much of a choice farther than just floating in the water and waiting for the woman to finish whatever they wished to do. Once they eventually finished, she was guided out of the large bath and wrapped in a cloth around her entire body.

The elderly maiden returned with new bandage-like linen that she wrapped around Lexa's open wounds and she even quickly inspected the sewing work done on the claw marks. She nodded with approval and inspected the lines over Lexa's eye lastly. "You're lucky that the beast missed your eye, but left you with a brilliant marking. My people would consider it a great honor to be marked by an animal the way you are."

"Your people?" Lexa inquired while the other women dried the remaining water off of her body. "Yes, I am from one of the tribes in Gaul. My people believe that once an animal drags its claws over you and you survive; they have marked you as their equals."

Lexa nodded her head at the fact; an odd consideration. In Polis, she would have been considered a coward for not killing the animal before it managed to lay a paw on her. Their beliefs weren't as spiritual, animals did not mark one for some grand reason, they simply dragged their claws over you in hopes to eat you later.

"There, we'll leave you to dress. I can see you're uncomfortable and not used to this lifestyle, domina."

"Lexa is fine..." She quirked her eyebrow at the elderly woman, hoping to get her name as well. "Sabina, my name is Sabina but you may address me in any manner you would prefer."

"If we do meet again, Sabina, you may call me Lexa. I am not your domina or anyone's domina for that matter. I am a simple woman that likes a simple life without servants, I mean none of you offense, I appreciate the help but I prefer caring for myself."

"Very well, Lexa. If you do not mind me saying, but I heard you and my domina talk about your voyage to Egypt; I wish you the best. It is clear that you are among the few good Romans left in Italy. May we meet again, Lexa." Sabina bowed one last time before the remaining servants left the room behind her.

Lexa dressed herself in the brand-new linen undergarments, her actions slow to avoid the feeling of her skin tearing. It was never tearing but the illusion was there, it was merely the small pulls of skin that were starting to heal.

She returned to the middle of the villa where Octavia still laid face down, avoiding the sunlight at all costs. After finding her sandals and greaves, she quickly slips them over her legs. Small snores came from Octavia's direction and with that Lexa decided not to bother her sister any further.

On her way to the door, she scoops up an apple from a tray a young servant girl was carrying. "Will you tell Sabina to leave my armour as is, I'll send for someone to fetch it later. I doubt I will be needing it today." The girl only nodded and set out on her way again. Lexa only carried a hidden blade in each of her greaves and nothing more. She left her weapons belt next to her armour on the floor of the atrium next to the chaise she slept on.

Outside she found four men in red togas. They looked like togas at first until they flipped their hoods up, revealing them to be cloaks instead. "You're late, follow us." The walk was eerily quiet and felt longer than it actually was, the only sound being Lexa crunching into her apple.

Most of the routes were quiet and none of the robed men spoke. It was perhaps eight minutes until they reached the temple of Jupiter on Capitoline Hill. On the few stairs leading up until the entrance of the temple, a line of men stood all clad in the same red robes with their hoods up.

As they drew closer, Lexa could hear the men all lowly chant the same few words. "Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Jupiter Optimus Maximus." They said over and over again until they reached the inside of the temple.

At the very end of the dimly lit temple, was a long table that at least ten elderly men sat at. Priests of the Temple of Jupiter. On either side of the room were galleries with at least fifty men each, all looking down at the proceedings about to follow.

Before Lexa walked farther into the room, she was stopped by a fairly young man. "You must wear this." He held out a red cloak to her which she wearily took and draped over her shoulders. It seemed far too big for her but then again, everyone's cloak looked too big for them.

Once cloaked, she was allowed to enter farther into the temple. "You are the one Cæsar chose as the new General, how intriguing. Please, take a seat." He gestured to a chair in the middle of the floor, an open view of all members present to spectate her.

The first leg of the ritual started with five women that circled Lexa with red veils over their faces, masking their identities. With every fifth step, they kneeled with their large candles in hand. Each whispered an incoherent prayer and the atmosphere was eerie, to say the least.

After ten minutes, they stepped away from her and made themselves invisible in the room. The elderly priest seated in the middle of the table, rose from his seat and moved to stand in front of Alexandria.

He raised his palms into the air, toward the imaginable heavens. "Jupiter Fulgor, we ask you to guide and protect this woman. Alexandria of the house Silvestre, newly elected General of the third and fourth Roman Legionnaires, coming champions of the Empire. By the grace of Roma, Jupiter, and Mars, for twelve moons hence, I set thou as General."

Lexa raised her head, staring down with the priest that returned his arms to his sides. "And so it will be. We wish you the best on your coming adventure and may you bring Rome yet another victory as your father did. Feel free to ask Jupiter for guidance whenever you feel the need and he will guide you." He offered a hand to her which she reluctantly took. "Rise child, you may go."

"Thank you, High Priest, gods be with you." Lexa stood from the seat and looked around the room one last time before she walked to exit faster than one probably should. She didn't like Temples or the feeling of uneasiness they brought. She was perfectly fine to worship her gods far away from corrupt temples.

On her way out she passed a woman barely clothed, she was clad in more jewelry than actual pieces of linen. Her mane of hair wild, tints of black and brown, and eyes as dark as night. The cuff bracelets around her upper arms, similar to Clarke's, were connected by thin golden chains to the bracelets around her wrists.

A solid gold belt was clipped in place around her waist, holding a thin white linen skirt of sort over her legs. Her midriff was exposed, tanned olive skin and a single emerald jewel hanging from her navel.

Through the middle of her bottom lip was a golden ring and a single white line the width of a finger that ran from her bottom lip, over her chin, all the way down to her exposed cleavage. An abundant number of piercings, all of gold were pierced through her ears.

Lexa knew who she was by the single fleeting look they shared. She had heard of her throughout the palace, a goddess and lover of Mercury himself. She was Luna, the High Priestess of the Temple Mercury on Aventine Hill. Essentially, she was corruption herself but her beauty bewitched anyone and everyone, conning them into her trap.

As a sign of respect, Lexa bowed her head. "High Priestess." The woman named Luna bowed her head back, a sly grin on her lips. "Salve, General, I have already seen your victory but prepare yourself for great loss." Chills grew on Lexa's skin, unable to turn herself around and make eye contact with the High Priestess again.

The sun was high in the sky, enough for perspiration to form but the cold wind the High Priestess elicited was enough to freeze over Hades. Lexa moved farther away from the Temple of Jupiter, desperate to get away from the bewitching woman.

As Lexa walked up the Flavian palace steps, it felt like a wave of heat had returned to her body but the eerie scent of the High Priestess still lingered in her senses, a mix of expensive oils and perhaps a twinge of something sweet, something forbidden.

She wasn't superstitious in the least, in fact, Lexa didn't even believe that animal sacrifices to the gods favored anyone. The gods had their will and some kill in their name would not make them change their minds. However, that what oozed from the High Priestess was evil itself, that much she could tell.

Once Lexa entered her room, the High Priestess' words lingered, a riddle of sort. 'I have already seen your victory but prepare yourself for great loss.' What could it have meant? If she supposedly saw the victory already how could there be a loss?

Lexa pulled herself from the daze, shaking her head lightly as if it would shake the thoughts away as well. She had started to place some of her clothing in a chest before two servants of the palace entered, inquiring if they could assist her in any sort of way.

In her desperation to be alone for just a moment, she instructed them to take all the ledgers and scrolls she had borrowed from the Bibliotheca and to return them to the scholars in her name and also to extend a great amount of appreciation that they allowed her to borrow them.

As Lexa kneeled in front of another chest, inspecting its contents of her fathers' helmet, his red sash, and her family crest, she heard footsteps approach once again. Frustrated she placed her hand over her eyes, rubbing her temples as she huffed a sigh of annoyance. "What do I have to do to just have a moment alone in this goddamn palace?"

"You can start by closing your door." Clarke's soft voice got lost in the vast expanse of the room as she closed the once ajar door behind her. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you, it's just that I've been looking for you the past day and this morning—"

Clarke couldn't finish her sentence before Lexa was on her feet and in front of her. Lexa had already wrapped her strong arms around Clarke, drawing her in for a searing hot kiss that she had been craving for longer than she cared to admit.

When they pulled away from one another, Clarke ran her hands up Lexa's arms lightly, just reveling in her presence. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I had no idea it would be you, Clarke. I have just had the most peculiar day and a half. I wanted to be alone but perhaps I'd rather be with you."

Lexa kissed Clarke again, their lips touching as light as a feather. "I heard..." Neither women's eyes were open as their foreheads rested against each other. Clarke could feel Lexa's family crest against her skin, reminding her where the woman is actually from and that she could never be what she wished and wanted her to be.

"I wish I could say congratulations on becoming General but I'd lie if I say I'm not bitter about it. I thought that I could finally be happy, I was so convinced it was going to work out and now you're leaving me. My father was leaving and so was Bellamy ... it was perfect, no one could have—"

"Hey, hey, shh." Lexa pulled Clarke into an embrace, placing her hand at the back of Clarke's head, softly stroking her hair. "You'll be happy, I swear it. You don't need me to be happy either way." Lexa pulled away, a sad smile on her lips as she cupped Clarke's cheeks with both of her hands, looking directly into the blue she had fallen in love with. "Besides, I'll be back before you know it and you can freely call me annoying every day when I get too protective."

The simple statement earned her a soft chuckle before Clarke's face fell again. "When do you leave?"

"At first light." Clarke fell silent as she continued to scan over Lexa's every single feature trying to engrave it into her mind. "I'm sorry, Clarke. I have no choice; the Emperor has spoken."

"The Emperor can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned." This time Lexa laughed at Clarke's humor. "You shouldn't apologize, you have always put Rome first. That's why I— that's why you're you."

Lexa nodded her head, understanding, Clarke wasn't ready to say those three simple words just as much as she wasn't ready either even though all of it was already out there. An unsaid understanding passed between them that if those words were said, this departure would hurt more than necessary.

"Maybe someday you and I will owe nothing more to Rome." Lexa says hopeful, even though she felt her heart twist with an ache in her chest. If not her, she knew that Clarke would always have responsibility over Rome, owe it something.

Clarke shimmied herself out of Lexa's hold, taking two steady steps backward. "I hope so." She extended her forearm in goodbye, not wanting to give in to her aching feelings for Lexa because she knew if anything else more happened, it would utterly destroy her. Clarke knew full well how war went and that there was no guarantee that anyone would come back from it.

"Spare the dramatics, it's only midday, you're not rid of me yet." Lexa stepped forward, willing to endure any sort of heartache that may follow, for the both of them. She pushed Clarke against a nearby wall, exploring every inch of her neck with her lips. Their bodies pressed against each other, nothing but clothing separating them.

This time, not like the other times, Lexa's armour didn't get in the way and Clarke could feel every single deep breath Lexa took against her. She drowned in Lexa's scent, that varied from pine cones to a drip of lavender.

Clarke dug her fingers into Lexa's hair as she gripped her guard's shirt with her other hand. Their lips moved over each other recklessly as heavy breaths escaped them both. Teeth clashed and lips bruised but neither cared since lust was the victor of the day.

"Come with me ... somewhere, away ... from here." Lexa says between lips clashing with one another, desperate to get Clarke alone with her away from the prying eyes and ears of the palace. Clarke nodded wordlessly, groaning when Lexa pulls away from her.

"An adventure, one last time..." Clarke tangled her fingers with Lexa's, her chest still heaving and her back still firmly placed against the marble wall. "I'll go anywhere with you ... one last time."

Lexa allowed Clarke to step into the hallway first after making sure that the Empress didn't look like she was about to be torn piece by piece. Along the way to the exit of the palace, Lexa instructed a young maiden that she should assure that the two chests in Lexa's room make it to the carriage that would take the General's belongings to the ship. And also to take her bracers to the sculptor and to wait till he was finished with them and to return them back into one of the chests.

With a well-wishing from the young maiden and a jealous glare from Clarke, they were out of the palace well on their way to Aventine Hill. It was far away enough and no one from the Royal standing went as far out, it was perfect.

"And where is it you're taking me?"

"You'll see." Lexa says simply, taking hold of Clarke's hand as they entered the abandoned streets. The only sound to hear were the few fountains where water crashed down in a small stream to the pond below.

She wasn't taking Clarke anywhere grand, just simply away from everything the Empress knew. A place she knew they wouldn't be bothered if the right precautions were taken. On the way, Lexa occasionally couldn't help but swing around and hungrily kiss Clarke, thriving in the adrenaline it brought.

Once they reached their destination, Clarke quirked an eyebrow in Lexa's direction. The two Praetorians still stood outside, deep in conversation before they laid eyes on Lexa. They quickly took their stance again and firmly placed their spears on the walkway while puffing their chests.

"General." Both men pounded their fists against their chest before holding their arms out in front of them in a straight line; a sign of respect of her rank. She almost giggled to herself; clearly, word traveled through the city fast. "Men, of what legion are you?"

"Third, Commander." Both men said in unison. Exercising her authority Lexa looked them up and down, trying to look as convincing as possible as Clarke stared at her with intrigue. "Third...what is it you're doing in front of this door if we leave at first light?"

"Duty, Commander!"

"Nonsense! Go to your families, spend the day with them. The gods know you might never return, make the most of it!"

"Yes, Commander! Thank you, Commander!" Both men pounded their chests again, saluting her before walking off in the same direction. Each Praetorian spared a bow in Clarke's direction as well and a strong greeting of "Empress."

As the men rounded the corner, Lexa busted out in laughter and Clarke did everything possible to stifle her laughter as well but miserably failed. "Isn't that just the craziest thing? General ... Commander, I can get used to that."

"Don't get too comfortable with it, your head is big enough already." Clarke looked the two doors up and down. "So, what is this? Are we breaking into villa's now for your so-called adventure?"

Lexa shrugged her shoulders. "I mean we could probably break in if you'd like. I could probably hoist you over that wall ... or we can just go through the front door. It all depends on how much excitement you're craving today."

"Don't keep yourself so smart with me." Clarke grinned at her, a playful tone in her voice. "The front door would do just fine." Nodding, Lexa pushed a single door open with her one arm, gesturing for Clarke to go inside with the other.

Clarke looked around at first, admiring the tapestry on one of the walls then her eyes drifted to a full wall painting of thirteen Roman gods all sitting on thrones, each perfectly painted with their own personal characteristics.

Jupiter sat in the center, holding a thunderbolt in his hand. On his left sat his wife Juno with a pomegranate in hand and a peacock next to her throne. On Jupiter's right sat his son, Mars, who held a large flaming sword in his hand. Minerva sat more to the end, and an owl perched on her arm. At the very end sat Neptune and with a single raise of his hand, one could see the raging sea waves behind him.

Ceres the daughter of Saturn sat comfortably, her one leg draped over the other and a bundle of grain in her lap. Vulcan sat proudly, his chisel and mallet in either hand. Diana had a snake draped around her neck along with a bow and quiver full of arrows perched up against her throne.

Mercury wore his gold-adorned helmet and sandals with wings at their sides; he had a wicked smile while he grinned down at the pouch of gold in his hand. Vesta on the other hand was a simple woman, sitting content on her throne, her hands in her lap as she represented the hearth of Rome.

Saturn too was a simple man as he represented nothing but peace. Pluto, on the other hand, the god of the underworld sat on his throne with two dark figures looming over him. And last but not the least, was Apollo with his harp in his lap, his fingers in the motion of playing its strings.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lexa wrapped her arms around Clarke from the back, laying soft kisses down her neck to the dip of her shoulder. "I could stare at it all day, I imagine, there's so much detail, so much contrast, it's magnificent."

"Back already, domina? Did you forget something?" Sabina rounded the corner, expecting to find Octavia but instead she finds the backside of the Gladiatrix she bid farewell to this morning. "Oh, my apologies, Lexa. I thought it was Octavia, how can I assist you, do you require your armour?"

Lexa slowly removed her lips from Clarke's neck, not bothering to turn around. "No, Sabina, thank you. Take the day off and make sure no one's left in the villa once you're out the door. Also, send word to Octavia that I will be borrowing her villa today for urgent matters."

"Yes, domina— Lexa, sorry, I will have it done." Once the women's footsteps grew softer and softer, indicating that she was far away, Clarke turned in Lexa's arms. She draped her arms over her guard's shoulder, staring deeply into green emeralds.

"Octavia's villa huh?" Clarke quirked her eyebrow at Lexa playfully. "And what are these urgent matters that you will require her villa for today?" The Empress asks, even though she has a feeling that reaches her very core knowing exactly what Lexa wanted the entire villa for.

"You will have to wait and see."

Chapter Text

The yowling of the Roman winds could be heard howling around each and every corner of the villa. It was a good sign in accord with the Legions coming voyage to Greece, the winds were favoring them. In travel they could drop their sails and move with the breeze, placing less stress on the oarsman.

At Portus Julius in Misenum, Neapolis the sailors were hard at work on the ships, assuring there were no tears in the sails and that all the ropes were taught and would not snap under the strain of the ruthless winds of the Mare Nostrum once they were deep at sea.

The Praetorian barracks was close to empty since most of the soldiers were strongly on their way to Portus Julius ready to set sail. The Castra Misenatium next to the Colosseum, which housed the crewmen of the ships, was emptied days before as all of them went to prepare.

However, back on Aventine hill, Alexandria Silvestre had different ideas that none related to war. The slaves followed each other out of the villa, one by one, the last to exit being Sabina. She spared a glance in Lexa's direction who still had her back turned to the front door as her arms were still snuggly wrapped around the Empress.

Out of curiosity each servant tried to see who was in front of Lexa, but each attempt proved futile and the identity of the mysterious woman would stay a secret until the end of time. Lexa's impossibly huge frame, blocked any sort of view that anyone could have.

"Perhaps we can admire this beautiful painting another time. I would rather spend my last few hours in Rome admiring you instead." Lexa dipped her head just enough for her lips to make the lightest of brushes over Clarke's warm skin.

Clarke hummed, interlacing her fingers in Lexa's which were firmly placed on her pelvis. "I don't know, I happen to really like this painting. Perhaps you can admire me another time." In return, Lexa hummed as well, this time leaving a trail of soft kisses in her wake down Clarke's neck. "A tease now, are we?"

"Only for you." As before, Clarke turned in Lexa's arms, meeting her halfway into a slow kiss. Lexa's hair was not braided on the day and it was exactly the way Clarke liked it. There was something about running her fingers through the soft locks that absolutely exhilarated her.

They pulled apart for a moment and got lost in the endless plains of green and blue meeting. Clarke softly traced her fingers over the three lines that trailed over Lexa's eyebrow, over her eye to the top of her cheekbone. "You are so beautiful."

A shaky breath escaped Lexa's lungs as she shuddered under the Empress' soft touch. She had never been treated so delicately, not even by Costia. Her beloved saw her as the fearless warrior she portrayed herself to be and not as the soft woman she was. A woman that craved nothing more than a love so pure even Aphrodite would blush.

Lexa slowly smoothed her hands over Clarke's body until there was no more skin to touch. She returned her arms to her sides as she sunk down on a single knee. Clarke's arms that were loosely draped over Lexa's shoulders, followed her down as Clarke stared at the woman in front of her with eyes of curiosity.

"This may not mean much to you..." Lexa trailed off for a moment, wondering how exactly she would explain herself. "You're used to people kneeling in front of you. But where I'm from, none of us kneel except to the ones we ... the ones we admire. I have never kneeled to anyone in such a way up until now." Lexa swallowed hard, trying to quench her now dry throat as Clarke's eyes danced over her with intrigue.

"I have kneeled to your father and to your mother but that was out of respect. I kneel to you, Clarke Gryphem, in fealty. My fealty to you is of something much more I hope I can share with you one day hopefully not long from now if you would have it."

It was an intimate moment and the tension was running high as a fire took alight between them. Bewildered, Clarke held out a single hand to Lexa, seeing the great deal it meant to her. Although Clarke did not understand the customs of the people in Polis, it was clear that Lexa was offering her heart to her if she wanted it.

This wasn't one last time and it would never be one last time with them.

As Lexa rose to her feet once again with her hand still in Clarke's, the world itself stopped as Clarke was the first to connect their lips again, saying yes! She'll have it, all of it, all of her. This was important to Lexa, even though she knew Clarke didn't understand the full caliber of it but one day she would.

Lexa moved her hands to the back of Clarke's thighs, lifting her swiftly. Instinctively, Clarke wrapped her legs around her guard, bringing their bodies impossibly closer. Nothing but thin material separated them but both radiated heat that wasn't caused by the humid weather.

Clarke's fingers got lost in brown curls as she kissed Lexa with a certain hunger she had felt much longer than she cared to admit. Uncaring teeth clashed and their tongues fought for dominance and neither was letting up the fight to victory.

The Empress moaned faintly as Lexa took her bottom lip between her teeth, asserting her dominance. Clarke wanted to win this battle but she knew she didn't have the strength to because Lexa always completely overtook her the moment they touched and her own hums of pleasure would settle in the air around them.

Lexa didn't know where she was going but she was hoping there was a bedroom down this hall. Thankful to Fortuna, it was a bedroom with a bed larger than any she had ever seen in her life, completely covered in the most expensive furs. She slowly lowered Clarke onto it and admired her for a single moment before crawling on top of her as a feline would over its prey.

Clarke wrapped her fingers around the back of Lexa's neck, kissing her fiercely and tilting her head the exact way she wanted in order to slip her tongue even farther into Lexa's mouth, stealing her sudden gasp, and along with that all the air from her lungs.

For a moment Lexa reached a hand down and undid the strappings of both of her greaves and quickly shimmied them off of her legs but her lips did not once leave the Empress'. Low whimpers filled the room as Lexa moved to Clarke's neck sucking on it ever so lightly.

Impatient with the pace Lexa was choosing to go, Clarke flips them over then straddles Lexa's hips. In an instant Lexa sat up again, her hands finding the exposed skin of Clarke's back and it was just as she imagined it; soft and untainted by any scars. Clarke reached down, not asking for any sort of permission as she pulled Lexa's shirt over her head.

Chills grew on Lexa's skin as she felt Clarke's fingers drag over her, eagerly exploring her scarred skin. The pace slowed again as Clarke stared down at Lexa with nothing but admiration. Lexa undid the clip of the golden belt that perfectly wrapped around Clarke's waist. "Tell me to stop." Lexa whispers, more of a command than a plea.

"Never..." Clarke herself unclipped the griffin pin from her dress, allowing a piece of material to glide from her skin, exposing her bare chest. Lexa's breath grew shallow once her eyes left blue and were met with the most perfect breasts she had ever seen. Of course, she had seen a glimpse of them in the bathhouse some time ago but that glance did them no justice.

She tipped Clarke over again, cupping one of her breasts before continuing an onslaught of open-mouthed kisses to the Empress collarbone. Clarke squirmed under Lexa the moment Lexa's lips left her neck and made their way to her breasts, taking one of the hard buds in her mouth.

Lexa reached down for her trousers, pulling them down until she was able to shimmy them off with her legs and without going unnoticed, Clarke's dress was removed completely as well. Only three undergarments remained between the two of them but Clarke was sure to make it only two once she undid her guard's bindings.

A low gasp escaped their lips once their bare bodies pressed against each other, making them fit perfectly. "Tell me to stop." Lexa says again, this time an offer in case Clarke changed her mind. Clarke however defiantly declines as she pulls Lexa in for yet another battle of tongues.

In no time Lexa was back to Clarke's chest, taking each of the pink nipples in her mouth before continuing her journey farther south. The Empress buried herself in the furs, there was just something about the feeling of fur against bare skin that nothing could ever come close to comparing to—

Well, that was until she felt Lexa spread her legs, smoothing her hands all the way from her hips, over her thighs up until her knees. The fabric of Clarke's undergarment was evidently damp but Lexa was not quite yet ready to indulge herself there. Instead, she kissed her way up Clarke's left thigh, skipping over the fabric, and then continued down the Empress' right thigh.

"Gods, Lexa...please." Clarke pleads, digging her fingers into the fur. "Shhh..." Lexa coos, making her way up Clarke's body again, trailing kisses up until she reaches her mouth once again. Clarke was desperate at this point, she craved any sort of friction and as the thought crossed her mind, she felt Lexa's hand on her hip, undoing the string of her undergarment.

She continued her onslaught of love marks all across Clarke's neck marking her as her own and she wanted Rome to know that even once she leaves. She wanted Clarke to know and to remember this day until she breathes out her very last breath.

Clarke's hands trailed over Lexa's soft scarred skin, feeling every single muscle as they moved under her skin with each movement she made. She could truly say that Lexa's tanned skin was among the best things she had ever laid her eyes upon and she couldn't wait to map it out with her lips later on.

Lexa continued to mark Clarke's skin, getting gasps and small whines whenever she bit into Clarke's skin a bit harder than she should have but never the less she continued, using her teeth and tongue as well as sucking the milky skin that proved to be more delicious than she predicted. She left a beautiful shade of pink and red marks in her wake, making sure that Clarke would remember her in the coming days.

Clarke didn't mind in the slightest, in fact, her whines of pleasure only encouraged Lexa to do it over and over again until she was satisfied. As Lexa reached the destination Clarke was so desperate for her to reach, she slowly removed the material, exposing Clarke's drenched folds.

The Empress thought she should be embarrassed by how wet she was already but the thought soon ceased to exist once her folds were met with Lexa's mouth who moaned at her first taste of Clarke. Clarke propped herself up on her elbows, intently watching Lexa greedily swipe her tongue through her, gathering as much moisture as possible.

However, Lexa's eyes shoot up the moment she dips her tongue into Clarke and the Empress throws her head back in delight, crying a wale of pleasure. Her breathing was shallow, her abdominal muscles flexing with each small breath she took and her eyes were shut tightly, making her eyebrows scrunch together.

Lexa soon removed her tongue, licking her lips before she continued on Clarke's clit. She ushered a single finger into Clarke as she circled her tongue over the delicate bundle of nerves. "Fuck!" Clarke exclaimed, falling back into the furs. Her hand soon found Lexa's hair, taking a fistful as she started to rolls her hips with Lexa's pumps.

Lexa kept her eyes on Clarke, watching her as she whimpered and shuddered with each flick of her tongue, and each time her lips lightly sucked. She added another finger and quickened her pace, occasionally curling her finger touching a soft spot that drove every single woman she had ever been with absolutely crazy.

Clarke was nearing her edge evidently as her hold on Lexa's hair tightened, almost pulling at it. Her hips involuntarily bucked against Lexa's mouth and instantly she stopped her action, depriving Clarke of the sensation she was craving. By the time Clarke opened her eyes, ready to curse Lexa for stopping, she was met with loving green eyes and before she could protest, she was attacked with a kiss of animosity.

Lexa reinserted two of her fingers into Clarke, making her moan into her mouth and in a matter of a short five seconds, she was back on her high, nearing the cliff's edge. Lexa readjusted herself, getting a better angle to pump into Clarke as she placed her palm to rub Clarke in just the most perfect way. Clarke was on full display to her now and she watched the Empress become completely undone.

Clarke wasn't sure what sets her over the edge, whether it was wet skin connecting with wet skin or Lexa's low moans next to her ear but she's tumbling and stars had filled her mind as involuntary cries of pleasure continued to spill from her mouth. Occasional expletives followed and surely the gods would not appreciate them but for now, she didn't care what they thought of her.

Lexa worshipped every single sound that came from Clarke's lips, whether it was a moan, a gasp, or a word she wasn't quite sure was the meaning of, each and every noise made themselves home in her mind. She moved her fingers in and out of Clarke slowly as she came off her high, her entire body still twitching.

She placed feather-light kisses all the way from Clarke's neck to the top of her breasts, admiring her beauty once again. Clarke knew if she wasn't in love with Lexa before, she sure as Hades was now. The feeling was bittersweet because she knew there was a chance that she would only experience this once in her lifetime.

"I can see you're thinking ... don't." Lexa placed another sweet kiss on Clarke's lips. "Live in the moment, just for now." And that's what Clarke does, forgetting the self-pity she felt for a short moment. If this wasn't easy for her, then it couldn't have been easy for Lexa either and that is the thought that essentially sets her mind at ease no matter how sad it was.

Clarke decided that this would be her moment, now was when she could map Lexa's entire body and she wasn't about to take no for answer if it ever came, but it never does. Lexa allowed her to do whatever she wished to. From the prolonged time she spent on her perky breasts to the markings she left on each of them.

If she was going to remember Lexa, then she was sure to make Lexa remember her as well. A trail of love marks followed all the way from her breasts to her navel, each one more painful but pleasing than the last. Somewhere in between, Lexa's undergarment had ended up on the floor as well and by the time Clarke reached her core, she had a glistening path of moisture on her abdomen from the lengthy-time she spent kissing Lexa's shoulder, breasts, and marking her.

Lexa wanted her and that much was clear since her body started to grind up into Clarke some time ago, seeking any sort of friction, just anything that could bring the pleasure she wanted. Lexa was trembling under her, her short breaths not far apart from each other and she was sure she might come undone before Clarke even truly started her onslaught. Clarke's cries of pleasure were embarrassingly enough to soak her.

A thin layer of sweat coated their skins and Clarke's bruises had already started to turn a lavender shade of purple. Lexa's bruises were a sharp pink contrast against her tanned skin but still, Clarke could admit that even amidst her brutal markings, Lexa was perfect.

She parted Lexa's legs, opening her wide as she dipped her mouth, licking, sucking, and kissing. Clarke dragged her hands over Lexa's smooth toned legs, feeling every single defined line as every one of her muscles convulsed involuntarily. Soon Clarke slid not one but two fingers into Lexa as she latched her lips on her clit, savoring every single taste she gets.

In that moment, Clarke learns that Lexa was even more vocal than she was. Her moans filled the room; she desperately tried to muffle them but truthfully, she had not had an orgasm in almost a year and once it rippled through her, she felt like she was floating. But, nevertheless, she could tell that Clarke knew exactly what she was doing.

Clarke felt Lexa's walls clamp around her fingers but not once did she slow her pace nor did she stop giving attention to her clit and a few seconds later, Lexa was screaming Clarke's name again as she desperately clutched the furs under her body as if she would fall from the earth if she didn't hold on.

Lexa's breathing was rapid, her chest rising and falling faster than it probably should have. She was out of breath and had absolutely no sound left in her, let alone any words. With one last lick over Lexa's folds gathering up the remaining moisture, Clarke slid up her body and laid her head on Lexa's chest.

Both her heart and Lexa's were hammering in their chests, threatening to jump out. They laid in silence until Lexa's breathing evened out and she softly stroked Clarke's disheveled blonde hair. "Would it be bold of me to suggest that we just leave the capital, together? Go to Greece or something. Forget this war and whoever started it."

A smile crept to the corner of Clarke's lips, as she snuggled next to Lexa that they were eye level. It was something she could seriously consider but her father would come looking for her and would obviously eventually find her then bring her home and punish her. Only the gods knew what he would do to Lexa.

"And what would we do? Live like nobles? Have grand parties with people we call friends but secretly we loathe them?" Lexa wrapped her around Clarke, pulling her closer making them skin to skin again. "Honestly, I wouldn't care what we do as long you're by my side. Whether we're nobles or just arrogant party-goers, I won't mind."

Clarke snickered to herself, knowing that this could only remain a dream and could never become a reality. "I wish it were so easy, my love." The last two words escape Clarke's lips involuntarily and she instantly felt Lexa's muscled arm around her become rugged. Yet she doesn't comment on it, she just continues to stare at the scene painted on the ceiling.

The Empress drew lazy patterns on Lexa's bare chest, sometimes running her finger on the outlines of her breasts, memorizing the shape of them and how perfect they were on her. Lexa on the other hand was deep in thought, lost in her own mind as she imagined what the future will entail.

//

After a two-hour bath of washing one another and eventually screaming each other's names again, they laid on the large chaise with the furs draped over their naked bodies. Naturally, Clarke had laid her head on Lexa's bare chest and tangled their legs, getting the most touch as possible.

The sun had almost fully set and the night sky was open, absolutely no cloud hung in the sky. It was a half-moon and the billions of stars proudly accompanied it in its beautiful white shine. It was quiet, nothing but the occasional chirps of a lost cricket or an ominous hoot of an owl nearby.

Aventine hill certainly wasn't anything like the Flavian Palace. In the palace it was never peaceful, there was always some sort of movement in the halls, whether it was servants or Praetorians doing their rounds. In this villa, there was nothing tedious and no settlers could be heard in the streets.

Lexa reveled in the quiet, nothing to be heard except Clarke's soft breathing and she was sure she would remember this moment for the rest of her life. Clarke on the other hand was wondering about Lexa, about her past. Sure, she knew a bit of it but not all of it and she felt determined to get to know at least a few things about Lexa before she would inevitably have to leave.

"What did you do before all of this? I mean I know you trained in the gladiatorial academy and what not but that couldn't be all you did." Lexa furrowed her eyebrows at the question, wondering where the question exactly came from; what would make Clarke ask something like that.

"I suppose I helped my father in the vineyard and on my days off, I spent them with Costia. I didn't exactly have the most exciting or brilliant life now that I think about it."

"It sounds nice to me, having such a quiet life without any worries and pressures. Who wouldn't love walking in a vineyard every day and spending time with someone you love when you get the chance? To an extent I kind of envy you."

As Lexa dug farther into her memories, she remembered her days as a misthious. It had slipped her mind about the mercenary work she did simply because she wasn't that person anymore. "Well, there was something else as well but I'm afraid of what you will think of me if I do tell you." She couldn't hide anything from Clarke, no matter how hard she tried. Clarke had a hold on her in that aspect; Lexa simply wanted to tell her everything.

"Nothing in the world could change what I think of you, Lexa."

"Okay...but remember those words once I do tell you." She readjusted herself, laying on her side as she brushed a blonde lock of hair from Clarke's face, tucking it behind her ear. "I started working as a mercenary when I was seventeen summers and that was my source of income. It was my way of contributing to my household and you know, I could buy whatever I needed when I needed to."

Clarke's eyes danced between Lexa's as she thought. She figured Lexa did something along those lines before coming to the capital; it would make sense now why she could so easily kill someone. She did it for years. "Please say something, you're making me nervous. I promise I don't do any of it anymore and nor will I ever again."

"Shhh. I understand you did what you had to and as I said, it doesn't change my mind about you. I can see who you truly are, Alexandria Silvestre. We have all done bad things but it doesn't define us." Clarke moved in and captured Lexa's lips with her own again, engraving the feeling of Lexa's softness in her mind once again. Lexa always kissed her with the greatest care, as if she would break if she exerted any sort of force.

They settled back in the position they were originally in, looking up the stars once again. "What are they? The stars I mean." Lexa shrugged; she had never really thought about it. "The stars? Well, they say they're mere holes in the celestial planes. Apparently, the light of the many heavens shines through them."

"And how big are these holes exactly?"

Lexa shrugged again; she really had no clue. "Big, I imagine. They just look so small because we're very far away from them. I suppose that's where the saying 'reach for the stars' comes from because they are unimaginably far away."

"Do you think they're big enough for someone to climb through?"

"Hmm." Lexa hummed, trailing her finger up and down Clarke's arm. "Bigger, I think. Perhaps they could fit entire legions even. But how would one get up there anyway? It's impossible."

Clarke chuckled to herself as she came up with an idea. "Maybe we could find the mythical Griffin and fly it all the way up there and reach the heavens. We could live in a world of greatness without any of this turmoil." Clarke raised her hand slightly, gauging the size of a star between her fingertips.

"Oh, so the Empress is a philosopher now." Lexa slightly tickled Clarke's side, making her join in on the laughter. Soon the tickle battle turned into nothing but hums and low moans as they couldn't stop themselves from indulging in each other's lips. When they pulled away for air, Clarke slowly soothed her knuckles over Lexa's cheek, a sad smile following.

"I don't want you to leave, Lexa." She says it softly, almost so soft that even Lexa barely heard her. "Don't think about that right now, okay?" In an attempt to distract Clarke, she looks up into the night sky again and points at the moon. "Look up there at the moon. No matter what continent or what province one is in, you can see it."

A bright smile followed and Clarke absolutely fell in love with it, not even trying to fight herself in the matter anymore. "You and I, we'll be under the very same moon every night." Lexa turned to Clarke again, looking into the sea-blue eyes that will stay in her mind forever. "I'll think of you every single night when I look at it. I'll talk to it as if I'm talking to you and maybe, just maybe, some lonely wind will carry my words to you."

It was among the most beautiful things Clarke had ever heard and no one had ever said such sweet things to her; not that she ever allowed them to anyway. She kisses Lexa again, unable to get enough of her guard. The pace was as slow as the water that trickled over the stones in the Rubicon River.

Essentially, Lexa was her Rubicon river and she was the stones. Lexa so easily flowed over her and filled her with so much love as the Rubicon filled so many lakes. Of course, now more than ever, she would not allow herself to admit aloud that she loved Lexa. Not when she was so close to losing her maybe forever.

Lexa brushed her thumb over Clarke's bottom lip as Clarke continued to fight her internal battle. "The Greeks say humans were originally created with four legs, four arms, and a head with two faces. Apparently, Zeus feared their power so much that he split them into two parts, condemning each one to spend their entire lives in search of their other halves."

Lexa moved her hand to Clarke's chest, placing her palm over the Empress' heart. "You, Clarke, I found you. I believe you are my other half. Not even the mighty Zeus could keep me from you and damn him if he tries again."

"Damn him indeed."

Soon another round of lovemaking ensued but later that night they fall asleep tangled in each other, surrounded by nothing but serenity. Somewhere in the hours of the early morning, Clarke woke up, her back still snuggly pressed against Lexa's front. She had one arm draped over her and, in the darkness, Clarke entwined their fingers.

The tale Lexa told her earlier in the night, still swam in her mind, that they in fact were two halves of one that finally found each other. For some reason, she slips a ring from her finger, the one that was given to her on the day she became Empress. It was of gold and engraved on it was "CXXXVIII" it stating the year she was inaugurated as Empress.

Clarke slipped the ring onto Lexa's right ring finger, wanting her to have it. She couldn't give Lexa more than that but at least Lexa would have something of hers once she was far away. Lexa slightly stirred, tightening her hold on Clarke before nuzzling her shoulder, kissing it softly before falling back asleep.

Before her mind became a whirlwind of thoughts and worries, Clarke shut her eyes again and settled against Lexa, doing everything in her power to remember this moment. She never knew it but this was what she wanted to share with someone but like all good things, she was being stripped of it.

When first light came, Lexa could barely open her eyes. She had never had such a restful slumber and she resented the gods for making her come out of it now. The Empress was still soundly asleep, only her one bare shoulder exposed from under the furs which Lexa kisses before she shimmies herself away from Clarke, careful not to wake her.

Lexa moved through the villa as silently as possible, bathing and slipping on all of her armour pieces. From her greaves to her body armour and the blue cape that marked her as a member of the Praetorian.

Only when she sat down on the chaise across from Clarke, admiring her peaceful sleeping state, does she notice the ring on her finger. She knew it was Clarke's and on the gods, she couldn't figure out where it had come from or how it ended up on her hand.

Lexa moved to Clarke's side, kneeling next to the chaise as she brushed a stray lock of blonde hair from her beautiful face. She knew she needed to leave otherwise she wouldn't make it to Neapolis before midday when the ships depart.

She leaned over pressing one last kiss to Clarke's lips, lingering for a moment to see if her blue eyes would flutter open but they don't. It was probably for the better because she knew she would hurt immensely if she had to say goodbye to Clarke as her eyes pierced through her.

As Lexa rose to her feet again, she turned the ring on her finger, contemplating if she should just take it off and return it to the Empress's hand but she doesn't. If it was on her hand, it would mean that Clarke had put it there intentionally.

With one last glance, Lexa turns away to the exit of the villa. She felt a twisting ache in her chest, it didn't even matter that Clarke wasn't awake because it was still among the most painful feelings to leave her behind. As Lexa stepped into the street, looking left and right she sees Octavia approaching with her horse Vitus.

"Morning, I thought I would come bid you a farewell."

Lexa wrapped her arms around Octavia immediately, catching her by surprise. It was an awkward fit since Lexa's armour made her even larger than she already was and she already had at least a head length of height over Octavia.

"I'm going to miss you, sister." Lexa chokes out as a mix of emotions spur inside of her. She was grateful that Octavia was there already but still she couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of sadness.

When they pulled apart, Octavia placed her palms on either of Lexa's cheeks wiping away two stray tears. "I'm going to miss you too. But I brought you something." Octavia turned back to the horse, retrieving something from the saddlebag.

"I saw them loading your chests yesterday and I figured you would need this." Octavia extended their father's red sash along with the family crest badge. "You can't be a General without the sash, it would be sacrilege." She jokes.

Slowly Lexa took the sash from her sister, feeling the material under her fingertips. The sash was slightly tattered from battle but still, it seemed immaculate. "Thank you, so much."

"Shall I?" Octavia asks, gesturing to unclipping the Praetorian cape for her. With a slight nod, Octavia undid the two SPQR badges, removing the cape. She was about to clip in the red sash with one SPQR badge on the left and their family crest badge on the right but was soon stopped by Lexa's hand.

In place of their crest, she clipped in the other SPQR badge again, placing the crest on the Praetorian cape. "Will you give this to her, just like this?" Octavia knew who Lexa was referring to without even having to ask. "Of course, anything else?"

Lexa wordlessly shook her head for a moment. "Nothing else, just keep her safe, Octavia. Take your orders from her and not from anybody else. Not from her mother and definitely not from your brother. I know it is controversial but I'm begging you."

"It's not controversial, I trust you. If that is your wish then that is how it will be done. Now go, before they leave without you." With a sad smile, they embraced again, this time tighter as if it would be the very last time. "I love you, Lex. Come back soon, preferably in one piece and breathing."

It earned her a small chuckle from Lexa, followed by a toothy smile. "Breathing and one piece, got it. I will certainly do my very best." Lexa mounted her horse, softly patting its muscular neck. "See you soon, O."

"See you, gods be with you."

With a nod, Lexa clicked her tongue twice, making Vitus trod into the direction of the Appian Way. It was a mere ten minutes to the Appian but the route itself to Neapolis was a grueling four hours and the moment she climbed off of her horse, she could feel that she had not ridden in a very long time.

She had asked for directions a few times until she found the ship she and General Magnus would take. Lexa was overwhelmed by how busy the docks were and how many different merchants there were, most of them selling the catch of the day. Clear barter could be heard as each customer tried to negotiate the price with the merchant. Most were truly just haggling.

Lexa walked to where she saw a few horses stationed by a few slaves she recognized from the palace. They all bowed their heads at her in acknowledgment and again she struggled to believe how far she had come to procure such status in six or seven months.

She handed off her reigns to one servant, saying a thank you and asking if he would make sure that he returns Vitus back to the palace stables where all the important horses were kept. Liberius being one of them; Clarke's beautiful white steed. Lexa kissed the top of her horse's head, promising that she would see him soon.

As she adjusted her weapons belt, she eyed the plank she was supposed to walk over to reach the ship and her stomach sank. It did not look sturdy in the least but it was the only way onto the ship. It was foolish really, she was being sent to a potential war-ridden country, but the plank to the ship was what frightened her.

On the main deck above the captain's quarters, stood General Magnus, watching Lexa trying to gauge how the fastest way over the plank would be. He laughed to himself before cupping his hands around his mouth. "Just cross it, General, and don't look down!"

Lexa took note of the General yelling at her; he was right, she should just cross it and get it over with. With one last exhale, she crossed the plank as fast as possible, grabbing the railing as soon as it came into reach. General Magnus had since descended the stairs onto the deck to greet his fellow General.

"Salve, Alexandria, you look even more impressive than the Emperor explained. I must say I'm impressed by the status you've procured in such a small time frame, you must really know your way around a sword."

"Salve, General—"

"Magnus is fine, I'm not your General." He interrupts, making it clear that he considered her his equal. She was grateful that he did because truthfully, she feared that he would be as dreadful as General Blake was and she wasn't exactly sure how she would survive such a long time by someone's side who carried himself that way.

"My apologies, Magnus." She extended her forearm to him in proper greeting which he took in a tight grip, even more impressed by her confidence. "Nothing to be impressed about I'm afraid but I do like to think I know my way around a sword."

He dropped her arm and turned around, making his way back to the main deck, indicating for her to follow him. "Tell me about yourself, where you're from and whatnot, and how you ended up here." He asks as he ascended the stairs, shortly followed by Lexa. "You must excuse my lack of knowledge based on who you are, I haven't been in the capital for quite some time. I only know what the Emperor's letter to me said which is basically nothing."

Some soldiers had started to board the ship, none of them showing the fear Lexa had when she had to cross the plank. "I'm from a small city named Polis kind of far from the capital. Nothing spectacular really. It was a dream of mine to fight in the Colosseum and somehow after my first match the Emperor decided to place me in the Praetorian guard and to protect his daughter."

An involuntary smile crept onto Lexa's lips at the thought of Clarke. She was right in her initial thoughts long ago, the blue of the ocean really couldn't compare to the intense blue of Clarke's eyes. "I assume you won then; you conquered the Colosseum?" Lexa nodded, looking over the vast body of water in front of them. "Indeed, alongside my sister, Octavia."

Magnus leaned on a nearby railing, looking Lexa up and down. "Impressive. You must be honored. Say, the letter Jake sent me stated you were a daughter of a previous General but he didn't mention of which and I have known my fair share and I have no knowledge of one that survived and had a child, let alone two."

"Maximus Silvestre, he was my father." Lexa wondered if she would always be second accompanying her father's legacy. If people would always associate her with him even after she made a name for herself. "Victor of the battle of Danube."

"Hmm, I didn't know him personally, but I am familiar with the battle. My condolences for your loss." A silence passed between them after Lexa spared a 'thank you' as they both watched the last few men board the ship, some going below deck to stash their weapons and armour.

There were fifty ships that would depart today, each that could carry four hundred and twenty men. Eighty of them were oarsmen and twenty were deckhands, the remainder were all soldiers. The total tally of people that would leave Rome today was an outstanding number of twenty-one thousand.

"Look kid, I'll teach you everything you need to know but nothing in the world will be able to prepare you for the brutality of war. I can tell you're not stupid and you as well as I know that we're not sailing to Egypt to have an afternoon meal with them. I pray to the gods that you understand that because eight thousand of these men may follow you into war but in the end, it's you alone. You're going to see and experience things no one should ever."

"I understand, Magnus. I thank you for your guidance." Or she hoped she understood anyway. She had already seen the remainders of battle; it being nothing but mud, blood, puke, and a vile stench of urine. Of course, this would be nothing like Polis but something far worse.

"Good, I must warn you though, if this is your first time on a ship, stand close to the railing. If you vomit on deck, you're cleaning it."

//

Clarke reached to her side, longing for the presence of the woman that brought out so much pleasure and passion out of her the previous night, but she finds no one. Still rubbing her eyes, she sits up on the chaise, pulling the furs with, over her bare chest. "Lexa?" She calls.

No answer followed and she didn't see Lexa's armour against the wall where it was the previous night and her weapons belt was missing as well. To say Clarke's heart sank, would be an understatement but she knew the moment would come.

She was disappointed that she couldn't kiss Lexa goodbye but she knew it was for the better. It would save her from the extra heartache but still, heartache loomed over her. Clarke found her clothing splayed on the floor in the bedroom they shared the day before.

The material felt heavy on her and quite frankly she didn't want to go back to the palace and continue to live her life. The woman that had turned her entire world upside down was gone and soon she would fall back into the normal boring routine she always had.

As Clarke opened the front door for herself, it dreadfully reminded her that Lexa wasn't around anymore. She wondered how in the world she would get back to the palace now; there was no way she could walk through the streets full of plebs without protection.

"Salve, Imperatrix." Octavia's voice drew Clarke's attention. Her new guard pushed up from the wall she was leaning against, the blue of the Praetorian cape loosely hanging over her shoulder harshly accentuated in the high sun.

The two words were so familiar, so Lexa. She was the only one that ever spoke Latin to Clarke and there was just something about the way she said the intricate words. "Salve, Octavia. What are you doing here?"

Octavia smiled friendly as she approached Clarke. "This is my villa, I think I can stand outside of it if I wish to." Clarke could now tell that Octavia was indeed related to Lexa, both of them had no problem sharing their witty sarcastic comments.

"Right, it is. I'm sorry, I— time must have gotten away from me, I should've probably left a long time ago."

Octavia shook her head, removing the draped cape from her shoulder. "Not too long, it's only been about two hours." She held out the blue cape to the Empress, the badge on top. "She said to give this to you."

Clarke took the cape from Octavia, running her fingertip over the intricate picture on the badge. It looked exactly like the crest Lexa had branded between her eyebrows. The simple crest that Clarke had kissed the previous night so many times that she had lost count. "Thank you ... did she say anything else?"

Clarke was hopeful for some reason, that Lexa may have said the three words that she so desperately wanted to say and hear but Octavia only shook her head. "No, Empress, she said nothing more." Clarke nodded, half disappointed but it was one of those things.

"Shall I get you back to the palace then? You know, before anyone notices that you in fact did not spend your evening in your quarters. It would be a really terrible start for my first day on duty."

The Empress quirked an eyebrow at Octavia in confusion. "First day of duty? What do you mean?"

"Oh," Octavia placed her feet together and clasped her hands behind her back, puffing her chest, trying to look as official as possible. "I assumed Lexa would have told you; your father has made me your new guard. Apparently, you enjoy feminine energy, or something like that, your highness. Whatever that means. Lexa was pretty intoxicated when she told me what exactly your father said."

It was obvious to Clarke that Octavia wasn't even close to the level of formality Lexa showed her at first. Octavia spoke to her more as a friend and not someone she would have to serve and address properly in front of prying eyes. "Right, of course he did."

Clarke wasn't familiar with Octavia in the least. They exchanged occasional greetings and small talk whenever they ran into each other but that's it. She wondered if Lexa ever told her sister of the ... thing ... they shared. Their affair? Was that what it was?

"You seem disappointed, Empress." Octavia says wearily.

"No, I'm not it's just ... you know, a rough start of the day. We can head back to the palace; I just have to get myself together."

They walked back to the palace in silence, except for the occasional 'careful' Octavia said to her when there was a puddle or when a pleb came a little closer than they should. Much more than that wasn't said up until Clarke's quarters.

Octavia opened the door to Clarke's quarters and allowed her to go inside with a sheepish smile. However, the moment Clarke's new guard closed the door behind her, she allowed herself a moment to feel something, anything. In the privacy of her quarters, she broke down but she didn't sob, she simply let the tears flow from her eyes.

In the bay of Neapolis the ships had started to undock and the oarsmen were hard at work to move the ships toward the open waters. Caecius Severus the prefect of the ship barked his orders often. His voice was so loud that even the men below deck could hear him.

"Drop sails as soon as we pass that peak!" The deckhands all exclaimed a "Yes sir!" and continued to untie all necessary ropes that would drop the canvas sails at the appropriate time. After Caecius finished inspecting the work of his crew, he returned to the main deck where Lexa and Magnus discussed some of the Centurions from their respective legions.

"The winds favor us today. The offerings to Neptune proved fruitful. We should make quick work on the first day. If the weather continues to stay in our favor, we should reach Athens by the end of the month. Overall, I suspect we will reach Egypt in a month and a half."

Lexa had no knowledge of the high seas but she sure as Hades was not ready to spend that long on water. She had already started to feel queasy and they had barely even left the mainland. "Not bad, would be one of my shorter voyages." Magnus comments, giving Lexa an impressed look.

She only returned a look of worry. "Don't worry Alexandria, you have a room above deck, very comfortable I assure you. Would you like to see it? I believe my crew has already moved your chests there." Lexa nodded in his direction and spared a bow in Magnus' direction as well.

Caecius easily descended the steps and made an immediate right, toward the door. "There are three rooms in here, one is mine, the other is Magnus', and the last is yours." He opened the door and it led into a short corridor. The fresh varnish on the wooden walls was the only thing she could smell.

"Right in here." She was grateful that there was a door attached to her quarters, she would at least have some sort of privacy the other two rooms didn't have. It wasn't a large room, obviously, but it would do. There was a bed at least with not half bad furs and pillows. It sure beats where the soldiers slept; either in makeshift hammocks or on the filthy deck.

"Thank you, Caecius." He nodded his head, happy that she was satisfied with what he had to offer her. It wasn't as lavish as the captain's quarters but it was enough. "A pleasure, I'll leave you to it. Find me if you need anything or just use my crewmen for whatever you need if you can't find me."

He closed the door behind him and shortly after, Lexa could hear him bark order on deck again. This would certainly be something she would have to get used to. There was a small window that the cold ocean breeze blew through, the crisp salty smell of the sea evident.

She decided to remove her armour first, not seeing the need to wear it. After placing it on the wooden statuette anchored to the floor, a soft knock came from the door. "Yes?" The door opened and a familiar face entered through it. One that Lexa was abnormally happy to see.

"Valentina, I had no idea you were coming along."

"Can't send soldiers to war without a handful of healers. The Emperor has assigned myself and several other healers to your legionnaires." She closed the door behind her, a bag in her hand. "I haven't seen you recently and I know that arm of yours must at least ache a little."

Lexa looked down at her forearms and then to her shoulder. Strangely neither actually hurt, perhaps sensitive when they were met with pressure. More than that, the healing wound just itched. "Surprisingly, it's not too bad. I think it's doing well but please, have a look yourself."

Both women took a seat on the bed and Valentina decided to check the stitching first. "That's interesting." She lightly pressed on each line, keeping an eye on Lexa's expression to see if she twitches or winces. "Do you feel any sort of discomfort?" Lexa shook her head, pursing her lips.

"Almost four days and you mean to tell me this doesn't hurt at all?"

"Is it supposed to? Because I mean it's an annoying feeling but it's definitely not painful. My wrist hurts more from holding the reigns of my horse all the way to the docks."

"Like I said, interesting. I don't think I'll remove the stitching just yet but if you continue to heal the way you do, perhaps in another four days I will take them out. Let's see these forearms of yours."

Lexa held out her forearms to Valentine, giving her the choice to choose which she'd like to inspect first. She unwrapped Lexa's right forearm first, snickering to herself for how the wrapping was done. "It's obvious you wrapped this yourself, the real soldier way. Sloppy but enough for it to get the job done."

Lexa shrugged, laughing as well. She had tried her best this morning but it was harder than expected to match the tight wrap that Valentina always made. "I tried okay? Don't you mock me for it." Valentina shook her head, still a smile coating her lips.

"Were you with the Empress last night?" Valentina asks, applying a salve to the drying skin. That wound too was healing spectacularly. "I was indeed. If you noticed she was gone then I assume everyone noticed."

"Not at all. Nothing but a quick word from me to the servants that the Empress wasn't feeling well and would not like to be disturbed, and so no one came near her quarters. Not Senator Blake nor her father came so you're safe."

"Why do you do it? I understand you're sworn to secrecy but you have no obligation to cover for her or me. Covering for us is going out of your way, Valentina."

Valentina sighed, tilting her head as she finished fastening a new piece of cloth around Lexa's forearm. "If the Empress is happy and smiling more than she has since the day my servitude started with the Gryphem family, why should I take it away from her? If a simple white lie aids in her happiness, then I would do it over and over."

"I suppose I owe you thanks then."

"Hardly, I'm just grateful that she found someone that truly cares for her. Unlike the man she is set to marry who only wants her power. Or that starry-eyed fledgling Finn that thinks he'll matter in the eyes of Rome one day. He was just the worst."

Lexa laughed at the analogy, agreeing with it however. "Not the biggest supporter of him then?" Valentina huffed a breath, rolling her eyes. "Supporter? He has been like an annoying child his entire time in the palace. When the servants told me, you manhandled him out of Clarke's quarters, I was ecstatic. I said yes! Finally! Someone taking charge of this god-forsaken palace."

"Manhandled him? Is that what they said? I hardly touched him."

"Sure, if you say so." Valentina continued to inspect the wolf bite. It was clear to see where its many teeth sunk in but luckily there was no sort of infection. "I apologize if I'm prying but truly, I am just beyond curious. This affair you have with the Empress ... is it serious or just how can I say ... a Roman affair of fun. I ask this because I notice you have one of her rings on your finger and that must mean something."

Lexa smiled down, looking at the ring with the Roman numeral engraved on it. "She must have slipped it onto my finger while I slept. I think there are so many complications that I cannot fully answer that, Valentina. I know I care for her, deeply so, but she's promised to the Senator and I'm on my way to fight her father's war. For me, this wasn't some Roman fun. Perhaps in another lifetime, we could love one another."

//

Emperor Jake had just finished his final meeting of the day with the Senate. It was a small meeting seeing a lot of the Praetorian that took up half the occupation of the Senate, were already on ships on their way to Greece.

The session ended earlier than expected seeing all members present were keen to get it over with and none of them were in the mood for debate. They all agreed that this would be the very last meeting the Emperor would attend and if there any more issues, then Senator Blake was to be interacted with.

Jake had decided that he would no longer leave in a fortnight, but at the end of the week instead. The faster he could get to Egypt, the better. However, the moment he would set foot on the deck of the ship, Senator Blake would take the role of people's consul, making him the most powerful man in all of Italy.

The Emperor was worried about the fact that he was placing so much power in such a young man's hands but truly there was no other choice. All these thoughts rushed through his mind like a whirlwind while he tracked up the steps toward his quarters.

The sun had set over the seven hills of Rome and a storm was on the rise. In the distance thunder angrily roared and the clouds were starting to tumble over Rome. He was half happy that he wasn't the one on a ship tonight since the seas with their waves could become quite restless and brutal.

As Jake pushed the door open to his quarters, undoing his toga in the process to clad himself in something more comfortable, he calls out his wife's name. "Abigail? Are you back from the treasury yet?" A muffled struggle came from their bedroom and Jake furrowed his eyebrows. "Abigail?"

He was met by the frightened eyes of his announcer, his starting to gray hair disheveled. His mouth hung agape, knowing that he has been caught as he tried to clothe himself as quickly as possible. In bed, just as frightened was Abigail, the furs pulled up over her bare chest.

"And what is this?" Jake asks astonished. Dumbstruck that two of the most trusted people in his life had betrayed him. So blatantly even. "Abigail? Marcus?" Jake pressed his palm to his forehead in disbelief, he struggled to conjure up any words. He was convinced that Abigail was happy in their marriage; she never showed any signs that she was unhappy.

"I can explain."

The Emperor shook his head as his sadness was replaced with rage. He walked back to the entrance of the quarters, calling down the hall for his personal guard that quickly rushed to his side. "Emperor? What can we do for you?"

"Take Marcus to the dungeons, lock him up and throw the key away."

The Praetorian passed by him into the room, taking hold of a barely clothed Marcus, dragging him away, not even allowing the man to gain his footing. He didn't protest or struggle, he allowed himself to be taken away. However, Abigail was yelling behind him to the Praetorian to unhand him but they didn't bother listening to her. They served the Emperor and nobody else.

Jake had sat down at the table he and Abigail dined at so many nights. He placed his head in his hands, trying to calm himself down before he completely lost it. "Why him, Abigail? Why anyone but me? I thought we were happy."

Abigail laughed harshly, pulling a robe over her nude body. "Happy? Do you call whatever we have, happiness? Jake, you haven't looked at me in a loving way since you took over this power-driven Empire of yours. It's like you forgot about me. I tried, I really did, I tried to look like your happy wife to the public but not anymore, I couldn't."

"How long?" Jake choked, trying to keep his feeling of betrayal buried. "How long have you been seeing him? How long have you been lying to me!" Tears had filled his eyes, even if Abigail no longer loved him, he still loved her with all of his being. She and Clarke meant more to him than this Empire did. That was exactly the reason why he was resigning from his position in power after all the unrest was resolved.

"About a year."

"About a year..." he repeats to himself, still shaking his head. "A year and I only find out now. Do you understand what will happen when the people find out about this! The senate will destroy me saying that I can't even keep my own wife at bay! They will question me ... gods and what about the people of Rome. I will be a laughing stock because you can't keep your legs shut!"

Abigail poured herself a chalice of wine, drinking the first chalice with no problem and she easily poured herself another. "Now I finally understand how our daughter feels. You just can't allow either of us just a twinge of happiness. Everything that makes her happy you just take away from her without thinking twice."

The Empress, opened the door to the balcony, walking out into the darkness only clad in her thin robe. Jake followed her outside, his rage starting to bubble through. "Don't make this about Clarke. Everything I do is for the better of her and one day she'll understand. That guard, what was his name, Fenix, he didn't deserve her."

"You know I'm not talking about Fenix, Jake. I'm talking about Alexandria. What I told you was in confidence and what do you do? You send her away the very first chance you get because of some bullshit reason. The girl isn't ready to fight whatever war you sent her to and the day Clarke finds out that Fenix and Alexandria were your doing, she will resent you, hate you, and understand what monster you are!"

Jake had been a respectful man for the most of his life, never striking a woman, let alone laying a harmful hand on them but Abigail's words were enough to send him into overdrive. He slapped her through the face but she only turned her face back to him, her cheek stinging and her face portraying the disgust she felt.

"You will never understand what I do for my Empire and you don't get to tell me what to give and what not to give my daughter. Bellamy will be good for her, give him a son that could be his successor. Alexandria ... she's a lovesick soldier; a soldier do you hear me? And she will never be more than that."

Abigail shoved Jake's chest then, dropping her chalice full of wine next to her. "She's more than that and you know it! Maximus was your best friend and you sent his daughter to her death!" She shoved his chest again, this time with more force. "I hope Clarke finds out because you deserve every drop of hatred she will send your way."

Jake's mind went blank as he himself shoved his wife back. She stumbled for a moment then stepped on a piece of linen from her see-through robe and tripped. He tried to reach out for her, or he thinks he did anyway as he hangs over the railing of their once shared balcony.

Abigail had fallen a total of fifty feet, head first onto the marble path in the palace garden. Her void-of-life eyes stared back at Jake as a lone trickle of blood flowed from her nose. She fell in the silence of darkness but the crack of her skull echoed through the vast garden.

Chapter Text

The once violently beating heart of Rome had come to a standstill as its citizens fell into a state of utter mourning upon losing their beloved Empress. The city was overruled by unrest, now more than ever. Their Empress was greatly worshipped, and now she was gone and along with her, the remaining peace.

Jake had yelled that night, trying to draw the attention of anyone that could potentially aid his wife but it proved to be fruitless. A few servants came, perhaps a healer or two but soon a healer shook their head at Jake, indicating that Abigail was no longer breathing.

Pulled out of her own tears from the yelling she heard echo throughout the palace, Clarke had run down the halls, her dress's material tightly clutched in her fists. She followed the few servants she saw running outside and that's when she saw it. Her mother's lifeless body, a pool of blood around her head and her eyes still open.

She had looked up to the balcony, finding her father's tear-filled eyes and his shaking hands. Clarke had yelled to him, asking what happened but only in a whisper could he muster three simple words.

She just fell.

As soon as news reached the Roman streets, word spread like wildfire that the Empress was dead. Soon province after province knew about the loss of the Empire's Empress. Condolences and lavish gifts started to arrive at the palace but Jake was nowhere to be seen.

The royal family of only two now restricted themselves to their respective quarters mourning the death of Abigail. Jake had not slept in days, the reason being that whenever he closed his eyes, he saw his wife fall, over and over again.

Clarke laid in bed almost the entirety of each day. Octavia was always on time for her duty even if it only consisted of standing in the hall and having a staredown with Apollo and later, she received news that her one lover, Lincoln, was also sent to Egypt. The news certainly didn't better her boring days but at least she still saw the maiden Raven often.

Clarke's best friend and handmaiden Raven tried to be a good friend, to be present when Clarke needed someone most, but the mourning Empress didn't want to see anybody.

Not anybody in Rome anyway. The person she wanted close was on a ship, far, far away.

It was somewhere in the first or second week of the new year and the four Roman Legions had been at sea for just shy of a whole month. The beautiful architecture of Athens had come into view and along with that the many ships that were being pulled from the nearby so-called ship-sheds.

There were what seemed to be hundreds of ships, ranging from battleships to smaller merchant ships and the port was bustling with marching soldiers and busy merchants. Lexa had never been to the land her ancestors came from and she simply couldn't wait to touch her feet on solid earth again.

As great as the first experience on a ship was, she could truly say that she'd prefer to never board one again but she would have to soon anyway. The first week and a half aboard she suffered with serious seasickness but she wasn't the only one. It wasn't an odd sight to see a soldier on his knees on the deck, scrubbing at the remnants of his meal.

Luckily Lexa was close to a railing every time her stomach decided to churn. After a while Magnus suggested she doesn't eat before they would go on deck and have a makeshift training formation.

She had met a few men that were in her legion and as expected they didn't take it lightly when they were made aware that a woman was to lead them into war. Lexa took the disrespect with a pinch of salt and was determined to earn their respect.

At first, she just watched the men train under Magnus' lead; he made it abundantly clear that she should really focus on observation while her arms healed and soon, she could then fall into combat with them. It turned out that Magnus was quite a nice man except when he caught a soldier messing around and not doing as told.

Magnus treated the men brutally but they respected him. He was in his middle forties, around the age Maximus was, but still, he packed one hell of a punch, literally. If a soldier stepped out of line or screwed up the simple shield formation, his jaw was met with a fist.

Lexa wasn't used to seeing a mentor treat his subjects as such. Her father never beat anyone in the academy, no matter how inexperienced they were. It was clear that some of these men were in fact boys, only recently reaching manhood but the majority of the soldiers were in their late twenties, they were the real arrogant ones.

As she studied the few men from her legions, Lexa realized that she was going to be met with quite a hard challenge, one she wasn't exactly sure how she'd overcome. These men were nothing like what she was used to. Sure, she had fought brutes and interacted with fellow gladiators but these soldiers ... they were different.

She knew that she would have to change herself in order to fall into their strides in order to gain their respect. As Magnus set it to her: "Don't be such a prude." One thing Lexa never considered herself as was a prude but the things these men came up with over their drunken games of dice certainly wasn't meant for a woman's ears.

Days after Valentina removed the stitching from Lexa's shoulder, she finally gave her the go-ahead to engage in training. The men watched her wearily as she descended the main deck stairs, joining them on the day. She didn't wear her armour or anything that could identify her as a General, she wanted these men to see her as their equal.

Therefore, her very first request was simple considering their outrage. "Raise your hand if you don't respect me, I wouldn't take it personally and it will not affect your position in the legion." The men shared glances with one another to see who would raise their hands first. One after the other raised their hands, not shying away from keeping eye contact with her.

"Very well, I'll start with you then." She pointed at a man that was around twenty-five summers, a perfectly trimmed beard and a bald head. Once he was singled out in the crowd of men, the colour drained from his face. The soldiers around him laughed and quickly started to push him forward toward where Lexa stood, her hands behind her back and her chin raised in anticipation.

"What's your name soldier?"

"Nero Pax, ma'am."

Lexa nodded her head. "Tell me Nero, what would earn your respect?" Nero shrugged, looking back at his fellow soldiers. The crowd looked on expectantly, waiting to see how it will unfold. "You don't know? Do you even know why you don't respect me?"

"That's an easy one ma'am, you don't belong here. You don't deserve your position. There are men on this ship that have served Rome for over twenty years and they barely rank as Centurions. What did you do to deserve it? Fucked the Emperor? Spread your legs to the entire Senate?"

Lexa laughed at him bitterly. "So, your problem is that I don't deserve my position and generally you assume that I have fucked my way to the very top. Interesting." She started to walk the length of the deck, passing each soldier and making eye contact with them. "If your reason is similar to his, please step forward." A handful of men stepped forward, all of varying ages and sizes.

"Let me teach you a lesson about deserving and not deserving something." She stood in front of Nero again, eye to eye. They were the same height and he was a little scrawnier than her. "If I were to knock you on your sorry ass right now, do you think you would deserve it?"

Nero laughed, along with a few other men that seemed to be friends with him. Again, she took their slight laughs of mocking with a pinch of salt. "You would have to be able to best me first, ma'am, and I doubt-" Before he could finish his sentence, Lexa swung her fist, landing it right on his jaw sending Nero to the moist deck under him. The crowd jerked at the unexpected action and other's yelled "Oh's" and "Fuck's".

"Get up, soldier." Lexa commanded, catching the eye of Magnus as he watched her assertion of dominance. Nero got to his feet, flexing his jaw and spitting blood to his side. "Very well done, ma'am, but that was a liberty shot."

"Was it? Because I think you deserved it and you're about to get another one if you address me wrongly again."

"You're not my Commander or General, ma'am."

The next shot Lexa lands is to Nero's gut, making him double over gasping for air. Slightly leaning toward him, she speaks in a low husky voice. "Say that again, soldier. Or would you like to engage in a full-out fistfight with me? It's been a while since I've truly beat someone to the brink of death."

Magnus continued to watch her, observing the route she has taken to gain the respect of her men. He watched her as a proud father would because she chose the only route these men would understand. Brute force.

"No, Commander, I apologize."

Lexa shook her head disappointed that his bravery suddenly dissipated into the crisp ocean wind. "Things change when you're no longer in a big crowd but standing head-to-head with the person you disrespect. Not such a big man after all." She kicked him over as he started to get to his feet again. "Get back in line, Nero." She pointed to another man, one that stepped forward a moment ago. "You, you're next unless you've changed your mind."

"No problem here, Commander."

"Very well. Anyone else then?" She asks looking around at the shocked faces.

A man covered in tattoos and brandings on his skin stepped forward, his hand in the air. "I respect you, Commander, but if that fistfight is still on the table, I'd like to take the offer. I'd like to see the type of Commander leading us into war."

"Careful now, Conan. You'll be facing a victor of the Colosseum; she's used to getting her hands bloodied on faces like yours." Magnus intervenes, giving the men an insight into who their Commander actually is. The men shared confused glances with one another. "No way she's that woman." A man in the back of the crowd says. "Yeah, what would she be doing here? She's probably drowning in coin and all the pretty cunt Rome has to offer." A few other men interjected with answer's ranging from "Yeah's" to some saying "Lucky bastard."

"Believe it, men. Your Commander here is the one and only Alexandria Silvestre. Conqueror of the sixtieth Colosseum games."

"And I'm definitely not drowning in all the cunt Rome has to offer, I'm afraid. I'm on a ship with the lot of you. Also, about your witty Senate comment earlier, Nero, I didn't fuck any of them but I do have a seat in the Senate, that's more than you will ever have." Lexa adds, walking down the line of men again, a stern look on her face.

She was hoping to gain their respect without that shred of her past but if it's what it took, then so be it.

"Touché, Commander."

"So no fistfight then?" Conan asks, looking in Lexa's direction. "It will be good fun, Commander. Show us what you did in the matches we didn't watch." Lexa smiled back to him then at Magnus asking for permission with her eyes.

"Would it be fine if I ruin your man, Magnus?"

"Please do, it's been a while since I've watched something entertaining."

Conan cracked his knuckles while Caecius barked orders to his men to clear deck. Soon there were no barrels or rope's in the way and the deck was clear to be fought on. "I would just like to say that you two are caring for yourselves after this." Valentina says from the main deck, looking over the two warriors about to spar.

They circled each for a few seconds before Conan lunged and Lexa simply stepped out of the way. "You're going to have to be more strategic about it than that, soldier. I knew what you were going to do before even you knew."

"I'm only warming up, Commander."

The other soldiers made bets with the bit of coin they had with them and the odds were pretty equal. Some betted on Conan and some betted on Lexa. All of the men were eager to see if her reputation precedes her.

They had not been present when the games were underway but in another province instead getting the training they needed. Of course stories of the fearsome Gladiatrix reached them but none expected that she was the one that became their General.

Conan swung his fists; occasionally missing and other times being blocked off completely. As any other fight, she never went on the attack first but plotted his movements. Winning a fight wasn't about attacking first or the amount of brute strength one had, but getting to know your opponent. The moment you know him better than yourself, that was the moment to attack.

Another key part was letting your opponent wear themselves out, stamina didn't last forever. While he overworked himself in the hot sun, she used the least possible stamina just to defend his reckless swings. Magnus intently watched the two soldiers spar and then watched the cheering men. Lexa was making herself known among them, this was how she would gain and win their respect.

Once the opportunity presented itself, Lexa landed a fist on Conan's toned stomach and the next to the bottom of his chin making his teeth clatter on each other, and in a final move she jabbed him with her elbow to his nose rendering him disorientated.

If one blinked, one would have missed it as she swung around him, wrapping her arm around his neck in a chokehold. As she tightened her grip, latching on to her arm pulling it more taught around his airway, she could tell she wasn't at full strength; her muscles were protesting from her previous injuries.

Conan flailed his arms, trying to reach for her as his face turned a darker shade of red with each passing second. "Tap or I'm choking you out." Lexa says through gritted teeth as she could feel Conan sinking to the deck, unable to keep his own weight up. She watched Clarke's ring glisten on her finger under the sun and a few seconds later Lexa could feel Conan's blood running from his nose reach her arm.

However, a tap never came as Conan collapsed under her hold, no longer struggling. Once he stopped moving, Lexa removed her arm from around his neck, softly laying him on the deck. "A valiant effort, soldier." She whispers to Conan's unconscious form. "Take a lesson from this, men, tap while you still can. There is no dishonor in giving up to your opponent, you'll at least have a next time to redeem yourself."

The cheering crowd had quieted, now listening to the woman with their newly found respect. "Is there anyone else that would like to be made a fool of?" Lexa jokes, looking between the faces of the soldiers. When no one answers her offer, her order follows. "Very well, get your shields, we're doing formation training."

As the men went below deck to get their shields, Magnus took a stance next to Lexa while some of Caesius' men dragged Conan off of the main deck, propping him up against a pole. "You did well, I think quite a few of them have changed their minds about you. By the time we reach Egypt you can know that these men will be loyal to you, ready to die for you and Rome."

"Three hundred and twenty men, Magnus. What about the remaining seven thousand six hundred who have not even laid eyes on me yet? Nero made a good point; I don't deserve my position and I will never understand why the Emperor thought it was a good idea to put me here."

Magnus shrugged then leaned against the railing. "Even if you don't deserve the position right now, you'll deserve it the moment you return home victorious. Fake it till you make it, kid. The moment you show these guys weakness, they'll lose all the respect you worked so hard to get. So act like you deserve it, exert your power and don't be afraid to stray from protocol. Rule them with fear if you have to."

Lexa took that information in and that night she went up to the main deck and got onto her knees as she watched the moon slowly moving by as the ship sailed over the quiet waters. "I'm afraid, Clarke. I'm afraid to lose myself in the process of finding someone inside of me worthy of being a General. I fear I will be a different person by the time we reach Egypt and I ask the gods, who exactly will I be when I come back to you one day?" As each and every other night, she kissed the ring on her finger, sealing what she had said in the cold wind for no one to be heard except for her beloved far away from her.

On the present day, Caesius' crewmen were hard at work trying to dock the ship in the port of Piraeus. Both Lexa and Magnus stood on the main deck, fully clad in their armour with their red sashes. He had offered Lexa a new sash but she insisted to wear her father's. "We're heading to the Parthenon first to meet the Monarch. He'll make us aware of how many men he's sending and what not. Perhaps we can even get an update of what's actually happening in Egypt."

"I'll follow your lead." Lexa says simply, following Magnus down the steps. "How many times have you been here?"

"A handful of times, but always with a representative or with Caesar himself. It's quite odd that it is just the two of us here to collect the Monarch's fleet. But I suppose you're the representative, having your senate seat and all."

"You do realize I have no idea what I'm doing right?" Lexa laughs, earning a chuckle from Magnus as well. Spending each day together the past month had made them friends more than anything else. They could often make jokes with one another or share origin stories. Lexa became so comfortable with him, that she insisted that he calls her Lexa instead of her full name.

"Better you keep quiet then until you're directly spoken to. The Monarch is a difficult man and he'll be able to tell if you're clueless or not." A deckhand dropped the plank onto the dock, signaling for Lexa and Magnus to cross. "Ladies first." Magnus says with a smirk knowing exactly how much Lexa dreaded the plank.

"Very funny." Lucky for her, the ship was close enough to the dock to make a jump for it instead which Lexa does, completely skipping the plank entirely. Magnus only laughed as he walked over the plank with ease. "I'd break a knee if I made a jump like that at my age."

An Athenian General approached them, clad in a gold armour shaped in the bare front of a very muscular man. Lexa wondered if it was just for show or if the soldier was actually so muscular under all of his armour. A blue sash hung from his shoulder as well with the Athenian owl pictured across it.

"Generals, welcome to Attika and Athens." He extended his forearm in greeting to Magnus first. "I am General Alexandros Damianos, our Monarch has sent me to get you."

"General Magnus Evander, legions five and six." Magnus dropped his arm and next Alexandros extended his arm to Lexa. "An interesting addition, a female General, how peculiar. Here I was thinking Rome would never abandon their conservative ideas but I stand corrected."

"Alexandria Silvestre, General of the third and fourth." Lexa greets, ignoring Alexandros's comment. "A pleasure to meet you, Alexandria. If you will follow me, the horses are just up there."

As they walked the busy docks, Lexa could tell that Greece was nothing like Rome. The people just seemed happier and more carefree. Rome seemed quite gloomy compared to Athens. She eagerly looked around, admiring the large marble columns and the statues of the Greek gods that were essentially the same as hers.

They approached a small bridge that a few Athenian soldier rode over with their horses as Lexa and Magnus passed underneath behind Alexandros. Blue flags seemed to hang from any space possible all with the picture of Athena's owl on it.

Magnus nudged Lexa's shoulder, pointing in front of them as they came over a small hill. In the distance the colossal bronze statue of Athena could be seen. With a spear in her right hand and a shield in the left. She was clad in a dress similar to the one's Clarke wore and a traditional Athenian helmet was on her head.

"If you think it looks big from here, try standing next to it once we reach the Acropolis meaning highest place in Athens. You will never feel smaller in your entire life. The Greeks are insane with the intricacy of their statues and temples, Rome has tough competition."

Lexa only nodded as she continued to stare in wonderment. Kids ran down the streets, laughing as they played then soon stopping to inspect the two Generals in colors they did not recognize as their own. The red of their sashes stood out from the almost pale blue the Athenian soldiers wore.

The ride to the top of the mountain didn't take long and mostly consisted of Magnus and Alexandros making small talk. Lexa instead enjoyed the scenery, happy to be on land again. Though she was on foreign land, something about it still made her feel at home and comfortable.

"Welcome to the famous Acropolis, A testament to humankind's skill and craftsmanship." As they approached the large Parthenon temple, they passed through the grand entrance of the mountain. Six large marble columns lined the entrance and of course, the blue flags of Athens hung on each.

The full size of Athena came into view and there were two smaller bronze statues next to her that Lexa did not exactly recognize. Magnus was right though; she had never felt smaller in her life as they passed Athena. "Has anyone ever tried to climb it?" Lexa finds herself asking, roaming her eyes up and down over it.

"Probably attempted yes but you'll find its surface is quite slick and one wouldn't get very far. Besides, it would be very disrespectful toward our goddess." After asking, Lexa realized how stupid her question was after receiving Alexandros' answer.

"If you look to your left, you'll see the Erecthion famous for its caryatids. I'm still quite impressed with how they carved the columns into the most beautiful women. Inside you'll find the relics of their gods, proving their existence." Lexa looked to where Magnus was pointing, finding another beautiful temple.

Next to it was a particularly large olive tree. "Impressive isn't it? They say that was Greece's first-ever grown olive tree, planted by Athena herself." Lexa nodded her head in Alexandros's direction. "Impressive indeed."

At the bottom of the Acropolis mountain people sat in the theater of Dionysus watching a performance of sorts that was evidently enjoyed as laughs could be heard and occasional clapping as well. "Leave the horses here, it would be faster to travel by foot now."

Like at the docks in Rome, Lexa ached the moment she got off the horse from the bumpy road, making her walk uncomfortably for the first few steps, once again making Magnus laugh at her. The path to the Parthenon felt sacred as braziers and large trees lined the path parallelly. The Parthenon was similar in size to the Flavian palace and it reminded Lexa of what she considered home. Lexa touched the ring on her finger as she has every day since leaving Rome, thinking about Clarke.

She missed the Empress more than any words could ever describe. Literally each night Lexa would stand on the main deck of the ship once everyone had retired to their sleeping place and she'd talk to the moon as if it were Clarke. She wondered if there actually was any possibility that at least some of it would reach Clarke.

Lexa expected the Parthenon to be something similar to the palace inside but it was just one gigantic hall with many statues and marble columns along with the walls being painted with different scenes. All ranging from the Greek gods to its people with their livestock painted in a certain pattern that repeated itself over and over.

There was an atrium in the middle of the room, but there was no great hall or sleeping chambers. "I know what you're thinking, strange right? The Monarch doesn't have a palace as Cæsar does, he lives in a simple villa. The Parthenon just serves as one of his meeting places." Magnus says lowly next to Lexa, resolving her question ridden mind.

In front of a statue of Aphrodite behind the shallow atrium pool, stood a man in full Athenian war armour, his hands behind his back as he admired her. "Monarch, the Roman Generals have arrived. I believe you are familiar with Magnus but this is his counterpart Alexandria Silvestre, General of the third and the fourth."

The man known as the Monarch turned to them with his vibrant blue eyes. She guessed him around the same age as Jake but he certainly didn't look as stressed as the Emperor. "Chairetismoús, chaíromai pou se gnórisa, Alexándreia."

"Chairetismoús, chaíromai pou se gnórisa epísis, Monárchis." She greets, digging deep into her memories for the bit of Greek her father had taught her almost a lifetime ago. The Monarch dipped his head, impressed that a Roman could understand Greek, let alone speak it.

"Very impressive, it's not often that A Roman passes through here and speaks our tongue. Please, take a seat I believe we have a lot to discuss."

Magnus quirked his eyebrow at Lexa in acknowledgment of her Greek. "Perhaps you should have told me you understand their tongue then I would have suggested you do all the talking."

"That's about the extent of my knowledge I'm afraid." Lexa whispers back to Magnus as they follow the Monarch to a few chairs that seemed out of place nearby. "Nevermind then." Magnus replies.

"I believe I must start off with my condolences." The Monarch says as he takes a seat across from the two Generals that looked back at him confused. "Oh, Alexandros didn't say anything to you. Your Empress took a deadly tumble and all of the Empire is in mourning, including us."

Lexa's stomach dropped and her eyes grew large as her heart started to thump in her chest. She immediately clutched the ring on her finger, hoping it would give her some sort of comfort or confirmation that Clarke was fine. "The Empress? Caesar's wife or their daughter?" Lexa asks, not giving Magnus a chance to speak.

"Hmm, I'm not exactly sure. Just give me a moment." For a man in supposed mourning, Lexa looked at him disgusted and impatient. The Monarch gestured to someone close to the entrance of Parthenon to come to him. A woman in full Athenian armour approached, a blue sash hanging from her shoulder as well. "Yes, father?"

"In the letter we received from Rome, which Empress took a tumble? The wife or daughter?"

"I believe it said Abigail, father. The wife."

"A tumble?" Magnus inquires. "What are the specifics? Did the letter say anything about the Emperor's arrival to Egypt? Will it be delayed?" The Monarch gestured to his daughter again for her to answer them.

"The letter mentions that she fell from their quarters balcony after having a few chalices of wine too many. Furthermore, it did not mention any sort of delay of his arrival. I must tell you however that we received this letter a fortnight ago from a scribe that traveled via horseback almost a fortnight himself."

"A month ago..." Lexa whispers, sinking in her seat. "Around the time we left Rome." She could only imagine the heartache Clarke must be enduring. The Empress adored her mother. "Is that scribe still in Athens? I would like to send my condolences."

"Unfortunately not, General. He left as soon as the letter was delivered." With a bow, the beautiful Athenian woman left them. Lexa exhaled a deep breath, her mood soured by the fact that she would have no way to communicate with Clarke now. They didn't have any scribes with them and she didn't trust a Greek to deliver her letter to the Empress without viewing it himself out of curiosity.

"Now, in accordance to your arrival. I believe you set out to Egypt in the morning. My men are ready to leave whenever you are. A hundred ships will leave with you, basically thirty-two thousand Athenian soldiers. General Alexandros and General Elena, my daughter, will closely accompany and coordinate with you."

"Your daughter is a General?" Magnus asks. "Intriguing of you to send your daughter into war. Are you not afraid of losing her to those savages?"

The Monarch laughed heartly, sitting up straighter. "Not at all, I'm more afraid that she'll outperform you Romans." He jokes. "I would have joined you but my wife is due to have our child soon and I would hate to miss it."

"Congratulations, fingers crossed it's a boy that can success you."

"Many thanks, I believe we have discussed everything necessary. Elena will be on your ship in the coming morning. Alexandros will lead our fleet. Enjoy Athens, Generals, we have great wine and even better woman. Enjoy them, it might be some time before you encounter half-decent women again. I hear the Egyptians are an unhygienic bunch."

The Monarch got to his feet, extending his forearm to Lexa first. "Gods be with you; I admire you woman that choose to fight alongside the men. I'm sure my daughter will be happy to fight alongside another feminine force. Have her back and she will have yours."

Lexa nodded her head, gripping arms with him. "Chaire, Monárchis." When they drop arms, Lexa doesn't wait for Magnus, she heads straight to the exit, desperate for a breath of fresh air. The short moment she experienced thinking that it may be Clarke that passed, was enough to give Lexa something close to a heart attack.

She would've mounted a horse immediately and rode all the way back to Rome, abandoning the entire war. Although it was terrible what happened to Abigail; Lexa was just grateful that it wasn't Clarke. She couldn't help wonder what the gods meaning of this was; Abigail was a friendly honest woman as far as Lexa knew, why take her from the Empire?

When Magnus catches up to Lexa eventually, he takes grip of her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Is everything okay, Lexa?" Lexa bit the inside of her cheek, nodding her head. "Yes, I just thought it was Clarke that passed. I served her for quite some time and the sudden news of an Empress' passing caught me off guard."

"I see. What do you say we find a tavern and get you a real drink? Not like the pissy ale we've been drinking for a month. There's a place just down the mountain, not far."

"I could use an ale or three." Lexa replies as Magnus swings his arm over her shoulders as they walk toward the horses again. "All the ale you can drink is on me, kid. Just know I'm not carrying you back to the ship."

"Terms I can live by."

The ride down the mountain was slightly slower seeing a lot of the settlers of Greece were on their way up to worship Athena and the other statues that stood proudly all over the mountain. On the way down, the view over Athens was breathtaking; definitely something Lexa could not compare to Rome, and at that moment; she wished Clarke was there to experience it with her.

Lexa was wholeheartedly serious when she suggested they leave the capital that night of their shared passion. Yet Lexa knew Clarke wouldn't take her seriously and even if she did; she wouldn't have budged from leaving Rome and its people. The Empress held a certain loyalty to her people that Lexa couldn't help admire but she wished Clarke would just once choose herself.

As they entered the building it looked more like a villa than a tavern Lexa notes. It was much cleaner and the people inside of it were all dressed in clean toga's but soon her eyes caught sight of the women that served ale and they were particularly lacking in the clothing department.

Magnus led her to a table full of men from his legion and they all eagerly greeted him with respect and once again only wearily watched Lexa. "How is the ale men?" Magnus asks as he pours himself an ale from the jug in the middle of the table. The already tipsy men only raised their cups in the air cheering indicating the ale was perfect.

Lexa's eye caught on gold armour as it passed through the door. She scanned her eyes up and found it was the woman from the mountain that called the Monarch her father. As the woman's eye caught Lexa's she confidently walked to the table, taking a seat in front of Magnus and Lexa.

"What better way to get to know my fellow Generals than over an ale." She said extending her arm to Magnus first in respect, assuming he was the senior General between the two Romans. "Elena Argyros, a pleasure to formally meet you."

"Magnus Evander." He gripped her arm tight, trying to gauge her confidence in her role and what she ranks herself as under his watch. She returned a tight grip, making herself his equal earning a polite slight dip of Magnus' head.

After she held her arm for Lexa, a grin on her lips. "And you are?"

"Alexandria Silvestre, an honor to meet a princess and even more so a woman of royalty that leads her own army. The Monarch must be very proud."

Elena poured a cup of ale, sliding it over to Lexa, and then poured herself an ale. "I like to think he is. But secretly I think he loathes the idea that I lead his army better than he does."

Magnus huffed a laugh, but soon dropped his smile when Elena shot him a glare and quirked an eyebrow. "My apologies. I can just imagine how much he hates it. I'm eager to see what you can do Elena. As Lexa says, a princess leading an army isn't common throughout the Empire at all."

"I'm hardly a princess. I don't remember a day that I didn't wear this armour. It's like my second skin." Elena averted her gaze to Lexa, finding her staring. "And what about you, Lexa? May I use that name for you or is it strictly reserved for friends?"

"Lexa is fine. What do you mean what about me?"

"I mean surely someone with your caliber of beauty must hold some sort of high rank in Rome. Are you family of Cæsar? A niece or something?" Elena asks curiously, looking Lexa's features over once again, getting stuck on the claw mark over her eye and then the claw mark over her shoulder.

Lexa shook her head, sipping the ale from her cup. "I'm no family of the Emperor. Merely a Gladiatrix and a member of the Praetorian." Magnus nudged Lexa's shoulder again, raising his eyebrow at her. "Don't sell yourself short kid. Wear your accomplishments proudly."

"And a victor of the Colosseum as well as a member of the Senate." Lexa adds with a roll of her eyes to Magnus. He wasn't born yesterday and he could tell the Monarch's daughter was interested in his fellow General. The least he could do was help her out somehow, even it is to push her a little.

"You're certainly impressive. I would love to hear about your tales in the Colosseum. I hear it's a spectacular arena and the rush of competing must be so intoxicating." Elena's blue eyes get stuck on Lexa's green ones as she speaks, showing she wasn't actually interested in the arena, but rather in Lexa.

Uncomfortable, Lexa peels her eyes away, looking around the room for a slight moment. "Of course, perhaps sometime I will share a tale or two, Princess." Lexa threw her head back, drinking the remainder of the ale in her cup. When she sets it on the table, she raises her hand to a nearby woman that carried jugs of ale.

As the woman sets the jugs of ale on the table, she makes herself comfortable on Lexa's lap. With wide eyes, Lexa looks at Magnus and Elena surprised. The soldiers around the table now watched her as well since they've been trying to get a woman on their laps since they arrived at the tavern.

"Uhm- excuse me, ma'am," Lexa says, trying to keep her face away from the woman's bare chest that just seemed to draw closer and closer to her face. "Would you mind getting off of me? I'm not interested. These men would-" Before she could finish her sentence, her cheek is met with the cold sting of a hand.

The moment Magnus saw Lexa get slapped through the face, he doesn't manage to stop himself and spits his ale over the table as he bursts out in laughter. Elena only holds her cup in front of her mouth, successfully stifling her laugh.

"You Romans..." The woman says disgusted as she gets off of Lexa's lap, walking toward the bar counter again, ready to continue her job of serving ale. "Not interested in women in then, Lexa?" Elena asks.

Lexa pressed her hand to her cheek, still looking at the woman walking away from her. For the world of her, she couldn't understand why she was slapped. It's not like she was rude, she politely said she wasn't interested. "Not that one. What did I do wrong?"

"You see, around here if you wave a woman over and she accepts your invitation she'll make herself yours for the night." Magnus says between his laughs. The soldiers at the table shook their heads in Lexa's direction, disappointed that she didn't take the opportunity she got with the most beautiful hostess in the tavern.

"That would have been nice to know beforehand, Magnus." Lexa says rubbing her cheek, still shocked that she was slapped by a complete stranger. "Should I apologize to her? Tell her that I wasn't aware of the Greek customs?"

Elena waved a hand of dismissal, indicating no. "Definitely not. Most Romans aren't familiar with the customs and she knows it. She was looking for a quick coin and was hopeful that a Roman will fall for her ploy. You did well rejecting her. These woman like getting foreigners drunk, having sex with them and then stealing them bare as an extra payment."

Lexa nodded her head understanding but yet she still felt bad for kind of insulting the woman. In a desperate attempt to move on from the embarrassing moment, Lexa chose to make small talk with Elena while Magnus conversated with the Roman soldiers.

"How long have you been in the Athenian army, Elena?"

"Five, six years. I joined at eighteen and became a General just over a year and a half ago. What about you? How long have you been a General of the third and fourth?"

Lexa widened her eyes at the time period Elena had served. She was far more experienced and perhaps it would be wise after all to befriend the General. Elena could potentially teach Lexa a lot of things about leading men she didn't know in the slightest. "You'd laugh if I do tell you. It's quite ridiculous compared to you."

"Try me." Elena signaled over the same woman that sat on Lexa's lap earlier, this time just with a different signal of the hand.

"A month about." Lexa says, dropping her head ashamed even though she had no way of changing the time period she's served. When she looks up to find Elena's features, she expects to find a look of judgment but there's no such thing.

Once the hostess reaches their table again she spares a disgusted look at Lexa as well, but she greets the familiar Athenian General with a bright smile. "Do you serve anything stronger than this ale, maiden? I'm already bored of it." The hostess nodded her head and bowed. "Right away, General."

"So, a month you say? I suppose we all have to start somewhere. Congratulations on your newly found promotion, Lexa. I wish you the best in your coming adventure, it's not something you can prepare yourself for. However, if at any point you're unsure, I offer my help and Alexandros' help."

With a sheepish smile Lexa raised her cup to Elena, in a cheers. "Your offer is much appreciated. I will keep it in mind and I look forward to see what all I can learn from you both." The maiden returned with a brown clay bottle with a strange tattered cork. Whatever was in it, Lexa knew she wanted no taste of it.

However, such commitment didn't last long the farther the afternoon progressed into the night and from there to early morning hours. Jugs and jugs of ale were finished by the Roman soldiers and many jokes along with laughs were shared. At a singular moment in the night, Lexa paused and took a second to herself to realize that if she could have a night like this at least once a month until the end of this battle ... that perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.

//

Back in Rome, it had been two weeks since the Empress' untimely passing and the burial ritual had just been completed. She was placed in the crypt all Royals were set to be buried in. It didn't feel right to Clarke to put her mother among a bunch of strangers but Jake insisted that it would be that way.

The ritual was witnessed by as many as possible settlers that could fit in the streets as Abigail's body was carried in a wooden convoy covered in different flowers, ranging from roses to dandelions and lavender. Jake and Clarke rode on horses in front of the convoy. Jake held a stoic expression but Clarke struggled to keep her tears at bay.

Octavia walked alongside Liberius, making sure the loud crowds didn't spook the horse. The civilians threw flower petals at the royals passing in respect of their loss. Even some settlers could be seen sobbing, clearly impacted by the loss of the woman they admired.

As soon as the ritual ended, Jake and Clarke returned to the palace and for the past hour, they had engaged in a screaming battle. The Empress didn't take it well when Jake told her that nothing of his plans changed and that he was leaving Rome the very same day.

"Have you no propriety father?! We just buried mom and you're just leaving me?"

"My departure has been delayed enough; I cannot wait any longer. I have to go. At this rate Magnus and Alexandria will be in Egypt a week maybe two ahead of me. That's unacceptable." He continued to throw some of his toga's and tunics along with other clothing into the chests that surrounded him.

He was already clad in his armour and his weapons hung at his sides. Clarke only watched her father move around the room like a headless chicken. Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks completely tear-stained. She was a mess, the biggest she had ever been in her life.

She felt as if she had no one left even though it wasn't the case. The loss of her mother and the departure of Lexa had just really taken its toll on her. To add on top of that her father was leaving her as well, meaning she would fall under the rule of Bellamy. Gods knew she didn't want to rank under him, not yet and not like this.

Who knew what shenanigans he would get up to while the entire Empire is behind him? He still had thirteen of his own legions and he could march on anyone he wished to. The Senate wouldn't oppose him, in fact, they had been eagerly awaiting this day. The day one of their own would take the throne and not some war-driven junkie.

However, that was the thing about Bellamy, he conducted himself in front of the Senate the way he knew they wanted him to. But in front of Jake, he conducted himself in a way he knew would please the Emperor. That way he stroked the egos of both the Emperor and the Senate all the while getting exactly what he wanted and waging a gap between the two strong parties.

Essentially it granted him a monopoly over the entire Empire now. It was his, all of it. If he played his cards right, he probably wouldn't even have to marry Clarke for her power but until then, it was still to be seen what will happen.

Sure, he had the favor of the Senate but he had not yet won over the people's approval. What good will an Emperor do if his subjects don't approve of him?

At the mere mention of Lexa's name from Jake's mouth, Clarke's heart jumped for a single moment. She had wondered many nights where exactly on the waters Lexa was and if she had kept her promise about speaking to the moon as if it were her. "Fine, leave me to the wolves, father. I just hope you know that you can't run from this heartache and not even this war will be able to mend you."

Jake exhaled deeply and closed his eyes as he placed the last item into the chest. "I'm not leaving you to the wolves, I'm leaving you with the man you're marrying. Consider this the chance to get to know him, who knows maybe this won't end as an arranged marriage. Maybe you could marry with the intention of actual love. When I married your mother there wasn't love there already, we grew to love each other in time. Perhaps you and Bellamy can share a similar path."

Without the infidelity, secrets, lies, and death of course, he silently thought to himself.

The Emperor approached his daughter, taking her hands in his, stroking his thumbs over her hands in comfort. "I'm not running from my heartache. I know I can't. I loved your mother, Clarke, so much. What happened ... it's terrible and it was at the least convenient time but you know I have to go."

He pulled her in for a tight embrace, stroking his hand over her hair. "I love you, kid, and I'll be back before you know it. You'll be okay here, safe even. You have Octavia and she swore to me she'll keep you safe no matter what. Keep our name high while I'm gone, okay?"

Clarke continued to sob on his shoulder, not wanting to let go of her father because something deep inside of her knew he wasn't coming back and that she was losing him too, it was only a matter of when. "I love you too. I'll take care of what you built; I promise."

He knew what she meant because he felt the same thing. He wasn't coming back and strangely he was content with just that. He didn't deserve to come back.

Later that day before he boarded his ship, he kneeled down onto the Roman soil in front of everybody, uncaring of who watched him. He took a handful of sand and allowed it to flow through between his fingers. It felt like he was saying goodbye to an old friend, leaving them behind forever.

However, at the palace, Clarke stood on her parents' once shared balcony, looking over it with tear-stricken cheeks. Across the garden was a woman she had never seen before with a rare beauty. She was mysterious and looked like she carried the secrets of the world on her shoulders.

The Empress stared at the mysterious woman with tears blurring her vision, trying to see who exactly she was and how exactly she granted access to the palace gardens because she certainly wasn't a servant. She fitted the part of a Priestess more.

Pulled out of her trance-like state, Raven tapped Clarke's shoulder. "This came for you. The messenger said it was for your eyes alone." Clarke took the paper from Raven with a shaky hand investing the wax seal on it.

"Mercury..." Clarke whispers to herself, recognizing the symbol in the wax. She had only seen it once and that was when her mother received a letter from the temple of Mercury about matters she still wasn't sure about. Clarke knew her mother had close guarded secrets that she took to the grave which not even her father was aware of.

Clarke broke the seal on the parchment, unrolling it slowly.

Empress,

I can see in your eyes that you seek answers.

This tragedy doesn't make sense to you.

Come see me at the temple of Mercury, you will recognize me once you see me.

I wish to tell you of the things that fog your mind.

//

The sandy dunes of Egypt could clearly be seen from the ship. Lexa was grateful to see land once again because truly life on the ship had taken a turn for the worse. Men were dying daily as a plague had made itself known below deck.

At least twenty men had fallen ill, eventually dying and then being thrown overboard in hopes that the plague would follow them. Not only the plague but some of their food supplies had gone bad as well and rats boarded the ship while they docked in Athens.

They suspected the plague came with the rats; therefore, it was quite futile to try abolish the plague. Their only hope was to survive until they reached Egypt and the ship could be properly cleaned and the people could be out from such close proximity.

Other than the problems below deck, it turned out that Elena was a brilliant swordswoman and was a true challenge to Lexa each morning they sparred on the deck for all to see. In the three-week journey to Egypt, Lexa shared her room with Elena seeing she felt that it would be inappropriate if the Princess slept below deck with the foul stench.

They found a friendship in one another seeing they had quite a bit in common. They were quite close in age and both were lovesick for the lovers they had to leave behind. Of course, Lexa never disclosed who exactly her lover was but they still found common ground amidst the heartache.

Elena had tanned olive skin, very fair sharp features and every here and there the occasional scar. Her hair was an intense brown chestnut color that was always braided and she had the most striking blue eyes. Kind of like Clarke's but still incomparable Lexa decided.

On one particular night, Lexa landed herself in an unfortunate position when she said Clarke's name in her sleep, ultimately waking herself up as well as the woman she shared a room with. Lexa's mind had been playing games with her, an unsettling feeling that something out of the ordinary was happening in Rome.

Many nights she dreamt of Clarke and a woman accompanied by an eerie cold that she recognized but she wasn't sure where from. In each and every dream, Lexa tried to warn Clarke of something, of someone but she was never successful. With that it ended in Lexa saying Clarke's name out loud for Elena to hear.

"Any particular reason you're saying the Empress' name in your sleep?"

"Did I?" Lexa retorts, tossing and turning in the uncomfortable makeshift bed she had on the hard wood deck. She knew she said Clarke's name and her heart was hammering in her chest, but she was to be damned if she admitted to Elena that she in fact did say Clarke's name.

"Pretty sure you did."

"You're imagining things. Go back to sleep." Lexa answers annoyed. She liked Elena, in the manner of friendship but she learned that Elena had a terrible mannerism of prying into things she had no business asking about.

"So who is it you talk to on the deck every night when you think all of us have gone to bed?"

"No one, now will you shut up before I punch you out." Lexa didn't want to talk about it any farther and she was serious in her threat. She refused to tell anyone of her time on the main deck under the moonlight; it was something she wanted to keep sacred between only her and Clarke.

-

"The irony of us porting at a port you share a name with, Alexandria. The same port that could be the start of the story leading up to our demise." Elena says, with more humor than intended. "A great joke by the gods indeed."

Below deck the men clad themselves in their light armour only made of tempered leather. Swords were sharpened and all were ready for whatever may happen next. "It would seem we have a welcome party."

The docks were littered with Egyptians as they saw the red and blue sails of the Roman and Athenian fleet approaching. Many exclaimed to get word to the king immediately because none had knowledge that such a large army and fleet was en route.

"Once we dock, let the soldiers get off first." Magnus instructs as his eyes roamed over the gathering crowds. Lexa shared a glance with Elena trying to gauge what exactly she was thinking. "Do we have a representative of Rome on one of these ships, Magnus? I doubt we can just walk in there without the appropriate customs."

"Not an official one. Tell me, the day you appeared in front of the Senate, what title did Cæsar give you exactly?"

"Legatus Legionis." She wasn't exactly sure what it entailed except having a seat in the Senate. No one actually explained any of it to her. Essentially, she was just thrown in at the deep end in hopes that she could actually swim.

"Congratulations, you are officially the highest-ranked here so that makes you our representative." Magnus concludes, confused as to what Cæsars reason was to give someone so inexperienced such a large title.

"That's a terrible idea."

"Agreed." Elena concurs.

"Well, we don't actually know when Jake will arrive and we definitely cannot stay on this ship without suffering major losses. Also, I am absolutely done with shitting in a bucket. Assume your rank, Alexandria, you don't have a choice."

That was the last Magnus said before he descended the step onto the deck, ordering the soldiers off the ship. Elena shortly followed him, eager to get to her own Athenian legions. Lexa was left alone standing on the main deck as she turned Clarke's ring on her, hoping it would give her the courage she needed.

Magnus got off the ship when about two hundred men were off and he was already barking orders at them to form up and observe their surroundings. Lexa had since descended onto the deck, standing next to the man she had choked out before their arrival to Athens.

Conan turned out to be a Centurion, once that would serve very close to her. "I'm going to drink all the drink, smoke all the smoke and fuck every whore in the city." Conan says, nodding his head impressed with himself and his crude statement.

"Show some respect and dignity while you're under my order, soldier."

"Yes, Commander, my apologies Commander." Conan bows his head, his hands behind his back like a scolded child. He often spoke before thinking and Lexa had no problem reminding him when he said the wrong things at the wrong times. 'Some things are better left unsaid.' As she instructed him often.

Once Lexa crossed the plank, this time without hesitation, Conan was at her side shortly, eager to ask her more questions. "So you're not keen to explore foreign lovers then, Commander? The men and women here must be different from the Romans, they have to be. It would be a once in a lifetime experience."

"No, Conan, I am not here to fornicate with foreign lovers. Besides, I have someone waiting for me back home." Whenever she spoke of Clarke, it was as if the ring on her finger beamed with a certain comforting warmth that enveloped her each and every time.

"Yeah, I get that, but it's not like they would know."

"I would know. Now get in formation, we have a long day ahead." Conan nodded at her order, pounding his chest and holding his arm in front of himself horizontally in a salute to his Commander. He admired her loyalty to someone back home because he could never.

Lexa passed Magnus, Elena and Alexandros, walking down a straight path toward the entrance of Alexandria. Roman and Athenian soldiers stood parallel to each other, cornering off the path to be followed toward the large gates.

The three Generals followed her, sharing weary glances with one another if Lexa in fact could pull off being a representative of the entire army. Surely it would just be an introductory greeting, just stating that they in fact are here and for the moment meant no harm and they awaited the Emperor's arrival and that they would soon go from there.

A strange animal approached behind the Roman line, catching Lexa off guard but she assumes that must be what Magnus was referring to on their trip here. A camel, what a peculiarly shaped animal she notes. Magnus said that they used them the same way Romans used horses but for the life of her she could not understand how such an animal could be compared to a horse.

The mew of seagulls was all around and the climate was certainly hotter than that of Rome's. Everywhere one looked was just flaming hot sand and strange-looking people dressed in the strangest clothing. The people Lexa saw and assumed were soldiers, didn't wear any upper body armour or even a tunic for that matter.

They were all bare, their screaming muscles out for all to see. It was intimidating but intimidation wasn't going to save anyone of them from the cold cut of a Roman blade. If the war was to be waged against these savages then it would be fast and they'll be back in Italy before the end of the year.

The multiple loud voices of the Centurions got lost on the barren sandy planes. "Soldiers, arms!" The many legionnaires put their spears forward, lifting it from the sand and resting it on their shoulders. Certainly, their many months of training up until this moment were coming in handy. "Forward!"

The men took three steps forward, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Forward face!" Instantly all men turned to the front, toward the entrance of the large gates. "Forward march!" Again, following orders, they started marching formally, all perfectly in their positions.

At the entrance of the Egyptian palace, the Generals were met by a man that looked somewhat like a sort of servant. At the entrance were five men with swords and shields on either side of the entrance and Lexa assumed they were the Egyptian equals of the Praetorians.

"This heat will just be dreadful to my skin." Alexandros whispers to Elena in a more feigned voice than she had ever heard come from a man's mouth. "It is not pleasant in the slightest no."

Lexa continued to follow the man through many halls and a few turns she was struggling to remember. Her sash lightly glided with her in stride and her hand was firmly placed on the hilt of her sword, ready for any sort of surprises if they may come.

They eventually reached a large hall that was the throne room. Smoke filled it and there looked to be many priests around all chanting words that no Roman or Athenian could understand. They were engaged in some sort of prayer it seems.

Lexa looked around the room, finding men and woman clad in the most ridiculous outfits. They looked like street performers in Rome, with large headpieces and very fine dramatic eye make-up. Other's had lines over the foreheads, cheeks, and even over their chins.

A bald man stood in the middle of the room, both his hands in the air in a praising manner. "Behold Sethos, he of the two ladies, he of Sedge and Bee. Behold Sethos, son of Horus." As soon as the man finished, the incoherent prayers continued.

[Sedge and Bee is/was a prenomen, cartouche name or throne name of ancient Egypt and is/was one of the five royal names of pharaohs. In Ancient Egyptian texts, the "Two Ladies" was a religious euphemism for the goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet.]

The man stepped out of the way and a disgruntled look passed over Lexa's face with what she saw in front of her. A mere boy sat on the throne, perhaps only thirteen summers at most. Was he supposed to be the King of Egypt? Did they sail all the way from Rome to wage a war against a child that she could flick with her finger or squash with a single thumb?

"Greetings," She says, trying to see past all the smoke in the room. Enough of a glance passed through the smoke to see the boy roll his eyes and that already was enough to annoy the General. Lexa looked around the room, looking for someone to jump out and say that this was all a joke and a horrible fucking joke but she finds no such thing.

Before she could try to state another case, the clattering of armour sounded behind her, making her turn in the process to see who was arriving; hoping on the inside still that this was all a joke and the actual King was arriving. But she finds the familiar face of her Emperor with a stern look on his features and a determined look in his eyes.

"My greatest apologies for being late."

Chapter Text

The many Legionnaire soldiers sat outside the walls of Alexandria under the unforgiving African sun. The heat was baking them inside of their leather armour and their thick wool tunics weren't helping at all either. However, when they saw the Emperor's ship approach from afar, they quickly got to their feet again, standing on attention.

Once he passed, they sunk down again, trying to preserve their energy. Some were still feeling quite ill from the plague that followed them from Athens but Valentina and her team of healers were traversing and searching the markets for specific herbs. All each soldier wished for was a waterskin with cool water that never came.

In the palace, the throne room had been rearranged to accommodate the Emperor and his advisor as well as his personal guard and Generals. The boy had moved from his throne, now sitting on the few steps in front of his throne playing with his tiny pet Capuchin primate.

Lexa and Magnus watched the boy fascinated by his pet. They didn't have such things in Rome but Elena and Alexandros barely batted an eye in the King's direction, too distracted by Egypt's harsh heat. "Is it normal to sweat this much? I'm drenched here." Alexandros whispered next to Elena, who tilted her head back unceremoniously, already annoyed with her fellow General that constantly complained about something nobody has control over.

"And how long can we expect the blessing of your presence in Egypt, Emperor? You must excuse that we're so poorly prepared, we weren't aware of your travels." The bald man from earlier spoke. His dramatic eye make-up and many lines across his face hid his true age. Emperor Jake closely inspected him; soon realizing that he mostly spoke for the child King.

Jake shrugged uninterested. "Perhaps not long but as long as it takes, I assure you." He sipped from the strangely shaped cup of wine they offered him. One thing the Egyptians did well was make artistic cups and pots. The Emperor always thought of Egypt as something simple, especially the city of Alexandria. The city of heat, pots, prostitutes and well ... nothing else.

"Oh, that makes us certainly bleak. It had been years since we saw a or shall I say thè Emperor of Rome. May we ask that your highness please disclose what your purpose here is and then the servants of our mighty King would be overjoyed to help and serve you."

Jake smiled warmly, looking over the foreign faces that looked at him with intrigue. He recognized one among them; one he had seen on the battlefield many, many years ago. The specific man he was here for. Billius Cadogan stood in all of his glory, a feared warlord hiding among his seemingly new friends. A man feverishly after power.

The Emperor briefly scanned his eyes over Billius, seeing if the warlord may remember him or not but no such realization comes. "So, how is your preparation for war going?" Jake asks, his smile returning, and his clueless façade following behind leaving every Egyptian in the room clueless.

The child King's eyes drifted upward; his attention pried away from his primate. The bald man tilted his head, mirroring the clueless façade. "War?" He asks, his voice high pitched, unable to hide the fear that set in over him. He knew very well, they all knew very well, why the Emperor was there but they seemed to decide to ignore the imminent threat. "We have no war prepared, Emperor. We live in peace."

"Are you saying that I'm misinformed then? In the last letter I received from my representative here stated the King had died and his daughter was to take the throne. But you have no Queen, but a King instead. On that note, where is my representative?" Jake knew he was dead, assassinated, and likely decapitated as these savages do such things.

"You should not speak of her in my presence or anywhere near my palace." The child king Sethos says, distaste coating each one of his words. "I shit on her. I piss on her. She is no sister of mine and she is no Queen of Egypt. This is my throne and my throne alone."

Lexa quirked her eyebrow from beside the Emperor, unintentionally clearing her throat at the boy's ill choice of words. He spoke like a rough around the edge soldier, not as a child would. Perhaps it was the high morals her mother and father raised her with but she was ready to intervene somehow; ask where the child was from to have the nerve to speak to her Emperor in such a manner.

"It's true," The bald man concurs, nervously fumbling with his fingers. "She has listened to less than adequate counsel and raised absurd terms. Therefore, we decided that it would be better that Sethos takes the throne. You see, the Queen, she's not ... fit ... for the role."

Jake looked at the bald man, who he still hasn't learned the name of, with a bored expression. The Generals looked around the room, watching the expressions of the King's advisors change. Nervousness set in over them, a clear blink of worry in their eyes. "But you need not worry, Emperor. She has no support, she merely has a few barbarians, traitors, and mercenaries." The man's voice wavered, his tone dipping with each lie he told.

The Emperor turned to his Greek advisor, Russel Lightbourne. A man he knows fairly well; the father of one of his fiercest Gladiatrix that he dearly loved to watch compete. "And who did we receive word from of her support, Russel?"

"Rameses Ur-Atem, Emperor. Thirteen Legions I believe."

Jake turned back to the bald man, tilting his head, giving him a chance to speak but no words come from his mouth. "Very well," The Emperor says, accepting that the man had nothing to defend himself. "Rameses can raise thirteen Legions for her ... and how many do you have?"

The bald man huffed an unsteady laugh, lightly shaking his head side to side. He wasn't going to openly state how many legions they have. It would be strategic death. "He's nothing but a petty barbarian bandit, he could never raise that much. You have nothing to worry about, Emperor. Queen Kamilah should bring you no fear—"

"She brings me no fear, advisor!" Jake interrupts, making the entire room jolt with his exclamation. "She brings you fear, the whole lot of you! Where is she?" He demands, roughly setting his empty cup on a nearby table, and sits forward. "Tell me where she is."

"Well- Well-, nobody actually knows." The man stutters, sitting farther back on his stool, trying to escape the burning gaze the Emperor had on him. "Perhaps somewhere in the South, or so we think anyway."

Russel was in the ear of the Emperor almost immediately, his hoarse voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "He lies, they have her. Locked up somewhere, I'm sure." Jake nodded his head, turning back to the almost shaking Egyptian advisor.

"My terms are simple. Kamilah will take her rightful heir to the throne and this dispute will end. I wish for Egypt to be peaceful so that your grain ships could continue to sail. My people are hungry and your shipments have become either delayed or non-existent."

Finally, the man Jake was waiting for to speak, raises his voice. Billius Cadogan. "Mutiny. We are in complete control of the lands. From the lighthouse to the Nile cataracts. You have no right to set on the throne who you wish to."

"If that's the case of your complete control, where is my representative?!" Jake boiled over once again, rising up from his seat, walking till in front of Billius. "Where is Cornelius of the house Romulus?!"

"I don't like his tone." The child king says uninterested. Only barely giving the Emperor the time of day. "Tell him he can go; I'm no longer keen to continue this conversation." The King's advisors all looked around at one another, knowing what consequences may follow.

Lexa and Magnus stepped forward, drawing their swords a quarter way out from their sheaths. The swift and sharp crisp sound of metal brushing against metal echoed through the room. Jake raised his hand in the air, wordlessly ordering his Generals to stand down.

One of the King's advisors kneeled next to the boy, whispering something in his ear. Shortly after the boy nodded his head. "Very well, show him." The advisor waved his hand in the direction of a nearby door, signaling for someone to enter.

A large dark-skinned man entered with a brilliantly painted large pot that he set on the table next to the seat the Emperor once sat on. "A gift for you, your highness." The boy says, a wicked grin on his lips. He was playing with fire and he did not yet know it. "Go on, open it."

Emperor Jake returned to his side of the room, standing in front of the pot. A familiar smell flowed into his nostrils; the eerie smell of decaying flesh. He removed the lid of the pot, peering inside of it with a single eye where he found the head of his representative, long dead.

"We thought of giving him a body again, perhaps add some strings to make him move again and all, wouldn't that—" The boy spoke with a certain tone of happiness and accomplishment but soon backtracked when the Emperor lost his temper again.

"Silence!" Jake took a deep breath and then another as he pursed his lips. "Shame on the house of Sethos. Shame. Shame for such barbarity."

"But Emperor, he was talking ill of you, we only thought it fit that he—"

"Shut up!" Jake yelled, shaking his head. "Shame, shame on all of you. He was a Senator of Rome!" The Emperor moved to in front of the boy, looking down on him as if he was a simple cockroach. The guards around started to unsheathe their swords ready to protect their King; making Jake's four Generals move forward as well, their blades completely drawn.

"Where is the rest of Cornelius?"

"Fed to the crocodiles." The boy quips, continuing to tease the flame he wasn't ready to endure. Jake laughed bitterly, turning on heels, heading for the exit of the throne room. "Shame on you savages. I will return tomorrow. Have the man that killed Cornelius ready for his execution." Once the Emperor was out of the room, his Generals sheathed their swords and followed him out.

The rest of the day, the Legions spent their time setting up camp in the nearby desert just outside of the city. The camp consisted of plus-minus seventy-one thousand men in total; thirty-nine thousand Romans and thirty-two thousand Greeks.

Once each Legion set up their tents, various campfires were made and soon the hunters returned with meat for the Emperor and all he wished to join him for a feast. Of course, each Legions cook was responsible to conjure something up for his men to eat and that was his problem. Be it bread, porridge, or meat, he had to figure it out.

The war tent was of the biggest in camp, situated at the very center. All the Generals and Centurions were adjourned along with the war strategists that Lexa was yet to meet. The day had been a hustle and bustle mostly, not giving any of them a chance to formally meet. Conversations were had, but none were significant.

Lexa sat between Elena and Magnus at the large table, waiting for Emperor Jake to start the meeting he wished to have. They were all still fully armoured and the cracking of leather was a common sound that moved through the tent, along with the hushed chatter.

"Evening, my people." Jake starts, taking the head chair at the table. "Firstly, I would like to thank the gods for getting us all to the terrible country in one piece." A few men chuckled, taking more than their fair share of the newly found ale and wine in the city.

"Also, thank you to Athens for joining us on this expedition. Your presence is greatly appreciated." Elena and Alexandros bowed their heads in Jake's direction with acknowledgment. "Very well then, let's get started. There is no easy way of saying this but war is here. Civil unrest will hit its peak once we retrieve the Queen. A boy can simply not rule these lands, he doesn't have the balls to, as simple as that."

"We're reinstating the Queen then?" Magnus asks, getting straight to the point. He was tired and truly he just wanted to sleep, even if it was on one of the worst makeshift beds ever. Lexa decided to keep to herself tonight; to only listen and receive her orders whatever they may be.

"Indeed, Alexandria and twenty men of her choosing will set out to find the Queen at first light. We have reason to believe she's not far. Sources say she's in a camp, held hostage. Kamilah is to be brought to me unscathed. Egypt needs its Queen." The Centurions diverted their eyes to Lexa, that now uncomfortably sat in her chair. She was in unknown lands, that all looked the same, sandy, but the Emperor was tasking her to find a woman that may not even be alive anymore.

"Care to tell us why we're even intervening, Emperor?" An unfamiliar war strategist asks with an uncanny confidence. "My sources say this boy has a hundred and fifty thousand men behind him, we're only seventy-one thousand and about a thousand of them are in rough shape from the plague. They outnumber us with more than two to one."

"Care to share your name with us, Strategist. I don't believe I've seen you before." Jake asks, the truth was that he wasn't familiar with each and every high-ranking member of his Legions but he'd surely try now. This was to be quite a prolonged stay in foreign lands.

"Montenegro, Emperor. But they call me Monty." Lexa could tell he wasn't Roman; he wasn't Greek and he definitely wasn't Persian. He was from a part of the world she had only read of; where the ships full of silk come from. The beautiful silk sheets Clarke sleeps on. The kingdom of Silla in the Korean Peninsula.

"Well, Monty, they also say that the Queen has her own thirteen legions from Rameses. That equals us to a hundred and twenty-two thousand men, excluding the sick. I know, we're still not close to a hundred and fifty thousand men but these savages can't swing their blades the way Romans and Greeks do. If all else fails, Rameses' men will act as meat shields while we cut through our enemies with ease."

Monty nodded his head, returning farther back into his seat, satisfied with Jake's answer. He could devise a plan with that many men, it certainly made a difference. They could probably easily flank the Egyptians once he explores the potential battleground.

"You have a lot of confidence in our men." Elena says, her voice radiating confidence between the men that judged her an equal amount of undressing her with their eyes.

"Some may call it hubris, Elena. But it would only be so if I lose. Which I won't, not against these raggedy uncultured savages." Jake spared a glance in his own female Generals' direction. Her hair was longer he notices and her piercing green eyes felt like his old friend Maximus' cutting through him. The once angered claw mark over her eye was now healed; three white lines flowing over her tanned skin. "Will you come to see me in the morning, Alexandria? I have more specifics to give you about the Queen."

"Of course, Emperor." She nodded her head, holding his gaze of determination but sorrow was hiding behind it and that much was as clear as day itself. "My condolences, Emperor. Abigail was a magnificent human, I wish her a peaceful journey to the Elysian Fields."

"My condolences as well, Emperor. May her journey across Styx be peaceful." Elena adds. Alexandros dipped his head, intending that he gives his condolences as well. Soon the entire table muttered their condolences and Emperor Jake accepted each one of them. However, with each condolence, his heart grew heavier and heavier, not only with sadness but with guilt as well.

"Very well, that concludes it. Rest all, this may be the last good night of sleep you will have in a very long time. I will not be joining you for the feast tonight, I'm feeling quite tired and I will not be good company." Jake was the first out of the war tent, waving off his personal guard not to follow him to his own tent. He wished to be alone; alone with his thoughts and heartache.

Lexa was joined by her fellow Generals in a different tent where they shared supper, chatting about the coming days. Magnus offered to go with Lexa the coming day to find the Queen but she assured him that it was fine; she would take Conan and nineteen men that loyally served under him. Elena offered her services and men as well, but Lexa jokingly turned her down, saying that she had spent enough time in her presence throughout their trip here.

After the feast, Lexa and Elena walked to the tent they would share. Magnus insisted they share a tent since he would share one with Alexandros right next to them. 'For safety' as he put it but Lexa called bullshit. She could tell what Magnus was trying to do and what he intended for to happen. Though, he wouldn't take no for answer when Lexa told him that she really wasn't interested in Elena and that they would really only remain friends at most.

//

In Rome, it had been just over a month and a half since Clarke's father left for Egypt. Day by day her sadness started to dissipate but not the void itself she felt. The palace was quiet and Clarke was the only one that lived in it now. However, on more nights than others, Raven slept in the palace as well when Clarke didn't feel like being alone anymore.

The nights Raven wasn't with her best friend, she found herself in Octavia's villa sharing nights of unimaginable passion. The Gladiatrix and Maiden found their unlikely attraction again but they were certainly taking the most advantage of the attraction while it lasted. They were enough to satisfy one another, and neither felt a need to have many suitors anymore.

On the particular day, the clashing of swords echoed through the empty Colosseum gallery. Octavia hastily stepped back, blocking each strike best she could but the teacher had been starting to get taught. It turned out Clarke's anger turned into an intoxicating need to swing blades around every day with animosity.

The Empress, had turned into a completely different person in the short time span since her father left. She had no choice to, it was either to stay the obeying Empress or someone actually capable of defending themselves if the time ever came.

Clarke's anger toward her father increased tenfold when she eventually decided to visit the temple of Mercury on Aventine hill four days after receiving the mysterious letter. The letter was right, the moment Clarke laid eyes on the woman, she knew it was the Priestess that was in the palace garden that very night the letter was delivered to her.

Clarke had never been near the temples, let alone in them. Her father always warned her to stay away from them and her mother shared a similar opinion. But Clarke knew better, she was aware that Abigail had a close hand in the temple of Mercury, Clarke just wasn't exactly sure what her mother was doing with them though.

The Priestess waved off the acolyte she was conversating with the moment she laid eyes on the Empress and her guard. Octavia held her hand on the hilt of her sword as she looked around the Temple and the many Priests that watched Royalty enter.

"Salve, Empress." The High Priestess kneeled in front of Clarke, kissing her hand. "I'm grateful you came. We have quite a bit to talk about." The High Priestess gestured with her hand to a nearby seat and waved to an acolyte to bring wine and fruit.

Clarke took a seat as she continued to admire the inside of the temple. Candles were set out everywhere and in the middle of the room was an altar full of all kinds of gifts to Mercury. Octavia grumbled to herself; she felt uneasy and the High Priestess wasn't making any of it better. She was cunning, that much was obvious.

"My name is Luna; I am the fourth woman of my family to serve Mercury as the High Priestess. Along with Mercury, I have served many Emperors and Empress' and I wish to grant you my services as I did with your mother. That is if you wish to have my services." The High Priestess's eye make-up was a dark color and her cheekbones were highlighted by a dark shade as well. The ash white line from her chin to her breasts was an odd contrast to her tanned skin.

"I'm listening. You mentioned you have something to tell me, why don't we start with that?"

Luna smirked as she looked from beneath her eyelashes, pouring wine into two separate chalices. "You're a lot like your mother. Right down to the point. I admire that. But, very well, we'll start there. I wish to know who exactly is in your dungeons."

"My dungeons?" Clarke asks confused by the question. What did that have to with what has been bothering her; the thing the Priestess said she would answer and clear up. "I- I don't know. I don't exactly keep record of who is thrown into our dungeons and who is taken out. Why do you care, Luna?"

"It doesn't matter, I was simply wondering if he's still alive."

"If who's alive, Priestess? Speak."

"Your mother's lover. Marcus. He was a close affiliate of the temple; I only wish to have him back." Luna says nonchalantly as if the news to Clarke about her mother's infidelity wasn't a complete shock. "My mother's lover? Marcus? She had no such relationship with that man. She loved my father. And Marcus ... never."

"Perhaps long ago she did love Jake. But the past year she has been indulging herself in forbidden fruit. My next question is quite simple, do you in your heart believe that your mother's fall was an accident? The way you found her, on her back, after too much wine supposedly. Did you know your mother as someone that overindulges herself?"

Octavia darted her eyes between the two women. She didn't trust Priestess' of any sort but she couldn't help wonder what the Empress was thinking as she continued to stare at Luna with a slightly agape mouth, her eyebrows furrowed. Octavia wondered if this was one of those situations she should rather get Clarke out of, for her own good of course. Nevertheless, Octavia had to admit that Luna made a fair point. She had not once seen the Empress drink more than two chalices of wine over their many lavish feasts.

"Of course, it was an accident. What else would it be? She certainly didn't jump and land on her back and ..." The one thought Clarke had been shoving out of her mind for the longest time possible, made its way back into her thoughts. "I see, you're implying my father had something to do with it. This is preposterous and a waste of my time. You know I can have you punished for these allegations. I can have your head on a spike before lunch." Denial would be Clarke's best friend until there was irrefutable proof.

"There's the ruthless Empress this city needs but no such thing would be necessary for me, your highness. I only wish to serve you with fierce loyalty." Clarke abruptly stood from her seat, outraged by this woman's claims and supposed wants. There was no way any of it could be true and Octavia only struggled to keep up with the Empress who was storming away. "Ask Marcus yourself, Empress! If he's still alive, he'll be in your dungeons. Once you come to terms with the reality, return to me, I have a lot more to share with you, about Egypt."

The Empress froze in her tracks. Egypt...

"What about Egypt, Priestess?" Clarke couldn't help her curiosity as it shunned her anger out of the way. She had heard some Priestesses communicate with Oracles and the Oracles always had an undeniable truth, never to be proved wrong. However, Clarke didn't know if Luna was one of the women that spoke with the Oracles.

"It's not clear. But I see a child, a boy. An infant. He's surrounded by a pool of blood and olive branches."

Clarke furrowed her eyebrows. If she had heard in anything vague in her life, that was exactly it. Vague. She couldn't make sense of it. "And what does that mean, Priestess? A slaughtering of children by Romans or what? Forgive me for not being familiar with superstitions and supposed signs of the future."

"Perhaps, or a newborn of Roman blood. Have you...?"

"No, I have not had intercourse with any man, Priestess. It is not my child you supposedly see. Hence, I repeat, this is a waste of my time." Clarke turned again, heading toward the exit of the temple. But the High Priestess' voice follows again, unwilling to let the Empress slip from her grasps. She had many visions and so did the oracles, and she hadn't quite deciphered them yet but she was willing to tell Clarke everything she thought would have some sort of effect on her.

"What about the moon, Empress? It talks to you."

Octavia was starting to get a headache from the back and forth between the women. At this moment it was obvious that the Priestess wasn't going to let up and truly she wished that Clarke would just sit down and hear everything the Priestess had to say. Even though all of it sounded insane, perhaps there was something deeper in all of it.

"The moon, Luna. Really? Do you hear yourself"

"Yes, the moon. My god is the god of messages, communication, and divination. Recently I have been hearing unclear things from the moon and as a servant of Mercury, it is my duty to interpret these messages. It speaks of fear, Empress. The way it talks ... it seems personal, it seems intended for you. Sometimes it speaks of the ocean and its waves, sometimes of war and then of love. I'm not completely sure what it means."

There was only one person Clarke associated the moon with and that was Lexa. It was a strange combination though, fear, the ocean, war and love; yet all of it screamed Lexa. Lexa had said she'd talk to the moon as if it was Clarke, was this her? Was the Priestess telling the truth or was she simply grasping at straws?

"Anything else, Priestess?"

Luna shook her head. There was nothing more that she could put into words yet, but perhaps soon she would understand it better. "No, your highness. But I'll have more soon if you will give me a chance. Go speak with Marcus, he will tell you that I am not lying and then you will know that all I hear and see is true."

The Empress, nodded her head once, pursing her lips before she and Octavia left the temple. She wondered if it would be better to take a few days and think about what the Priestess said but Clarke knew she would be too bothered by everything if she didn't at least just check if Marcus was in the dungeons after all. If he wasn't then she could forget everything Luna said.

"We're going to the dungeons."

"You cannot possibly believe her, Empress. She seems delusional; smoked something she should not have. Perhaps she is the one that had too much wine. Forgive me but a baby surrounded by blood? And the moon talking, what does that even mean?" Octavia scrunched her eyebrows together in thought as she sorted through the words.

"Funny, because the moon talking was the only thing that made sense to me." Clarke says simply, not caring to elaborate on the matter. She wasn't going to tell her guard of the intimate promises Lexa made her. In fact, she wouldn't tell anyone about it ever, it was too personal to her.

That day they in fact did go to the dungeons, where they found Marcus covered in his own filth and blood. He wasn't very recognizable seeing he was being beaten every second or third day under the Emperor's order. After hearing such from a guard on duty, Clarke immediately ceased the action and requested Marcus' immediate removal.

Of course, the guard refused seeing the rule came from Jake himself, leaving Clarke one last option. A man of equal power, if not more than her father; her to be husband, Bellamy. Once she and Octavia finally found Bellamy, he was too distracted by his newfound power and told Clarke she can do whatever she pleased to. He even added that the Empire was hers just as much as it was his. It certainly was a change of tone from the cruel Senator he always was.

With an order here and an order there, Marcus was removed from the dungeons and received the medical attention he desperately needed. Only a week after that, was he in the right mind to have a comprehensible conversation with the Empress. He was surprised to see her at first; his past days being a complete blur.

Though, he was forthcoming in his answers and confirmed that he and Abigail were seeing each other. He explained what happened the day Abigail fell from the balcony; telling Clarke that he was taken to the dungeons after Jake discovered his wife's betrayal. The Emperor's once announcer, cried throughout their entire conversation as the Empress' death washed over him.

Clarke felt sorry for him because truly it seemed like he truly cared for her mother. The Empress had to admit that not even her father shed as many tears as Marcus did. As much as Clarke hated to admit it to herself, the Priestess's assumption was spot on. Her mother's death likely wasn't an accident at all. It would explain the cold look in her father's eye and the fact that he barely showed any sort of emotion. He was a cold-blooded killer.

Throughout the process of speaking with Marcus, Octavia was present the whole time. It came as a shock at first; that it was entirely likely now that Jake killed his wife. After, Clarke made her guard swear not to tell anyone of it; especially not Bellamy. The Empress wanted to ask her father herself if it was true but she wasn't going to ask over a letter. She was willing to wait until he returns; if he ever does.

In the present day, Octavia watched the Empress spin and duck with her sword, making half-calculated moves. Octavia had started to teach Clarke how to use a blade; building on what Lexa had already taught her. Clarke insisted that her guard trained her each day and her improvement was rapid. In due time it would seem that the Empress would not even require protection anymore.

It wasn't that Octavia was out of practice, Clarke just seemed to have a natural talent. With her beaming determination, absolutely nothing could stop her. Even if Rome was turmoil-ridden, Clarke was deadest to return the Empire to its former glory, even if someone has to die for its glory to return.

//

The next morning in Egypt, Lexa was in the war tent by the time the intense heat of the sun started to radiate. Jake and the strategist Monty leaned over many maps on parchment, gliding their fingers over the rough paper. Neither noticed Lexa come in since they were both too intrigued by the perfect vantage points that would turn the battle upside down once it would start.

Lexa cleared her throat, standing a few feet from the table. She was fully clad in her armour, the red General sash hanging over her shoulder and her father's gold-adorned helmet under her arm ready for use. She opted to wear her double sheath weapons belt since one could never go wrong with two swords.

"Good morning, General, I trust you slept well. Still standing land is much more pleasant than rocking waves underneath us, I must say." Jake made his way around the table, a friendly smile on his lips. He wasn't fully armoured nor did he carry any weapon. He simply wore a black tunic with a belt around his pelvis and stylish bracers on his forearms that displayed opulence and royalty.

"Salve, Emperor." Lexa pounded her chest as the other soldiers do for her, acknowledging a higher rank with a salute to the Emperor. "Much more pleasant, I agree. Seasickness was becoming tiresome and a bore. Now it is only snoring that keeps me awake at night."

Jake chuckled as he took stance in front of his newly appointed General. Only then does he notice that the woman may be a thumb taller than him and her broad shoulders could easily be compared to that of a normal male soldier. "So, early this morning I received news that Kamilah isn't far from here. Perhaps a single day's ride. This same source has notified me that the King is making rash decisions based on the counsel he's receiving. I suspect they're sending mercenaries to kill the Queen this very day. Therefore, you're perfect for the retrieval of the Queen. With your experience as a mercenary, you'll easily be able to spot whoever is sent. Once you find them, follow them and they'll lead you right to the Queen."

Lexa nodded her head, never thinking that her days of Mercenary work would come in handy again. Mercenaries stood out like sore thumbs; this would be the easiest task she would have had to face since becoming a General and that's saying a lot. Conan shortly followed into the tent, standing next to Lexa as he salutes the Emperor and his General with a pound to his chest.

"Good, you're here. Ready the horses and travel supplies. Bring nineteen of your best and trusted men. I will join you shortly. Make sure there is enough water, dehydration is a bitch." Lexa orders Conan, earning her a quirked eyebrows from both Jake and Monty that still hovered over the maps, acting like he wasn't listening in on the discussion at hand.

"Yes, Commander."

"Dismissed." She says confidently before Conan pounded his chest again, making his way out of the tent ready to do his duty. It probably wasn't normal, but he was among the few that were eager to start the war. The burst of adrenaline that came with it was exhilarating and beyond addictive.

"Impressive." Jake notes with a dip of his head. "Did I not say you would make a terrific General?"

"Indeed, you did, sir. Still in the beginning stages, I'm afraid."

The camp was starting to bustle alive, hoarse voices and yells were exchanged by the soldiers. The clatter of horse hooves sounding above it all along with the odd clings of armour and shields colliding with one another.

"Now, remember Kamilah is a Queen of ancient blood. Once you do find her, I expect you to protect her with your life, the same way you protected my daughter. If she arrives here with as much as nick, you will be punished. Assure you and your men treat her with the utmost respect and you will obey her every single request as long as it is within reason."

Lexa adjusted the helmet under her arm, it suddenly becoming heavy. His words were harsh, a punch to the gut. Punishment for a simple nick? Accidents happen. Lexa wondered why he was so vexed over the woman and why she was to be treated the same way the Empress was. Such respect was strictly reserved for Clarke alone.

Of course, she was of royalty, but not of Roman blood. Kamilah must be a matter of personal or political gain then. That was Jake's key trait in Rome; why would it change on foreign soil? He came here for a specific reason; it was just yet to be revealed why. Personal gain or political gain? Perhaps both.

"Understood, sir."

"I'm relying on you, Alexandria. This is a matter of great importance. Perhaps among the most important things you will ever have to do for me."

Lexa nodded her head again, not saying anything. She was burning to ask Jake about Clarke; just to ask how she was when he left. Lexa had removed Clarke's ring from her finger, not willing to risk that the Emperor may see and recognize it. She laced it over a string of leather, that now hung around her neck and the ring closely hanging over her heart.

"You wish to say something, I can see it."

"Rather ask something if I may, Emperor. It is not of great importance, just curiosity I suppose." Jake looked at her expectantly, silently giving her the permission to ask whatever her heart desired to ask. "I was just wondering how the Empress is. Considering the loss of her mother. How is she?"

"Fine last I saw." Jake moved from in front of her, back to the table next to the war strategist. "You need not worry about her, General. She's closely guarded by your sister and her coming husband will not let a hair on her head be harmed. Your worry should be here; forget about her."

His last words weren't said nonchalantly. Lexa could tell what he was hinting at the moment his eyes only met hers briefly as he said the last three words. 'Forget about her.'
Did he know? And if he did, how did he find out? Or was she simply overthinking it? Unspoken questions ran through Lexa's mind as she held her gaze on him.

"I believe you have orders, General. Dismissed." His stern voice drew her out of her own mind making her rapidly blink her eyes. With a pound to her chest, Lexa edited the tent, swallowing hard at the possibility that he may know. She almost immediately remembered the threat he made to Clarke if something were to happen between them. The threat Clarke oh so hesitantly told her about; one she hadn't taken to heart up until now.

As she stepped out, she was met by Conan and nineteen men standing in formation, awaiting her order. "I've changed my mind. Seeing we don't want to draw too much attention; I only require ten of you. Conan, choose your men." Lexa looked over the faces; none looked like men she had interacted with personally until she reaches the very last face.

"Lincoln?"

"General." He says, a smug smile on his lips. Lexa drew him into an embrace, their armour smashing into each other and uncaring of the soldiers that watched them strangely. She was grateful to see someone familiar, a friend even. On the days the Praetorian trained, he was her sparring partner and definitely not forgetting that he was one of Octavia's many lovers. One she was more fond of than the others even.

"It's good to see you. Refreshing even." She says as she pulls away from him. "The feeling is mutual, General. It's an honor to serve under you."

"We will talk later, for now, there's a task at hand." Lexa says in Lincoln's direction, earning her a curt nod and friendly smile. "Conan, choose nine men. Lincoln will be joining us." Lexa walked to the horses tied up nearby, inspecting each one of them. She was looking for a horse closely compared to Vitus but instead, she finds a muscular black stallion that reminds her of her father's horse, Mars.

"You will do just perfectly, boy." She glided her hand over its muscular black pelt. He was beautiful; not even Rome had such beautiful horses. His pelt shined and glistened under the bright sun as he stomped his hooves on the hot sand impatient.

Lexa soothed her hand over its head, down to its nose while she allowed it to sniff her other hand. Gaining his trust was the first step, getting on the stallions back right away was a sure way of getting bucked off. This was a lesson she learned the hard way a long time ago; earning her a broken arm in the process and many scars.

After several minutes, feeling confident enough, she mounted the horse. She patted his neck again, soothing away any spook the horse may have gotten. The other men mounted their horses as well and trampled in the same direction their General went. They rode a short while until they reached the entrance gates of the city Alexandria.

Lexa was the first to dismount, finding shade under a lonesome tree next to a bust of a pharaoh that had seen its better days. The lines of heat could be seen dancing in the distance, radiating off of the sand. "What are we doing, Commander? I thought we were supposed to find the Queen, yet we're lounging around here."

"We're waiting." She assures the Centurion, taking a gulp of water from the waterskin that hung from her horse's saddle. "Someone will ride by here, it's only a matter of time." Lexa knew what she was looking for, she just had to pay close attention.

"What are we waiting for?" Conan asks, his hands on his hips as looked up at the sun. Perspiration had already started to form on their skins, the metal of their armour harsh under the sun. Such heavy armour was impractical in the heat and Lexa regretted not bringing her leather armour as well.

"Who actually. This is the only way out of the city and I suspect the people we're waiting for should pass by here soon. The Queen's camp is near here, the question is just in what direction and the person or people we're waiting for should lead us right to her." Lexa answers, taking a seat under the tree with a heavy thump, removing her helmet in the process.

They could wait minutes or even hours perhaps, might as well get comfortable. "This place is a dump. Their gods must be real shmucks for creating a place like this." A scrawny soldier says, probably just reaching his twenty summers of age. A short man, but he looked quite resourceful. His height could certainly be an advantage in some cases.

Lexa shook her head disappointed. "You should know better than to speak ill of the gods in their own country. These gods are ancient and powerful. Egypt prospered long before Rome did my dear boy. Rome is but a child compared to Egypt."

"Nonsense, I've seen their gods. No man with a dog's head scares me. A bunch of fools for worshipping cats as well." The man continues to say, unafraid of what fate may befall him if he continued to speak ill of the ancients. "For a place prospering before Rome, they sure fucked it up, didn't they?" Conan follows up.

Lexa ignored the rest of the conversation the men had. They showed no notion of critical thinking and they were especially the kind of people she didn't keep herself company with. Uneducated soldiers, that is all they were she had to remind herself but then again, they couldn't help be anything other than just that. They weren't given the opportunities she was given; not the training and not the half-easy upbringing and certainly not the education of reading and writing.

They waited just over an hour under the smoldering hot sun when rushed horse hooves started to draw closer. The horses neighed as the riders whipped their reigns. Four horsemen passed by the legionnaires, not even sparing a glance in their direction. "Up we go, our friends have shown themselves."

Lexa quickly mounted her horse again, not waiting for the other men to get to their feet. They would just have to learn how to keep up. There was no time for rest, not even in this heat. The soldiers eventually caught up to her as they trailed the mercenaries closely, but not close enough to spook them.

The four horsemen never once stopped to rest, forcing the legionnaires to trail behind until it was dusk. The smoldering heat finally dissipated as the cold crisp night started to draw in. Lexa could tell she was going to ache once she stepped off of the horse but not just her legs but her skin as well. The sun was unforgiving and a sure sunburn followed.

In the darkness Lexa lost sight of the riders themselves but in the distance the torchlight of a camp was visible. The Legionnaires trod through a shallow river, allowing the horses to drink water for a short moment. "This is odd. One would think there would be a patrol to make sure the boundaries aren't crossed but I see and hear nobody. Mars must not be on their side."

"Or he was taking a crap and missed when we passed over their borders."

"You always say the worst things, Conan." Lexa says, lowly laughing to herself. She was tired, and so she blames her fatigue for finding humor in Conan's words. "Let's get closer and wrap it up then. We're twelve and they're only four." Lexa unmounted her horse, landing in the water next to the horse with a splash.

The cold water on her feet felt like a dream come true. "Leave the horses here, we'll come back for them once we're done." The men followed her steady step into the camp. There were no soldiers in sight, only one of the four mercenaries. "Six of you, circle camp, kill anyone that poses a threat. Others, follow me."

Six men scurried off, following their Commander's firm order. Lincoln and Conan followed behind Lexa, along with three other soldiers. A small practically wooden palace was in the middle of the camp; that's where the Queen must be. "You three, surround it. Conan, Lincoln, follow me in."

Angry voices came from inside the wooden palace, followed by frantic screams of women. Lexa drew her dagger from its sheath slowly, holding it in her hand upside down for maneuverability. As she pushed the curtain away, a man stood on each side of the Queen, holding onto her arms and a third stood in front of her, ready to bring his sword down on her.

Lincoln entered through the other entrance, pushing the curtain away simultaneously. The mercenaries shared confused glances with the two Romans, sizing them up. Considering the situation, Lexa lunged first, driving her blade through the nearest man's neck, and with a single motion, she removed it, slicing the throat of the other.

Conan had confronted the fourth man that held the handmaiden hostage at the back of the tiny square room and Lincoln tackled down the third, his hands tightly wrapped around his neck, choking him to death. Conan snapped his opponents' neck and nonchalantly walked over to Lincoln, where he stabbed his man in the chest. "Come on, I had it. Why do you have to ruin the fun?" Conan only shrugged, wiping his blade down on the white clothing the mercenary wore.

"Queen majesty?" Lexa asks the woman sitting on the bed, her eyes wide and a splatter of blood across her face and dress. "Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?" The General rushed to her side, raising the Queen arms to inspect her.

"It's not my blood. Thank you for coming when you did but who are you?" The Queen spoke with a heavy accent, one Lexa had never heard before. The people they interacted with at the Egyptian palace didn't sound the same. "General Alexandria Silvestre. The Emperor sent us to retrieve you. He wishes to return you to the throne."

"Of Rome? Why does he care who's on the throne?" The Queen moved her leg making the chain attached to the clamp around her ankle clatter. Lexa's eyes scanned over it, knowing she should probably remove it. "Your guess is as good as mine. Where are the keys to the lock? I can't return you to my Emperor in shackles."

The Queen said something to her maiden in the back of the room in a language none of the Romans understood. It sounded like pointless jabbering more than anything else. Kamilah's eyes returned to Lexa's, looking her up and down. "My maiden knows where to find the keys, thank you again, Alexandria."

"Just doing my duty, your majesty. If you would excuse me; I must go assure all threats are removed." Lexa slightly bowed her head, before exiting into the cold night, shortly followed by both Conan and Lincoln. The other Legionnaires had gathered around close, already conversating.

"How many men did you lot find?"

"Eight, Commander. All disposed of. We should be good for the night; do you wish for us to keep watch throughout the night?" Lexa nodded her head in approval, walking in the direction of the horses that still stood at the small river. "Indeed, form a schedule. At least one person has to be awake at a time and just for your brilliant suggestion, you take first watch, soldier."

The other men laughed at his feigned sigh, patting him on his back, shoulders and head as they made fun of him. "Yes, Commander." All of the men retrieved their horses and took solace around the large existing fire. There were already tents set up so at least the Romans didn't have to sleep out in the cold under the stars tonight.

As per ritual, Lexa walked quite a stretch from camp, kneeling down in the sand as she looked up at the moon. Her armour was long removed, leaving her only in a black tunic, her greaves and bronze bracers. She retrieved Clarke's ring from inside her tunic, holding it in her calloused hands.

"I'm not sure where to start tonight. My mind is so tired and my thoughts feel jumbled, Clarke. This place is horrible and I miss Rome more and more each passing day but most importantly I miss you ... how are you? Are you doing well? Has Octavia annoyed you enough yet or have you two become the oddest pair of friends?" Lexa's face dropped as she sighed, shuffling the ring around in her hand. "I wish I just told you that I loved you, because I do, I really do."

Lexa looked up at the moon again, scanning her eyes over it as if, if she looked at it long enough it would talk back to her but it never does. After twenty minutes, she returned back to camp, taking a seat at the fire, looking into the flames. Perhaps the flames could answer all the questions she had for Clarke.

//

The next morning, when the sun was high again, the Queen and her makeshift palace were on the move. A total of twenty-four men held on to the bars underneath the palace, carrying it at an excruciatingly slow pace. Lexa guessed they would reach at least halfway back to Alexandria on the day, then they would have to set up camp again.

Inside of the makeshift palace, the Queen laid on her bed next to her handmaiden. Kamilah dragged a long and hard inhale on her golden pipe, smoking herbs that made her feel the sweet escape she was aching for. She had started to grow accustomed to not being Queen, but instead just being someone that laid around smoking all the smoke possible.

There were some times that she couldn't even recall what day it was, or she spent so much time inside that she couldn't even tell if it was daytime or nighttime. Time lapses weren't uncommon for the Queen and quite frankly, they didn't even frighten her anymore. Whether she hadn't been Queen for a week, a month, or a year, she had no clue.

"You should throw that pipe away if you wish to wow the Emperor. I doubt he's keen to meet and be-throne a drug-ridden wench." The maiden says, uncaring of how the Queen will react. They shared a pretty honest relationship, not the common one most masters and their slaves shared. "Would you shut up, Niylah? I know what I'm doing. Let me enjoy my last few moments of being a free woman. Now fill this up."

Kamilah handed the pipe to her handmaiden, patiently waiting for her to return it with the herbs full and set alight again. As soon as the newly replenished pipe hit the Queen's lips, she drew in a deep breath, inhaling all of the delicacy and soon sinking back into the soft feather mattress.

The high was almost instant. "This is the best feeling in the world, I swear on it." The Queen quips, rolling onto her stomach to get a better look at her maiden. "Would you like some?"

Niylah shook her head, denying the offer as she has every other time. Not only did the herbs smell like poison but they tasted like poison as well. "Fine, I'm done with it. Get rid of the pipe and I'll be fine by the time we reach the Emperor."

"I heard around camp last night that he no longer has a wife, perhaps this is your chance, Queen majesty. Wow him and you will not only rule Egypt but Rome as well." Kamilah sat up on her bed, her head fully spinning from the high she was experiencing but the news her maiden shared, shocked her sober. Niylah took the pipe from her Queen, throwing it from the wooden palace onto the sand outside.

"Where's his wife? Surely Rome had an Empress."

"She's in the underworld as far as I can tell."

Kamilah laid back down on the bed, humming. This was good news for her, she had never had problems wowing a man and after all, the Emperor made sure she was saved from demise. "What does the Emperor look like? And how old is he?"

"Strong features, blue eyes, black hair starting to grey. I put him around forty-three, forty-four years. You'll have him swooning with minimal effort, Queen Majesty."

"Does he have children? A son successor?"

"No, Queen majesty. Only a daughter about ten years younger than you. Rumor has it he will leave his Empire to a loyal Senator of his and not to his daughter."

Kamilah sat up on her bed, drifting off of the high. She took a deep breath, straightening out the see-through dress she wore. "It's simple then, I'll give him a son. Why only rule Egypt if I can rule Rome as well alongside my son? Surely he's not putting me on the throne without wanting something from me; why not offer him this extra thing?"

"You are surely cunning, Queen Majesty." Is all the maiden Niylah answers, returning herself back to her own matters.

Outside of the makeshift palace, rode Lexa, Lincoln and Conan in the very front. She and Lincoln sometimes spoke a few words but Lexa wasn't good conversation. She hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night; the creaks in the quiet night kept her up. Nevermind the nearby croaking frogs from the waterside and the rustling of reeds in the wind.

"That Queen, she's a wild one. Did you see the size of her eyes when we came in there last night? Those weren't frightened eyes alone, that's the kind of eyes the whores have after smoking too much of that shit from Macedonia."

"She's royalty, Conan, you can't speak of her like that." Lexa was too tired to entertain any of Conan's quips today, especially if it involved Kamilah. Word could so easily travel to her or to the Emperor that they spoke ill of her and then all would be punished; Lexa the harshest probably.

"She is wild though, that much is the truth and you know what? She wants me. Didn't you see her stare at me last night after I dropped that mercenary? Wet as rain." This time, it did earn him a laugh from Lexa, almost making her fall off of her horse even. Fatigue's fault definitely.

"Look at me Conan, and you listen to me very carefully now," Lexa says between her laughter. Lincoln had also started laughing at the silly notion Conan has in his mind. "She is a Queen, if you touch her, you will die. If not by my blade, by the Emperor's, do we understand each other?"

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not stupid, Commander? I was simply making a point. I'm telling you she wants me."

Lexa shook her head, sighing in defeat. "Sure, whatever you say, Conan." The rest of the ride was silent as Lexa picked up the pace, moving away from the men just wanting a moment to herself. Perhaps for a moment she even closed her eyes, getting a few minutes of sleep before slumping so far that she almost fell off her horse.

As darkness overtook the Egyptian land, the group set up camp once again. They were getting closer to Alexandria. They would definitely reach the Roman camp the following day and then Lexa can finally hand off Kamilah to Jake, removing the Queen from her care. Lexa seriously did not want to find out what this punishment was that the Emperor had in mind if something in fact did happen to the Queen.

Lexa, Conan, Lincoln and three other men accompanied the fire on the night. Lexa stared deep into the flames, rolling Clarke's ring between her fingers. None of the men spoke, they too staring into the flames as they pulled their blankets around them tighter. As hot as Egypt could get, the nights were beyond cold once the sand cooled down.

Low chatter could be heard coming from inside the makeshift temple, it being among the only sounds of the night. Other than the chatter, there were only chirps of crickets and croaks of frogs and lastly the cracking of wood as the fire burned mercilessly. "You mentioned having someone back home; a husband?" Conan asks, pointing to the ring in Lexa's hand.

Lexa shook her head absentmindedly, continuing to fumble with the ring. "A boyfriend, fiancé even?" His General shook her head again, wordlessly. Conan tapped his chin and only then did it hit him. "Must be a wife then, our Commander must like a nice pair of tits."

Lincoln huffed a laugh, trying to hide that he found Conan's remark amusing but the other few men laughed full-fledged. Lexa only glared at Conan before finally deciding to answer him. "No husband, no boyfriend, no wife, Conan. But yes, I do appreciate a pretty woman, now will you leave it?"

Lexa returned the ring to the string, flinging it back into her tunic. Not having anything to occupy her hands with anymore, she clasps her hands together and slumps against the log behind her. The curtains of the makeshift palace, flipped open, revealing the blonde handmaiden of the Queen, a tight-lipped smile on her lips.

"General, the Queen requests your presence."

"Is everything okay?" Lexa asks, getting to her feet and quickly dusting herself off. "Yes, General. She just wishes to have a quick word with you if you do not mind leaving your men behind for a moment." Niylah spared a glance to the men around the fire who were all staring at her, lusting after a woman that looked of Roman origin.

"Of course." Lexa followed the maiden to the palace, adjusting her dagger holster around her toned thigh. She hoped the Queen needed nothing drastic because she was beyond fatigued but her mind refused to let her rest at nightfall. Her mind was wide awake but her body could barely get itself to move.

The Queen laid on her bed, propped up on elbows as she watched the two women enter. Her long hair had been braided and the dramatic eyeliner was now proudly accentuated around her eyes. She no longer looked like any other woman, but like a true Queen now. One that clearly demanded respect from here on out until the day she would breathe out her last breath.

"How can I be of assistance, Queen majesty? Do you wish to enquire about our coming journey in the morning? I assure you we made very good distance today, it would only be a few—" The woman raised her hand in the air, instantly silencing Lexa the same way Clarke silenced her people each time she would meet with them.

Next, she gestured to the maiden to speak her wishes. Kamilah had evidently changed into a different woman in the short day from being freed from captivity. She oozed authority. "May I?" The maiden asks, not waiting for Lexa to reply as the maiden removes the red sash that was draped over the General's shoulders. "The Queen wishes to have intercourse with you."

Kamilah sat up on the bed, moving closer to the edge of it. A confused expression crossed Lexa's features as the Queen's face neared her neck, inhaling her scent. "You don't smell Roman at all. No reeking sweat and no olives. You will definitely do." Niylah threw the sash to the other woman in the room, following up with reaching for the dagger sheathe around Lexa's thigh.

"Intercourse? You must be mistaken, ma'am."

"Don't be scared, she doesn't bite, General. You will enjoy it; my Queen will be one of your best lovers." Niylah coos, handing off the dagger holster as well. "I assure you I am not scared; I just cannot do what you ask of me to do. It's not customary of Romans to be used for sex by foreigners. Besides that—"

Lexa is interrupted by the Queen drawing her into a searing kiss, making an involuntary growl escape her chest. She couldn't manage to stop herself for a few seconds, matching the Queen's violent onslaught but when Lexa's senses return to her, she pushes Kamilah away from her. "I cannot!" Lexa breathed heavily, her chest expanding rapidly.

Kamilah continued to stare at the General with hunger and lust as she took her bottom lip between her teeth. "You must do as you're told, Commander." The Queen says smugly. The Emperor's words returned to Lexa 'you will obey her every single request as long as it is within reason'. Was this within reason? And did she not scold Conan earlier saying that whoever touched the Queen will die.

She was all for following orders, that's what being a soldier meant. But what about Clarke? ... her Clarke. What consequence could follow if she did not do as the Queen requests of her and what consequence could follow if this was the one order she was not supposed to follow. "Well, what are you waiting for, Commander? I am yours and you will worship me with pleasure all night."

The Queen sat up again, placing her hands on the front of Lexa's broad shoulders, running them down over her chest, going extra slow over her breasts. Lexa swallowed hard, finding it particularly hard to keep herself composed. She felt like a hormone-driven teenager and she couldn't deny that the Queen looked like a Goddess.

The maiden Niylah urged Lexa forward with a slight push, placing the General's hands on the Queen's hips. "Do you need further assistance, General?" Lexa shook her head, swallowing again. She felt dizzy, lust taking over her as well. She desperately missed Clarke, longed for her even. The Empress was delicious in her own way, and the love they made ... it was sweet. Beyond any words Lexa could ever use to describe it.

Maybe just one night with royalty would subdue Lexa's dire need for Clarke. Perhaps just one night would allow her to push down the ache she felt for the Empress. Just one time, it wouldn't mean anything, would it? Lexa allowed her face and lips to be taken by the Queen again, savage kissing being shared.

Lexa towered over the Queen's small frame, raising her bare thigh from the dress that barely covered her, soothing her hand over it. Her skin was soft and delicate compared to Lexa's calloused hands and for a single moment Lexa could swear it was Clarke she felt but there was no love that enveloped her. Just the smell of meaningless sex. The Queen greedily fisted her finger's into Lexa's braided hair, readjusting the Generals head often as she regained dominance taking Lexa's bottom lip between her teeth with a slight nip.

The General growled again, falling prey to the seductive gesture. For a brief moment, Lexa opened her eyes and was not met with the blue she was in love with but with a green that matched her own eyes. "Hmph— No, I can't do this. I am not a slave to be ordered around like this." Lexa moved off of the Queen with haste, wiping her forearm over her mouth as she regained her footing at the bottom of the bed.

"You refuse me? Useless vile red Roman! I am your Queen; how dare you defy me?!"

"You are not my Queen. The woman I serve is far from here; far from this disgusting land! You have my respect, Queen Majesty, but I am not one of your people." Lexa yanked her sash and dagger holster from the other woman in the room, making her cower away in fear. The raised voice of the Commander could be heard all the way outside of the tent. It made the men around the fire stare at the wooden palace with widened eyes, wondering what exactly was going on inside of it.

"You will not use me and you will not order me around like I am one of your slaves. I command, I am not to be commanded. I will send you a replacement, but I will not engage in this sinful act." Without another word, not wanting to hear any more insults from the Queen, Lexa exits the palace into the cold night once again.

"You, Conan, report to Kamilah and do everything she requests of you." Lexa orders, gripping her sash and sheath tighter under her arm as she walks to a nearby tent. "Everything, Commander?" Conan asks smirking, already on his feet halfway to the wooden palace, his thumbs hooked on his leather weapons belt.

"Go!" Lexa growls angrily, sick of the Centurion as well. She swiped away the flap of her tent with more force than needed but she simply couldn't help it. Her hands shook with anger and her chest heaved as she tried to calm herself. After ten minutes her breathing evened out as she laid on a makeshift pillow, peering through a small shred in the canvas material of the tent, revealing a few stars and the smallest piece of the moon. "I'm sorry, my love..." she whispers, once again clutching Clarke's ring in her hand.

Loud cries of pleasure came from the wooden palace, revealing that Conan had no problem being used by the Queen for coitus. Lexa only turned on the thin blanket she laid on, pressing her bundled-up sash over her ear hoping that it would muffle out all of the Queen's annoying moans.

Chapter Text

By the time Lexa awoke, the camp around her was just about packed up. She didn't remember at what point of the night her Centurion and the Queen's stamina ran out but they certainly kept everyone in camp up for much longer than necessary.

Lexa stumbled out of the tent, her head still drunk with sleep and a thin layer of sweat was on her skin already. Nevermind the constant layer of perspiration, she ached from the sunburn she received over the past two days. Four of the Legionnaires passed her, each one saluting her appropriately.

She was desperate for a bath or any cold water deep enough to submerge her entire body. Lexa was eager to get back to camp knowing she could take a bath there and perhaps even after they reinstate the Queen, Jake would allow her to take an actual bath in the Egyptian palace. That alone was enough motivation for Lexa to just about carry the wooden palace with the other twenty-four men.

In next to no time, they were on the path back to Alexandria again, each soldier snacking on whatever dried goods the Egyptians offered them or of the meat they had on the fire the previous night. Lexa and Conan rode in the front again and Lincoln opted to ride with the other soldiers, conversating with them.

"You understand you can't tell anyone of your actions last night." Lexa says lowly, just for Conan to hear. The smile on Conan's face had not once dissipated from the previous night. He acted like a beggar who just became the richest man of Rome. "I already swore to the Queen that I will tell no one, General. Besides, I'm pretty good at secrets."

Lexa laughed to herself for a moment while shaking her head side to side. "Please, your mouth has constant diarrhea, always overflowing with things that should never be said out loud." She stayed silent for a moment, meeting Conan's eyes and his still solid smile. "I will cut you down like an animal if you tell anyone, do you understand me? If Caesar finds out, he'll kill us both."

"I understand, but you really need not worry, Commander. My lips are sealed." Lexa nodded her head in return, continuing to slowly rock with each step her stallion took. "Good. Ride ahead, give word to Caesar that we'll be there soon." Conan pounded his chest in salute and whipped the reigns of his horse, making them both surge forward, leaving only dust in his wake.

Their journey continued for another two hours before the large camp came into sight as the heat waves danced on the barren sandy plains. Thousands of men were in formation, fully armoured and their shields in hand. In the distance, Jake stood in front of his men and Magnus stood on a platform yelling out the rules of war.

"Lincoln, make sure they place the Queen's palace next to the war tent, I must report to Caesar."

"Will do, Commander."

Lexa rode to the very front of the gathered men, unmounting her horse in front of the war tent before she approached Jake. He was fully armoured as well, his swords at his sides and battle bracers on his arms. Of course he still took the liberty to wear his golden olive branch crown on his head. Once he saw Lexa approaching, he only dipped his head in acknowledgment.

"—all of you that are here, will return to Rome as heroes! But if you do not follow the Emperor's rules, you will pay for it with your life!" Magnus announced over the thousands of men. In the distance, the different Centurions relayed his words to the men at the back. "Drunkards and brawlers will be beaten with fists or will receive gruesome lashings! Deserters will be publicly crucified and left hung out to become food to the crows, you will not reach the Elysian fields! Thieves will be strangled to death!"

A lot of the men were visibly troubled by the terms but not one broke formation. In fact, some even stood taller now, their chests puffed and their heads held high. "War is upon us, men. A hundred and fifty thousand savages are ready to meet their end. From here on out you will pay with your life if you do not keep your eyes open. Stand strong men!" Magnus thrusted his sword into the air, making each and every soldier raise their swords and spears into the air as well.

The Emperor stood with his hands clasped in front of him, a satisfied grin on his lips that these men were ready to die for him and his Empire. Magnus stepped down from the pedestal and slowly all the soldiers started to disperse, awaiting the next order for when they would actually attack.

"Is the Queen well, then? Unscathed as I asked you, Alexandria?"

"Yes, sir. I instructed her palace to be placed next to the war tent so that she's protected at all times." Lexa says confidently under the watchful eye of the Emperor that dissected her words and body language to see if there was a sense of nervousness to her, but she didn't waver. Not once. "Very well, I suppose I must go meet her."

As they entered the war tent, Queen Kamilah laid bored on a large chaise that was not there before. Lexa walked to the chaise, taking stance next to it as formality required her to do, or so she thought. Magnus had explained a lot to her about what was expected of a General to do but she had forgotten most of it leading up to this moment simply because she in fact was nervous. She was nervous to know what exactly will happen if the Emperor was to find out what happened the previous night.

"Queen Kamilah, sir. Daughter of the two rams and mistress of Sedge and Bee." The Queen dramatically sat up on the chaise, slowly moving her legs off of it and raising her hand to the Emperor. Kamilah was certainly something, an interesting show to watch indeed. She was an eccentric woman, uncaring of what the people around her thought. Perhaps the Queen was a pinch of egotistical as well.

"Leave us." Jake orders, making both Lexa and curious Magnus leave the tent immediately. The Queen dipped her head at her maiden Niylah, making her leave as well. The Emperor approached the Queen slowly, looking her up and down. She was beautiful, as they said she would be. "It is a great honor to meet you, Emperor."

"And you, Queen Kamilah. I hear many great things of you, I hope they're all true."

"You'll have to wait and see, won't you?" Jake took Kamilah's hand with his own, laying a soft kiss on her knuckles. She slowly rose to her feet, coming eye to eye with him. He had a clear height advantage over her but she knew exactly what game she would like to play with him. "My deepest condolences for your wife, Emperor."

Kamilah brushed past the Emperor toward the table in the middle of the tent, covered in maps of Egypt and all of its important aspects. "I thank you." Jake watched Kamilah elegantly walk away from him, a sway in her step. There was a flame in her, that much he could tell and he couldn't deny that her beauty would definitely be an advantage in his endeavors.

"I certainly hope she gave you a son before her passing. A man without sons is a man without a future." Kamilah decided to get right to the point, to be obvious with her intentions but not to come off too desperate. She could already see that he enjoyed to look at her and he may even be interested in her after only a few moments of fleeting stares.

"She didn't but I never looked at it that way."

"How sad that must be."

The Emperor shrugged, waiting to hear where the Queen was going with her question. He had an idea of what she intended but he was never a man to jump to conclusions. "Nevermind though. Have you secured all the ports? If you wish to control Egypt then you must have all the ports."

"Control Egypt? Now who said I wanted to control Egypt?" Jake took the map from the Queen's hands, placing it on the table again. Kamilah smiled mischievously, placing both of her palms on the table as she leaned forward, exposing her best feature to the Emperor. "Well why else are you here? Surely a man of your caliber could just send a few men here and place me on the throne. Instead, you are here in the flesh. The few men you sent to heroically save me are more than capable of the task." Kamilah stopped for a moment and then dared to add. "Oh, and the General is just the most delicious specimen."

"A woman of beauty, isn't she?" Jake says, returning Kamilah's mischievous smile. "You didn't answer my question, Emperor. But I'll answer it for you. You're here to use me; you want me as your puppet Queen, am I wrong?" Kamilah walked around the table, standing in front of Jake again, staring up into his blue eyes with a grin.

"Do you dislike the idea then?" Jake asks, darting his eyes between hers. "Not in the slightest. What I want is of no importance. You saved me from my demise, so you own me." She placed her palm on the metal breastplate of the Emperor that had started to cool down from the heat the sun inflicted on it. "Think of it as ... let's say, I'm your slave."

"As enticing as that sounds, we have a problem before I can make you my so-called puppet Queen. Your little wench of a brother has conjured up a hundred and fifty thousand men that now surround Alexandria. My sources say you can bring me thirteen legions, is that correct?"

The Queen grumbled, walking away from the Emperor and laying down on the chaise again. If she couldn't have her throne immediately then she didn't have to make the Emperor swoon over her so fast. "I can for the right amount of denarii. Rameses supports my reign but his men still require payment."

"Done." Jake says simply, making the Queen sit up again surprised. "Tell me where to find Rameses so we can do business, I need every single man he has. The faster his men can get here, the faster we can finish the war, and the faster you can be the true Queen again."

"Will I have a king?" Kamilah asks absentmindedly as Jake kneels next to the chaise. "You will have anything and everything these lands have to offer you." The Queen placed her hand on the smooth skin of the Emperor's cheek, soothing her thumb over it. "I like the sound of that."

//

In Rome Clarke had been closely working with the collegium ruled by a close friend of hers. Anya ran the collegium ruthlessly and kept the rural areas of Rome at bay. Of course, she didn't rule alone and a trusted once gladiator ruled alongside her, Roan.

The collegium was in charge of making sure each and every settler of Rome received their duly earned food and supplies free of charge from the ruling party, which in this case was Clarke. Abigail was always in charge of the treasury as well as the collegia but now the task was for Clarke, and her alone.

Bellamy was too busy indulging himself in the fanciest and cleanest brothels Rome had to offer. It begged Clarke to wonder if there were any whores left in the city that he hadn't gone through already. The senate wasn't bothered by his endeavors as long as it didn't interfere with the meetings they had to convene in.

The Empress personally oversaw each and every delivery made to the collegium grain houses to make sure none of it conveniently went missing. It was an odd sight to the lower class to see their Empress so closely involved in their wellbeing and it only made them appreciate her even more. They admired Abigail but she never put herself out there among them to be seen.

After the many visits to these areas, Clarke could see that her people were in need. She could never get to each and every settler that came to see her in the great hall on the days she would listen to their requests but now she could see why so many always showed up on those days.

Without a second thought or even asking for Bellamy's permission, she ordered the builders to immediately start construction on several bathhouses. The Empress even gave a land to men that proved to her that they indeed could be brilliant farmers. By giving her people land it would assure that the city would get food and along with that came the people's loyalty as well. A ruler without support is just a fool that thinks they're in control.

The last bag of grain was loaded from the carriage, marking the end of Clarke's day. It was late afternoon and the day's tasks had certainly taken it out of her, making her beyond tired. Octavia closely walked next to Clarke as they made their way back to the palace. Most settlers exclaimed their thank you's to Clarke and even went as far as to dropping to their knees to honor her.

Like every other day they passed the many statues on the way to the palace, both women pretending not to look at one specific one. However, on the specific day, Clarke couldn't help herself and stopped dead in her tracks in front of a statue. She placed her fingertips to the bronze plate, gliding them over the engraving. 'Alexandria Silvestre. Victor of the LX Colosseum games.'

The marble statue stood a whopping six feet tall, matching Lexa's exact height. Both of her swords drawn, raised horizontally next to her in a glory stance. Beneath the hilt of the sword on the blade was her house name engraved as her actual swords were. Her facial features were down to the most intricate details from her sharp jaw to her high cheekbones to her family crest between her eyebrows and the claw mark over her right eye, making a slit through her eyebrow. The sculptor even went as far as sculpting out some intricate braids in her hair.

If one looked close enough, even the veins flowing down her arms to her hands could be seen. The armour on her body perfectly matched her Praetorian armour and the patterns on her greaves were there as well. Truly one could barely tell that it was a statue and not just Lexa covered in an ash white paint.

"Has word come from Egypt?" Octavia asks from next to Clarke in a whisper, almost not wanting to ruin the moment Clarke was having. The Empress shook her head, pursing her lips in thought and not yet removing her fingertips from the bronze plate. "Not a single word. Six months and we know nothing."

"Egypt probably would have rubbed our faces in it if we lost so at least we know the Legions are still alive. That's one thing to be grateful for, right?"

"I don't care if the Legions are alive or not. I want to know if Lexa and my father is alive." Clarke retracted her hand from the bronze plate, clasping her hands behind her back. She cleared her mind at that moment, drowning out every single sound the settlers made in the streets. Essentially everything around her disappeared, leaving her alone in that little space she created.

"She's a fighter you know? There are very few things in the world that could stop Lexa from returning to Rome. I dare to say that this war isn't one of those things." Octavia says, pressing her fingertips to her lips and then to the bronzed plate with Lexa's full name. "She'll come back to us, Empress, don't you worry."

Unexpectedly, Octavia feels a hand creeping into hers, desperately looking for comfort. The Empress had laced her fingers in with her guards, hoping that it would make her feel better. An overwhelming sadness overtook her whenever she thought of Lexa for too long and knowing there's a possibility that she won't return. The feeling intensified when she knew damn well that no word has come from Egypt to make Rome aware of where the war stood.

Octavia showed a tight lip smile in Clarke's direction; a gesture of pity. Quite frankly she wasn't sure if she or Clarke missed Lexa the most at times, however, she wouldn't dare pry about the situation. The next unexpected action happened when Clarke's body crashed into Octavia's, wrapping her up in the tightest embrace. It was not to be forgotten that they were just about in the middle of the capital for everyone to view. Passerby civilians stared at the two women with curious and confused glances but none decided to be too bothered by it.

Slowly Octavia returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around the Empress as well, only slightly returning the touch. Truly she felt uncomfortable with the sudden move because she and Clarke weren't on such a level of friendship if one could even call what they shared a friendship. Octavia only served her duty day in and day out, only occasionally having small talk with the Empress.

"Are you ready to go back to the palace, Empress? Or would you like another moment?"

Octavia could feel Clarke shake her head slightly but she wasn't sure if the Empress meant no, she would like to return to the palace or no, she would appreciate another moment. Unsure, Octavia chooses the latter, allowing the Empress to cling to her. Such proved to be the right decision as they stood in the same position for another three minutes, once again being stared at like the most peculiar beings.

"I'm ready to go back now." Clarke says as she backs away from Octavia, quickly wiping away the lonesome tear that slowly trickled over her cheek. The Empress only needed such a small moment to sort through her emotions. Of course, she could always embrace her friend Raven but Octavia as a person was different; she actually shared blood with the woman she loves. In a sense, Octavia was like an all too familiar strong woman to Clarke that she wished was close to her again.

The walk back to the palace was quiet and Octavia decided that she would not try to make small talk with the Empress. Under normal circumstances, she would try such but it seemed that Clarke really only wanted to be left alone for the time being. The vast palace now felt much bigger than it actually was since only Clarke lived there now. Not as many servants traversed the halls and the loud chatter was completely gone.

Only the cheerful chirps of the exotic birds in the atrium filled the halls. "You may take your leave for the day; I believe I won't leave my quarters again." The Empress' voice was distant, almost nothing but a small whisper. "Very well, Empress. Send for me if you require my assistance with anything."

Hurried footsteps drummed through the halls on the marble floor, making Octavia swing around and immediately drawing her sword. She moved her entire body in front of Clarke, shielding her from whatever was coming. A mere scribe came running at them, a strap over his shoulder holding onto a cylindrical container.

"My Empress—" The man huffed in between breaths as he doubles over, placing his hands on his knees. "Word— comes from— Egypt." He unhooked the sling from over his shoulder, handing Clarke the entire container for herself to open. Confused, Clarke accepted the container, looking it over hesitantly.

"Thank you but I believe official word should be delivered to consul Blake or to the Senate themselves, not to me. Political matters are not for me to handle I'm afraid. My apologies for having you come all this way. I believe Bellamy is in his quarters or in the Senate house."

Still leaning over, the scribe waved his hand in the air. "No, no, Empress. It is not official. The General— she said that this is only for your eyes. A serious matter apparently ... she paid me quite handsomely as well." The scribe straightened himself out again, placing his hands on his hips. "Excuse my fatigue, I ran quite a far bit seeing she said this must reach you immediately."

Clarke pulled the container to her chest, tightly wrapping her fingers around it. "I see, thank you then. How is it in Egypt, if you don't mind me asking." The scribe shook his head, his eyes showing a slight tint of fear. "Bloody, Empress. Lots and lots of blood ... the Egyptians were dropping like flies a month ago when I left there. I snuck onto a merchant ship since no other ships were leaving the harbor and the General was desperate to get this to you; whatever it is."

"I see. You say the Egyptians are dropping like flies; how long do you believe the war will continue?"

The scribe averted his gaze to a Persian rug on the floor, not answering the Empress. Clarke could tell the scribe had knowledge of something he didn't want to reluctantly reveal to her. "Speak. What do you know that I do not?"

The man's jaw flexed under his skin. One could see he had recently shaved his face since it now started to show a slight stubble. "I uhm— your father instructed me that the following information should be shared with consul Blake first. The Queen—"

"What about her?!" Clarke was annoyed at that moment, one reason being that she wanted to read what Lexa wrote to her and the other reason being that she had so many questions and the scribe took his sweet time to answer her. She didn't care if he was scared or if whatever this information was, was only meant for Bellamy. Either way, she would find out about it at some point.

"She's pregnant. Queen Kamilah is pregnant and the Emperor is the father. The ones they call the 'see-ers' of Egypt say it's a boy. A potential heir to the Roman throne."

Clarke laughed unhumoursly as she started to pace the width of the hall. "A child? You must be joking. The man continues to be an absolute show. He goes to Egypt to get himself an heir to his throne? How ridiculous. If he was so desperate for another child, Rome has perfectly adequate women. And he so unceremoniously moves on from my mother? Sacrilege that is what this is."

"My Empress—" Octavia says, placing a hand on Clarke's shoulder in a hush. "Perhaps it is better to let this man go have his well-deserved rest and then in the morning you could continue to question him." Octavia only tried to pry Clarke away from the scribe before she might say something she is not supposed to say and potentially dragging her name and status through the mud.

The Empress nodded her head vigorously, turning away from the scribe. "Thank you. I appreciate your service. I wish to speak with you again in the morning if you would not mind." The scribe eagerly nodded his head, his breath now fully recovered. He was willing to do anything his Empress requested him to do.

Octavia closed the door behind Clarke as she entered her quarters, both of her hands tightly gripped around the container to the point of her knuckles turning an odd shade of pale. The maiden Raven laid on Clarke's bed bored, throwing a leather ball into the air and then catching it, ritualistically repeating the action.

"I was wondering when you would be back." Raven sat up on the bed, swinging her legs over the side. "Oh, what do you have there? A sexy love letter or boring imperial information?" Clarke took a seat next to her best friend, placing the container in her lap. She was nervous to open it and to read what Lexa wrote to her. What if it was bad news?

Clarke popped the lid of the cylindrical container, tipping it making a roll of parchment slip from it. "It's from Egypt. Lexa sent it with a scribe that snuck onto a ship to get back to Rome." Raven rose her eyebrows impressed. She was aware of how risky it was to sneak onto ships since she did it for the majority of her life. Raven constantly sailed between Persia and Rome until she made herself at home in the palace as the Empress' personal handmaiden.

Clarke inspected the wax seal on the parchment. It was still sealed, making it obvious that the scribe didn't even bother taking a peek at what it said. The imprint of the wax seal was the same symbol that was between Lexa's eyebrows, her family crest. In the middle of the symbol were the letters SPQR imprinted above her house name Silvestre.

The crack of hardened wax echoed through the room before Clarke unrolled the parchment, raising it eye level.

My dearest Clarke, please forgive me for my long silence. The voyage was long and seemingly my road to recovery even longer. My injuries recovered well on our voyage but when the battle began, I could barely hold my own against these savages. But do not worry, my fellow Generals are always on my side whenever I need their assistance.

I must say these last long months had turned from seasickness and plague to nothing but heat, mud, blood and iron. The battle has left me with very little time to write something half decent to you. However, be sure within yourself that I have been thinking of you with longing affection. I eagerly await the day I get to be alone with you again.

I sincerely hope my sister hasn't driven you too mad and if she has, tell her that I'll be back soon to set her straight. On a serious note, please extend my love to her though. In accordance with the most important matter, I really wish you are well, Clarke. I hope you're ruling Rome the same way you have been ruling my heart; ruthlessly and relentlessly.

I miss you.

Yours,

Lexa.

Clarke read the letter twice before dropping it onto her lap, releasing a heavy breath of relief. She was ecstatic that Lexa had written to her and more so relieved that she was still alive but Clarke couldn't help feel that the letter lacked something oh so simple. Raven took the letter from her best friend, reading it herself for a moment.

"What is 'affection', Raven? Could Lexa not just say love?"

"However, be sure within yourself that I have been thinking of you with longing affection. I eagerly await the day I get to be alone with you again." Raven chuckled to herself as she repeated the best part of the letter with more drama than intended in her tone. "What did you expect, Clarke? She's only a soldier, not a poet might I remind you. But nevertheless, I think it's quite romantic. I feel I must ask about this 'alone with you again' phrase. What did you two naughty kids get up to?"

Clarke yanked the letter from her friend's hands, pressing it to her chest. "Nothing you should know about. Unfortunately for you I do not kiss and tell." The Empress returned the parchment to the cylindrical container and snugly placed it under one of her pillows. "I don't feel like talking about my failing love life, what about you? Do you enjoy Octavia's company?"

"Oh she's just delicious." Raven affirms as she gets up from the bed to open the balcony doors. "Probably nothing like your delicious Gladiatrix though." Raven adds, winking in Clarke's direction but the Empress was too busy rolling her eyes to notice her best friend's winking gesture. "If you ever crave a Gladiatrix, feel free to have a night or two with Octavia. I don't mind sharing,"

Clarke slightly choked on the newly poured wine in her chalice as Raven continued. The Empress craved a Gladiatrix indeed but her gladiator was far, far away and another would simply not suffice. "I suppose I appreciate your offer, Raven, but I doubt she's yours to be passed around. And even if she was, I'm not interested. It's not the concept that allures me, it's the person. No one can replace Lexa in my life, not even her sister."

"Good, because I actually wasn't willing to share, I just pitied you for the smallest moment and figured a good friend would offer a good lover." Raven inhaled one last deep breath of the warm Roman air as she entered Clarke's quarters again from the balcony. "Speaking of a good lover, may I borrow your guard? Or is she still on duty?"

"I should've known you wouldn't give up one of your suitors." Clarke laughed, finishing the little wine she had left in her chalice. She had certainly started to indulge herself in more wine lately since it tended to quiet her busy mind. "But no, she's off duty. Go enjoy yourself while I sulk in the darkness." Clarke says overdramatically, sinking into a new comfy chair she recently acquired. It had a wooden frame and the cushions were of the softest feathers all wrapped in the most delicate blue velvet and silk.

"Don't be so dramatic. I'll be back in two candle lines." Raven kissed the top of Clarke's head as she passed by her, soon leaving the Empress alone again.

"Good, I have something to tell you about Egypt." Clarke needed to tell someone, anyone. The fact that her father was expecting a child with another woman, one that wasn't even of Roman blood was insane. What was he thinking?

//

The promised thirteen legions of Rameses arrived at the Roman war camp only two days previous. Communication between the parties was difficult, to say the least and just about every word spoken between Jake and Ramses had to be translated by the Queen herself. No Roman could speak the tongue the Egyptians spoke and the entire deal seemed odd.

Lexa had started to notice a certain change between the Emperor and Queen Kamilah. Rumors had started to flood through camp between the soldiers and all were whispering under one another; always keeping quiet the moment a General would pass them.

On the particular day every single Roman, Greek, and Egyptian stood in their respective formations in front of the Centurions or their equal counterparts. The four Generals stood in front of their legions, all mounted on horseback and the three leaders in front of their armies.

Queen Kamilah had her arm hooked in the Emperor's and Rameses stood a few feet away from them. Lexa intently watched Jake and Kamilah seeing she had accidentally entered the war tent just moments ago and saw something she probably wasn't supposed to but the Emperor and the Queen were too busy in a lip lock to notice her. It was peculiar to see Jake move on from Abigail so fast.

In hindsight she saw the entire relationship coming seeing both had an advantage to gain in the relationship. Kamilah would get her throne back and potentially a seat in Rome as well. Jake could get a new Queen or even Empress as well as a faultless grain supply that could feed at least half of his Empire. It was a win-win situation overall.

"Today we march on the city of Alexandria with the intent of occupation and conquering! I expect of you to do minimal damage to the architecture within but I expect you to kill those who oppose you with full force! Leave the women and the children, if you are found harming them in any sort of way you will pay with your life for it!" Jakes loud order was heard until the tenth line of Romans and Greeks and was then repeated by the Centurions to reach the rest of the men.

Queen Kamilah's voice followed in the native Egyptian tongue and as before was repeated by the higher standing of the Egyptian war force to their men. Unlike the Romans and the Greeks, the Egyptians thrusted their swords into the air, ready to unleash their brutality on their own people.

Both Magnus and Lexa shook their heads at one another in disbelief. They understood what had to be done and that these Egyptian soldiers were being paid for their swords in arms but both Generals couldn't imagine fighting against their own nation if it ever came to it; not for any amount of coin. Roman lives were important.

"Approximately a hundred and fifty thousand men await you! They await your blade! This is not a war we can win on a single day but show them no mercy!" As soon as Jake's words reached the back of the Roman and Greek party, only then did the force raise their swords and spears in the air. "Ready yourselves, we march soon!"

With a blatant kiss on the Queen's lips, Jake leaves her side and leaves twenty of his best Praetorians at her side to protect her as he makes his way to his horse. He was in his full army attire and certainly didn't neglect to wear his crown. Lexa wondered when exactly last he had even lifted a sword, let alone fought against someone.

The different Centurions led their respective groups to the front of the battlefield, about half a mile from the Egyptian army that stood in front of the city Alexandria. Even at such a distance, the different war cries and yelling could be heard coming from the savages.

After a long time of soldiers marching and getting in position, the battlefield was set. Two legions were hidden behind dunes on the left and two legions were hidden on the right behind dunes, ready to flank the Egyptians the moment they come close to the main four legions that only consisted of Rameses' men. To differentiate them from the enemy, all were painted with either red or blue lines all across their arms, torso and back.

The first line of defense consisted of the hastati that were equipped with a spear and long shield. The second line was the princeps that only had their long spears to defend themselves, serving as those that would thrust their spears through the front line of shield man. The third line was formed by the triarii that were similar to the princeps, also only equipped with spears. Behind them were the ordinary swordsmen accompanied by archers and the very last were the many commanding Centurions of different cohorts.

Each group was assembled the very same way, a hundred and twenty-three thousand men strong in total. Behind all of them were the four Generals and two war strategists along with Emperor Jake. "You may remain here or you may lead your Legions but the Centurions are more than capable." The Emperor instructs, clearly stating his own intentions. He wasn't going to fight today.

"Greeks aren't cowards, we'll lead our men." Elena gestured with her head to Alexandros and soon both rode in, in between the lines of Greeks, ready to die alongside them if necessary. Magnus spared a glance in Lexa's direction, asking with his eyes what her decision would be. She didn't answer him, afraid that she might make the wrong decision. Understanding, Magnus slightly nodded in her direction.

"And the four of you? Will you be joining the others?"

Magnus cleared his throat, slightly nudging his horse forward. "It would be rather bleak to stay behind and watch our men die. I would like to join my Legions." Jake gestured with his hand, giving the go-ahead to Magnus who almost seemed eager to get away from them. "And you? Sitting the battle out, Alexandria? I'm sure the few of us could find something to talk about."

"I'm under your order, Emperor."

Jake shrugged, looking over the many legions once again. The sun was ridiculously hot and truthfully, he was already looking for a spot with a little shade. "Do what you please, but I'm afraid I won't be fighting or dying today." His men saw him and that was enough motivation for them to continue without him. The war strategists remained at his side, deciding that they would not fight today either.

"Very well..." Lexa says to herself, no longer in the earshot of Jake who was already slowly galloping away on his horse a bit father up a dune to get a better view of the battlefield. "Battle it is." Lexa clicked her tongue three times, making her horse move forward ever so slightly until she whipped its reigns, sending her in the same direction Magnus went.

The Greek Generals stood on the line that separated the Romans and Greeks and Magnus stood on the side of the Romans. Lexa came to a halt next to her fellow General that only looked at her with question-ridden eyes. "The Emperor?" Lexa shook her head at Magnus, indicating that he wasn't coming.

"Malaka ... what a coward." Elena says distastefully in a whisper, for no one but Alexandros to hear.

A single horseman from the enemy side approached. There was so much of nothing surrounding him that it felt like he was approaching for a whole eternity. Though, eventually, he stopped twenty feet in front of the large army. "I am Abrax, loyal warlord of the throne. I order you to lay your weapons down! You are outnumbered!"

The Greeks and Romans that could hear the silly man's request all burst out in loud laughter. His demands just about reached the four Generals, making Elena snicker as well. "You, hand me your spear." She orders to a Greek soldier next to her, that quickly does as told. Weighing the spear in her palm, slightly throwing it in the air three times; she adjusts it in her hold perfectly.

Pulling her arm back as far as possible, Elena thrusts the spear through the air, piercing it through Abrax's chest and making him fly off of the back of his horse in the process. "Think that gets my message of screw you across?"

Alexandros chuckled, nodding his head in approval.

"Let's get this underway then." Magnus signaled to a slightly armoured man nearby to sound the war horn. The loud brute noise echoed over the barren sands and soon after the Egyptians retaliated with their own war cries and warhorn. The Roman side stood in place, awaiting their orders.

General Magnus held his hand in the air, keeping them halt. Elena followed his action, also holding her hand in the air. In the distance the first and second wave of the Egyptian army trampled the sand underneath them, eager to spill blood on the day. Systematically, another two waves followed and then another two at the same time interval in between.

"Perhaps they are not as stupid as you expected them to be." Elena comments, meeting Magnus with a glare. Magnus dropped his arm, indicating for the Centurions to ready their groups of archers. The Legions were well trained and every Centurion of the cohorts knew exactly when they were supposed to play their parts.

"Archers, ready!" A hundred men said in unison. The creaking of the string on each bow sounded loudly between each man. "Await order!" They waited for a few moments, waiting for the perfect moment once the enemies reached the perfect distance from them.

"Release!" Thousands of arrows volleyed through the air with a shrieking whisp and the once vibrant sun above the enemy forces darkened for a moment before they were met with arrows. Most raised their shield in time to create a makeshift roof above them but some weren't as lucky. Some gaps were even large enough for an arrow to escape through.

Before they even knew what hit them, the second wave of arrows flew through the air, piercing through the shields. Yelps and cries of pain sounded between the Egyptians and some weren't as unlucky to experience pain, instead, they found death immediately.

Suddenly the ground around the Romans and Greeks started to tremble. Lexa was the first to feel it, looking around almost frantically. The first Greek and Roman flanks could be seen coming over the dunes from both sides but not with war-ridden intentions, they were ... running away?

"What are those fools doing?"

"Running away..." Lexa answers in disbelief.

The trembling of the ground continued, only to become more and more. The archers had since seized their actions as they too felt the rumble and tried to figure out what was causing it. Large groups of cavalries followed behind the Greeks and Romans, stabbing and decapitating them from the back as they passed by their enemies. Some were moving at such a pace over the dune that they started to trip and tumble down it.

"Fools!" Magnus yells before he sets out toward the Roman side. Elena soon whipped her horse's reigns as well, heading to the edge of the Greek side, shortly followed by Alexandros. Lexa however decided to head to the very front to lead the shields there. The archers had been distracted for too long to be of use now and the running Egyptians would soon be on them.

Without wasting any time or even doing much effort of stopping her horse, Lexa lunges off of it and surprisingly lands on her feet. She knew Conan was stationed at the very front as well and he was the first man she needed to find. His loyalty toward her was a loyalty that would never waiver under any sort of circumstance.

"Hold!" She yells, as she continued to sprint through the lines of men. The enemy Egyptians had already started to slice into Rameses' men and even Rameses could no longer be seen even though he too decided to fight alongside his men. Then again, there were tens of thousands of men, finding him with the naked eye would be like find a needle in a haystack.

Many Roman hoplite auxilia's heads snapped in the General's direction as her loud voice echoed over them. The Centurions repeated her order and the soldiers planted their long shield in the sand to solidify their stance. "Hold!" She repeated again and soon after, she laid eyes on Conan that still sat on his horse, his sword already drawn.

Once he saw her approach, he jumped from his horse as well and met her halfway down the line. "Full orders, Commander?"

"We hold the line until we can't. We're vastly outnumbered. This boy Sethos has more than a hundred and fifty thousand men, easily."

Conan nodded his head. "Very well, we'll hold the line then."

Rameses men along with the enemy soldiers dropped like flies for twenty-four minutes straight until the second wave of enemy Egyptians joined their fellow soldiers, cutting down Rameses' men with ease. The enemy was so filled with adrenaline and equally slathered in blood that they just about tripped over the dead bodies in order to get to the next line they could ruthlessly kill.

Little did they know that Romans and Greeks didn't die the same way Egyptians do. "Hold!" Lexa yelled again. She walked peacefully yet focused behind the three lines of men that thrusted their spears through whichever gap they could find. "Kill them all!" Conan ordered, unbuckling his own spear from his horse's saddle.

He was about to burst through his own men to get a taste of war but Lexa held her arm in front of him, blocking him on his breastplate. "Patience soldier, we have a long day ahead. Let the auxilia take what they can and only then will we join them, that I swear you." Conan nodded his head at the order, taking a step back and planting the end of his spear in the sand.

Greeks and Romans were hard at battle from the sides but the small remaining flank teams did what they could from in between. Even the archers shot their arrows fairly accurately, taking out the Egyptians they could but there was no way they could get them all since their own men were so close to the firing range.

After a few long moments, Lexa nodded her head to Conan in respect and go-ahead before both of the warriors ran forward in a full sprint. Lexa drew both of her longswords from her sides and lunged over the shielded men, clearing a dangerous path in front of her, leaving the dead in her wake. Egyptians dropped as she sliced them through their throats and over their chest, one after the other. Her swords were practically an extension of her own arms as she strategically swung the iron through the air.

Occasionally she landed flat-footed kicks to soldier's chests, sending them flying away from her once they became more than four that towered over her. They surrounded her like vultures over decaying meat; all of them trying to land their cheap shots on her skin but they were no match. Lexa felt like she was in the arena again, killing unskilled warriors, one after the other, not feeling one smidge of remorse.

"Over here!" Lexa recognized the panicked cry; the sound of the voice giving away their identity. Lexa stepped on live bodies as she tried to reach Elena who was crying out in panick. Lexa cut down man after man, whether it was light swings of her swords or blatant thrusts through their throats until she eventually reached Elena.

The two women stood back-to-back, slowly circulating the ten soldiers that surrounded them. "First one to six wins." Elena exclaims before she lunges off of Lexa's back, cutting down three men with no effort whatsoever. The Greek princess had an extensive excitement for competition, no matter how small. Lexa only slightly smiled mid-war as she swung her swords in twirls and obvious force, cracking skulls with the butt of her hilt and slicing off limbs. Truly at this point, she felt like she was made for this.

Blood caked her skin as well as her hair. Her few strands of loose hair were now all matted together with thick red blood and sticking to her skin as well. Blood covered her face as well, splatter after splatter.

Adrenaline pumped through Lexa's veins and her heart was ready to burst through her chest. An involuntary war cry escaped her lips as she surged forward, driving her blades through an abundant number of men that never stood a chance. A primal instinct flooded her and with each kill a grunt followed and the ache of her muscles as well.

Her past injuries resurfaced like clockwork, each and every one making themselves known. Yet none of them kept her back at any moment. She was surrounded by unfamiliar men, all dying to drive their cold blades through her but yet again none were skilled enough to reach that far. Elena closely fought alongside Lexa, both women helping each other in tough moments.

The trail of blood that followed both women barely clouded their intent. Both of them trampled the ground underneath them with the most unimaginable pride, never letting up no matter how much they ached. Lexa knew she only had to get through this battle and she was home free; ready to go home to her lover ... if she would still have her.

Once Lexa was given a chance to regain her breath, she looked up at the dune she came from; spotting the Emperor and his war strategists that all too happy pranced around him. He was being a coward, no one could deny that, yet she needed no clarity to continue her battle. Lexa didn't fight this war for him but for Clarke.

The enemies of the Greek and Roman soldier's screams filled the air and sprays of blood coated each one of them. Limbs severed and bones cracked but neither sound made any warrior waiver. A loud war cry moved through the air in an unfamiliar language, catching Lexa's attention immediately. At that single moment she felt transported to the night the barbarians attacked Polis and took everything from her.

Without any sort of hesitation, Lexa ran in the direction of the war cry, launching herself right over enemies and occasionally cutting them down if the opportunity arose itself. The loud war cry led her to a large dark-skinned man with long flowing hair. He easily blocked her first strike, sending her stumbling back to regather herself.

The next blow that followed, Lexa easily deflected but the brute sent his own dangerous flair of swings, almost reaching her abdomen uncovered by the Praetorian armour she wore. Yet she remained undefeated, not only in the colosseum but on the battlefield as well. Her father's red sash proudly glided through the air with each movement she made.

The brute remained in control until Lexa dropped to her right knee, pretending to give up. Or so she wished him to think anyway. Lexa pulled the hidden blade from her greaves, suddenly lunging up and shoving it into the soft space between the brute's neck and collarbone. As she clung to his body, she searched his eyes for something; anger, hate, revenge but all she found was a soldier trained the same way she was. Void of any sort of emotion except for shock.

For some reason the battle seized, every warrior coming to a standstill, and only then did Lexa regain her hearing. The Egyptians once again yelled over the battlefield in a language no Roman understood. Soon the Egyptian forces fell back to the city of Alexandria, unwilling to continue the war.

A few Romans and Greeks chased after the retreaters, driving their blades through their backs mercilessly. That was up until Lexa's loud cry of cease war spilled over the battlefield, halting each soldier in their step. "Stop! Stop! There is no honor in killing anyone from the back while they retreat!" The Generals words flew over the field, reaching the very front. "Fall back! WE live to fight another day!"

The Roman and Greek forces fell back toward camp, closely followed by Rameses remaining forces. He had taken the most losses within this battle that lasted just over three hours. It was a small frame of time but thousands of lives were lost. Perhaps even tens of thousands of warriors were lost on either side, yet the Emperor remained unscathed.

Only on the ride back to camp, did Lexa realize how tainted in blood she was. It felt like a horrible replay of Polis; just this time with a much larger victory but still it didn't matter. The loss of Polis still haunted her, no matter how much she wanted to forget it and never relive it again.

Without another thought, she grappled Clarke's ring from around her neck, holding it tight in her fist. The Empress, her love, was the only attachment she had left in connection with her humanity and if she lost it, she would surely lose all of herself along with it. Clarke was the only person that made her hold on and not even Octavia reached her thoughts anymore; no matter how sad it was that not even her own sister could no longer save her soul from demise.

"Are you okay?" Elena asks concerned from Lexa's side, matching the pace her horse was going. Over time Elena grew to truly care about Lexa and was often concerned with her well-being. She recognized the level of pretending Lexa acted out each day simply because she did it for a long time as well. She wasn't fond of the idea when her father sent her to train all those years ago but nevertheless, she couldn't possibly thank him enough on this day for forming her into the warrior she is.

"I'm as fine as I can be."

"You can talk about it if you want—"

"Elena." Lexa interrupts, letting her fellow General know that she truly didn't wish to speak. Elena awkwardly nodded her head, looking in front of her once again. Lexa's body rocked with her horse's movement, only loosely hanging onto its reigns.

Soon enough the camp came into view and Lexa was aching for a bath. Whether it would be in a wooden tub or in the nearby lake; any water was welcome. She ached to wash the blood from her skin that had started to dry.

An odd cold breeze blew over the soldiers, a great release from the hot sun that still hung above them. All of them ached and the seemingly short walk back to camp felt tenfold longer. Especially to those that carried the injured over the shoulders or on makeshift stretchers made of the dead's tunics and branches of long-dead trees.

A few legionnaires stayed behind even, finishing off the remaining enemies that were too weak to get up and fight back. It was mercy kills essentially; it was simply cruel to leave anyone behind to suffer. Enemy or not. Others were tasked to gather the dead Romans and Greeks to tally the losses and potentially identify each soldier if they weren't too mangled.

A scribe was to go back to Rome soon to bring news on the war and along with that a list of fallen soldiers. Their families were to be given a visit to notify them of the soldier's death and then the loyal mans remaining pay would be paid out to the grieving family. That would conclude that soldier's life, sadly, burned in a mass grave on foreign soil.

Hours after the return to camp, Lexa had washed herself in a wooden tub which the Emperor gladly gifted her as a thank you for her service on the day. She spent a while with her head under the cold water for it rendered her mind blank for a short moment.

Lexa could feel it already creep into her; a sadness. When she was on the battlefield and was faced with life-or-death decisions and actions, there was no time to think, only a split second to swing a blade. There was no time to consider what one was doing or who they were doing it to. What bothered the fearless Gladiatrix most is that she killed many men today, all of whom could potentially have been someone's father; someone's son, someone's husband.

This was the ugly truth of war, she thought. Potentially orphaning a child, widowing a wife that will fall into slavery now that her husband was gone. Many families only depended on the small wage a soldier would bring home and she had taken that away from who knew how many families today in the name of Rome.

She was cracking, becoming rough around the edges.

Lexa closed her eyes as she sat up in the bath, resting her elbows on her knees. The water around her was no longer clear but tainted in the blood of her enemies and fellow soldiers alike. She exhaled an unsteady breath, dropping her head in a trail of useless thoughts. One rising above all of them. What would Clarke think of her now? Would she still look at her like she was everything in the world? Would she still touch her with the most tender of touches? Or will she simply shun her away for what she's done? For what she will inevitably become.

The water was ice cold by the time Lexa got out and dressed herself in brand new bindings and underwear along with a black tunic with a golden griffin printed on the front. All soldiers were given the same tunics and around camp none wore their armour, only their tunic and a simple weapons belt around their hips.

Once she exited the tent she and Elena shared, it was dark outside and the camp was much quieter than usual. Either they were down a significant number of men or the remainder were already sound asleep due to the exhaustion battle brought. Not wanting to be alone with her thoughts, Lexa decided to head to a fire close to the middle of camp, knowing she would find Magnus or Elena there.

As she approached the large fire that had an animal hanging over it being cooked, gleeful laughter came from the occupants around the fire. It was great release to hear after the battle and was already perking up Lexa's sullen mood. Once Elena spotted her fellow General, she pushed Alexandros off of the seat next to her; making space for Lexa who took the seat with a chuckle.

It was such a personal thing of Elena to do and it wasn't the first time it happened. She often emptied seats for Lexa simply because she enjoyed her company. Lexa reminded her of home and a lover she had lost a very long time ago to a plague that devasted Greece for months on end. Other than the striking identical features between Lexa and her old lover; Lexa just made her feel comfortable between the thousands of men that surrounded them.

An unfamiliar soldier handed Lexa a cup of ale with a slight bow and a low announcement of Commander in respect. She held it between her hands for a moment, saying her thank you to the gods for sparing her on the day and allowing her another day of life. Although she was not afraid to die, she never took a single day of life for granted.

"You seem deeply lost in your mind. A drachma for your thoughts, Alexandria." Alexandros says, flicking over an actual drachma coin to her which she catches with ease. Lexa twirled the golden coin between her fingers, weighing it out in intrigue.

"Just missing home, I suppose."

"Home or someone at home?"

"Both." Lexa croaks, her throat dry. She chugged the ale down, holding her cup out again to the unfamiliar soldier that handed her the ale earlier.

"Family?" Alexandros inquires as the rest of the soldiers around the fire attentively listen as they too were curious about their Commander. Who she was back home and who she would go back to eventually or what she would even go back to. Very little was known about the General; all they knew was that she was a victor of the Colosseum and a member of the Praetorian; that was it.

"Only a sister but I know she fairs just fine without me."

"You long for a lover then? I see you clutch that ring around your neck sometimes as if life itself depends on it. I relate to it because I do it myself often whenever things get a little too tough." Alexandros pulled a ring from inside his tunic, showing it off to all who cared to look. "My beautiful wife and two boys are waiting for me to come home. I only hope I make it back, especially after today."

"And you'll get home, Alex." Elena affirms him with a stern glare. "I will get you back to Serena and the boys even if it's the last thing I do." Alexandros smiled at his fellow General and her constant affirmations. She was a stubborn being and never ceased to assure him that his doubts were stupid and fruitless.

"So, a lover then, Lexa?" Alexandros inquires again.

"Indeed."

"She must be someone exquisite to catch your eye. I can tell you have a very fine taste in women. Is she an exotic dancer from Persia or perhaps even a noblewoman of Rome? A fellow Gladiatrix like yourself even?" As Alexandros continued to question Lexa, the unfamiliar soldier handed her a fresh cup of ale.

"Ugh, she is so much more than all of that. I sometimes wonder if I'm even worthy of being in her presence. I'm from a small city quite a ride from the capital and as the fates would have it, I actually bumped into her on my first day in Rome." Lexa shook her head as a goofy smile crept on her lips as she thought of Clarke. "She has the most striking blue eyes. Bluer than the ocean and the clear skies. A brilliant smile and the most infectious laugh accompanied by the driest of humors. And her voice—"

Lexa paused for a moment, realizing she was spilling each and every thought that crossed her mind. Elena giggled next to her, playfully shoving her shoulder. "Look at you, a lovesick soldier. I believe you would spew about her the entirety of the night if we allowed you to. Tell us then, does she love you back?"

Love. The simple word caught Lexa's attention as she met Elena's blue eyes. "That's a loaded question I'm afraid." Lexa fell quiet again, stripping her gaze from Elena, landing it back on the flames that danced in the darkness. "I would like to think she does but truly I cannot give you a valid answer."

Both Alexandros and Elena furrowed their eyebrows, then looked at each other confused. The other Athenian soldiers shared glances as well, intrigued by the Commander's tale of love. "What do you mean you would like to think she does? Don't tell me you're not only a lovesick soldier but a lovelorn one as well."

Lexa shrugged as she started to bounce her knee. Elena quickly placed her hand on Lexa's knee, making it come to a standstill. "Stop nimming and answer me. I'm sure I speak for all of us if I say we all want to know how this love story goes. I'm a sap and Alexandros even more so. Tell us, please."

"Well, I never told her that I loved her before I left, okay? And it felt like a mutual understanding that neither of us would say it in fear that we'll both lose each other. Look, its not easy and it's a strange relationship that me and the Empress share." Elena's jaw dropped and she quickly moved her hand from Lexa's knee, allowing it to continue bouncing but it stayed still.

It was as if Lexa looked in the eyes of Medusa herself as she turned to stone, staying as still as a statue the moment she realized she admitted her lover was none other than the Empress. In panic Lexa quickly looked around at the tunics of the men that sat around the fire, not finding one golden griffin on any of their chests. All held the blue owl of Athena marking them as Athenians and not Romans.

"The Empress..." Elena said under her breath, still ridden with shock. "Tell me that's a jest." Lexa stayed silent, looking right into Elena's eyes. "You're fucking the Emperor's daughter?!" Lexa lunged forward, clamping her hand over Elena's mouth, silencing her immediately incase she would decide to repeat herself even louder.

"Will you shut it? Someone may hear you and my head will end up on a spike." Elena nodded, her eyes still wide and her hand still accidentally placed on Lexa's hip as she held her in shock of her sudden movement. Lexa slowly removed her hand, moving back to the seat she originally sat on.

"What is said around this fire tonight, stays here, do you lot understand me? I will kill each and every one of you if this slip of my tongue gets out, are we clear?" Lexa's voice was hoarse as she scanned over the Athenian's faces. She was serious and each and every one of the soldiers took her threat seriously. Besides, who would even believe a low-ranking soldier anyway if he was to tell anyone of importance?

A loud humorous laugh escaped Alexandros's mouth, unsure of what else to do to overcome this shocking development. "Our lips are sealed; you have my word. But seriously, there is no way you're bedding the Emperor's daughter. Come on, tell us it's just a jest, Alexandria."

"No jest here. But to be completely transparent with you, she's the one that beds me really." Laughter around the campfire erupted, the gleeful sound echoing into the empty night. Lexa joined in on the laughter as she got another shove on the shoulder from Elena who just about fell from the log she sat on as she laughed.

Alexandros slapped his knee as he doubled over. "Oh, Athena! Lexa, you are a dog!" Alexandros continued to laugh as they all did for a long moment until it quieted down again. The rest of the night passed with great speed as each person shared a tale of their lovers and the ones they missed. It was among the most normal nights Lexa experienced in a long time and she was sure to savor it.

Little did anyone in the camp know that the odd sickness the Queen was experiencing was due to the small child that had started to grow inside of her. This simple child was to mark the start of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Chapter Text

The Senate house bustled with the few members that remained. Only the rich old men of Rome remained and the rest were all in Egypt, actively taking part in the battle. The news the scribe brought two weeks previously, spread through the capital like wildfire even though the news was supposed to stay private until it was completely confirmed.

Consul Blake paced the half-moon floor of the Senate house as he waited for all the men to get seated. The news of a child, a son potentially, made things very complicated for him. If a boy was born then he had automatic claim over the throne; essentially making Bellamy a Senator for the rest of his life. He would no longer receive the title of Emperor.

The speaker of the Senate took the floor first, a man in his seventies perhaps. His voice was hoarse already and wrinkles covered his face and age allowed him very little movement. "Let it be known that the Senate convenes today in a matter of utter urgency. Consul Blake will take the floor first."

Bellamy nodded his head in the speaker's direction in respect and a thank you. As nerves overtook him, he rubbed his hands together in front of him as he looked the faces over that sat in front of him in anticipation. Some looked truly bored and the rest already knew why they were convened.

"It has been just shy of seven months since the very first ship left the dock in Neapolis in its journey to Greece and then to Egypt. Two weeks ago, we received our first word from Egypt; a scribe baring shocking news, to say the least. In the matter of good news is that it sounds like we are conquering the battlefield but the Emperor ... I fear he has lost his way. This morning I received confirmation from the Monarch in Greece that he had received the same news from his daughter."

Not one Senator stood from their seats to protest and not even a whisper was shared among them, simply because they agreed that the Emperor may have lost his way. "The scribe brings a letter directly from Emperor Jake with great pride that he is expecting his second child. A child he has conceived with a woman without Roman blood in her veins. My fellow Senators—" Bellamy scanned the room, meeting as many eyes as he possibly could in hopes he had their favor in his next words.

"The Emperor of Rome has fornicated with a savage. A barbarian. A woman of lower status than a noble. As the consul of Rome, I have called upon this urgent meeting to discuss this matter with you because it brings me great worry. I believe you all have heard the talk on the streets between the plebs; they're outraged by his actions. If Queen Kamilah bores a son he will have a claim on the Roman throne. A barbarian will lead our people. Is that what we want, my fellow Senators? How can we possibly allow this?"

Senator Marius was the first to his feet, adjusting the red linen draped over his shoulder marking him a man of a higher standard in the Senate. "I'm sure we all agree that such will not be welcome. We do not want a half-breed on the throne. The people of Rome don't want a half-breed. However, it is too soon to act, unfortunately. We do not know if the Queen will bore a boy or a girl. If she bores a girl, there are no worries. Chances are that Caesar will toss her away like the unworthy thing she is."

Marius sat down again and low chatter became shared among the Senators, many nodding their heads in agreement. Bellamy nodded his head as well, satisfied that he had planted the seed he intended to. They were now all fully aware of the possibility of a son and what troubles he may cause.

A middle-aged man named Julius stood up from his seat, slightly tilting his head and furrowing his eyes as he raised his hand in front of him. "Say ... say it is a boy; what is it we'll do about it?" It was a simple question, one consul Blake wasn't quite ready to answer, not yet. He had already gotten across what he liked to and the question Julius asked wasn't a question the Senate was ready to receive an answer for. It wasn't the right time; it was too early.

Bellamy cleared his throat, walking closer to the front of the half-moon floor up until the very first line of seats. "That is uhm— certainly something we will have to discuss but not today. As Marius said, we would have to see if it in fact is a boy or not. Let us not worry ourselves too much today." Changing the topic completely and contradicting himself to a point, consul Blake sits down in the chair the Emperor normally sat in before he continued. "Let us rather rejoice for now that the Emperor is alive and our Legions are fighting fearlessly."

As confirmation of the news reached Clarke, she rushed to Aventine hill to see the High Priestess. She was right. About all of it. The Empress clutched her fists at her sides as she ascended the steps up to the temple of Mercury, ready to tear the Priestess apart if she doesn't offer everything Clarke wished to know.

Octavia smiled behind Clarke, excited to see the Empress unleash her pent-up rage. Clarke was an explosion ready to go off and Octavia pitied whoever would come in the way of her wrath. Luna was speaking with one of her loyal acolytes about coming plans when she heard her name being called from the entrance of the temple. A mischievous smile crept onto her lips as she realized the Empress had finally returned.

She had been eagerly awaiting the day Clarke would return. The day she could finally dig her nails into a clueless woman; someone she could potentially control. Abigail was too smart, too cunning; about as cunning as Luna herself was. But Clarke, oh clueless, Clarke as Luna considered her ... she was the perfect prey. Sure, she was the Empress but she didn't know of the power each and every temple of the many Gods in Italy actually had over the people.

"My Empress, I'm glad you're back. I trust you see that I told you nothing but the truth." Clarke continued to storm at her, not slowing down for a slight second. "Empress, what is—" before the High Priestess could finish her sentence, a cold sting of a palm rained down on her cheek, making her face jerk to the side.

Luna looked up at the Empress in utter shock. One thing she wasn't expecting to receive on the day was a cold hand across her face. She clutched her right cheek, pressing her hand to it to relieve the sting. Clarke looked down at her with a look of nothing but malice.

"Tell me! Is it a boy?! The Queen's child, is it a boy?!"

The High Priestess opened her mouth but no words came out for she was still shock-ridden. Closing her mouth again, she swallowed hard and looked around at all her acolytes that looked at the scene unfolding in front of them. She felt embarrassed, to say the least. Never ever had she been disrespected by anyone the way the Empress had just humiliated her. "Yes, yes—" Luna continued to stutter; her eyes wide.

"It's a boy. A son, my Empress." Luna stayed quiet for a moment, giving Clarke the chance to answer if she pleased to but the Empress was too busy running through her own line of thought. Realizing exactly what that would mean to the Roman Empire. It could potentially destroy it and she knew that. An unpure Roman on the throne. "Please, your highness, what else would you like to know? I will tell you everything I know."

Clarke bit down on her teeth, flexing her jaw under her delicate skin. She turned her head to the side in thought, tightening her fists at her sides. She stood in the same position for a moment, before taking a seat on a nearby chair that looked out of place. Clarke pinched the bridge of her nose before placing a flat palm on her cheek in further thought.

Luna wearily approached, scared she might get a second attack that would make next to no sense. "I'm sorry, Priestess. I had no right to assault you in your home. Not in this sacred place. I just feel like I'm in the eye of the storm and it's mercilessly tossing me around to see how much I can take." Octavia approached as well, passing Luna's slow walk so that she could take up her rightful spot behind Clarke. "Do you know how this will end? Will Rome win this war? Will my father return?"

"I'm afraid Mercury has not shown me how this ends. Therefore, I cannot answer your other two questions either. But if you wish to have my personal opinion; I truly do hope my Emperor returns. Rome has not seen such a steady hand of guidance in many years and it would be a shame to lose him. However, I fear that he has placed himself in a very difficult situation. More importantly, I fear that he is willing to give his Empire up for the silly notion of love. Love for a woman from another nation; a woman his Empire will not accept. His people will not accept her and I trust he knows that much. It's what makes this entire situation unfathomable that not even I can give you an answer, Empress."

Clarke inhaled a deep breath. She supposes her questions were a long shot. It was far too early to tell what the end result would be. Her mind refused to accept it but deep inside of her heart she already knew the answer to one of her questions; her dear father wasn't returning. Not alive. And sadly, there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. "And the General?" Clarke finds herself asking, an unexpected underlying tone of desperation in her voice.

The High Priestess took a seat across from Clarke, feeling comfortable enough to be close in the Empress' presence again. She made herself comfortable in the chair as she started to piece the pieces together in her mind. Of course, that's the woman that had been constantly present in her dreams. The very same woman she passed the day when she was officially inaugurated as a General of two Roman legions. The same woman that didn't dare to spare a second glance at her and on top of that, scrambled away as fast as her long legs allowed her to.

"Alexandria?" Luna asked simply; acting clueless even though she knew exactly whom Clarke was asking about. This could be the pivotal point, she thought. Why would the Empress ask about a common General if she did not care for her? Clarke nodded wordlessly, too afraid that her voice would crack if she spoke. Octavia herself took a step forward, making sure not to miss anything of what the priestess might say next.

"I have not seen much of her in my dreams. The visions or whatever you would like to call it comes in bits and pieces that I have to put together myself. And well the oracle; she's expensive but reliable. Unfortunately, my temple does not have the funds to continue communicating with her as much as we would like to. But what I can tell you is that she's fine physically. Emotionally, however, I keep getting a deep sense of longing and when her longing isn't fulfilled, she becomes lonely. She speaks to the moon like it's an old friend; even an old lover perhaps."

Clarke found herself taking another deep breath as chills grew on her skin but she showed no sign in her body language just how affected she was by Luna's words. Although the information wasn't tangible it was enough to fill Clarke's heart with so much of something that she couldn't yet identify. "That's interesting," Clarke answers nonchalantly, acting like she wasn't bothered in the slightest. "What if I was to fund your temple? Would you feel more obligated to tell me everything you can 'see' about Egypt? I want to know all of it and I want to be the very first one to know about it as well. No matter how small the detail; I want all of it."

"That would certainly make things ... easier. I'm at your service." Luna exploded on the inside, proud that the Empress did exactly what she wished for her to do. Her temple wasn't in need of any riches but she personally was. Not only was she the High Priestess but she was the oracle as well but that detail wasn't known by anyone but two of her most trusted servants and worshippers. "Anything else you would like to ask about? Or perhaps we could even make an offering to assure the return of whomever you most dearly want to be returned to you."

"Have any wine? This might take a while."

//

To say morale was low in camp, would be an abundant understatement. The tents with the injured were filled to the brim with Romans and Greeks alike. Limbs were severed and other's wounds were starting to rot due to the lack of resources. It became increasingly hard over time for a Roman to sneak into the city to retrieve the specific herbs the healers required and the soldiers were suffering under the inconvenience.

Lexa was always happy to take on the special task for she was desperate to get away from camp just to clear her mind. But other than that, she had her own guilty pleasure within the city that was easily pleased with enough coins. It took her a day or two but she soon found the best bathhouse in all of Alexandria and the locals certainly found it amusing when she would reveal to them that her name was Alexandria too. That simple piece of information was enough for them to forget that she was a Roman and was eager to assist her even.

However, the people on the inside were much different from those that stood guarding the gates. They required a handsome pay each time she would pass through the gates but it didn't take them long to start asking for sexual favors instead which Lexa gruesomely declined when she severed the one guards' hand that was tightly wrapped around her forearm as he tried to pull her closer.

Ever since then, no Roman returned in hopes of a chance to get into the city again. Now, they had to engage in a three-day ride to the nearest city in hopes to find what they were looking for but by the time the soldiers would return, all the injured that were in the direst need of help would already have met their demise. Already halfway on their way to the Elysian fields sadly, eagerly awaited by Hades for the Greeks and Orcus for the Romans.

Luckily before no Roman could enter the city again, Lexa procured some papyrus and ink made of pinewood. She hoped once she had the time, she could write something to Clarke. Perhaps tell her of the beautiful things she has seen within the city, the strange animals in the desert, and the not so bad things she has experienced. And maybe, just maybe, she would tell her that she loves her but then again, those words would be better spoken face to face.

Days after the incident at the gates into Alexandria, the second battle hit in the darkness of night, and many soldiers were lost. Some killed in their deep sleep and others killed as they were drunk with the haze of sleep, stumbling out of their tents. Others were simply killed just because they overindulged themselves in the free wine and ale, completely unexpecting of the attack. As a matter of fact, nobody expected it. Each Roman and/or Greek on look-out that night were killed with the eeriest silence that absolutely nobody noticed.

The attack was swift and ended just as fast as it started. As soon as the legionnaires realized what was going on, the Egyptians didn't stand a chance. Even under the cover of darkness, the savages didn't hesitate to give their positions away as soon as the first blood was spilled; they were just too excited by death. Just as the barbarians were years ago when they attacked Polis.

The following morning, as Lexa sat under the rising blistering sun, her swords laid at her sides and blood covered her entire body. Her eyelids felt heavy and occasionally her head dipped as fatigue overtook her but not once, did she fully fall asleep. Her legs were slightly raised in front of her but neither touching and her forearm were only loosely draped over her thighs. Lexa's fingers were cramping and blood seeped through the bindings around her calloused hands.

Occasionally her fingers twitched from the continuous tight hold she had on her swords the entirety of the battle. The muscles in her arms were exhausted, burning as hot as the fires in Vulcans' forge. She completely lost count of how many people she killed from the darkness of the early morning up until the moment the sun hung high in the sky. She could hear men grunting in pain around her but she couldn't feel her own pain. Lexa knew she was cut twice or thrice but the pain just wasn't there.

It was due to the unimaginable amount of adrenaline that coursed through her veins, she was sure of it. Or the unthinkable day came where she simply stopped feeling anything any normal human would feel. That very thing Emperor Jake called her when he thought she wasn't around or in earshot. The perfect killer; void of pain and guilt. Lexa had heard him say it at least several times since their expedition started in Egypt and it would probably be said several more times. As much as she hated to hear it and wanted to speak out against it, she had no right.

No longer aware of her surroundings, Lexa didn't even notice when Elena plopped down on the flaming hot sand next to her. Neither woman spoke; Lexa being the one with nothing to say and Elena giving Lexa the opportunity to speak if she wishes to but ten minutes turned to twenty and they still sat in silence. Elena opted to place a hand over Lexa's, sensing that her fellow General only needed a touch of comfort at the moment and nothing more.

Elena was familiar with war, an old friend almost. Civil war was common in some parts of Greece and she always jumped on the opportunity to rid the lands of those that caused havoc. She vividly remembered her early days as a soldier, it wasn't easy. But as time went on, as anything else would, it became easier. "Are you okay, Lexa? Do you need water, wine ... ale even? I can get it for you. Are you hungry?"

Lexa turned her head, her expression neutral. "Hmm?" She didn't hear a word Elena muttered. Quite frankly she was barely aware of her presence. "Do you need anything?" Elena repeats, furrowing her eyebrows and tightening the grip she had on Lexa's shaking hands. She was worried about her fellow General; a woman she truly considered a friend now. Someone that would be family by the time this war would come to an end. "You can't give me the thing I need, I'm afraid."

She needed Clarke; nothing else. Lexa got to her feet, unsteady at first before she kneeled down to gather up her swords. She walked away then, leaving Elena behind, still worried. They were quite an expanse away from the war tent as well as the Emperor's tent that he shared with Queen Kamilah. Legionnaires were running around camp, occasionally bumping Lexa's shoulders when they passed her. Honestly, it wasn't a matter of lack of respect, it was just a panic to get to where they intended to be. A Centurions tent or a friend's tent. Soldiers that were healers in training had their hands full with those that laid all around the camps' grounds; some still with swords and spears protruding from them.

Lexa decided that the most likely place she would find Jake was in his personal tent. She still had a duty and that was to serve him with her life and that meant that she would have to deal with her own issues later. She already spent too much time sitting around and watching her hands shake once her surroundings quieted and no more Egyptians remained. If the attack was successful and the Emperor was dead, the war would be lost and all of their losses would be in vain.

Lexa swiped the flap of the tent out of her way, searching its inside for the Emperor. But before she could look to her left, she felt the sharp edge of a blade against her throat, making her freeze instantly. Unconsciously, she raised her hands in the air in surrender, knowing it was likely only the Emperor defending himself from an unknown intruder. "My Emperor—" Lexa choked against the blade, slowly turning her head to meet his piercing blue eyes, careful not to make any sudden movements.

Jake released an uneasy breath, dropping the blade he almost used to kill one of his most loyal soldiers. "You scared me, Alexandria." The Emperor sheathed his sword again, stepping out from the small shadow that hid him. "Is it over? What is the situation outside? How many did we lose?" Questions kept pouring from his mouth at such a fast pace that made it difficult to understand. He scanned his eyes over Lexa, noting that she was covered in red from her head to her toes; accentuating the white around her retina's that were more of a black color than the green it is the light.

"It's over." No thanks to you, she wanted to add, but managing to restrain herself at the very last moment. Lexa entered farther into the tent, looking around. She hadn't been in it before and it was certainly nicer than the one she and Elena shared. Of course, it would be. It didn't look so big from the outside but now that she was inside of it; it seemed like it was almost the size of the quarters she had in the Flavian Palace. "Would you mind?" Lexa asks as she points to a large bowl of clean water perched upon a silver holder.

"Please, go ahead."

Lexa splashed the water on her face, washing off the dried blood. After a few moments, she placed her hands on the sides of the bowl, leaning forward on it. Small ripples flowed over the water, blurring her reflection. "We lost a lot of men from what I can tell. Thousands if not tens of thousands. We were outnumbered, once again." Lexa continued to stare into the water, waiting for it to come to a standstill. "Where are all of them coming from? I watched our men burn their bodies weeks ago? The tally was up to ninety thousand plus-minus. Leaving them with what? Sixty thousand. I'm willing to bet that if you would walk out of this tent right now, you would count another forty thousand dead." The water finally came to a standstill and unsurprisingly she looked into the reflection, seeing a woman she no longer recognized.

Grunting, she stepped away from the bowl, walking till right in front of the Emperor. "Over that ridge, are more. Our scouts already came back the first time saying that there were way more than sixty thousand, so logically it doesn't make sense. They caught us by surprise last night and we don't have many left. Either we attack by surprise and destroy the city, or we die in this camp."

She wasn't willing to sit around anymore and wait for the war strategists to convene and come up with a plan. All the old men ever did was get drunk before even coming close to a plan that had a chance of being successful. Emperor Jake stood dumbstruck by the authoritative tone his General had used on him; something no one had ever dared to do. Nevermind her tone, he knew she was right though. "You're right. It doesn't make sense."

Jake bit the insides of his cheek, clasping his hands behind his back as he started to pace his tent. "Find the survivors of their force and torture them. Crucify them if you must. Find out where the Egyptians are crawling out of like rats and find out how many remain. Report to me once you know; perhaps we'll attack in the night as they did." He shook his head as the soldier within him awoke; all of his mercy leaving his mind. "We'll burn their sorry city if they resist, kill their women and kill their children. In the name of the Empire. Dismissed."

Lexa dipped her head, once again ready to fulfill her given duties. Under normal circumstances, she would cower and cringe under the idea of torturing someone, let alone crucifying them. But as her reflection reminded her earlier, she no longer was the woman that left Rome. She was battle-hardened and such things didn't have to bother her if she didn't allow them to. As Lexa walked between the tents, looking for the first Egyptian that would meet her newly found wrath, it was as if a switch flipped inside of her; one she would not be able to flip back.

After finding Conan along the way, their search only lasted a short ten minutes before they found the perfect candidate. A makeshift cross was made weeks ago as a demonstration to the Romans and Greeks as to what will happen if they chose to be deserters. Conan barked a few orders to nearby Romans to come closer and to restrain the Egyptian against the wooden cross.

The Egyptian still had a surprising amount of fight left in him as he continued to flail around, trying to escape the restraints. Lexa kneeled next to him, wrapping her fingers around his throat. "Tell me, do you speak my tongue, worm?" The Egyptian didn't answer, he just continued to stare at her with hate in his eyes. Lexa pulled the hidden blade from her greaves and held it before his eyes before she dragged the sharp edge over his forehead. The man screamed out in agony, his body convulsing with pain. "How about now? Because by the furies I will scalp you without thinking about it twice."

"Fine, fine," The man spat, continuing to wrestle against the hold the Romans had on him. "So what if I do speak it? I will rather die before I tell you anything. Sethos is my king, not that wile woman Kamilah." Lexa averted her eyes to Conan, curtly nodding in his direction. Centurion Conan signaled over one of his men with a slight wave. "Quintus, bring the nails and mallet."

Lexa stood from the man she was towering over, hooking her thumbs on her leather weapons belt. "We'll see about that. This is your last chance. Have honor and tell me everything I would like to know and I'll let you live." For a slight moment, the man escaped the many Roman hands that held him down, just long enough for him to spit on Lexa's feet. Telling her that he had no respect for her, nor will he ever, no matter what she put him through.

"Death it is."

Quintus approached with a metal mallet and a small pouch of iron nails. "General, would you like to do the honors?" He extended the pouch and mallet to Lexa in an offering, if she wished to inflict the man pain. Lexa shook her head, declining. She wasn't there yet; such a brute action wasn't something she would do unless it directly depended on her life. Quintus nodded his head, secretly happy that he would get the honors.

Quintus kneeled next to the Egyptian and at that moment the look of hate in the man's eyes turned into that nothing short of childlike fear. "No, no, wait, what are you doing? I'll talk, I swear—" Before he finished, Quintus swung the mallet down, driving the iron nail right through the Egyptian wrist. A shrieking screaming left his lungs as his entire body convulsed with pain again. A steady stream of blood flowed over his face due to the gash across his forehead.

"How many of you remain?"

"I don't know! I don't know! Seventy maybe eighty thousand but they're starting to desert. None of us wanted to be part of this war, please, please, just let me go! I have a wife and children, please!" The man's tough guy act was long gone; only a simple human remained. A son, a husband, a father.

However, such thought didn't bother Quintus as he lined up the next nail over the Egyptian's other wrist. He raised his questioning eyes to Conan first and then to his General, asking for permission to continue. "Say, if we were to offer them a chance of laying down their swords, would they accept? Would they accept Kamilah as their rightful Queen? Would you accept her, soldier?"

"Perhaps yes, they would. Like I told you, General ... are you a General? Can I address you that way?" Lexa nodded her head, indicating for the man to continue. "General, none of us wanted to be part of this war. They are paying us by the day and many are deserting because the cities funds are running out. However, by blood and birthright, King Sethos is the rightful heir. Therefore he is my King; our King."

Lexa pointed to Quintus who was waiting for her order. "Continue, Quintus." The soldier didn't have to be told twice and without hesitation he swung the mallet again, driving the second iron nail through the Egyptian's other wrist. The Egyptian screamed again, frantically looking between his two wrists because he knew what came next. "Hoist him up, the crows are hungry." Six Roman Legionnaires grabbed onto the wooden bars, lifting the crucifix and sliding it into the already dug hole. "Call for me when you're ready to accept Kamilah as your Queen, otherwise you will be crow food."

Both Conan and Lexa stepped away from the screaming man, making their way to the war tent knowing Emperor Jake would likely be there by now, as he was every day. Proven to be true, the four war strategists were around the table of maps already, one speaking over the other because they still couldn't get to agree and form a tangible strategy. The two Greek Generals as well as Magnus stood to the corner of the tent in their own conversation.

Jake sat at his table with papers splayed out in front of him, rustling around them as he searched for one specific one. Though, his eyes shot up at the sound of rustling armour that approached him. "You certainly work fast. Tell me the screams I hear bring me good information. Valid information."

"Indeed, sir. He says that seventy or eighty thousand Egyptians remain. However, they're a bunch of sell swords and the crown's coin is running out, essentially making the men leave the cause. He says they're all loyal to Sethos but I believe they're just loyal to the pay he gives them, as any soldier is really."

Jake pursed his lips in thought as he rearranged the messy papers, long forgotten what he was looking for exactly. Before the Emperor could get a word out, Queen Kamilah entered the tent closely followed by the Praetorian that Jake assigned to protect her. The familiar clatter made Lexa turn instantly and what she finds in front of her eyes is not something she wished to. The Queen was dressed the same way the High Priestess' in Rome dressed; in as little clothing as possible.

Her normal dramatic make-up was in place, making her look like she has cat-like eyes. The jewelry on her upper arms was not Egyptian but of Roman origin instead. A poor attempt at skimpy bindings covered her breasts, leaving her midriff exposed and a thin material hung over her hips with two slits exposing her toned and tanned legs. "What is this I hear that you want to march into my city and kill my people? I thought we agreed the women and children were not to be harmed, my love." She ignored the people that surrounded her; her attention only on the Emperor. Her so-called beloved.

Like a lovesick teenager, the Emperor was on his feet immediately. "No, no, you have heard wrong, my love. Our agreement stands, they will not be harmed." Lexa quirked an eyebrow, knowing full well that is not what the Emperor said to her all too confidently awhile back. "My General, she brings me news. Your brother's men are deserting him. He no longer has the funds to sustain them. Soon they'll turn on him and without them, he has nothing. Within the month, I'll have your city back in your hands, safely."

Queen Kamilah hummed, narrowing her eyes. "And you're sure of this?"

"Ask the man on the crucifix outside yourself, ma'am." Lexa interjects. She was tired and annoyed. All she truly craved was a bed of any sort; it didn't even have to be comfortable. Kamilah turned to the General, a mischievous smile on her lips. She liked Lexa and she didn't mind making it as obvious as possible. She was the Queen after all. "Don't mind if I do. But please, if you would all excuse us, I have something to discuss with Jake."

Waiting for Jake's order, each Roman stayed in place, ignoring the Queen's request. "Dismissed." Jake said, only then making his soldiers leave. "Alexandria, don't go too far. I still have some things I would like to discuss with you." Lexa dipped her head, following out behind the Generals and strategists. It was just what she needed; more precious moments lost that she could've used to rest for just once. "Care to join me for some ale? I think we both need it."

"Not today, Elena. Jake wants to talk after he's done speaking with the Queen and then I would just like a moment of shut-eye. If we don't die tonight, I would love to join you for an ale or two tomorrow." Lexa tried to form a friendly smile but she's sure whatever her face did, wasn't in the least friendly. It probably made her look like she was in pain rather than a happy mood. Not that she was in a happy mood anyway and pretense wasn't so easy anymore.

"Sure, whatever you say." Elena managed to crack a more convincing smile before she turned to leave, leaving Lexa alone outside the war tent. Lexa shuffled on her feet for a few moments before her curiosity got the best of her. The two voices inside the tent were hushed but if she strained her hearing just a bit, then they spoke as clear as day.

"The see-ers that travel with me confirmed it this morning. You, my fine Emperor, will be a father soon. And it gets better, they say by the way my skin glows and the way the stars will align soon, that this beautiful miracle inside of me will be a boy. A son. Your son." Lexa could hear the pure excitement in the Queen's voice. However, Lexa wasn't shocked since she expected this much. It was the perfect plot to nestle herself into the Emperor's plans. But it took two to do the deed meaning the Emperor was perfectly aware of what he was doing.

A growl of happiness came from inside the tent as the Emperor himself exploded with euphoria. It was a dream come true to him since he would finally have a son to succeed him. Instantly all of his plans changed, if it truly will be a boy, then he wasn't going to resign his power and hand the Empire to Senator Blake. He would have a son! "This is wonderful news! I must write back to Rome with this! The sooner they know the better; it would a beacon of hope to my people. That someone of my blood will continue to guide and rule them!"

Jake picked up Queen Kamilah, spinning her around in the air before setting her down and placing a firm kiss on her lips. "If you give me a son then you would have already given me more than I could ever ask for. Gods, your kingdom will be yours alone to rule and who knows, maybe you could even rule Rome with me and our boy."

"That is certainly something to look forward to. I will see it through, you have my word. He will be great, just as you are, my love." Kamilah connected their lips again in a loving kiss. It initially was a play for power but after spending many days, turning to months, with the Emperor, it certainly didn't take a genius to see that he was a great man. In the future, he could be a man that she could even love and cherish. "I'm going to go lay down for a while and I hope to spend time with you later."

"I can't wait. Send someone to find me if you need anything. On your way out, please send in my General."

This was a good thing, Lexa thought. If Jake could put his son on the throne then it would mean that Clarke wouldn't have to marry Bellamy anymore. Right there and then without even feasting eyes on the child, Lexa swore to herself that she would protect the boy with her life. "The Emperor awaits you." Kamilah brushed past the General, making sure that their bare shoulders skimmed over each other.

Ignoring the Queen's obvious action, Lexa entered the war tent hopefully for the last time on that day. Jake had an immeasurable smile on his face; one that couldn't be soured by anything. "Ah, today is a good day, Alexandria. Suddenly everything looks so much more auspicious for me and my Empire. I should probably wait to share the news but I'm far too excited, can you believe I'm going to be a father again? The Queen, she's expecting!"

Acting surprised, Lexa widened her eyes and tried to show an excited smile but again, it couldn't have been too convincing. "That's wonderful, sir. You must be very pleased. How far along is she? If you don't mind me asking."

"Pleased is a word that wouldn't be able to express the way I feel. Gods, I don't know. Perhaps three months? Maybe more. How long has it been since you retrieved her from the camp she was held captive in?"

Lexa thought for a moment, unconsciously shrugging before it hit her. Conan. Coitus. Faex (Shit.). "A few days over three months, sir. Excuse me for saying this but you certainly didn't wait then. The Queen must be someone special to have you wrapped around her finger in merely a few days." What a fool. This child wasn't even his. It belonged to a young Centurion under her command, but she couldn't tell him. Not ever. As long as he thinks it is his son; the boy will reach the throne.

"She's certainly something, indeed. I didn't exactly expect that you know ... it would be successful. Abigail and I tried but we gave up years ago, gods rest her soul. But now, there's hope, Alexandria, a hope for a boy. My boy." Even the once saddened eyes of the Emperor were now vibrant with happiness. "I would've expected you to be happier; you're a smart woman. Certainly, you know my daughter doesn't have to marry that arrogant Senator anymore. That's good for you, isn't it?"

Lexa cleared her throat uncomfortably, unable to meet the Emperor's eyes. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean, my Emperor. Why would this benefit me in any way? You know as well as I that I was just a mere guard. Whom she marries has no effect on my life. Of course, enough was shared with me to know she wasn't too ecstatic to marry him but who really does prefer arranged marriages? Especially if it is for political gain."

"Save your rambling, will you? Nothing that happens in that palace escapes me." Jake paused for a moment as he walked over to a single standing table with a jug of red wine and two chalices. He poured a generous amount in each chalice, soon handing one off to Lexa not giving her an opportunity to decline. "I warned her, you know? I told her what will happen if she turns you into another one of her play-things but obviously, she didn't listen. Look at you, you're shaking like a dead leaf in the autumn winds, afraid to be erased at any given moment."

Lexa didn't speak, only carefully watched the Emperor's every movement. Is this what he originally wished to talk to her about? Did he want to rub it in her face that he has known all along? Would he just let her know now just before he would have her crucified right along the side of the traitorous Egyptian? Was this the moment she would become a treasonous bastard herself; a murderer of an Emperor just to save her own life?

"No need to watch me that way. I mean you no harm. You have proved to be quite useful after all. I wish to offer you a gift even. Tell you what, I'm feeling generous, if this in fact is a boy and all these pious Egyptians are right, my daughter is yours as a reward for your undying loyalty. I will in no way interfere in your relations with her, however, I cannot guarantee her loyalty to you. Who knows, maybe by the time we return to Rome she already warmed up to the idea of marrying the Senator after all."

Lexa gulped down the generous amount of wine in her chalice before placing it on the nearby table. She ran her tongue over her teeth, savoring the dry taste of the wine and biting back all the hateful words she would like to spew at him. "Do you want me to deny it, sir? Do you want me to keep telling you that I had absolutely no relations with her, or do you want me to tell you that she will be mine with or without your say so? Make your order, I'll say either to bring you the satisfaction you so desperately seek. As you said, my loyalty does not waver. However, one thing I can tell you with certainty, is that she will never belong to the Senator."

"There it is! There is that fire inside of you that I am absolutely infatuated with! Do you remember how we used to talk over the feasts? When I shared stories of the war with you and you shared stories of the academy with so many intricate details; so much fire! When you talk like that, you're worthy of her! But no, you do not need to tell me anything, for I already know everything." Except that the infant inside of the Queen isn't yours, Lexa thought. But it wouldn't be shared with him, not now, not ever.

"As you say, Emperor. Is that all? May I be dismissed? I have not properly rested in days."

"Of course, I will not keep you longer. The other matters aren't urgent. It would probably be better if I discuss them with you once you have a clear head. Dismissed." Lexa pounded her chest, giving the Emperor a salute he probably didn't deserve at that moment. Once Lexa left the war tent, she headed straight toward the tent she shared with Elena.

The wooden bath inside of it was filled with water already and perhaps a duly deserved bath was exactly what she needed before she would sleep all of her worries away.

The next day when Lexa awoke the sun was already at its zenith, indicating that it would soon be afternoon. She didn't remember the last time she had slept so long in her entire life; not even injuries kept her out for that long. She rubbed her face a few times, trying to prepare herself for what the day may entail. However, before she would take part in any of what her duty requires of her, there was something else she would have to do first.

Lexa knew a scribe would soon be tasked to go back to Rome and perhaps she could convince him to deliver something for her. After many hours of sitting in the unoccupied war tent the very same day, Lexa managed to write something she deemed half-decent to Clarke. Even though she crumbled up at least four sheets before being satisfied with it, she rolled up the papyrus and poured a circular pool of hot wax on the paper before placing her stamp on it. In the end, she decided to keep the letter short and sweet.

Lexa looked at it for a moment, considering if she should even send it. The thought that Clarke had already moved on from her often lingered in her mind and truthfully it scared her senseless. The words Emperor Jake shared with her the previous day also made their own impact, no matter how much she wished to deny it. It was her own insecurities making her feel that way; she never felt worthy of Clarke and she was afraid that Clarke would realize that too in her long absence once she would find someone better. Someone noble to distract her from Senator Blake or perhaps even a Gladiator. Or a Gladiatrix...

With a shake of her head, Lexa slipped the letter into a scribe's cylinder that laid atop several others. Two days after, she managed to catch the scribe on the outskirts of their camp just as he was about to leave. She gave him clear instructions, that this cylinder would be directly placed in the Empress' hands ONLY, and nobody else, no matter what. The scribe vigorously nodded his head in acceptance after Lexa tossed him a full pouch of aureus from atop her black stallion.

//

It was a cold joyous night in Rome and a performance was at hand in the city forum. The Celebrations of the annual Colosseum games had long passed and the city was preparing to flare up this year's games that would start the next two kalends. Some of the remaining Senate protested the motion saying such games should not take place while the Emperor isn't present but Consul Blake insisted the games continue as normal.

Such motion wasn't made by him for the happiness of the people of Rome, but rather the taxes that the games entailed. As much aureus as the games cost, they brought in triple the revenue. People from all corners of the Empire came to spectate, meaning the city would soon fill with those of the higher class along with their many riches and offerings to the throne.

A reenactment of the sixtieth games took place on the night, a muscular woman dressed in makeshift armour fought against a man with the skin of a lion draped over his shoulders and the lion's head over his. Clarke was seated at the very front, closest to the stage, next to Senator Blake to her right and her maiden Raven to her left, and next to Raven, the guard Octavia.

The Empress was certain she didn't want to attend, simply because she didn't want to watch an elaborate show about the woman she longed for, but Bellamy insisted that she must attend. As with every performance, it was turned into a jest. The crowds laughed and clapped, properly enjoying the show but Clarke only sat with her hands in her lap and a neutral expression on her delicate features. She wasn't amused in the slightest.

By Consul Blake's request, he made sure that both Gladiators, Josephine and Gabriel return for the annual games even though they decided the previous year they would not partake again. However, with enough coin offered to them, Josephine and Gabriel returned all too eagerly. So, while they were here, they figured who would play their roles better in the performance than they themselves.

Octavia shared a similar view on the matter as Clarke, not wanting to turn such a glorious day into something nothing short of a joke. Of course, the performance was made to celebrate and honor the day but actors and actresses had a way of ruining it all for the sake of a laugh from the crowd. Consul Blake was certainly enjoying the performance, laughing heartily when the 'lion' toppled over 'Lexa', supposedly biting her arm with overdramatic theatric roars and growls.

The crowds laughed and clapped again, completely forgetting the actual agony the Gladiatrix experienced months ago. "I will not watch this." Octavia grunts, shooting up from her seat and walking away from the performance. Wide-eyed, Raven watched her lover walk away with her fists clenched tightly at her sides. While knowing the history between the Empress and the Gladiatrix, Raven spared a glance at Clarke to see if she was experiencing the same outrage.

But Clarke stared off in front of herself blanky, not even looking like she was present in the moment at all. Raven couldn't help wonder what exact thoughts were blowing through her friend's mind but it didn't matter because she wouldn't bother to ask. The subject of Lexa was a raw topic to Clarke and if the questions became too personal, anger would up flare within her or she would just retreat and stay quiet.

In the corner of Raven's eye, she spots the similar long hair of a Senator, a man she wished she never got involved with. Finn Collins. Luckily, he had stopped bothering her when news reached him that she was now seeing Octavia ... quite intimately. Finn's ego was bruised once again since he lost yet another one of his lovers to a Gladiatrix but no one would ever know just how much it angered him exactly.

He waved over to Consul Blake, requesting an audience with him. With a disgruntled sigh, Bellamy leaned over and whispered in Clarke's ear that he would be right back; not that she cared. Bellamy followed Finn behind the stage where it was considerably less noisy, already wondering why in the world Finn would corner him so late in the evening.

"Evening, sir. Might I have a word in private if it pleases you?"

"Yes, what is it, Finn? You're having me miss the best part of the performance when Josephine slays the beast and our pretend Lexa humiliates our very own Josephine."

"Yes, my sincere apologies. I was just thinking, sir, and I was hoping to share my thoughts with you in light of the news we received from Egypt. You and I haven't spoken about it yet. I'll cut right to the point, what is it you think will happen when this child is actually a boy? Caesar will remain there, won't he? It's no secret that his Legions will destroy the Egyptians and once they retake the city, if they haven't already, the Queen will not abandon her city and Caesar will not abandon his next heir."

Bellamy raised a dismissive hand, ordering Finn to just stop talking for a moment. "If it is a boy, Finn. No one can say what the child will be until it's out in the world. I do not trust these supposed see-ers of Egypt, call me impious but it seems ridiculous. Caesar has left me as the Consul of Rome and I will not betray him or his trust. Not until it's the only move remaining, might I add."

"Ah, so you have been conspiring then. Or have at least thought of it. Let's say hypothetically it is a boy, an heir, we as the Senate will have to do something for the betterment of Rome. If Caesar remains there, he will keep our brave soldiers away from their homes and family and surely the people will dislike that decision with the most animosity. Many soldiers' terms are running out and soon, they will have to return to renew their terms if they choose to but Caesar will not let them leave, he's a tyrant like that."

"You call the Emperor a tyrant? And you, a low-ranking Senator thinks he knows what Caesars' every move is? Please." Bellamy furrowed his eyebrows, a disgusted look plastering over his face. "He is not a tyrant. Not yet anyway, and I'm not saying that he will become one. But my common sense says that he will turn out that way. Caesar is loyal to his family, to Clarke, who's to say to what extent he'll go for his successor, who will not be you, might I say."

Bellamy flicked his head in Finn's direction, an amused smile on his face. "You want me to confess it to you, don't you? You want me to tell you exactly what I will do if it is a boy because you know what I'll do to reach the throne."

"You caught me," Finn chuckles. "Let's cut the conversation short and tell me what your plans are so I could start preparing for them."

"I will kill that child myself if I have to. I have an unmatched loyalty to Emperor Jake but if he threatens the well-being of Rome by wanting to set a half-breed on the throne then I will have no choice but to act with drastic measures. I will not see this city burn and fall to its knees due to a savage that doesn't understand the extent and power of the Roman Empire." Bellamy paused for a moment, coming to a standstill, not wanting to stray too far away from the performance and the little noise that shadowed the conspiracy they were sharing. "My fellow Senator, and loyal advisor, I will kill Caesar if I have to. But until nothing is confirmed, we go on as we always have. Caesar will return and resign his power to me as the oracle said he would not so long ago."

"And how do you plan to eliminate Caesar? You forget that he has many Legions behind him and human guard dogs that never leave his side; ones that would not flinch to kill you, Consul." Finn had one particular 'dog' in mind, one that took his greatest love away, General Alexandria. "Not the Senate nor your soldiers can crush Caesar, Consul, we'll have to be smart about it."

"Stop there, you don't know how many men stand behind me. A mere clap of my hands and men from all over Italy will follow me. The Senate would be useless. I could crush Caesar whenever I feel like it, but I do not feel like it. Not yet. Just be patient, when the infant reveals itself as a boy, we will go from there."

"Very well, but it is you the people love anyway, you will have no problem winning their favor, I have no doubt." Finn had an evil smile on his lips, one of malice. "May I request something, Consul? If we do decide to take the route before the latter mentioned, will we root out every single soldier still loyal to him? If so, I would like to have sole charge of General Alexandria. We all know her loyalty to the Emperor is undying and may become a problem if we do decide to remove him."

"Alexandria? Dare I ask why you want the sole charge of her? You and I both know she remains a member of the Senate, right?"

"It's personal, nothing I would want to bother you with. But if the Emperor is removed, we can veto every single decision he ever made, including the newly appointed Senators and Generals. She would be nothing but a low-ranking Praetorian again."

"Good point, granted, good luck taming that one. You have my permission but if anyone would ask me, I know nothing of it. Now if you would excuse me, I would like to return to the remainder of the performance." Bellamy raised his forearm to grip with Finn, after a steady shake following a bid of a good night, the two men parted ways.

Chapter Text

Just when Egypt started to feel dull, something half exciting happened. If it could be deemed exciting. It was more a pain in the ass to the four Generals. Jake was stepping on their toes for the most ridiculous situation that could ever take place and Lexa was considering teaching the scouts a thing or two herself about how to actually keep watch. This was the second time they were breached and the gods alone knew how some could just walk out with something as large as the Griffin. As heavy as the Griffin even.

Somewhere in the last few nights, no one was exactly sure when, did someone sneak into their camp and managed to steal the golden Griffin that they marched with during the battle and throughout the city, before the entire war started. The Golden Griffin statuette perched up on a long oak rod was something of extreme importance to Emperor Jake. Without his Griffin, he could be perceived as weak and incompetent, unable to even protect something so dear to him. Something so seemingly insignificant, yet it was the only thing that kept morale tangible.

The last few weeks went excruciatingly slow as the Romans and Greeks decided to wait for the Egyptian fleet to wither away with time. It was a waiting game, the most tedious and petulant of all. Though, as days passed the scouts reported that the Egyptians were indeed deserting their cause, as the traitor said they would. Unfortunately, he had already become crow food though, and was eliciting a foul smell until he was finally taken down and cremated in the most unceremonious way possible.

Just two days before the Greeks and Romans would march on the city of Alexandria, did they realize the Golden Griffin was missing, meaning according to Roman law and tradition, that they couldn't march into battle. Lexa tried to sidestep this notion, suggesting that they didn't have to march with an official purpose. She was willing to go herself, alongside the three Generals and twenty trusted men.

She was willing to guarantee that they could probably wipe out the remaining men in the Egyptian camp by themselves. It wasn't a hard task if it was done right. Lexa had been reading up on war tactics scribbled down on parchment that sat on the many makeshift shelves in the war tent and she was positive they could pull it off. All they had to do was kill the Generals first, those important to the cause and the other leaders who led the men. Without the Generals, the Egyptians would be clueless, brainless animals that would likely desert even faster knowing that they couldn't continue on by themselves.

To further the initiative, they just had to start a very large fire. Nothing a few fire torches drenched in olive oil or candles couldn't fix. Nothing burned better than poorly tempered canvas tents which were littered all across the Egyptian camp.

Even with the foolproof plan, Jake denied the notion, insisting that they would rather try to find his dear golden Griffin. "Roman law is Roman law and that's it." It infuriated the four Generals, especially Elena who often muttered Greek obscenities. She didn't understand the Emperor's way of thinking; her father the Monarch would never wait so long to destroy his enemies, especially not when they were so vulnerable.

She even suggested that they should carry on with the plan, without the Emperor's say so. If they were successful then he would understand and if they weren't successful then well ... no one would be alive to be punished. In the end, Magnus raised his hands in the air, his face contoured in an annoying manner. "If the Emperor wants his Griffin, then we find his Griffin. Or at least we try to. If we don't find it then that's that but we would've at least tried. With that knowledge, Jake would be forced to make another plan and he'd likely choose ours."

"And where in the furies do you suggest we start? We're in uncharted lands, or at least lands we're not familiar with. The chances of us finding it is about as likely as the stars falling from the heavens. Nobody knows when someone snuck in to steal the Griffin, it could be days away or even melted down already. This is deranged. Your Emperor is deranged." Elena says, grown tired of the constant debate. "If he will not march on the Egyptians, our men will. We don't need the Romans to gain a victory. They seem to be a bunch of cowards as your Emperor is."

"Hey now, that's not necessary to say. Most of us want this pathetic war to be over just as much as you want it to be over. We've been here for months, without anything to show for it really except a pregnant Queen with an infant that won't be allowed on Roman soil." Lexa was tired of it as well but Elena has no right to undermine the Roman soldiers for no actual reason. All they did was follow orders, as she too only followed orders. "We have to be honest with one another about that. As pleased as I am that it's a potential son, the people of Italy are too proud to be ruled by someone not of pure blood. And as much as we would hate to admit it, Magnus, we'll probably be flung into another war if it is a son."

Alexandros wasn't too bothered by the conversation at hand as he picked at the loose shreds of skin at the sides of nails. The solution was obvious to him and he only waited for his counterparts to realize it as well. "Can we talk about one war at a time, please? The moment the Romans jump at each other's throats, don't expect the Athenians to help. Elena and I will return to Greece with all of our remaining men if your now prophecy comes true."

"It's rarely a prophecy, Alex, it seems she's already set her mind to it." Elena quirks, slightly showing an unamused Lexa on her shoulder. Lexa didn't want to think about the possibility but it was something she had thought about many nights when she was unable to sleep. The superstition that followed the Egyptians wasn't her forte but it was a possibility she had to consider. "So, can we make a decision then as the Senate in Rome does? With our asses."

"Very funny, Elena." Magnus says, raising his ale cup in Elena's direction, clinking the almost rusted metal cups against each other. "Technically Lexa is in the Senate too, very highly positioned. Higher than myself even so it is her decision. Whatever she decides, is what I will do. It's probably not wise for us to wait on the Emperor's order just in case that child on the throne scrapes together some funds and is able to pay his men again."

Lexa sat back in her uncomfortable chair, pushing away the full cup of ale Elena placed in front of her at least thirty minutes ago. She needed a clear mind; one perfectly capable to execute a plan. It was true, she wanted this war to be over but it was only a matter of time until it was too late. It had been two months since the conversation she had with Jake, making the Queen nothing short of the five-month mark of pregnancy, leaving only four shy months until the big reveal that could potentially make or break everything.

To a point she wished it would be a son but it would prove quite difficult to get him to Rome safely and have him accepted by its people. Sometimes Lexa just wished it would be another daughter. A daughter that would have no actual claim on the throne as Clarke had no claim. Yes, Consul Blake would still take the throne then, and Clarke would likely still have to marry him but it would at least save many, many Roman lives.

Emperor Jake wouldn't nonchalantly relinquish his Empire if he has a son successor and nor would he give up the battle that would come if Consul Blake would decide to challenge him, which he no doubt will. Any idiot could tell you as much. Lexa knew Bellamy was a power-driven man and judging by the few conversations she had with him and the talks she had about him with Clarke many moons ago, he wasn't a man that liked to give up. He was deadest on getting the throne even if he didn't deserve it.

"Very well, one war at a time." Lexa bit her bottom lip between her teeth, hard, trying to convince herself that this was the best choice to be made. The gods alone knew why they were testing her this way; forcing her to make decisions like these. Ones that could potentially take her life and legacy. "We go out tonight when the moon is at its zenith. Myself, Magnus, Conan, and the Praetorian named Lincoln. To keep it as secretive as possible, the rest of the party will consist of the best Greek soldiers. I trust I can task you with knowing exactly who you would choose, Generals. Bring fourteen Greeks and meet us at the border of our camp."

"This is why you're my favorite Roman, I could almost kiss you." Elena quips, standing up and clutching Lexa's cheeks in between her hands, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead on her family crest. "We'll meet you on the border at said time. We'll bring enough supplies. Today is a good day to die ... or win ... we'll see what deathtrap we walk into."

Lexa was used to Elena's exuberance by now and it no longer shocked her to the bones. She reminded her of Clarke's maiden Raven, never thinking twice about acting or saying exactly what crossed their busy minds. It was an admirable trait really, to think that somebody could live so carefree. Lexa could never imagine herself being so carefree; she always felt so clouded by worries and what others would think of her if she acted a certain way. Especially the way she carried herself now, like a true soldier with little sympathy left.

She had a distant look in her eye and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by Magnus. He had considered himself a father figure in her life as the months passed. She often approached him for guidance a General wouldn't normally give their fellow General, let alone ask about such things. She asked about personal matters, for example, if it was strange that she no longer felt bad about shedding another's blood or if it was strange that she dreaded to go back to Rome.

But Magnus knew better, could tell that it wasn't Rome itself that she dreaded but rather someone back home. Hypothetically, he answered her saying that Rome would accept her whatever way she is and if it doesn't then it never deserved her in the first place. Lexa nodded her head then, staring off into the darkness of the night again, not asking another thing or speaking for the rest of the evening. He could tell she often got lost in her own mind, swimming in her thoughts. The human mind was one's biggest enemy, not a blade.

"Is everything okay, Lexa?"

"Hmm?" Lexa answers absentmindedly, peeling her eyes away from the tent flaps the two Greek Generals exited through moments ago. "Yes, I just feel displaced from myself I suppose. I'm not fitted to make these decisions. I'm too young and inexperienced; everybody knows it. It feels like the men in my legion look at me like I'm a fool and the Emperor openly considers me a fool..."

"If admiration has turned into foolery overnight, then definitely your men look at you like you're a fool, no doubt. But the Emperor...I cannot speak for him. However, even the displaced can find their way back to themselves. The gods just decided that you must fight for it. Now, chin up my beautiful Roman, there's still much work to do."

//

That night they meet on the border of the camp, only four horses that carried the needed supplies. Twenty-one wooden torches with cloth wrapped around the tips. Several jugs of olive oil and at least five extra swords accompanied by two spears.

Low chatter was shared among the Athenians when they saw the four Romans approached, one's facial features more unreadable than the next. Lexa walked in front of her three counterparts, the sand already tiring her legs. She felt Clarke's ring swing back and forth on the leather strap around her neck and throughout time the familiar small bump had become quite tedious actually.

Every time she would feel it, she would encourage herself to take it off later and place it in one of her chests but when she would find herself in front of said chest, the ring in her hand, she could never get herself to place it inside of the wooden chest. After ten long minutes of struggling internally, the ring along with the leather strap would find itself around her neck once again. The last shred of her humanity refusing to be shed.

Lexa had long stopped obeying her promise to Clarke, the moon meant nothing now except for the light it provided in the night. Or so she told herself often. Truthfully it was too painful when she allowed that part of herself to pass through; the part that longed for Clarke in the simplest human way. The part that craved nothing but the purest form of love and care. A love she fears she lost the moment she walked away from Clarke without saying goodbye. Without saying I love you.

"Are we ready to go?"

"Well..." Elena starts, stepping away from whoever stood behind her. A much smaller figure that hid in the shadows of the night. "She may have caught us sneaking away and I couldn't conjure up a lie fast enough." Kamilah stepped away from behind Elena, a grin on her lips and a sense of victory in her body language.

"Your majesty." Lexa greets with a dip of her head, trying to conjure up a lie that Elena couldn't come up with but Lexa too comes up short-handed, unable to tell a falsehood.

"Don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself." Kamilah chuckles, rubbing her thumb over the creases that formed on Lexa's brow. "And don't pull your face, it makes ugly lines." It was always astonishing how unbothered the Queen was, no matter in what situation she was in. No matter how out of place she was, she always managed to make herself look comfortable. "Now, I would have to admit you have a brilliant plan but I have a favor to ask though and if you comply, I will tell no one that you left camp once I return."

"I'm listening."

"Once you set fire to the tents and all chaos breaks loose, most of the men at the gates will flee to investigate. Here's where the favor comes in. I want you to sneak into the city and take my brother hostage. Bring him to me, unharmed."

Lexa shook her head. She was asking for far too much, there was no way they could pull that off as well. They already have to escape the camp once it was up in flames, what about getting into the city as well the very same night. Not even the city, but into the palace as well. "No, there's no way. It would be impossible. We aren't enough and I'm not willing to sacrifice more lives than necessary. If you want to expose me to the Emperor, do so, but our plan continues with or without your snitching ways."

The Queen was baffled, to say the least, but she wasn't about to give up on her wishes. She wanted her brother's head on the pike attached to the palace wall and she wanted it before the sun would rise over the lighthouse of Alexandria. "Fine, you don't have to go into the city or the palace. You probably couldn't even navigate it if you tried. Get me into the city, that's all I ask. I will get to Sethos myself." Kamilah's chin was held high as she spoke, her eyes not once traveling away from Lexa's green ones that sat high above her.

Lexa shared an unsure glance with Elena before averting her attention back to the Queen. "But your majesty, you're-"

"Pregnant? Yes, I know. It doesn't make me a cripple though."

Elena snickered to herself, grateful that she wasn't in Lexa's position. Alexandros and Magnus had moved away from the conversation, acting like they were fastening the cargo to the horses even tighter than it already was.

"That's not what I meant. I just meant that if something were to happen to you, the Emperor will have my head and everyone else's that's standing here."

"Oh my dear, he'll have your head if he finds out that you disobeyed his direct order. He'll have your head if he finds out about all the ... things ... you did to me in that camp when you came to rescue me. Do you remember? Because I certainly can't forget." Kamilah raised her hand to Lexa's cheek, but Lexa catches her wrist mid-air, shoving it away from her face as she ground her teeth upon each other.

"You and I both know that I did nothing to you that night."

Kamilah shrugged, batting her eyelashes as well. "Well, between you and that huge soldier of yours, it is hard to tell the difference. I imagine you would make me scream just the same way he did. Or perhaps you did and I'm just having a terribly hard time remembering."

Lexa growled then, shoving past the Queen. She knew full well that Kamilah was perfectly capable to spin a story to the Emperor that he would have no problem believing, especially with the knowledge he has of Clarke. He'd probably think that Lexa has a sickening fetish for women of royal linage. "Fine, I'll get you into the city but don't get in my way."

Elena watched Lexa pass her incredulously. A moment after she caught up with her fellow General, and nudged her by the shoulder. "You fucked the Queen too? Are you trying to get killed?" Lexa gaged overdramatically, choosing not to be bothered by Elena's notion. It was easier to continue with Elena's joking tone than to get angry over it, especially when she needed a clear head to successfully carry out the task at hand.

"No, I didn't fuck the Queen. She wanted me to but ... she's not my taste." They were out of the earshot of all the soldiers and Conan made sure to stay far away from the Queen, eager to avoid whatever awkward conversation might follow, not that she even bothered to spare the smallest of glances in his direction. Kamilah basically ignored his presence overall.

"What do you mean she's not your taste? She's beautiful, like Aphrodite even. What else do you want? I probably would have done it if she gave me the opportunity." Elena fell quiet for a moment, scanning her eyes over the Queen that walked alongside Alexandros. "Well, if she was less pregnant, I would have. Motherhood doesn't exactly get me wet like the rains in October."

Lexa snorted. "You're unsettling sometimes, you know that?"

"And you adore it, I can tell."

As they approached the Egyptian camp, all chatter fell quiet and every soldier hunched down trying to avoid the torchlight that seemed to illuminate the sands much farther than the torches at their camp. "Alexandros, stay with the Queen and hunker down behind this dune. Do not move until Elena or I come back here." Alexandros nodded his head in Lexa's direction, impressed with how much she has changed since the first time they met on the docks of Attika.

She was lacking a certain confidence back then; a confidence that now oozed out of her. Lexa had grown into her position of a General even though she truly had all the odds stacked against her. Her inexperience of being an actual soldier and her lack of knowledge on how to lead thousands and thousands of men. Yet, she rose above it all. Prevailed even. Though her soft features were fading, stress being the verdict. Some mornings there were bags under her eyes and the white lines of the lion's claw over her eyebrow were an odd contrast against her tanned skin.

"Conan, follow Elena and take half of the Greeks. Pour as little oil as possible on as many tents as possible, when the oil is finished, only then do you light the tents alight. From there cut down as many men needed and return to camp, do not wait for anyone."

Lexa looked at the faces huddled around her, each one listening intently. "Generals, you know the rest of the plan. Carry it out smoothly and effectively. You know how their leaders are marked." With last nods, each member of the two parties dispersed to the left and right of the conundrum of tents. As they approached closer to the tents, drunken laughter filled the air, followed by an unrecognizable dialogue.

Lexa gestured with her hand in the air silently for the Greeks to move forward, each clear on the tasks they need to carry out. Magnus and Lincoln stayed close behind her as they approached a fire in the middle of the considerably smaller camp. "Do you recognize him, Magnus? The one at the edge of the left log." Lexa's voice was just above a whisper as she slightly pointed at a man. Magnus nodded his head, remembering the man from the meeting that Jake had with King Sethos months ago.

"Billius Cadogan is his name, practically the center of this entire army. If we can get to him, it'll be over." Lexa nodded her head, swallowing down on her now dry throat as her heart started to pound inside of her chest. A familiar whistle echoed through the night of a native bird; the whistle that Elena said she would make when the plan was still in development. It indicated that they were ready to set the tents alight.

Lexa called back with the same whistle, saying 'go ahead'. It was quiet for a moment, darkness still fallen over the camp with nothing but moonlight and few torches illuminating it. Suddenly a flare of fire shot up in the air at the far-left corner of the camp and moments later from the far right as well.

Panicked screams and yells followed, all too familiar to the ones that Lexa heard in Polis far too long ago. She coiled back for a moment, hesitant of her actions. It was trauma ... no doubt about it. The trauma she never dealt with and it was catching up to her increasingly faster. Her heart hammered in her chest and a thin layer of perspiration formed on her skin. Her breathing quickened- "Hey kid, you okay? We have to move now or we'll lose our chance. Now or never." Magnus draws Lexa out of the panic she was experiencing, pulling her back to reality.

"Right," She blinked a few times, regaining her footing. "Yes, my apologies."

It was odd, as the panicked bellows around camp only intensified, the men around the fire didn't budge. They continued to stare into the flames, occasionally swaying forward and then backward as if they were drifting on a raft on the open seas. "Something isn't right," Lexa notes, swatting her arm up to stop Lincoln from passing by her.

"Stay behind me for a moment, I think I've seen this before." Lexa stepped out from behind the tent, drawing both of her swords and twirling them at her sides. She approached the men around the fire slowly, as a predator would approach its prey. Cunning and calculated. None of the men acknowledged her, not even Billius, the supposed feared warlord.

Chaos ensued around them but the ten men around the fire remained oblivious of their surroundings. Magnus and Lincoln followed behind Lexa slowly, in the same crouching manner ready to pounce if the situation required it. The men around the fire continued in an unrecognizable dialogue, sounding more slurred than it was likely supposed to be.

A few pots were scattered around them, some knocked over, their remnants long absorbed into the dry sands. Lexa crouched down five feet away from the fire, picking up one of the pots and raising it to her nose to smell it. After two whiffs, it was clear what it was. "Blue Lotus flower..." She whispers to herself. She recognized it from years of mercenary experience, it was a common hallucinogen. The rich loved to use it recreationally. Whether it was in wine form or in smoking form.

Lexa gestured to Lincoln and Magnus to approach. "They'll be out of it for a while. Take Billius to the Emperor and kill the rest. I have to get the Queen into the city."

Surprisingly it was little to no hassle to get out of the camp and the Greeks were having too much fun ending the lives of the Egyptians that ran around engulfed in flames, essentially just lighting more tents alight. They weren't the smartest bunch Lexa notes. Panic ridden and having no sense of thought; they just ran around like headless chickens, screaming louder and louder with each passing second.

Once Lexa reached the dune Alexandros and the Queen were huddled behind, both eagerly watched over it as the flames danced in their irises. The Queen was delighted by the sight; she enjoyed watching those who defied her meet their demise and their screams of pain only made her happier. Many considered her someone with a darkness inside of her but she all too proudly credited it to her long-gone ancestor Cleopatra.

"Shall we go then, your majesty? We don't have much-" Before Lexa could finish, the war horn from the Roman camp signaled, sounding extra loud through the dark night. "time..." Lexa finishes. Either the Emperor realized his beloved Queen is missing or the soldiers saw the fire in the distance.

The flames were hot, even at the distance they were. The smell of burned meat was the only aroma in the cold night and truly it sickened Lexa to her core, knowing it's human flesh. She needed a second just to breathe but there was no time; they really needed to move now. Especially if the Roman Legions were incoming, ready to turn the already disarray camp upside down. "Come on, this our last chance."

Lexa wrapped her slender fingers around Kamilah's upper arm, yanking her toward the gates of the city, unwilling to wait any longer. The Queen followed closely behind, her dress tightly clutched in her fists and sand flying up behind her with every step she took. Her agility was gone, that much was obvious and it was all too easily blamed on the growing life inside of her. For a moment she even wondered if she would make it to the palace without collapsing from the lack of air in her lungs.

But Lexa didn't wait for her, not once. She only occasionally looked over her shoulder to see if the Queen was still there. When they grew closer to the gates, Lexa only spotted two guards remaining, instead of the twelve there normally were. Meaningless to say, they stood no chance as she lunged through the air, cutting them both down simultaneously.

Another three guards emerged through the large wooden doors and all three were cut down before the first one could even hit the sand beneath himself. The Queen only looked on in awe that a woman could be so skilled in swinging her swords with so much intricacy and calculation. The General wasn't just a pretty yet fierce face Kamilah realizes; she was so much more. The Queen found a new sense of respect for the woman she all too often lusted for.

Of course, Kamilah had seen Lexa in action before months ago in the camp she was held hostage in but the mercenaries were in such close proximity that it just didn't seem that impressive. Besides that, it happened too fast to realize what exactly was happening. That night Kamilah was ready to meet Anubis and her maker Amun-Ra, but there the heroic Romans were, just in time to save her. However, seeing the General use the open space to her advantage now was just beyond monumental to witness. She was destined for greatness, that much was obvious.

As soon as they were in the city, Lexa allowed the Queen to go in front of her. Kamilah was right, Lexa had absolutely no way of navigating these streets in the darkness and she can only imagine that the palace would be just as much if not even more of a maze as it was in the daylight. The two women made quick work of it to get to the grand entrance of the palace, beheading one guard after the other with ease.

Lexa pushed open the heavy wooden doors with a little more effort than expected, grunting lowly in the process. Queen Kamilah on the other hand couldn't help watch the General's muscles moving under her scarred skin. The way her calves pulled taught and the muscles on her shoulders perfectly etched and the veins on her forearms popping up like streams of the Nile river. Not to mention her beautifully braided chestnut hair and tanned skin that was perfectly accentuated in the low torchlight as well. In that moment, Lexa breached a different depth of beauty.

"After you, as you said, I know where nothing is."

Kamilah grinned, soothing her thumb over Lexa's chin as she passes her. It was a simple gesture yet flirtatious as ever. Lexa only flexed her jaw and lightly shook her head with a deep sigh. As she followed Kamilah down the dimly lit hallways, occasionally turning and looking over her shoulder to see if no one sneaks up behind them, Lexa couldn't help feel that they had struck an abnormally lucky chord.

What were the chances of the most important man of the army being intoxicated on blue lotus flower and the men that surrounded him as well? It was odd and didn't sit well with Lexa at all.

They rounded corner after corner and if Lexa were to lose sight of Kamilah then she would surely be lost but luckily, she doesn't. The Queen slowed in pace as they approached large doors with the most interesting pictures painted on them. Lexa had never seen anything like it except in the few texts she read of Egypt long ago.

Hieroglyphs is what they were called if she recalls correctly. Scribbles of a child to her eyes essentially. The doors were twenty feet high easily and painted upon it on the left door was Amun-Ra with his scepter and on the right door facing Amun-Ra was Anubis with his respective scepter in his right hand and the ankh in his left. It was intimidating yet beautiful.

It was contradictory as well. Amun-Ra being the Egyptian god of all. The creator of all right next to Anubis, their god of death and the afterlife. Essentially it was Jupiter next to Orcus. Or Zeus next to Hades. Life next to Death.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kamilah whispers next to Lexa, noticing the way her eyes scanned over every single detail. Truly Lexa found the tales the most enticing, the way they spoke of their gods but at that moment she was appreciating the art, for Clarke's sake. Clarke would have loved it; she probably would have stared at it for hours and hours. "Yes..." Lexa whispers back.

Slowly, Lexa felt her dagger being dragged out of the sheath at her side and without looking away from Amun-Ra and Anubis, Lexa grabs hold of the Queen's wrist. "What do you think you're doing?" Kamilah shrugged at first, stepping closer to Lexa so they were only a single breath away from each other. "Speak before I assume the worst..."

"I didn't come here to greet my brother, General. I came here to end him. Now may I have your dagger?" Kamilah's voice was low, her every single breath blowing over Lexa's agape lips. She engaged with the Queen's gaze then, hard. Searching her eyes for any sort of lie or ill intention toward her but no such thing presented itself. Lexa undid her grip on the Queen's wrist, slowly setting her free.

A mischievous smirk made it to Kamilah's features as she continued to unsheathe the blade, making a shrill sound come from it. She bit her lip then, holding Lexa's gaze. "Do you want to watch?" The question shocks Lexa slightly and makes chills run down her spine but she manages to shake her head no, breaking whatever spell Kamilah had on her for the shortest moment.

"Suit yourself." The Queen says before placing a slow kiss on Lexa's lips which she doesn't bother returning, still finding herself anchored to the same spot. A moment passes where Lexa hits blank and when she returns to reality, the door in front of her closes oh so softly. An evil sultry voice follows and then a childlike one, a shriek and lastly silence.

Leaving the Queen behind, Lexa exited the palace, slowly walking to the city gates only sixty-seven feet away, she counts. Whatever happened in that room, she didn't want to know. Lexa knew she was on land but it felt like she was at sea as a feeling closely compared to seasickness overtakes her. She doubles over, emptying her stomach of what little contents it had. Her hands were splayed out in front of her, clutching the fine sand in her hand as her stomach convulsed again but nothing came out.

The familiar sound of Roman armour clattering approached, the Emperor at the very front with his sword in his tight grip. Lexa remained on all fours as she looked up, tears glazing over her eyes. The fire was bright behind the group of twenty-one men that jogged toward her. With much effort, she pushed up from the fragile sand, meeting the Praetorian halfway. "Where is she? Where is Kamilah you fool?" The Emperor's flat palm met with the middle of Lexa's chest, lightly making her sway backward. "Don't push me, not tonight."

Jake didn't listen, pushing on Lexa's chest again but this time she didn't budge, instead, she pushed back. It was a risky move, one that could potentially cost her life but she was so sick of his derogatory ways. From degrading her with words to the war strategists to openly calling her a fool when she did everything he didn't have the guts to do. "I said, don't push me!"

Two Praetorians held onto Jake's shoulders, catching him when he stumbled backward a moment ago. "You-" He didn't finish because behind Lexa, the Queen came from the palace as well, Lexa's bloody dagger in hand. Blood reached halfway up her forearm and her once pretty cream dress covered in red as well, never to be the same again. Blood rarely ever washed out. Jake didn't look in Lexa's direction again before he passed her, almost running to gather up his Queen in his arms.

//

The Senate house was empty except for the two remaining Senators Bellamy and Finn. A meeting had concluded half an hour ago and the two men decided to stay behind. Word had not come from Egypt since the news of the Queen's pregnancy and Rome was starting to consider the possibility that the Emperor may have lost the war after all.

The Monarch of Greece confirmed that they had not received anything either. Consul Blake's knee bounced up and down anxiously, his mind running wild with thoughts of his next moves and how much longer he could hold the Senate on a string. They too were growing impatient and were even considering sending some of their own men to Egypt just in case the Emperor needed assistance.

The few members of the Senate grew bored long ago with Bellamy's constant mention of a potential son and overall, they had grown tired of him as well. The meetings were pointless and tiresome and Rome was going on as it always did without a hitch and for long, without an Emperor as well. The games in the Colosseum came and went, crowning Josephine and Gabriel as victors once again. The city was overflowing with taxes and the settlers were as happy as they could be. The cold season was approaching and Clarke had managed to make sure that all have grain until the snow would stop falling. The land she had given to settlers months ago was among the best things that happened to Rome.

It had been a total of just over eleven months since the first ship left the port in Neapolis. Just over eleven months since Clarke had laid an eye on Lexa in the flesh so when a new courier approached her in the forum she was overjoyed. Inside the courier's holder, she found a letter, just not one from Lexa. It was disappointing at first but when she saw another seal she was familiar with, it brought a different type of joy.

The official seal of the Empire. A Griffin. Her father.

My dearest daughter,

I write to you with the best news that I have received in a very long time! The battle is won, massacred really, and my son is born! We decided to name him Jake II Gryphem and he has the most beautiful green eyes just as his mother's.

I wish you were here to meet him and hear his very first cries. Overall, I just wish you were here. I miss you so much. Regretfully I have to tell you that I will remain here for a little longer just to assure the city remains peaceful and under Queen Kamilah's control.

Perhaps, if you would wish to, you could sail out to see Egypt as well, even it's for a month or two. The Queen wishes to meet you as well, eager to meet the big sister of our son as she puts it.

We have great celebrations taking place right now and even the Athenians decided that they would stay a little longer to enjoy the victory. I have sent word to Greece's Monarch as well; he should receive the news a little after you receive this.

Some of my Legions will return to Rome soon, however, I cannot say exactly when just yet. Feel free to make the Senate aware since I didn't bother writing them a formal letter. Make them aware that I will return soon and instate a brand-new Senate as well seeing I believe it's time for change. A real change.

Bellamy Blake can remain Consul until I return but keep him on a short leash. With this, I give you explicit permission to do what you must when you must if it is for the greater good. You, Clarke, are co-consul now until I return. Ignore this part if you and Blake have started to see eye to eye but one General here in specific has made me aware that such will never happen.

I wonder if they're right.

Furthermore, you may have figured out now that your marriage to Blake is no longer necessary but as I said, if you two see eye to eye now, you are still welcome to marry him but dare I say that I hope you choose someone else for such an honor. A true loyal warrior of Rome.

All my love to you,

And I'll see you very soon,

Rightful Emperor Jake Gryphem.

Before Clarke's maiden Raven could finish reading the letter, Clarke rolled it up immediately. Her heart full. Full of love, full of hope, and full of fear. A love that her father was alive and that he less than obviously mentioned Lexa. She couldn't help wonder what the dynamic between the two were and how exactly it managed to change over the months and what exactly brought on the change.

Hope followed closely that her instincts may have been wrong and that her father would return after all, alive. With a son even, her half-brother. A promise to the Empire that it may be ruled by a Gryphem for decades to come. It bothered her at first, that he would not be of pure blood but she was sure under the guiding hand of her father that he too would be a good Emperor.

It had been so long that Clarke had somehow managed to remove some of the hatred that she felt toward her father. Of course, she hadn't forgiven him for pushing her mother over the balcony but there was still this small hope in her heart that Luna was wrong about that small detail. That Abigail actually fell over by accident but the answer to that question would remain a mystery to her for just a little longer.

Lastly, fear followed. A fear of what will happen when Bellamy gets wind of this. That a son was born after all. Against her will, she had to spend a few nights with him to have supper and he didn't stop himself from speaking out of turn about what exactly will happen if it was a boy indeed. But such a talk only took place when Blake had a few chalices of wine too many and in the morning, he would remember no such thing of the conspiracy he often uttered. Such threats fell on deaf ears from Clarke's side since such a worry wasn't an immediate threat, but now it was.

A sense of power flowed over Clarke though. The status of Consul. The power of an Emperor. Only then did the last part of the letter set in over her; that she would no longer have to marry Bellamy Blake and his unnecessarily large ego. On top of that, her father even less than subtly spoke of Lexa or so Clarke wished to think anyway.

As all of this realization coursed over Clarke, Octavia and Raven only shared curious looks with one another. Raven wasn't a terrific reader since she was mostly self-taught and she couldn't nearly read at the pace Clarke read. Octavia simply didn't have the nerve to stick her nose in Clarke's matters, especially not if it had an official seal on it.

Over time Octavia and Clarke certainly developed an odd friendship, bonding over the mutual connection they had with Lexa. The stories Octavia told Clarke of Lexa in the days they were still young could keep the Empress intrigued for hours at end and even until the early hours of the morning. Later their friendship blossomed into something that wasn't Lexa related at all but it turned out that they had quite a bit in common after all.

From the bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times to making fun of Raven when she wouldn't understand a joke and vice versa for Clarke and Raven when they would make fun of Octavia. Other days they could spend hours at the stables, caring for the horses because they all shared an undeniable love for animals. Truly, they became the best of friends. This war may have caused great sorrow but it also brought these three women together to form the most inseparable bond.

Clarke's heartache was down to a manageable amount and her anger brought her an abundant amount of swordsmanship thanks to Octavia's grueling training. As goofy and silly as it was, Clarke couldn't wait to show Lexa just how much she's learned once she returned from Egypt. Clarke couldn't help dream of Lexa some nights either, where they would walk in the now blooming vineyard or when they would lay in the middle of the Colosseum gazing up at the sky full of stars.

Some dreams were less innocent than others but they were equally enjoyed.

"It would seem that I have to go pay the Senate a visit."

Octavia and Raven shared curious looks again before they followed behind the Empress. Clarke had determination in her step as she ascended the stairs up to the Senate house. "Are you sure you're allowed to go in there? As far as I can tell women aren't allowed in there, Clarke."

The Empress turned then, meeting the eyes of her best friends. "According to this letter I'm consul now so they can kiss my ass really. Let one of these old bastards say anything and I'll have their head." Be it months before then both Raven and Octavia would be shocked by Clarke's words but she wasn't the same anymore. Barbarity and death became Clarke's second nature a long time ago. If someone overstepped and spoke out of turn in her presence then their head would be on a pike before the sun sets.

Back in the Senate house Finn had engaged in small talk with Bellamy, asking him how he was and Blake would answer that he was well enough, considering he wasn't getting much sleep lately. Small talk didn't last though, it never did. "We should consider what to do next, Consul. Emperor Jake has laid siege on Alexandria for the better part of a year. We have not heard from them and who's to say he hasn't lost the battle. Maybe his luck has finally run out."

Bellamy sighed, sitting back on the marble seat, stretching his arms out next to him. "How many more times would you like to have this conversation, Finn? I will not do anything until word comes. I'll look like a fool if I act before any action is needed. How many more times must I tell you this?"

"All I'm saying is that the Empress grows bolder and bolder each passing day. She spends the Empire's aureus on the plebs and she beheads officials that say things she doesn't wish to hear. How long will it be until she starts to conspire against you or me? Do you not fear for your life? Because I surely do."

"Clarke is harmless, she's just having one of her moments. One of her better ones I might admit. She has certainly rooted out the worst parts of Rome and that favors the Senate. Many members of the Senate are actually grateful to her because a lot of their debts are scrubbed clean with the demise of some officials." Bellamy shook his head. As long as Clarke didn't involve herself in his business, he had no worries for her. In fact, it was even better that she had a few Senate members in her pocket as well.

Once the day comes when he's sworn in as the Emperor, it could work in his favor if Clarke was respected by the Senate as well. He would have the ear of the Senate and so will Clarke. The Empress already had every single citizen of Rome at her feet and worshipping the grounds she walks on. She was the key to success.

"We are still Senators, Consul, with responsibilities. How long is it until she has all the Senators in her corner? Against you." With that simple last two-worded phrase, it earns Finn a deadly glare from Blake. The Senate would never rise up against him. There was no way. "May I remind you that you swore an oath of fealty to the Emperor and his family, and that's including Clarke, I will not listen to you slander her in my presence."

Bellamy was defensive and he wasn't exactly sure why. Whether he was reacting upon his own accord or if he was actually feeling the need to defend Clarke as a person because truly, he could see the changes that had taken place all throughout Rome. The cities heartbeat beat violently and its once sullen people were vibrant again.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't just the two men I was looking for. You wouldn't believe it but I was just thinking of you." Clarke chimes with a brilliant smile as she ascends the stairs toward the two men that gawked at her. She still held the scribe's cylindrical message container under her arm, ready to reveal it if either of them dares to question her authenticity.

"Clarke- Empress, what are you doing here? You know women-"

"Women aren't allowed in here, blah blah. I'll take the liberty to remind you that, that rule was abolished almost a year ago when a woman was sworn in as a member of the Senate. Alexandria Silvestre, you may remember her, counselor?" Clarke couldn't help herself, she just had to rub it in Finn's face and it was totally worth it when a disgruntled look plastered itself to his childlike features.

"Anyway, I received some pretty great news." Clarke took the cylinder from under her arm, gesturing with it toward them mockingly. "I was walking in the marketplace and this scribe approached me with the biggest smile saying he comes from Egypt. You can imagine my surprise." Both men's eyes widened, their postures suddenly stiffening and cocking their heads at the mere mention of Egypt.

Clarke hummed for a moment, her emotions getting the best of her. "I feel like people misjudge me lately. I get this sense that they fear me now and I suppose I understand that." Clarke placed her hands in her lap, nodding her head in agreement with herself. "They should really ... fear me, I mean. As much as I am merciful, I am also very unforgiving, especially to those that subject themselves to constant conspiracy."

Bellamy and Finn continued to stare at her like a deer in the grasps of a predator. They knew what she was hinting at. Clarke was standing at the entrance of the Senate Hall, listening to every single word they spoke to each other only minutes ago. She heard everything. "People are entitled to a mistake or two, we're only human after all but I'm getting this sense that some people like to repeat some mistakes over and over again and they just refuse to learn from it."

The Empress' eyes were set on Finn and the tension in the large hall was palatable. "None of us are perfect. I have made a few mistakes myself, admittedly. Quite frankly I'm quite ashamed to think of them sometimes. I'm sure we all understand that, don't we, Senators?" Both men nodded slowly in return. "Things we shouldn't have said, things we shouldn't have done ... lovers we shouldn't have had." Clarke looked between the two dispirited faces.

"Yes...we are all imperfect I suppose." Finn croaks out, sharing a glance with Bellamy who only had his eyebrows furrowed now. He couldn't help wonder where Clarke was going with this discussion and when exactly she was going to reveal the supposed good news, she came to share in the first place.

Clarke took a seat in front of Finn in the opposite row, taking his hands in hers. He was taken aback at first but decided to go with it to not draw any sort of unnecessary attention to himself from Consul Blake. "I forgive you, counselor. Truly, I do, and I want you to know that."

"I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about, my Empress. I have not done anything to wrong you-" The words catch in his throat when Clarke tightens her grip on his hands, painfully so. He even chokes back a yelp of pain.

"Nothing escapes me, counselor." Clarke growls, her teeth slightly bared. Her top lip twitches even as she looks down on him with nothing but undeniable authority and domination. "Everything that is said in this city, reaches me one way or another. If I hear any conspiracy come out of your mouth again or just something connected to your name, I will cut off these pretty soft pink hands of yours and nail them to your mother's door. Do we understand each other?" Finn lightly winced, trying to remove his wrists from her death grip. "Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, Empress, I'm sorry, Empress."

Bellamy sat farther back in the marble seat, pursing his lips and looking at the Empress with pride. This was a woman he was willing to marry. A woman that wasn't afraid to exert her power and authority on anyone that dared to defy her. He didn't dare to openly ask the nature of her outburst because he knew she heard the conspiracy Finn all too proudly spoke earlier. It doesn't bother Blake in the slightest because in Clarke's eyes his slate was clean because he defended her honor.

Finn retreated to a seat on the other side of Bellamy, placing the consul between himself and the Empress. "So, Empress, care to share the good news?"

"Oh, right. My father massacred the city of Alexandria and is very much alive. So are his Generals I assume. Some Legions will return soon and my brother is born, Jake II. Welcome to the era of a new Emperor, Senators." Clarke turned to leave again but quickly turned around, raising her finger in the air. "Also, Caesar is replacing the entire Senate and has made me co-consul. Have a good day, Senators."

"And what proof do you have of this?" Bellamy spits, standing in a fit of outrage. "Replacing the entire Senate? Who does he think he is?" Blake looked back to Finn that shared his wide eyes and agape mouth. It certainly wasn't a move they saw coming from Jake's side but now that it was spoken out loud, they both realized they should have considered the possibility.

"He's Caesar, Consul. Here, read for yourself." Clarke lightly threw the scribe's cylindrical holder up the steps to Bellamy which he easily caught. "I guess our marriage is off the table as well. You're no longer in the chosen bundle. You'll be lucky if you remain on the Senate even." The Empress smiled again warmly, yet mockingly. "As I said, have a good day, Senators."

Bellamy read the letter over and over thrice before throwing the cylinder across the expanse of the hall. The word outrage didn't hold enough caliber to describe how he felt. In fact, he wasn't sure if there was a word in his vocabulary to describe what he felt, instead a barbaric scream leaves his chest. He stripped the red sash that hung over his shoulder and ripped the white robe from his chest. "He will pay for this!"

"What do we do, sir?"

"Call a meeting with the Senate, immediately. Tell them it's urgent, word has come from Egypt, and that Caesar threatens Rome. He's a tyrant now, as you said he will be."

//

After traversing the halls of the Egyptian palace for three or so months, Lexa could truly say that she can navigate it. It was big but it soon became obvious that the Flavian palace was much larger and had much fewer pointless corridors. The Flavian palace was sparkling clean and this palace was covered in sand, everywhere, making it slightly harder to navigate.

A full year had passed since the Legion's arrival to Egypt, and Lexa felt quite glum that she missed the annual games in Rome. So much for bettering her father's record of three victories in a row. She often wondered if Octavia entered and if she maybe came out victorious; at least one of them would make their father proud. A part of Lexa felt guilty for not being in Rome and to fulfill the promise she and Octavia made to one another to fight each year. However, she knew that her sister would understand that the choice was out of her hands.

Many nights Lexa sat on the pier, at the foot of the lighthouse of Alexandria. Fate had a strange sense of humor sending her to a city she shared a name with; a city she felt entrapped in for far too long. She rarely took part in the celebrations that took place to honor their victory simply because she found no honor in it. That much was her own fault for obeying the Queen's order to get her into the city and palace.

A savage woman that slit the throat of a child just to get her throne back. A child who was her blood, her brother. No one shared Lexa's conflicting view on the matter, everyone simply shrugged and said "It had to be done, better her than us."

It was announced days ago that some legions will return to Rome and as expected Lexa and her legions weren't chosen to return. She wished she could feel surprised about the revelation but she knew Jake wouldn't let her go that easily, not after the stunt she pulled by endangering the Queen even though absolutely no harm came to her or their precious boy. Nevermind that, Jake shared his distaste later on with how disappointed he was in Lexa that she would openly disrespect him in front of the Praetorian. It was bittersweet because truly she enjoyed to finally exert power over him for once but in the end, it costed her anyway. Her punishment was not death, but something far worse, to stay.

No that it mattered anyway, Lexa didn't want to be in Rome and even less in Egypt. In fact, she was considering visiting Greece for a few months just to clear her head.

Unfortunately, word came not so long ago that Greece was plague-ridden and the Monarch advised every soldier not to return until the plague is abolished. Elena managed to crack the joke that she will just have to go to Rome instead now and see what the big fuss is about. If their infrastructure could truly compete with that of Greece. She insisted that Lexa would give her a tour of Rome and she would simply not accept anybody else. In a more feigned than intended voice, Lexa made Elena aware that she wasn't allowed to leave until Caesar said she could. "Your Caesar is a Malaka." Was her reply. It became Elena's favorite phrase; calling Jake a wanker.

It was unknown what happened to Billius Cadogan exactly but the rumor among the soldiers was that he was seen face down in the Nile river being feasted on by crocodiles. What a way to go. So much for the most feared warlord of Egypt, nothing but crocodile feces now.

As many other nights, Lexa sat on the pier watching the sun setting over the vast ocean. Sunsets were beautiful in Rome but this was one aspect that Northern Africa had it beat in. It was the way the red bled over the waters, eventually turning into a warm orange and finally dissipating into a soft yellow. The colors never changed order and it always seemed to take the same amount of time to change from one to the other.

It was serene, each and every time, a quiet enveloping her. A brisk wind passed behind Lexa's back tonight, definitely not going unnoticed by the General as she slightly turned her head. "Elena, if you want to join me just sit down. We've established countless times that you can't sneak up on me. You're too loud and clumsy." As Lexa returned her gaze to the front, waiting for Elena to plop down next to her with a sigh of defeat, she feels a sharp blade at her neck instead. She gasps at first but then a smile makes itself home on her lips. "This is new, do you really want to do this tonight?"

"I didn't believe it when they told me you were in Egypt..." It was a distant voice, almost unfamiliar but yet Lexa knew who it was but was struggling to place it. A voice she thought she would never hear again. "Look at these shoulders, my, my, my, Lexa have you certainly aged well. You must be a thorn in the sides of tyrants, a warrior willing to even fight the gods."

Lexa stayed quiet, her stomach doing flips that should be impossible. She slightly shuffled in her seat, but the blade only pressed down harder on her throat, so close to drawing first blood. "No, no, you sit still. How long has it been, hm? Four, five years? We used to be quite the duo. On mercenary jobs and between the silky sheets of the cities we traversed through. But you betrayed me, do you remember?"

It hit Lexa then, who exactly it was behind her. Whether it was the sultry voice or the familiar scent of a very expensive vanilla oil that seeped from her soft skin. "Come on now, Ontari, since when do we greet each other with blades? Here I was thinking you would appreciate a kiss rather. Put your blade down and allow me to explain what happened and why it wasn't my fault in the slightest."

Chapter Text

"So it's really you then..." Ontari slowly lowered the blade from Lexa's neck, not yet sheathing it though. She couldn't believe her eyes and wondered for a few moments if this was one of the many dreams that she experienced over the years. She looked around for a moment, feeling the warmth of the setting sun and the lone trickle of perspiration on her brow. A low wind blew through nearby palm trees, making the long dry palms rustle. No, it wasn't a dream.

"I'm afraid so yes. Put your blade away before I take it away from you; you and I both know you could never match me." There was a tone of mocking in Lexa's voice, though both of her hands were still in the air, drawn up in surrender lazily. The familiar scent of expensive vanilla filled the air around them. Lexa wasn't sure if she took a deep breath for the purpose of relief or if she was desperately in need of the familiar scent. A scent from home. A home that was long gone.

After a heartbeat or two, the shrill sound of Ontari's blade being sheathed sounded, making Lexa lower her hands back into her lap. "I can't believe it. I thought you were dead." Lexa shook her head at the admission; she remembered thinking the same about Ontari for a very long time up until she just stopped thinking about the woman that defied every single one of her morals. "The thought is mutual, Ontari."

Ontari plopped down next to Lexa, letting her legs dangle from the flimsy wooden dock. Lexa spared a glance in her direction, quickly looking her over. From her sharp features to the newly crafted light armour she wore. Ontari returned the gesture, just much less inconspicuously. She never was the inconspicuous type; Lexa remembers as much. "Would you like me to explain now? Why I did what I did."

"No, no, of course not. That short-lived grudge is long gone. My apologies for my momentary attack, I suppose I acted out of shock." Lexa curtly nodded, not looking in Ontari's direction as she chewed the inside of her cheek. Memories she had long buried all came back in a flood; an almost overwhelming flood. A flood she wasn't entirely ready to drown in again.

It was the year 137, many years ago, why it was still so vivid in her mind after so much time didn't really make sense. "I'm sorry for leaving you, Ontari. I was young and I didn't see any other solution other than running." Lexa decided that she would explain herself anyway, she owed her long-time friend as much. "I went back two weeks later but I couldn't find you and the clueless settlers knew nothing of you either."

Both girls were in their early seventeen summers of age, both only on their sixth or seventh mercenary task deep in the desolate villages of Italy. Some tasks took longer than others and it wasn't particularly common for mercenaries to work together, but the two of them found a liking in one another at the time. A rushed childish love affair at best. Both of them far away from home, finding some sort of comfort in the idea of affection.

Their target was a politician from the capital of Italy, a sloppy Senator of the sort. An old man according to the one who was selling the contract. Nine hundred aureus at stake that the woman would share once the job was done. However, the briefing was completely wrong and the two young women were thrown right in the middle of a tavern full of Praetorian guards and the not-so-old Senator that all too easily caught onto their plot.

They were still young and sloppy killers, easily distinguishable. When havoc ensued inside of the tavern and ale flew all over the place, Lexa being as nimble and not so muscular as she was now, easily slipped from the Praetorian's grasps. That night she ran into the darkness until her slender legs could no longer carry her. Essentially leaving Ontari behind to whatever fate might befall her. The heavy feeling of regret fell heavy upon Lexa's shoulders and after returning two weeks later to find her friend, she was nowhere to be found.

"Two weeks?" Ontari shook her head, a sad smile on her lips. "They took me away the next morning. After some time, I'm not sure how long, we eventually reached Rome and I was sold in the Forum to some farmer that lived in Lucera."

"I'm so sorry..." Lexa breathed out, the familiar feeling of guilt falling over her once again. As much as she despised the feeling, it was refreshing to feel something again. War had taken away her emotions some time ago and if guilt was the first to return then that was perfectly fine. "If I had known you were alive, I would've continued searching for you, I swear it."

"Don't worry about it. I would've run too if I had the opportunity. Besides, working on a farm wasn't all that bad. I was housed and fed at least." A silence took over them after, nothing but the loud celebrations in the distance filling the air. The crickets had seemingly gone silent as well and there were no longer chirps of native birds.

Lexa wanted to ask why Ontari was here, or how she had even gotten here but she felt that she had no right to ask such things. She had long lost the privilege to ask Ontari anything; abandonment wasn't exactly a plus on any sort of relationship. Lexa felt the red sash hanging from her shoulder being picked up, a slight tugging to it as well. "And what is this? Since when do mercenaries wear the colors of the Legion?"

Ontari held a questioning look, trying to figure out the attire Lexa was clad in. "Sons of dis, don't tell me you killed a General for this." Lexa turned her head to Ontari, her mouth opening but no words coming out. Instead, she swallowed hard, looking in front of her again at the small piece of sun remaining. "Wait, you're not here for coin alone are you." Ontari quickly moved away, getting to her feet, taking steady steps backward. "You're a General? Lexa, what the fuck?"

Lexa didn't bother to get up, or even give Onatri's outrage any sort of care. She was tired, or exhausted anyway. Not physically but spiritually. "Don't forget Praetorian and Senator as well." The flimsy wood creaked under Ontari's heavy step as she continued to back away, staring at the back of the woman she no longer knew. "Would you spare the dramatics? How did you get here and why are you here? The war is over." Feels like my life is over too, Lexa wanted to add, but then again, that too would be overdramatic to mention.

"You became the very thing we so oftenly ran from? You are unbelievable. What does Maximus say of this? You? A Praetorian? A Senator?"

Lexa snapped then, flying up from the less than comfortable seating she had, the back of her thighs still slightly numb. "Keep my father's name out of your mouth or may the gods help you! We're not children anymore; life goes on! People move on from the things they used to hate, you should too! The Praetorian is a brilliant brotherhood, one I am proud to be a part of. The Legions, my men! Soldiers I am proud to lead!"

Ontari grunted to herself, placing her hands on her hips. "Five years!" She huffed. "I was a slave for five years thanks to those Praetorian bastards. I was sold like a sack of meat after they all had their way with me! I suffered! But you would know nothing of that, too busy playing soldier I see. Disgraceful! I can't believe your father is allowing this!"

"My father is dead! My mother is dead! And Costia is dead!" Lexa sneered, angrily approaching Ontari that didn't bother to take a step back or try to defend herself. She allowed every seething word to make itself home inside of her. She allowed Lexa's fingers to wrap around her neck and she allowed them to squeeze the air from her lungs. "I know suffering! I've known it for seven hundred and eighty-two days."

"Seven hundred—" Ontari choked, both of her hands around Lexa's wrists, trying to loosen their grip around her neck. "I didn't know—" She tries to say, luckily getting enough of Lexa's attention then with the three words. When Lexa's hands around her neck disappear, Ontari coughs a few times as she doubles over, one hand on her knee and the other at her own neck out of reflex. "That's not the kind of choking I sometimes enjoy you know."

Lexa groaned, crossing her arms over her chest, and turning toward where the sun was almost gone. She was unwilling to apologize for her actions, Ontari deserved it for saying what she said. "What are you doing here, Ontari? If not to kill me, what do you want?"

"Well, I bought my freedom and figured I would find the men that ruined my life. Imagine my surprise when I arrived in Rome and found out a war was going on in Egypt. So, I came here in hopes to sell my sword for some extra coin just to be too late for the war. In that case, all that remains is the Praetorian. Where are they?"

Lexa stayed silent for a moment, pursing her lips and shortly after pinching the bridge of her nose. "Would you remember them if you saw their faces?" It was betrayal, treason even perhaps but Lexa had nothing left to lose really. She was doomed to a stay in Egypt; why not make it the least bit entertaining. A few men going missing wouldn't be the oddest thing to happen in Egypt after all.

"Definitely. It's impossible to forget them."

"Very well. I can't guarantee that they're still alive after our battles but I'll have formation in the morning. Once your business is concluded here, I expect you to leave. Under that circumstance alone will I help you." Well under that circumstance and for the fact that she owed her as much, but she wouldn't mention that to Ontari. "Can we agree to those terms?" Lexa uncrossed her arms from her chest, offering her forearm in agreement.

"We have an agreement." Ontari took Lexa's arm with her own, taking a firm hold of it. For the first time, she took in the appearance of her old friend. Tainted by scars from head to toe, muscles built all over and youthful looks have long gone. Ontari wanted to ask how she got a claw mark over her eye but she doesn't. Instead, she resorts back to herself. "So, no last night of passion then? I wouldn't mind getting you out of that armour."

"Have a good night, Ontari." Lexa dropped the woman's arm, brushing past her toward the Egyptian palace she lived in now. She wasn't going to sleep, but she wasn't going to join the celebrations either. Truly, Lexa just wasn't in the mood for the prodding questions she had no doubt Ontari would be bound to ask.

"Have an ale with me at least? For old times sake." Ontari calls behind Lexa, almost pleading for just a few more moments with her. "I promise not to remove your armour. I just want to talk." Ontari sighed audibly, dropping her head in the process. "It's just been a long time since I've seen someone that I know. And I missed you, Lexa."

"Fine, but no annoying questions."

//

The Senate had not yet convened on the day. A mere quarter of a candle line remained before the few members of the Senate would arrive. However, Consul Blake and the most pompous man were already seated in the Senate house. Blake was sure to get the ear of this man in particular before the session; to gain his favor. The few members that did not back Blake directly, backed Marius.

Marius was an easy man; one not hungry for power but only for aureus. With enough aureus offered to him, he would do anything anyone would ask of him. Bellamy made him a gracious offer, a gift for his wife as Blake stated it since Marius' wife had a certain expensive taste. It wasn't a bribery he assured him, but just a gift. A gift that would hopefully convince him to state his vote in Bellamy's favor today.

Such would not be a problem, Marius assured him. Since he would of course back him, no matter what. That's what friends were for, are they not?  "The moderate follow you like sheep, therefore your vote is critical today. I intend to make the proposal that Jake's term as Emperor is over and that he should disband his men immediately and resign from his position."

"You have my vote, Consul. As you say, some follow me like sheep but on this matter, they may need some more ... how can I say ... convincing. Not in the manner of gifts but of the actual reason. You have not allowed us to see the supposed message you received from Egypt so they find it particularly hard to believe what you say. Some are readying to send their singular Legions as one to Egypt in order to assist Caesar in his battle against the barbarians."

"The battle is won and over." Bellamy scoffed, weaving his fingers together in front of him as he sat forward frustrated. "I will present the letter today. It wasn't sent to the Senate; it was sent to the Empress. Clarke all too happily strode in and announced her co-consulship. She will join us in the hall today and I expect her to be ruthless. But if I have the Senate behind me then she will have no say."

Marius was amused, to say the least. He was wondering how and when exactly Rome had changed; how a woman, in particular, slithered her way into consulship. She was the Empress yes, but a prize actually; a prize to whoever would marry her and use her status to their advantage. "You forget she has wormed her way into the Senate as well. A lot of the 'moderate' as you put it, worship the ground she walks on. She must fuck like Helen of Troy to be so renowned."

"She doesn't fuck any one them, Marius. She makes the people of Rome happy and she makes the Senators depts disappear. As I do, she plays the game of currency. Real currency and the currency of the civilian's happiness. Without the people, she would be nothing. I see now that I have to get her under control as well. More urgent than that, we have to convince the Senate that Jake is guilty of tyranny and treason. He threatens Rome."

Marius chuckled, shaking his head side to side. Blake was throwing himself in the deep end, stoking a fire and blaze he wasn't familiar with. Removing Caesar wouldn't be so easy, not unless he was willing to spend every aureus to his name. "Very well. I am on your side and we can only pray that the gods are on your side as well. However, if we are successful today, I doubt Jake will accept the proposal. It would cause him great dishonor and with that, it would force the entirety of Senate to declare war against him."

"Would that be so bad?" Bellamy asks hurriedly, getting in Marius' face. "We have more Legions than he does. I could raise eight to ten in less than a month. With the singular Legions from the other Senators, we can trample Jake. Properly remove him."

"Remove him from the face of the Earth you mean?" Marius considered it for a moment. Blake was right, would it be so bad? Rome could use a new ruler. Bellamy was driven enough and some time ago he was considered by Jake himself to be the future Emperor. "Very well. My legion is yours and I will do everything in my power to convince the rest of the Senate. Your only task would be to keep the Empress at bay ... only for a little while at least."

The men of the Senate started to filter in through the entrance, chatter between all of them in anticipation of what the session today will entail. Rumors had spun between them of the letter from Egypt and of what exactly it said and why no formal letter had come to them. Some even added extra tails to the letter; things it didn't even say but what fun it was to stoke the already violent fire.

Clarke followed in behind all the men, closely tailed by Octavia who clad in newly crafted armour by Ilian. Clarke wore a form-fitting blue linen dress, her Griffin pin firmly in place on her right shoulder and her blue silk sash hanging from her other shoulder. The golden snake upper arm bracelets were snuggly wrapped around her biceps dangling down by a singular thin golden chain to her wrists.

Her golden blonde hair hung over her shoulders in delicate curls and her golden olive reave crown was on her head, shinning under the sun's rays coming from the high windows in the Senate house. "Two women in the Senate house ... sacrilege." Some members whispered among one another, shaking their heads in disapproval. "It would seem it's the truth that she is co-consul now." More whispers followed.

Clarke took the three steps up to the main chair, a throne she assumed her father always sat on when the Senate convened. As she spotted it, it just seemed right that she would sit in it today, not Consul Blake. The gesture was noted by all of the Senate, including Bellamy Blake that stood near his counselor and fellow Senator Finn. He was the first to point it out since Blake was overly nervous about the coming proposal he was going to make.

The old announcer stomped the butt of his wooden staff on the floor, demanding silence from everyone adjourned. "The session will now formally start. The Senate will hear Consul Bellamy Blake first. Let it be known that no agenda was presented before the start."

"My fellow Senators, it is with great disappointment that I announce that Emperor Gryphem has turned into the tyrant that we've feared all of our lives. A letter comes from Egypt." Bellamy pulled the scribe's letter from his toga, raising it into the air. "It states that he has massacred the city of Alexandria. And his son is born. Jake II Gryphem, the heir to the Emperor's throne. A non-Roman."

Clear outrage sparked among the members of the Senate and a grin made its way onto Clarke's lips. She always knew the Senators were feeble-minded, but not this feeble. "Quiet down, he hasn't gotten to the best part yet," Clarke says loudly, yet cooly, extracting the Senators attention all to herself. "Please, continue Consul Blake." Bellamy gave her a sly look, catching his sister's eye just a moment after. She too seemed amused.

"He has declared his daughter, the Empress, co-consul of Rome. She has the same authority as myself over all the funds and official order." Blake raised his finger in the air, accentuating his next part. "But, the matter that bothers me most is that he threatens to replace the entire Senate." At that, all men stood, as they were expected to. But their maddened yells were louder than expected. They threw pointing fingers followed by incomprehensible bellows.

"Yes, that's right. Every single one of you will be removed and replaced by plebs most likely. For me, this has gone too far. Caesar has gotten too comfortable in Egypt and has forgotten about his people. People that were once fiercely loyal to him, people he now threatens. This is tyranny and we must bring it to an end, if not us, who will?!" The bellows of pure anger now turned into angry bellows of cheering. The agreement Blake was seeking.

"My proposal is that we give Caesar a chance to resign his power. He is clearly not in the right mind to rule Rome anymore. Rome needs a steady hand and his has become shaky, radical, and reckless! If he refuses..." Bellamy's chest heaved as adrenaline coursed through him, the cheers from the Senate building him up even farther. "If he refuses, I will march on Egypt and destroy him!"

Clarke sat forward in the throne far too large for her, she saw it coming. But she was going to be damned if she didn't have a say in it. "You don't have enough Legions! My father has many from far and wide...if he hears of this Bellamy, he will crucify you for all to see. And if he will not, I will see to it. You have my word." Clarke pointed her finger to the rest of the Senate, swaying it over all of them. "The same goes for all of you! Have you no shame?! The Emperor that has brought you to where you are, the Emperor that makes sure you live lavish lives! The Emperor that has gone to fight this war for YOU! And this is how you repay him? With conspiracy! Shame!"

Her voice had become hoarse with the loud sound coming from her mouth, echoing through the Senate house. She had abandoned the throne a long time ago, standing in front of the Senate with no fear in her eyes. "This is the same Emperor that now threatens to take it all away. The same Emperor that will bring Egyptian scum into our fine Rome." Finn descended the steps, his hand firmly holding onto the red sash that hung over his body. "He will be the fall of Rome if we continue letting him rule. If we continue to let you ... rule."

The Senate house was quiet, watching the face-off between the Empress and one of their own. Finn seemed self-assured, surrounded by the old men of the Senate. Bellamy had since gestured in some members of his personal guard from outside the Senate house in case things became out of hand. "You are ruthless, Empress. Just as much a threat to Rome as he is. I wonder if a day has passed in the last three kalends where you haven't had someone murdered. A commander of death now, are you? The mad Empress."

Clarke laughed bitterly, moving back to the throne she sat on earlier. "And I will continue to do so until I have rid Rome of all of its garbage. Something tells me you're next, Senator. Believe me when I warned you that I will nail your pretty hands to your mother's door. If you want this so-called commander of death, that is exactly what you will get." The Senate house stayed quiet only watching.

"What is it that angers you so much? Is it what they say about the General? The way they tell you that she will never return. Or is it the fact that nothing stays a secret in Rome? The fact that the Empress of Rome is nothing but a whore that fucks anything that gets her to the top. Anything that brings her an advantage."

Clarke did a simple gesture with her hand to Octavia. One she had grown accustomed to. At once she drew her sword from its sheath, approaching Finn with clear intentions. This would be one kill that she would actually rather erotically enjoy making. "Octavia!" Bellamy's voice called, making her flinch. "An oath was made years ago that no blood will ever be spilled in the Senate house again. Please. Put your blade away before I'm forced to punish you."

"I made no such oath." She sneers, strongly continuing toward Finn once more. He had since started to ascend the steps again, slowly moving away from the approaching Gladiatrix. "Octavia this is my last warning. If your foot touches that first step you leave me no choice."

"I have orders from the Empress, try me, brother."

Flexing his jaw backward and forward twice, Blake waves to his personal guard. They moved over the floor swiftly, five of them reaching her simultaneously. The first one that reached for her, received the hilt of her sword to his jaw, the next received a flat-footed kick to his chest but the third, fourth and fifth then easily restrained her. Octavia growled, trying to wrestle her arms free from the tower-like men's hold, but the struggle was to no avail.

"The rest of you please escort the Empress to her quarters and make sure she doesn't leave. If she wants anything, have a servant bring it. Do not let her out, no matter what threats she spews." The guards only loyal to Blake grabbed hold of the Empress with no reluctance. Bellamy paid them a pretty amount of coin, and their loyalty was all his.

"Unhand me! You will pay for this!" They pulled Clarke toward the exit of the Senate house as she still struggled in their vice-like grips. "You wanted the commander of death? Well, now you have her!" The Senate continued to stare; now low whispers being shared among them. Finn had since returned to his seat, straightening out his still crinkled toga. He was chuffed with himself. Finally removing the thorn in his side; a thorn that he now realizes would have had no second thought about killing him in his sleep.

"My proposal stands. I'm willing to march on Egypt for all of your honor. All that I ask is that some of your legions will back me when the time comes. I believe I can raise ten, but every single one of your men can make a difference. I have no word of how many of Caesar's men remain but I have no doubt that I can destroy him no matter what. The mountains have snow, making travel either impossible or extremely time-consuming so he will not have time to raise more legions if we act swiftly." Bellamy paused for a moment, considering if he should enact another bold move, his final bold move for the day. One that could change everything. "I would like to make a change to my proposal though if you would care to hear it."

Many voices yelled the single word of "Speak!" Which Blake was all too eager to do.

"I will not send a formal letter of our warning. Instead, I will march directly to speed up the process. If he knows trouble is at his doorstep then he will resign faster and if he doesn't resign, I will kill him. Or how our ferocious Empress would say; I will publicly crucify him for humiliating Rome in this way. Raise your right hand if you are in favor of my proposal and raise your left if you veto my motion."

Marius was the first to raise his right hand in the hair, next was counselour Finn. The entire right side of the Senate house raised their right hand, the side that normally agreed with Bellamy's decisions. The left side had always been more on the side of Caesar. But slowly and surely, right hand after right hand raised into the air with curt nods in Blake's direction.

"It is decided then. I will sail from Neapolis in a kalends time."

--

Clarke was harshly shoved into her quarters; the door being shut behind her with force. She didn't bother to turn around and bang on the door as a child would, instead she went to the table where all of her jewelry boxes were set on. There was one particular box, fairly large, that she used for her most prized item; one she would likely protect with her life. One that brought her the peace of mind she had all too often needed lately.

With shaky fingers, she lifted the lid of the box finding the familiar blue and gold inside of it. She ran her fingertips over it at first, feeling the by now familiar pattern of the golden family crest badge. Silvestre. Silvestre. Silvestre. It was such a simple item Lexa left her but yet it had become the most important thing in her life simply because she knew just how much it meant to Lexa.

She had Lexa's Praetorian cape and her family crest badge, and Lexa had her ring that was given to her years ago when she was sworn in as one of the Empress'. The matching ring was buried with her mother, forever to be remembered as an Empress of Rome from 138 to 140. A short yet memorable reign.

Clarke removed the Praetorian cape from the box, running her fingers over the thin soft material. It had long stopped smelling of Lexa's scent but the mere idea of it being hers was calming enough. It was unclear at what exact point and how long ago Lexa actually made herself at home in Clarke's heart but she was sure it happened long before her mind realized it. Her heart was special like that, always catching on before her mind did.

It was a trait she both loved and hated.

Clarke often stared into her reflection on the water's surface before she walked into her bath and it wasn't hard to tell that she changed the past year. Particularly the past few months especially. As they would now identify her ... ruthless, brutal, uncaring. It was due to the simple few words that the High Priestess Luna spoke to her some time ago.

Some words she could truly let seep into her. Clarke had confessed to her of the sorrow she felt; the longing and yearning she felt on a daily basis. Her heart was heavy with unspoken words and unspoken feelings. Unspoken words to her mother and unspoken feelings she had for Lexa. No, have, Luna corrected her. 'Turn your heavy heart into power.' She said.

'Whether you do good deeds or do what is necessary. So be it. Do not feel guilty about the bad, just know that it is your mind responding to the heavy heart you're holding due to all the love that has been taken away from you.'

The few words were enough at the time to convince her to change. To put her heavy heart behind her but perhaps she had completely lost touch of it along the way but that too seemed fine now.

Clarke pressed the blue fabric to her chest, dipping her head into the material after, hoping to get a small pinch of Lexa but nothing of her remains. "Turn your heart to power." The Empress repeats to herself before returning the cape and badge back into the medium oak box.

//

The sun was already high up in the sky when the Legions assembled into their formations. The African sun never relented and even the small wind that blew was beyond humid. They were practically becoming a disgusting sweaty soup inside of their armours. Lexa left them in the sun extra long on purpose, taking her time to evaluate the remaining soldiers. Yelling at whichever one she could find to yell at, whether their armours were skew or their blades were too dull.

After a good forty minutes, she made her way to the front again, taking a stand next to Ontari and the two Athenian Generals that agreed to help Lexa on the day. Seventeen Athenian soldiers accompanied them as well, all of them already briefed on what may ensue on the day. Their orders were simple, restrain and subdue.

"The time has come! The time when many of you can return home as heroes! Your names will go down in history for all to remember! Your names will be engraved in stone and be showcased in the Forum!" The few thousand men remaining cheered, raising their swords in the air in their own little victory.

But this meeting wasn't to showcase their victory or to commend them. The Emperor nor Magnus was aware of the formation on the day. Chances were that they were still in the Egyptian palace, Magnus easily lost in between a whore's tits and Jake too busy coddling his new son.

"If you are a member of the Praetorian guard, you will be given the honors to leave first! Please step forward and align yourself in front of me. I want to congratulate each one of you personally, my brothers."

The soldiers pushed and shuffled by each other, some getting pats on their back, rough rubs on their heads, and embraces of farewell were shared among them. It made the next task all too much harder for Lexa but she knew she had to push through it. It was perhaps a minute or two before all the Praetorians separated themselves from the normal Legionnaires.

The men looked proud of themselves. Honored to be commemorated by their Commander and fellow Praetorian. Lexa slightly turned her head to Ontari that had a piece of fabric covering her entire face except for her eyes. "Do you see the ones you're looking for?" Ontari scanned her eyes over the fifty-something men that held their helmets under their arms.

"Yes, five of them."

"Very well. I'm going to go grip arms with them. Whistle each time I reach the ones you're looking for." Ontari nodded her head, then watched as Lexa walked toward them, her left hand resting on the hilt of her sword and her red sash gliding through the wind behind her. She wore her father's helmet on the day; why? She wasn't exactly sure but it felt appropriate today.

She gripped arms with the first five men before the first whistle came. Aurelias. She gripped his arm extra hard before she continued down the line. The next whistle came when she gripped arms with the man directly next to him. Remus. Several more men passed and another whistle sounded. Lucius. Four men passed. Zerux. Eleven men passed when the last whistle sounded and Lexa's heart dropped. Lincoln.

Lexa didn't let her heart take rule at that moment, instead, she continued down the line until she was finished with all of them. With her hands behind her back, she walked back to the Generals and Ontari's rigid body language. With her back still to the men, Lexa stopped next to Ontari. "Are you sure about the last one? He's a close friend of mine and I doubt he would do what you said the other's did."

"Hmm." Ontari hummed, shuffling on her feet. "I'm not completely sure. He looks a little young, the one I'm looking for has a marking on his chest. A burn of sorts." Lexa nodded, turning at once and then waving in Lincoln's direction. "Lincoln, come have a word with me, please." Looking around at the men that surrounded him, Lincoln uncomfortably stepped out of formation and approached the Generals and unidentified woman.

"Remove your armour please, as well as your tunic." Lincoln cocked his head then, in Lexa's direction. "But General, why—"

"Do as I tell you. Why are you questioning my order?"

"My apologies, Commander." Lincoln undid the strapping of his leather armour, removing it from his body with ease. Lexa took the armour from him, holding it under her arm. Wearily, and still quite confused, Lincoln pulled his Griffin adorned tunic over his head, exposing his upper body. Ontari looked him over for a moment, thirty seconds perhaps. "It's not him. You were right."

"Not me? What? Who are you looking for, General?"

"A certain Praetorian. Say, you bathe with these men in the bathhouses and you know their bodies much more intimately than I do. Do you know of anyone with a darker complexion, and with a type or burn mark on their chests?"

Lincoln turned around, looking at the men in the formation who had already started to talk among one another, wondering what in the world was happening. "No, Commander. I don't think he made it. I think he died in the first battle. His name was Julius."

"Thank you. Dress yourself and return to formation."

Lexa waited until Lincoln was in line again before she took three slow steps forward, her hands firmly and tightly clutched behind her back. "Aurelias, Remus, Lucius, and Zerux, step forward!" Sharing last glances, they did as ordered, holding their helmets under their arms much tighter. As the four men approached, the two Athenian Generals along with their seventeen men sauntered forward. "Take them."

Before the four Praetorians could realize what was happening, their faces were already being buried in the hot sand beneath them, almost sizzling at their skin. At first, they struggled, but after a few hidden jabs from the Athenians to their guts and any exposed skin their fists could make contact with, the Romans came to a standstill and took whatever came next.

In a span of a short five minutes, the Romans were bruised and bloody, only low groaning wails coming from their chests. Even when they moved little to none, the Athenians continued in their relentless beating as they were ordered to do. And perhaps two or three of them enjoyed it a little more than they should have.

The rest of the Legion didn't move, but only watched the harsh beating the men received, even though they did not understand the punishment. They would not act and they would not move in their General's presence, not without her explicit order and they also knew that she never inflicted any harm on the soldiers unless they duly deserved it.

"Tie them to the surrounding trees in an embracing manner and leave their backs exposed. They have a long day ahead." The four Praetorians were ravaged of their armour, thrown around like rag dolls, like already slaughtered animals. Sand stuck to their bloodied faces and their eye banks started to swell, making it difficult to part their eyelids normally.

Eventually, they were tied only by their wrist around the almost dead tree trunks, their backs open for whatever pain may follow. The studded whips were first and not once did the Praetorian ask why they were receiving this punishment. Perhaps they already knew what they had done wrong years ago to deserve this harshness.

In the distance Emperor Jake came riding toward them upon his chestnut horse, fiercely whipping its reigns. Lexa didn't spare a glance in his direction until Elena nudged her arm, but even then, she didn't bother to be on attention once he arrived. This was her order anyway; she didn't need his permission to carry it out but perhaps he wouldn't be happy to know that it's his loyal Praetorian being tortured and executed.

"What's the meaning of this?!"

Ontari took a few steps away from Jake, lingering behind the large structure that is Alexandros. "They're being punished for the capital crime of rape of a free woman, Emperor. I'm getting the proceedings underway. I didn't want to bother you with something I'm perfectly capable of dealing with." Lexa's tone was firm, authoritative, unwilling to feel smaller under the intense gaze of Caesar.

"And when did the crime take place and where is the free woman?"

Lexa cleared her throat, flexing her jaw. "Roughly five years ago, sir. This is the free woman; she identified the Praetorian responsible for the crime. I'm willing to commemorate her claims because I too saw these men that very night she was taken." It was a lie; she couldn't remember their faces because it was all a large blur. But Lexa was willing to trust Ontari on the matter. Like a mantra in her head, she repeated that to herself; that she owed Ontari as much.

"Five years ago? Under what circumstances was this, General?"

"You are familiar with my past, sir. I worked as a mercenary to get by, only doing official contracts from the highest of the Roman law." Another lie. "We were tasked to find a man one night, dispose of him, and then to return for our pay. The briefing was wrong and I assume he was a man of the Senate actually. Once we realized the mistake, it was too late and we tried to leave. I managed to escape but she did not. Your loyal Praetorian used her that night and sold her off the next morning to get rid of the crime they committed."

"I see. This happened before my reign." He looked to the unfamiliar woman his General pointed to earlier. "Remove the fabric, show me your face." Ontari did as told, throwing the useless material to the side. "I apologize for what they have done but I cannot take any of it back. Do what you will with the filth, they're no longer men from my Praetorian or my Legions. I revoke their citizenship as well, if you choose to leave them alive, they cannot return to any corner of my Empire." Turning back to his horse, Jake had one last order. "If she chooses to leave them alive, make sure you brand them appropriately, General."

Lexa pounded her chest and held out her arm in a salute before gesturing to the Athenians to carry on with the atrocious act. "They won't leave Egypt, don't worry. And you don't have to stay for this if you don't want to, Lexa. You were never one for dragging something out. You had a heart of mercy, do you still?"

"Occasionally," Lexa answered honestly, finally peeling her eyes away from the convulsing backs of the men she trained with more times than she could count. "Find me later to bid your farewell. Speak to Elena if you need anything else. I'm afraid I can't watch this after all."

"It always was your merciful and kind heart that I loved most you know!" Ontari calls behind Lexa who was already a few feet away. Lexa couldn't get herself to stay, to hear another cry of agony. As much as she was a soldier, she was no sadist who enjoyed watching people be tortured. It had to happen though, these men were subjected to punishment, but she knew that didn't mean that she had to continuously witness it.

The torture continued for hours and the other soldiers were given their leave to continue with whatever they wished to. Whether it was to continue drinking or to play games of dice and to visit whichever half-decent brothel they could find. Lexa had since made herself useful in the records room in the palace, helping Jake's advisor Russel to rearrange the parchments in an easier fashion to find if needed.

They were quiet at first, only talking if Lexa had a question as to where something should go. Then it became small talk and eventually escalated to questions Lexa would rather avoid answering. "So, you're the one that broke my daughters' shoulder just over a year ago?" Lexa couldn't see him behind a large stack of parchment but she could hear he was talking with a smile on his lips.

"I'm afraid so yes. You know how the games go. Kill or be killed."

"Don't we know it? I just want to say thank you for sparing her life. She can be a bit much, I know, and talking herself big is a common occurrence. I'm glad you could humble her to an extent." Lexa hummed, not thinking it would be appropriate to say something along the lines of 'you're welcome'. "You must be upset that you couldn't attend this year's games."

"It is not the best feeling, no. I can't help wonder if my sister took part or if she excluded herself."

"She didn't. Attend, I mean. Gabriel and Josephine took the victory, again. My daughter says there was no tough competition and she hates to admit it but she misses you, of all people. Your competition at least. She's convinced that if you return from Egypt, she'll be ready to beat you then." Russel chuckled to himself, placing another parchment on the shelf. "I told her not to get ahead of herself."

"Extend my congratulations to Gabriel and Josephine. They're brilliant gladiators." That was where the conversation ended. The both of them continuing on their own at their own pace and eventually finishing what needed to be done. A silent farewell was shared and Lexa was back to square one; having absolutely nothing to do and nothing to distract her busy mind with.

//

A month passed and the city of Rome was filled to its brim with incoming soldiers from far and wide. Bellamy's Legions arrived each day along with the Legions from the Senate that they all too eagerly sponsored to him. Even men from the outposts were urgently called back from their posts, to immediately report to Neapolis.

Even the men from Hadrian's wall.

The public announcer stood in the middle of the forum on a makeshift podium with the wax tablets resting against his arm. "Emperor Jake Gryphem of the Flavian Palace and successor of Emperor Titus Valor is declared an enemy of Rome. If he returns, he is subject to execution, and or any harm that could be done by the citizens of Rome. A formal kill order has been added to the gazette. Consul Bellamy Blake sails to Egypt by nightfall and marches on Egypt by the next kalend." The announcer vigorously swayed his hands around, attracting the attention of all nearby civilians.

"A curfew is set in place and men in gatherings larger than four will be subjected to arrest. Consulship has been revoked from Empress Clarke Gryphem by the Senate's vote. Those who attempt to aid her in her endeavors are subject to arrest and execution until Consul Blake returns." The announcer closed the wax tablet and stepped off of the podium, ready to go on with the rest of his day.

Things seemed all and well except in the Aventine where chaos brewed. A turf war was about to start and every civilian knew as much as men with weapons start to spill from every opening possible. From inside of houses, inside merchant stores, and down the many steps. Anya and Roan along with their men stood their ground, slowly being surrounded.

Consul Blake didn't bother to give them the time of day or care about them since his mind was on one thing alone, the Emperor's throne that he could just now start to grasp. The Romans could be at each other's throats for as long as they wanted to be, such didn't bother him.

All Clarke could do was helplessly stand on the balcony of her quarters with little to no contact with the outside world. She had been confined to her quarters for the better part of the month and she had not seen either Octavia or Raven but only the ever-changing slaves that bring her food and drink. They would never even strike up a conversation with her. It was driving Clarke mad.

In the small Aventine Forum Roan and Anya stood in front of the grain warehouses with about seventy or so of their own loyal men. The members of the opposing gangs continued to stream in, taking advantage of the disarray between all of the Romans and no guards and soldiers that cared enough to stop them.

It was the collegium alone against four different gangs that seemed to have formed up overnight. But that idea was abandoned when bannermen descended the steps as well, holding their respective gangs' banners harboring their name and symbol. "Today seems like a good enough day to die than any other does." Roan says, adjusting his long axe on his shoulder.

"Hmm." Anya groans in return. "If you die, I'll have to find a priestess with nice tits to resurrect you just so I can kill you myself." Roan laughed heartily, dropping his heavy axe to his side and adjusting the hold he had on the tattered leather wrapped around its grip. "Yours would work fine too; you have my word."

Anya scoffed, watching a man pass by the gang members in the distance in a slow calm walk. He must be one of the leaders that lead all of these fools. "I wish to parley with the lovely collegium. Talk like friends would if you will. Our terms are simple."

The remaining civilians squandered around on the streets, desperate to get their carts full of wares out of harm's way and others just tried to shun their children into any nearby building, whether it was their home or a home of another settler, anything to get safe. Those that were behind the safety of almost sturdy walls, eagerly watching out of their windows to the fight about to take place.

"There's aureus to be made. Why give the grain away for free if you can sell it. There's no need for a quarrel today, let's work together."

"The throne provides the grain free of charge and we deliver it to the people of the Aventine free of charge. That is how it's been for decades and that's how it will remain for as long as the collegium runs the streets. We are not interested in your deal and we never will be so take your banners and shove it up your arses." Anya's voice rang through the large forum, not even a single noise from someone else as she spoke.

"Leave, before unnecessary blood is spilled." Roan added, tapping the top of his axe against the bricked road beneath him.

"You're outnumbered. Do you really want to die for something as feeble as grain? Are your lives really equal to grain? How pathetic! To Hades with the Royals and to Hades with the lot of you!"

Roan adjusted the hold of his axe in a split second before he hurled it across the forum, wedging it in the chest of the supposed main leader of the four different gangs. From there all-out battle erupted, men and women, killing each other alike. Swords through guts, fire pokers through backs and axes splitting open heads. It was gruesome but the people of Rome were no strangers to gore. In fact, they thrived from it. The civilian spectators could almost imagine they were in the Colosseum gallery, watching gladiators spill blood like it was a normal thing to do. Except this performance was free of charge.

"Stand firm you cowards, don't run!" A voice yelled over the forum but it was too late. The weak gang members were running up the unsteady steps, trying their best to get away from the collegium but the collegia was a ruthless bunch, chasing behind them like a hunter hunting its food for the night.

The small battle lasted for all but six minutes before the streets of Aventine hill ran red with blood into the Tiber river next to it.

Later that day at Portus Julius in Neapolis the fifteen Legions boarded the ships, made up of war veterans, men early in their training, and seasoned soldiers from many outposts that guarded each border between the many provinces in the Empire. Bellamy watched proudly from atop his horse as the men slowly filtered onto the ships.

A total of sixty thousand men under his control, ready to destroy Emperor Jake, the tyrant of Rome. The men from the outposts needed the least convincing, already having ill will toward him since soldiers were only sent to outposts as punishment. A sense of exile. Although punishment in Rome consisted of only three things, fines, exile, or execution, and soldiers were hardly ever executed. If one possessed enough skill, they were exiled to outposts.

With a promise to return to Rome, their slates clean, the soldiers from the outposts were all too eager to follow Consul and now, General Blake again, into war to destroy the man that essentially stripped them from the lives they knew.

142AD (1 year and 2 months after the first ships departed from Neapolis to Greece).

The month at sea passed in the blink of an eye, and the lighthouse of Alexandria came into view, the fifteen legions ready to spring on those that were unexpecting the unavoidable incoming war. The Greek and Roman ships were still docked from their arrival just over a year ago. But it seemed some Roman ships were ready to depart, the Legions Jake mentioned in the letter that would return to Rome soon apparently.

As the new Roman ships approached, all bustle on the docks came to a halt, watching on with wide eyes. A horn sounded from on land, announcing the arrival of the guests they weren't expecting. Bellamy stood on the main deck alongside the man he specially recalled from Hadrian's wall, knowing this man, in particular, would get a rise out of Emperor Jake.

Fenix. Clarke's immoral lover that Jake sent away years ago for the crime of bedding a woman of royal blood without explicit permission. Fenix was lucky that he was a good swordsman and a natural-born leader or his fate would have been as simple as a quick execution. Fenix, now a General and three years older and in his prime, was ready to exact his revenge on Caesar for stripping Clarke from him.

On land after hearing the horn, Jake exited the Egyptian palace with a valiant smile on his face, expecting to see his daughter after a whole year. Happy that she accepted his invitation after all. "Looks like the Empress has decided to grace us with her presence." Lexa and Magnus closely followed behind Jake as they have the past couple of days by his order. He wanted them near for no specific reason according to him.

The mere possibility of Clarke being on a ship, so near, was enough to send Lexa's heart into overdrive. In split seconds her heart hammered in her chest, wanting to jump out and bury itself in the endless sands around her. She wasn't ready to see Clarke and the shake of her hands proved as much when they exited the large palace doors into the unforgiving sun.

But as they got closer to the docks, the sight of over a hundred ships that weren't theirs came into view, the canvas sails of Rome drawn proudly. Warships, not traveling ships. Jake halted in his step immediately as the uneasy feeling that loomed over him the past few days became almost unbearably heavy. He knew they were here for him and truly he should've expected it but he never was a man to assume things and jump to conclusions.

"Generals, go meet whomever on the docks and tell them I'm busy. If it's Consul Blake do not allow him anywhere near the palace. Get your men off of our ships and into formation just in case."

Before either General could ask why to lie or why to get their men in formation 'in case', Jake was already well on his way back into the safety of the palace. Magnus shrugged and tilted his head toward the docks to continue and do as they were ordered to do. "Do you think the Empress is here?" Lexa finds herself asking out loud, her voice dipping at the simplest question ever.

"Perhaps, but why would she be traveling with hundreds of ships? This is something else and I think I know what it is. Stay quiet unless you're directly spoken to. I've seen this type of hostile approach before."

They made it to the edge of the dock, waiting to meet whoever will arrive in their little boat with oars. In the meantime, Magnus barked orders to the men on the ships ready to leave horrible Egypt. With wide eyes and just as heavy sighs, they slowly unboarded the ships and half-assed clad themselves in their leather armour's.

After a good twenty minutes, a small little boat finally approached with two men guiding the oars and one standing at the head of the boat. He had broad shoulders, covered in scars a gladiator or longtime hunter would have. A full stubble coated his sharp jawline and his eyes shined a honey color under the rays of the sun. He had slightly long hair, reaching the crook of his neck, and the long hair on top of his head was formally tied at the back in the smallest of buns, leaving his ears exposed.

He wore armour similar to that of a General, very beaten and tattered. It must have been from the previous Generation. A red sash hung from his shoulder, obviously brand new, a sharp contrast against his dented and scraped armour. He was built the way many Gladiators were, Lexa notes, but she had never seen him before. Then again if she did, then he wouldn't have been alive.

He jumped from the boat with ease, adjusting his weapons belt after landing on the dock. A valiant smile coated his mouth, one that most people would struggle to forget. A real heartthrob. Lexa guesses that women fall at his feet whenever he traverses Rome's streets, the same way they always fell at Gabriel's feet many moons ago.

"Generals! What a sight for sore eyes you two are!" The overly, almost mockingly so, exuberant man approached them with his arm already extended in greeting. "My name is Fenix Kyros. First General of the First, Second, and Fifth. I come with a message from General Blake to yours truly Jake Gryphem. A proposal of the sort."

Fenix? Where has she heard that name before? Lexa wracked her brain, searching through memories for the godforsaken name. In the meantime, Magnus replied. "And where is Consul Blake and what is his business here? If he's not in Rome keeping things at bay, Emperor Jake will be beyond displeased with him. We sent word that the war is over, over two months ago. We are not in need of more soldiers. The Legions were actually on their way back to Rome, victory in hand."

"We are intimately aware that the war is over and we're not here to provide reinforcements. I'm afraid your Emperor will have to keep his so-called displeasure to himself. Consul Blake is on his ship and he will dock in due time. For now, you have me with an achingly important message to Jake."

"Address him accordingly, Fenix. He is your Emperor as much as he is mine. We will not tolerate someone that doesn't have the decency to be formal and respectful." Lexa snaps, as it finally crosses her mind who he is. The infamous Fenix that was damned to Hadrian's wall when his affair with Clarke became sloppy. Lexa wasn't sure what she was feeling, an emotion that hadn't crossed her heart in more than a year. Jealousy.

How long had he been in Rome before his arrival to Egypt? How long had he been in Clarke's presence? Was he the reason that the Empress never wrote back? Because an old lover was warming her bed again? One that all too easily could replace her.

"He said that you will have a sharp tongue. I must admit, I love it. You are probably no other than Alexandria Silvestre, daughter of Maximus Silvestre, member of the Praetorian guard, a member of the Senate that had never even attended a meeting, and last but not least, a victor of the fierce Colosseum. You sure have a huge profile to go over."

Wait till you feel how huge my foot will feel up your ass later if you don't wipe that smug look from your face.

"You forgot General," Lexa adds, choosing to refrain from adding her line of thought to the conversation. "Emperor Jake will see you; I believe." Magnus looked to his fellow General with an incredulous look. She always did this, doing the exact opposite of what he told her to do. Like any other time, he would tell her not to speak out of turn, but she does it anyway. Perhaps next time he should tell her to speak freely instead, maybe then she will keep quiet.

"Why thank you, General."

Fenix followed behind the two Generals while simultaneously looking around himself, taking in the desolate surroundings. The place was horrible, a dump, that much he could tell. Way too humid and not many things to keep one's self-occupied. Even the soldiers in formation looked bored with themselves and not in the slightest attentive.

They walked through the palace in silence up until they reached the throne room where Jake and Kamilah were talking in a hushed tone, one talking over the other, almost looking like they were in a competition to see who could talk the fastest in a whisper. The successor of Rome was in Kamilah's handmaiden's arms. It wasn't odd, to be honest, Lexa could say that she had only seen Kamilah hold the child once or twice, uncomfortably so, when Jake would hand her the boy once something else required his full attention.

It was as if she didn't want the boy.

"Emperor, a message comes from Consul Blake by the mouth of Fenix Kyros, First General of the First, Second, and Fifth. He says he brings a proposal of sorts."

Jake pulled his eyes from Kamilah's eyes, his head almost snapping to the side by the mere mention of the name Fenix. "You ... you have some nerve to come here. I banished you to the wall, and your term is never-ending. This is punishable by death."

"It's very good to see you as well, Emperor. I'm doing good enough, thank you for asking." Fenix says sarcastically, pushing by both Magnus and Lexa, acting like their shoulders were in his way. "Perhaps it was punishable by death if you were still Emperor, but you are not. Hence the proposal ... or announcement really that I bring you."

Chapter Text

As proceedings went on in the Egyptian palace, General Fenix grew smugger with each word he spoke. There were very few things in his life that brought him more joy than to see the outraged look on Jake's face with each moment that passed. Jake had since stood from his throne that was next to his Queen's.

The Emperor wasn't afraid, not of a man that he exiled years ago. In fact, he pitied him for coming all this way just to act as one of Bellamy's puppets. A mind game was at play and it didn't take a scholar to figure out as much. Unfortunate for Blake, was the fact that he was Jake's student when the art of mind games was taught.

Yes, Fenix angered him, beyond belief so but the feud they shared would not be enough to throw him off from the problem at hand. Jake was all too aware of how many Legions were on the ships he laid eyes on not too long ago and as much as he hated to admit it, even then he knew why they had come.

"In short, the Senate demands that you disband your Legions and surrender yourself as well as your son. Under these conditions only, will General Blake allow the city of Alexandria to continue in existence. If you decline, he will burn the city as well as the palace to ground with everyone inside of it. Roman or not."

Jake groaned, crossing his arms over his chest. "How many days do I have to deliberate this? Or can I at least request an audience with Consul Blake? Why doesn't the coward come to speak with me himself? Instead, he sends me a washed-up soldier that has seen nothing but the arse of Rome for the past few years. It's insulting."

"Two days. That is all you have before he marches and destroys the city of barbarians. He sends me because he has no time for your condescending comments. But I see you, Jake, you're scared and I do not blame you. If I were you, I would've already laid down my arms."

"How about this. Tell that man child that I challenge him in one-on-one combat, if he denies me, he would show all of his Legions that he truly is a coward. If I am victorious I continue to reign and if I am not well ... then I will clearly not be a thorn in his side anymore."

A smile tugged at Fenix's lips upon hearing the challenge. General Blake figured that Jake would issue such a challenge. "He thought you would issue the challenge. Unfortunately, he has already chosen his champion so I suggest you choose one as well. As much as I would love to cut you down myself, it would only be fair that you choose someone that could actually match me in combat."

"I offer my sword, Emperor," Lexa says, taking a confident step forward. "It would be my honor to fight as your champion and assure your reign." Her offer wasn't really for him but she was desperate to drive her blade through a man she so deeply despised just after laying eyes on him for a short twenty minutes. Besides, he was confined to a wall for so long, chances are that it would be an easy kill as well.

"Very well. My champion is chosen as well. Go tell that worm that the battle will take place at first light in front of the city gates for all to see."

"With pleasure." With a last mischievous smile in Lexa's direction, Fenix made his way out of the throne room. Far too confident in finding his own way out of the palace. He was yet to find out that the place was nothing short of a maze-like labyrinth.

Magnus' concerned look lingered for a long time on Lexa whose eyes remained on the large doors that were pushed closed by the servants once again. She seemed calm, in control, but he knew better. It was the way her rigid body stood straight and how her left hand curled around the hilt of her sword up until her knuckles turned an odd shade of pale.

In the meantime, the Queen took a seat on her lovers' lap, both of her hands placed on either of his cheeks in the softest manner. She spoke to him in a rushed whisper, a pleading tone coating her every single word. "Even if Alexandria is successful, it will not stop this Consul of yours. He has come for your head. We can leave tonight, take our boy and travel west or south. Away from here. I don't need this city; I only need you."

They shared a lasting kiss, one that spoke a thousand words, one begging more than the last. "I cannot surrender to him, nor can I run. It would destroy everything I have built. My people will see me as a coward. You may leave, take our boy, I will not hold it against you. But I will not leave, if he wants my head then he will just have to come and get it."

"Discuss new terms with him, please. There has to be another way. It's not surrendering if you resign your authority as you told me you were originally going to do before you came here. If you resign your power, maybe he'll leave us here, alive. If you're worried about your daughter, she's welcome here and you know that." Jake moved his hand over Kamilah's, shutting his eyes with a heavy sigh.

"Is that what you want? Would you still want me without my Empire?"

"Of course, yes. How could you ask me that, my love? You showed me a long time ago that you are so much more than that Empire, Jake."

Jake darted his eyes between the green ones of his young lover. Hoping that the decision he was about to make would be the right one. For him, for Clarke, for Kamilah, and for their son. To Hades with the Empire. "Very well..." He whispered, dragging his eyes away from Kamilah's and gesturing for Lexa to approach.

"I need you to take new terms to General Blake."

Later that very same day, all of the incoming Legions from Rome unboarded from their respective ships and ventured outside of the city of Alexandria as General Blake instructed them to. Where the previous Legions once camped, a new camp was being set up to house fifteen Legions. More than double of what Legions remained under Jake's command.

As promised before, the Athenians redrew their swords, saying that they had no wish to take part in whatever conflict may ensue between the Romans in the coming days. However, they could not return to Greece seeing that a deadly plague was still ravaging the city. Alexandros eventually came to an understanding with General Blake himself that he, Alexandros, along with the Monarch's daughter, Elena, will take their remaining men and journey to Rome for a visit. That was if Rome would have them as guests.

It was a short exchange and truly it didn't take much to convince Blake to allow the Athenians into Rome simply because it meant that it lessened Jake's manpower even more. After the meeting Blake remained in his newly set up war tent, clad in armour he had not worn for much longer than he cared to admit. It didn't fit him as snuggly as it always did but he was as confident as ever wearing it.

Fenix swiped away the tent's flaps, stumbling in a foot or two. He had made a stop at a tavern before going to the newly set up camp. He reeked of bottom shelf ale, probably a few days older than it should have been. A stale smell of sweat followed him as well and his muscular arms glistened with perspiration.

Bellamy wasn't impressed by his General's reckless and unprofessional behavior. But what could he really have expected from an arrogant man that was confined to Hadrian's wall for so long? "I hope you bring me good news, Fenix. I'm not particularly feeling up for strenuous time-consuming tales." Blake plopped down in a chair behind a large table, placing his elbows on the flat surface in anticipation.

A few Centurions stood around the tent, all listening intently. Furthermore, there were only a few servants, either tidying the last knots of the canvas tent to poles and others were preparing a meal that Blake requested earlier. "He did what you said he will do. He wishes to have a one-on-one battle to the death with you. As you requested, I put myself as the champion. The Queen—"

"Who did he choose as his champion?" Bellamy interrupts, sitting at the edge of his seat.

"The General. Sharp blades and an even sharper tongue. Alexandria volunteered herself. I don't think she's fond of me, I recognize a look of hate when I see one." He hiccupped once, placing the back of his hand in front of his mouth before he continued. "He says that the battle will take place in the morning in front of the city gates. I'm fairly confident I will have no problem cutting her down if it is your will, General."

Blake huffed an unhumorous laugh, waving his hand in the air once as a sign of dismissal. The few Centurions standing around filtered out of the tent, one after the other and the servants followed behind. "You're a drunk, do you think I'm stupid? She's a mercenary and a gladiator. Not even in your dreams would you be able to cut her down. I was hoping she died in the war; only then would the hand-to-hand combat challenge be sufficient." Bellamy shook his head, smoothing his hand over his full stubble. "You don't stand a chance. I've seen the woman's arm being almost torn off by a wolf, and not long after, she was fighting a lion in the Colosseum. She's unearthly, Fenix."

Fenix was about to protest but as the fates will have it, Lexa herself came through the entrance of the tent with an enclosed wax tablet freshly written on by now-former Emperor Jake. Her journey to the camp and through it was fairly uneventful. Even she expected that she would be stopped at some point simply because she wasn't from any of the Legions that sailed here.

Wide eyes fell upon her, catching all of Bellamy's attention. It had been a year and a few months since he laid eyes on her and she was as fearsome as he remembered her to be. She carried herself differently now, the way a true General carried themselves. Self-assured and confidently. "Salvete, Generalis." Lexa greets formally, remembering that Blake was among the few that preferred Latin.

"Salvete ad vos, Generalis. Bene videris."

Lexa smiled her best fake smile before walking further into the tent, handing off the tablet to Blake. "Ego satis bene. Were the winds kind to you on the journey here?" Without asking Lexa walked to a bronze bowl of water and splashed water on her face, releasing a content sigh. "I hope you don't mind. It's quite hot outside and a much farther walk than I remember it to be." 

"Please, help yourself to a cup of water as well. The journey was fine, I thank you for asking."

Lexa nodded her head uninterested and lazily pointed to the wooden booklet she handed to Bellamy earlier before grimacing at Fenix as she passed him. "Caesar sends you new terms that he hopes you can accept."

"And what do you think of these terms? Are they honorable?"

Lexa shrugged, lightly shaking her head unconsciously. "I don't know. He didn't share them with me, nor did I look inside. It is official business that has nothing to do with me. Caesar just entrusted me to deliver it to you." She didn't look at him while she spoke, instead, she inspected the inside of the canvas tent. It was bland still, clearly newly set up. The furniture was still out of place and many chests were littered everywhere.

Jake's tent was much nicer, even on the first day of camp. Everything was in place before the final wall of the canvas tent was set up and the food was prepared before Jake himself set foot inside of the tent.

Other than that, even Lexa could admit without a doubt that she did not in the slightest miss living in tents, especially not in the African heat. There was no way to escape the humidity.

Blake undid the thin piece of string around the tablets, looking at Lexa skeptically from underneath his eyelashes.

I, Jake Gryphem, eleventh Emperor of Rome, resign my title as Emperor under the circumstances that Queen Kamilah will retain her position as the Queen of Egypt and my daughter Clarke Gryphem will be allowed safe passage from Rome to Egypt.

I will redraw myself from all happenings in Rome and I will never return nor will I ever involve myself in any politics. The normal agreement of the grain shipments to Rome will remain and will always be promptly on time, you have my word on the matter.

If you accept, leave the city immediately and return to Rome. Claim your title as Emperor as you have wanted to. I wish you a long and fruitful reign. Send my warmest regards to the Senate.

Jake wasn't a coward and he wouldn't run. Not from someone like General Blake but he also knew if war came then he would be unable to emerge victoriously. He was acutely aware that not many soldiers from his Legions remained and that they would never be able to hold their grounds against the fifteen Legions Bellamy brought.

At least if he would resign his power, he would not look like a coward, but rather like a man with honor that could admit when he has truly lost. Of course, he could declare war immediately and let the remainder of his soldiers die but that would only make them martyrs and not honorable soldiers. That much he couldn't do to them.

"Tell him no. This is an outrageous request. If he doesn't disband his legions and exit the city walls with his son in four candle lines, I will burn the city to the ground with everyone inside of it. You're his General convince him to publicly surrender and denounce his son from the throne, that is the only way this city will remain standing and not up in flames."

Lexa shook her head, contemplating if she should tell Blake that the boy wasn't even Caesar's but by what chance would he actually believe her? Above all that what if it actually is Jake's son? Either way, the boy was going to receive a death sentence no matter what. Bellamy wouldn't risk leaving the child alive, no matter what he said. His words and actions differed like day and night. One more true than the other and never on the same level.

If Lexa knew that she would sit in this tent on the day having to make decisions like these and having had to take countless lives the past few months, then she would've never left Rome. She was sure of it. Lexa didn't want any of this and at that moment she wished that she could somehow go back in time where she laid under the stars, telling Clarke of what the Greeks believed about two halves.

Back then she truly believed that Clarke was her other half but now ... she wasn't so sure anymore. What would Clarke think of her now? Would she remain stubborn and refuse to understand that she, Lexa, didn't have an actual choice in any of this? Would she be satisfied with the outcome?

Right at that moment, Lexa wished that she had made a bigger effort that night to convince Clarke to leave Rome with her. They could've been happy somewhere, unbothered by the wars being fought around them and far away from the prying eyes of the Palace. With no one able to come in between them.

Lexa deeply despised when this part of her she worked so hard to suppress would come out, making her wish for things she would never have. The side of her that had hope itself torn out of her grasps. The side of her that wanted to be happy but was denied the privilege. The side of her that wanted nothing but Clarke.

"Very well. I cannot swear anything, but I will try. But please consider the fact that the child is innocent and was only born into this war; you cannot hold him responsible for something he had no say in."

"It is what it is, Alexandria. War is ugly and unforgiving. Do you remember what I said to you so long ago?" She stared at him obliviously, struggling to recall any sort of conversation they had since all of them seemed irrelevant to this moment. So, he decides to answer himself. "War is coming and it doesn't wait for anybody. It will not wait for that child. Now go."

There was no getting through to General Blake, so giving up on the cause wasn't too hard. Lexa considered killing him right there and then but she knew she wouldn't make it out of the camp, so that thought was dismissed swiftly. Fenix had since dozed off in a nearby chair with his hands neatly laying in his lap.

"And Alexandria, if you have delivered the message, you're welcome to return to my camp. I do not expect you to march alongside us but I do not wish to burn you in the city. The Colosseum misses you and so does our sister. Consider her in the choices you're about to make."

Lexa slightly turned her head at the mention of Octavia, it was enough to send chills down her spine. Every decision she made the past year was with Octavia or Clarke in mind and nothing was going to change that. Not the Emperor or the boy.

//

Clarke rolled over in her bed, making her large fur throw slip from her body and fall to the marble floor. Annoyed, she groaned but decided that it wasn't worth getting out of bed for. Her silky sheets would just have to do. After all, she only had sleep now and nothing else. It's what she did most of her days since she wasn't allowed to leave her quarters and over time, she grew bored to look from her balcony over the smallest part of the garden and in the distance a piece of the busy city.

A city that was going by their everyday life without her. She didn't have a large sense of self-importance but even she could admit that it was a slight kick in the gut knowing that Rome could go on without her. More than that it made her blood boil that it was all thanks to the Senate. They were the only ones that remained that could look after the city while Bellamy sailed to Egypt.

The mere thought of him journeying there made her sick to her stomach. The fact that he would likely arrive in Egypt in just two weeks ready to destroy the peace her father fought for. What Lexa fought for. The gods alone knew if she was even still alive. The only assurance Clarke had was of what Luna told her some time ago but some more time had passed since then. Besides what did the vague words of a High Priestess mean anyway?

A familiar weight fell over Clarke's body, instantly warming her. She hummed at first, a lazy grin forming on her lips as she snuggled into the warmth. When the feeling set in, her eyes shot open realizing that her fur didn't pick itself up from the marble floor. As the Empress turned over with wide eyes, she was met by her best friend's vibrant honey eyes and a mocking laugh.

She had not seen Raven since the Consul ordered that she was not allowed to leave her quarters. Uncaring that she was barely clothed, Clarke lunged from the warmth of her bed and wrapped her toned arms around her friend's neck, pulling her in for the tightest of embraces. "No one saw you come here, did they? Tell me you're here to get me out of this palace. I cannot stay here another day."

"Uh— well they actually finally allowed me to come and see you. Even Octavia is outside. She said that she was held in the Colosseum dungeons and was let out this morning by Bellamy's order. Apparently, he said you two can go into the city again once two weeks pass from his departure. As the guard put it: you two could do nothing to stop proceedings from here. It would be too late."

"That bastard. If I didn't love this city so much, I would've burned it to the ground in his absence just to spite him." Clarke pulled away from the embrace as soon as her senses kicked in, smelling the scrumptious food that awaited her on the table in the middle of her quarters. "Tell me that's real food and not just my imagination. These wenches who have been bringing me food the past two weeks bring the worst grub, it looks and smells like vomit."

Before Raven could answer, Clarke was already out of the bed, strongly making her way toward the table to shove as much food into her mouth that it could possibly fit. If she choked, so be it. By the time she was through half of the three plates contents, the Empress finally slowed down enough to say a few words through her vigorous chewing.

"Tell Octavia to come in. My full stomach has made me capable of thinking again." Okay, maybe she was being dramatic but she was so hungry that she might have been able to eat a small ox.

With a satisfied cunning smirk, Raven does as instructed and quickly lets Octavia in. The Gladiator had certainly seen better days but at least she was here and alive. She had clearly learned a new style of wearing her hair, it now being braided on the sides and looser braids on top of her head. She sported a purple eye and a slightly cut lip but neither afflictions stopped Octavia from smiling when she laid eyes on Clarke.

The embrace was quick but meaningful and moments later the women were gathered around the table in talks of what will befall Rome in the coming days. "The Senate thinks that they can take the city from my father and I. They believe they can lavish its people with gifts and gain their favor while Bellamy is gone but I have another idea in mind. These men traverse the streets more than conspicuously since they crave the praise the plebs give them. What's to say a few accidents can't take place? My father said in his letter that he was going to replace the entirety of the Senate and I say, why don't we get started on the process so long?"

"I don't think we can just march out into the streets and murder the members of the Senate. Someone will notice and great trouble will come. I'm sorry, Clarke, but I will not be risking my life for this cause, no matter how much I believe in it." Octavia sat back in her seat, twiddling her fingers on the table, picking at loose skin around her nails.

There were many things she would do for Clarke but this act would draw far too much attention. And she was very aware that when her brother returned, he would throw her into the dungeons again if he thought her responsible for the crime. He made it clear that when someone threatened his position of authority, it did not matter if they were family or not. She knew she was a fool for thinking he was any better than his father that abandoned her years ago.

"No, of course I wouldn't expect that of you. I was thinking we could approach the collegium. I'm sure for enough gold they would eagerly bloody their hands for the cause. They dislike the Senate just as much as I do, if not more."

[I received a bunch of messages asking if the collegium/collegia was something I came up with, but it's not. The collegium/collegia were very real and kind of functioned like real gangs do today. They have their respective 'turfs' where they worked out of. They controlled the food supply, the brothels, and the 'black market'. The collegia were secretly hired by the royals to 'take care of their dirty work', whether it was to threaten politicians, 'lawyers' or simply just to kill someone they wanted dead.]

In the city, the collegium was back in control of the Aventine with none of the other gangs daring to step in their way again. Their main building acted as a tavern to the public and bustled with customers on the day. It did every second week of the month since the settlers knew that's when the new brew of ale was ready and very few things tasted better than a fresh brew.

Anya and Roan spent most of their time on the second floor of the building, filling out ledgers and throwing occasional snarky remarks to one another. They were the best of friends but enjoyed it an equal bunch to yank each other's chains when the room became too quiet. Anya always kept herself busy with official business, such as directly interacting with those of the higher status or managing funds. Roan made himself in charge of the tavern and the many brothels they owned all over the Aventine.

Like every other market day, Roan was in the forum picking out new slaves to buy in order to replace those that recently bought their freedom. It was a common occurrence that happened in the collegium and they often gave their slaves the courtesy to only pay triple of what they were paid for, instead of ten times their worth as most slave owners demanded.

As much as slaves bought their freedom, they also didn't. Most didn't know a life outside of slavery and the thought of being free was a thought that scared them to the bone. Some were so scared of being free that they were born a slave and died a slave even if they had more than enough coin to buy their freedom.

Yes, they were talked down upon and most slave owners required them to wear a small board around their neck stating their name and whom they belonged to. But the upside the many slaves saw was the fact that they were being housed and fed; what more could they possibly want? Here and there they earned a few extra sestertii that could buy the most needed items.

In the tavern, Anya was filling out ledgers of how much aureus, sestertii, and Greek drachma they had in their makeshift vault. They were planning on expanding on territory and perhaps even make a few restorations to their existing buildings. Maybe she would even buy herself a nice villa as well.

Normally she would drown out whatever bustle came from downstairs, and considering that it was the busiest week of the month, it suddenly became abnormally quiet now. Anya looked up from the ledger, slowly placing her writer next to it. Something was wrong.

Pushing the makeshift door cover out of her way, the entirety of the tavern came into view and a woman she had not seen in some time stood almost in the middle of the tavern. The Empress. Clarke was the last person she ever expected to see in the tavern, normally they would just meet at the grain storages and on other occasions at the Flavian palace itself.

Clarke had never come near the places most nobles would consider 'filth' even though essentially that was probably what it was. It was dirty and full of ill-mannered people that had little regard for any social status. Only the lowest to lower class people came near the slums of the Aventine because it was a considerably dangerous place. Even the poor were beaten and robbed here.

Even though Anya wasn't from the slums of the Aventine, she considered it her home. It was her way of helping those that were in real need. She was distant, yet close enough family of the late Empress Abigail. Close enough family to be a noblewoman if she pleased to be but the lavish parties and gossip never was for her. Anya enjoyed life rough if it could be considered as such really.

"I haven't seen you in a long time. I was wondering when you would arrange our next meeting because the grain supply is running low. I had to dig into our personal funds to continue feeding the people. Where have you been, Empress?"

The Empress looked around the tavern, pulling her top lip up in slight dissatisfaction. "Rather poor service you have here. No one even offered me a drink." Clarke says loudly, so her voice extends up until the second floor where Anya overlooked her.

Anya barked an order to a nearby young pretty servant to pour the Empress the finest of their wines in the cleanest of their chalices that were reserved for only the most important of their clients. Be it a Senator they overcharged by at least ten times or a politician that enjoyed the exotic women that served the drinks and food.

"Come upstairs and indulge me in why you're here in the dirt."

With a forced smile, Clarke accepted the scuffed bronze chalice, barely finding the willpower to place her lips on the rim of it. She didn't want to imagine who exactly had placed their lips on it before her and where exactly said people's mouths were before then. Those in the slums barely considered oral hygiene and ate the ass of what she considered food. The ass of food she was forced to eat in the past two weeks.

With a sway of her head to the side indicating 'what's the worst that could happen?', Clarke gulped down some of the wine as she made her way up the stairs. She didn't wear her normal attire but rather opted for a grey tunic she had never worn in her life along with the sandals she normally wore when she and Octavia sparred in the empty Colosseum.

In order not to draw attention to herself she left all of her jewelry at the palace as well, safely in the confinements of an assortment of velvet-lined oak boxes. Octavia accompanied her to the lower part of the Aventine as well, neglecting to wear her armour. Thieves so deep in the slums wouldn't think twice about ganging up on her and ravaging the armour off of her body and melting it down for the precious earthly materials.

After closing the actual door to the room Anya sat in previously, she slumped down in the chair behind the table full of out-of-order ledgers and loose parchments. "So, what's the problem? Where have you been? You know as well as I do that the people are hungry, Empress. Keeping the streets at bay isn't cheap and I do not have the aureus to buy grain as well. According to our agreement with the palace, you are supposed to provide the grain free of charge in exchange for my services every second week of the month. Which you neglected to do last month and it is too late for this month as well."

"Oh hush now. Let's just say I've been locked up in other matters. But nevertheless, I'm here now aren't I? To apologize in person for my shortcoming. However, I have other things to take care of today so I don't have a lot of time. So, let us get down to it. I have brought you multiple lists." Clarke took the leather bag that Octavia held out to her, containing the parchments that should probably never see the light of day again after this exchange.

"I want these men dead before the next kalend. I issue you with a license to kill each individual in case someone was to ask the uncomfortable questions. Make these kills yourself, hand them out to your men or have Roan do it. I do not care for the specifics but it is a time-sensitive matter."

Anya undid the thin string around the two delicate hooks that kept the leather flap shut. "And how much are offering per contract?" She pulled the licenses from the bag, paging through each one of them, only scanning her eyes over the specific names and official wax stamps at the bottom of each page. "These are Senators only, Empress. This will cost you tremendously."

"Ask what you must. I'll pay whatever price if it's not completely radical."

Anya hummed, looking over the pages again. She knew Roan would want most of these contracts for himself because they could ask more for some than for others. The lower-ranking members of the Senate could be given out to the men that worked for the collegium. They would appreciate the extra aureus so they could support their respective households or just their vices.

"These licenses aren't marked with your wax seal, Empress. This is from the Emperor. Does he wish all of these men dead?"

"Since when do you ask questions, Anya? Is the aureus not convincing enough for you to carry out the task he asks of you? I wouldn't mind asking one of the other groups—"

"That's not what I said. No questions then." Anya interrupts. She doesn't know why she asked in the first place, perhaps it was her curiosity getting the best of her. Who was she to question the authenticity of the wax seal in the first place? "I'll have it done, Empress. Once everything is taken care of, I'll meet you at the palace for my payment. Is there anything else you would wish to discuss?"

Clarke smiled wickedly, placing her now empty chalice on the cluttered table. The wine was terrible but she was thirsty. "Senator Finn Collins. Tell him I send my regards, then cut his hands off and nail it to his villa's door. I trust you know where that is. I want his mother to see his hands unattached to his boyish body." It was a pity that she wouldn't bear witness to the act but the idea of revenge was sweeter. She did warn him what would happen if he spewed any more conspiracy and now, he would get what he deserved.

The creaking of the unsteady wooden stairs became louder and louder with each step that was taken toward the second floor, instantly making Octavia's head cock to the side. As Octavia drew her sword, a hoarse voice came from the other side of the door. "Since when do you close your door? Don't tell me you're—"

Once the door swung open, Roan laid eyes on the Empress and clamped his mouth shut, throwing his original train of thought out of a mental window. He had only seen the Empress twice or thrice and they barely exchanged more than ten words.

"She brought us work, Roan. Gather our men, we have a lot to discuss."

//

On the walk back to the Egyptian palace, Lexa's mind erupted into a painful storm that tossed her around like she weighed nothing. There weren't many ways this day could end and truthfully, she disliked each outcome more than the last.

As she approached the gates that lead to the palace, it was clear that the Roman soldiers already decided what their next line of action would be. Desertion. The Athenians were already boarding their ships and with little restraint, the Romans boarded the ships as well, abandoning a war that had not yet started. Lexa was shocked to see that it was Magnus himself leading the Romans onto the ships.

A deserter as well.

She supposed that eliminated one of the terms General Blake had for Caesar. He didn't have to disband his legions since his legions were already abandoning him. They feared for their lives so much and lost so much hope that they were willing to be branded deserters for the rest of their lives.

It was truly over.

Lexa considered throwing her sword in the ever-growing figurative pile as well. There was nothing stopping her from boarding the ships as well and leaving Egypt behind finally. She didn't owe Jake anything, in fact, he owed her for all the things she was willing to do that he wasn't.

For the war she managed to end much faster than he was able to. For getting Queen Kamilah the one thing she desired most; the revenge on her little brother that denounced her as the Queen of Egypt many times. And lastly, the part of herself that she sold to Mars just to keep a sane mind through all of it. A part she feared she may never be able to buy back.

But Lexa passed the ships and every single soldier that walked by saluted her and thanked her for leading them as well as she managed to. Some even beckoned her many times to join them back to Rome, to live in order to fight another day. But she politely declined each time, saying that she still had things to do in Egypt and that they should return to their families.

The city itself was quiet, only occasional murmurs coming from inside the houses as each settler took up solace inside of their homes, hoping that the sandy walls will keep them safe from the harm that might soon come. It was obvious that word traveled through Alexandria just as fast as it traveled through Rome.

The palace doors were left ajar, the Egyptian guards no longer present and no servants traversed the halls anymore either. It was eerily quiet. The silence reminded Lexa of an unparticular day she decided to visit the Colosseum when no one was present. It was so quiet that she could've heard her own slow breathing and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat in her chest.

There were no crowds chanting her name, no crowds demanding blood, no mobs breaking out into fights when they lost a wager. There was just no one. As the palace was empty now; there was simply just no one in the halls. Normal chatter that flowed from the throne room was absent as well, replaced now by muffled sobs and cries of heartache.

Jake sat on his throne, his head in his hands and Queen Kamilah tried to suppress her own crying while trying to coo her son to sleep. A face Lexa didn't expect to see stood near the Emperor's throne, a frown clouding her delicate features. Elena was still here, not boarding the ships to flee from Egypt.

"I suppose the terms I bring you do not matter, Emperor. Your Legions are deserting you with General Magnus at the helm. But if it's worth anything, General Blake orders you to surrender in front of the Legions and denounce your son from the Roman throne." Lexa stopped there, taking a deep breath for her own sake as she catches Elena's eye for the briefest moment. "Permission to speak freely, sir."

"Granted." Jake replies, defeated to his very core, only barely being able to raise his head and meet the eyes of one of his most loyal soldiers.

"If my father did not teach me honor at a young age, I would've deserted you as well. Your bold yet cowardice and reckless behavior costed many unnecessary lives during the war. I believe it wise that these men are leaving now before you cost them their lives as well. I lost many good men because you were too much of a coward to make the necessary orders. As much as this bothers me, you were a good Emperor to Rome and you do should not die on foreign land. Take your Queen and your son, and leave before it is too late. I will tell General Blake that you were gone by the time I arrived."

More sobbing from Kamilah followed, this time less muffled and much more pronounced, only making the child cry louder as well. The sound was shrieking to Lexa's ears, making her tightly shut her eyes. With all the time she spent in the palace, she never could get used to the baby crying at the most outrageous hours of the night. The boy was the worst when it was a full moon outside.

As domestic as the sound was, she hated it because it reminded her of Rome and then the memory of Polis followed shortly behind.

Heavy footsteps and the creaking of Roman armour sounded from down the hallway in the direction to the throne room. Lexa didn't turn around because she knew whichever soldier it was from one of General Blake's legions, they weren't there for her but rather for Caesar. It seemed that the time for escape was long gone.

However, when she finally does look, she finds Conan. A cruel twist of fate.

Jake never answered, instead he slouched his head forward again, inhaling and exhaling steady breaths. Perhaps there still was time for escape after all but it was as clear as day that Jake wasn't willing to move from the throne, nor was he willing to truly surrender himself. Lexa could admire as much of his honorability.

"Conan, take the Queen and her son. Stop at the treasury and take as much coin as you deem necessary. You know where the horses are kept, take only one and ride as far as the daylight allows you to. Once you are sure she is safe, no matter how long it takes, only then may you return to Rome if you wish to. Are my orders clear?"

Conan pounded his chest with his fist one last time, a parting gesture to his Commander that he grew rather fond of over the past few months. He knew he judged her too harshly when they were still on the ships and now, he couldn't think of anyone he would've rather be led by throughout the past few months. "Yes, General. Clear. Gods be with you."

"Go, my love." Jake croaked out, barely managing to speak the three simple words. It was over for him and he knew it. His mind knew it and so did his soul. His journey over the Styx to the Elysian fields was coming at an alarming pace and he wasn't willing to let his Queen share his fate. She was too young and so was their son.

In the spur of the moment, they shared a sorrow-filled kiss mixed in with salty tears. With a few repeating coaxing words of 'we must go my Queen', did Conan pry Kamilah from Jake's grasps. Elena stayed quiet throughout the entire exchange, only watching the heartbreaking event unfold. She had seen many families torn apart by war in Greece and it was one thing that never became easier to witness.

Conan and Queen Kamilah disappeared through a hidden door behind the thrones that led directly to the treasury. There was another exit in the vault that led into a few complex passageways but as soon as they were cleared, one was out of the city completely. Free from Blake's unrelenting clutches.

"This is it then. I die in a palace that doesn't belong to me and I will not lay in the crypt my wife lays in. I will not see my daughter again and I can only pray to the gods that my son will see the rising sun each morning while having to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life." Jake exhaled a shaky breath, a lone tear running down his cheek as he descended the few steps. "Tell me, Alexandria, what have I done?"

Lexa didn't know how to answer the man she had spent over two years of her life serving. All for nothing now it seemed. What good had come out of it? Nothing. Except for Clarke, who may have fallen for General Blake in the past year, or perhaps she rekindled her affair with the adonis named Fenix Kyros.

The consideration of the thought was heartbreaking all on its own.

They waged a war on a province that could've gone on just fine without it. But as always people were hungry for power and control, no matter the cost. Thousands of lives were lost, and for what? Just to have a small short-lived victory that wouldn't mean anything because Egypt lost its Queen anyway.

Elena passed by Jake and sympathetically patted him on the shoulder before making her way to the exit of the throne room. "I'll wait for you outside of the palace, Lexa. My ship waits for you, we sail to Rome when you are ready to leave." Lexa spared a grateful nod in Elena's direction, gripping arms with her before the Athenian General left. It wasn't a greeting or a farewell, rather a wish for strength in these trying times.

Jake walked the short distance to Lexa, taking a stance right in front of her. Trying to meet his General's stoic empty eyes best he could.

"Swear to me that you will get out of here while you still can. Go back to Rome and live in my city happily. You deserve that and so much more for what you have done for Italy." More tears welled in his already swollen eyes. At that moment Jake looked ten winters older than he actually was. "Swear to me that you will not meet the same fate I'm about to."

"I swear it, sir. As much pain and suffering you have caused me, allow me to say that it was an honor to serve you, Emperor."

A pained smile crossed Jake's features as he removed the armour from his body. His intentions were clear now that he was away from everyone's eyes except for Lexa's. He was ready to die by the hand of someone he trusted with the secret of his death. "Has it really been ... an honor?" His bottom lip quivered and nothing but a broken man remained. "I hope so. Bring your blade, put me down like the animal I am, do not let that man crucify me in front of my people. They'll see you as a war hero back home, the honor should be yours, not his."

Reluctantly Lexa unsheathed her sword, handing it hilt first to Jake, unwilling to do what he wishes of her. If he wanted to die then he would have to die by his own hand. "I cannot, sir. Please don't make me—"

"Do it! That is my last order to you ... please, I'm begging." He aligned the sword with his own gut with shaky hands, allowing Lexa to take hold of the hilt that was open to her taking. "A fine blade this. I would be honored to die by your hand with real Roman iron." Cheerfully the chirps of Egypt's native birds continued, uncaring of the unsettledness of the city. Just showing that no matter what happened somewhere, the outside world continued without reluctance.

Jake placed his hands on Lexa's shoulders, gripping the metal underneath his palms. It was unclear which one of them shook the most or who's breathing came out the shallowest. A swift action followed and the familiar sound of sharp metal piercing through skin seemed like the loudest thing that had ever entered Lexa's senses as Jake pulled her into the last embrace he would ever have.

He gasped for air next to her ear, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, clutching the back of her head. "Take care of Clarke, Alexan—" His last breath left his lips before he could finish the sentence. His heavy body slumped against Lexa, slowly slipping off of her onto the sandy floor.

She shook, her arms unable to hold him upward and his body fell to the floor with a hard thump. A warm pool of red formed around him, his arms splayed at his sides and his open eyes looking up at the water-stained roof. He looked at peace and Lexa couldn't help envy him for it.

Soft footsteps approached the body warily, taking each step steadier than the last. The Queen had returned with her son in her arms and Conan remained at the door with his chest heaving, out of breath from the sprint he made after Kamilah when he realized she was no longer behind him, but heading back in the direction of the throne room instead.

"I couldn't leave him. Not after everything he made me feel. I am a terrible being for this." The Queen continued to sob, no tears remaining to be shed. She held her son in her one arm as she soothed her other hand over Jake's face, pressing one last kiss to his lips.

"You could've lived and you came back, are you a fool?! Or has all the wine dimmed your already little understanding of life?" Lexa breathed the question, anger rising with each passing second. "I gave you an escape and you came back! General Blake will kill that boy! You're lucky I don't kill you for being so stupid! Hand me the child, if you will not leave with him, I will. He does not have to die if his mother suffers from retardation."

The General took a few steps forward, holding her arms out to the Queen to hand over the boy that would never have a normal life but Kamilah recoiled, holding the child closer to her chest. "No, I have an understanding with General Blake. He promised my son would live and no harm would come to my people if I hand over Jake. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for my boy, I didn't anticipate that the Emperor will kill himself!"

"You manipulative snake..." Lexa backed away, stumbling onto the steps behind her, taking a forced seat on them. She raised her hands in front of her eyes, shaking as blood still dripped from them. Her Emperor's blood. A life she was forced to take. At what cost? For what reason? His fate was sealed already and he made her intervene against the will of the gods.

"Did you tell him that the boy isn't Jake's? You and I both know it's the truth."

Kamilah shook her head no wordlessly, cooing her crying baby again.

"He played you like a lyre then. You're dead and so is that boy and so is your city." Bitter with the ill humor of the gods, Lexa got to her feet and walked to the exit of the throne room, signaling for Conan to follow but he doesn't, so she allows him to stay. A father must at least try to protect his son she supposes.

"Wait! Where are you going?! I order you to stay!" The Queen yelped behind Lexa, desperation coating her words. With the words coming from the General, she could tell that the statement was earnest and true. Blake truly did play her and the deal probably was too good to be true. He was going to kill her and her son; Lexa was her only hope to convince Bellamy otherwise.

"I'm not yours to order around! Farewell, Queen Majesty, you're on your own. I hope Anubis welcomes you with open arms."

As promised Lexa found Elena outside of the palace, boredly throwing pebbles at a nearby palm tree. Lexa had since rubbed the blood of Caesar onto her red sash, barely making it look a different shade among the few tears in it.

The Athenian General didn't have to ask where the Emperor was, the mere look on Lexa's face said enough. Elena pulled Lexa into an embrace, pressing a chaste kiss to the side of her head. It wasn't long until Lexa's high walls crashed down into each other and tears flowed from her eyes. Tears that had been at bay for months. Tears she refused to shed. A terrible mix of heartache and relief colliding with one another.

//

1 month and a singular week after Jake's death.

The city of Rome was flourishing again all at the hands of the ruthless Empress. A woman that was willing to do everything that would serve the city well. Unfortunately, only half of the Senators on the list she provided to Anya were indisposed of before the rest started to realize that these deaths were of no freak accident, but rather of cold-blooded murder.

Finn among eleven others fled from the city of Rome before they could meet their end. Although Clarke was unsatisfied with the outcome, she knew she had to settle for it. At least for the time being. No Senate stood in her way and she could do with the city's funds as she wished to and she could instate whomever people wherever she wished to place them.

Among others, Clarke had offered Anya as well as Roan a place in the palace but both declined, still insisting that the Aventine was their home. But they would never hesitate to assist the Empress if she required their help with any matter that may arise.

It was a beautiful day, the sun shined warm and all the roses in the garden bloomed, the pungent sweet scent of them filling their surroundings. The exotic birds flew through the skies, occasionally landing in the green trees, nipping off berries to eat.

The skies were just almost clear, only stray clouds drifting in a spotty manner over the endless blue heavens. Clarke threw her head back in laughter at yet another silly thing Raven said, at least the ninth jest of the morning. Raven had woken up particularly chatty that morning. More so than usual actually.

Octavia was in an equal amount of shambles, unaware of their surroundings and who stood in the distance.

The Roman and Greek ships docked two hours earlier that morning in Ostium. With a heavy foot and her fear of the plank now gone, Lexa crossed over onto the wooden dock. She missed the crisp Roman air and the greenery that could be seen as far as the eye allowed. It was refreshing to see something other than sand and hearing people speak a tongue that she could actually understand.

Elena followed closely behind her off of the ship, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You made it home. How does it feel? From what I see so far, I kind of like it. Though I must admit Athens is a bit more developed even if I must so say so myself." It earned a smile from Lexa and a slight shove.

"Yes well, Athens is largely based next to its main trading port. Keep your judgments at bay until we reach Rome. If you're still not impressed, then I'm afraid I have nothing else to show you." Elena laughed at that, following behind Lexa over the docks onto solid land.

Dread was a common feeling Lexa felt over the past month on the journey back to Italy. She was the only one that knew that she was at the hilt of the sword that pierced through the Emperor. The only one that knew that he in fact did not exactly end his life on his own.

When they approached land earlier, Lexa felt her stomach drop and her palms became sweaty but the moment she felt Roman soil under her feet, all of her nerves disappeared into the thin air itself. The fish smelled fresh, the stews were being cooked and the people were friendly. It was Italy again.

"What do you say we have an ale before we travel to Rome, Lexa? I could do with an ale. Let's see if your men and women can compare to our Greek gods and goddesses." Jokingly she jabbed Lexa in the rib and walked off in a random direction. "Elena, I'll get an ale in Rome. I have people I would hate to leave waiting any longer."

"Ah, the Empress. Come on, she's waited over a year. She can wait another candle line or two."

Ignoring Elena's plea, Lexa continued off in a different direction, to where the other Roman soldiers walked. A large stable was hidden behind the many markets, with at least sixty horses inside of it. Of course, there weren't enough horses for everybody, but probably barely enough for the remaining Centurions.

Most of the Roman fleet docked in Neapolis instead of Ostium, under Blake's order. It fit Lexa perfectly because it would mean that they were at least a day or two's ride from Rome and she was only a single hour away with luck. The problem of Fenix was still ever-present but if she could lay eyes on Clarke for just a moment, then she would see what she needed to. One last smile would be enough.

The ride to Rome lasted all but a single hour, not once stopping to rest. Both Lexa and Elena went ahead of the rest of the soldiers and it was a fairly straightforward route. As soon as they crossed over a small piece of the Rubicon river and the Tiber came into view, they knew they were on the right route.

The moment they entered the city, the settlers of Rome recognized the colors both Generals wore, and soon a small celebration and praise started. Lexa felt a glum feeling pass over, knowing that she was the one that drove her sword through the Emperor and the citizens didn't even know it. Yet they welcomed Lexa back with open arms already and they were overjoyed that her Greek counterpart had joined her on the journey into the city.

Elena had a comment or two about the Roman architecture. One being along the lines of: 'Rome is like the thuggish little brother of Greece. I can see the inspiration but I'll make sure to send some of our scholars here once I get back to Greece so they can teach your people how to build.'

Lexa only rolled her eyes as she pushed through the people, making her way along the all too familiar route to the Flavian Palace. If Clarke would be anywhere at this time of day, then she would either be in the palace atrium or she was in the large gardens enjoying the outdoors. Lexa always joked that she had an abnormal love for watching still standing plants and stare in awe at the very same bird that sat perched on a branch for hours at end.

On the way to the palace, Lexa noticed that there were new statues erected that weren't there a year ago. Slowly passing by the people with Elena hot on her heels, she stopped in front of the raised statue. Her own face looked over the citizens that passed beneath it and next to her marble statue was Octavia's. It was a surreal feeling that she had her own unforgettable statue almost in the middle of the Forum for all to see.

No, Lexa was never one for the vanity but after the year she spent in Egypt, she was to be damned if she didn't feel like she deserved this statue now. Not for her victory in the Colosseum but for everything she achieved in Egypt. "Would you look at that? I can't say that I have my own statue in Greece. You have officially outdone me, Lexa. Consider your ale paid for."

"I forgot that our victory in the Colosseum was awarded with marble replicas of ourselves. Look, this is my sister, among the most stubborn people you will ever meet in your lifetime." A proud smile made itself home on Lexa's lips as she presented the statue to Elena; proud to call Octavia family. "Now come, the palace is right there."

Two Praetorian Lexa had never seen, greeted them at the entrance of the palace. They were likely to be newly assigned since most if not all the Praetorians were dragged off to Egypt to fight a useless war. They didn't pay the Generals much mind except for the default salute any soldier would make to someone that ranked higher than themselves.

The atrium was empty, leaving only the garden remaining and that's where Lexa finds Clarke throwing her head back in laughter. Oblivious to everything around her, living carefree as she has always deserved to. Lexa almost felt bad for wanting to ruin the moment so she stayed standing still in place, admiring the Empress from a distance.

Her heart felt heavy for being gone for so long and it seemed that Clarke had only become more beautiful with the time that had passed. Lexa's eyes drifted to Octavia that too seemed enthralled in whatever conversation was flowing between the three women. Ah, Raven, of course. Someone that she could easily compare to her fellow General Elena that still stood beside her.

"She's beautiful, you were right. And I assume the one in the armour is your sister."

Lexa nodded, swallowing hard hoping that the saliva might moisten her dessert dry throat. Her throat felt like Egypt itself; sandy and rough, painful. "Well go on then. We skipped over good ale to come here so you could see the woman. Now is your wonderful moment of homecoming. Sweep her off her feet—"

"Shut up, Elena, and just give me a moment." Lexa scoffed with a teasing smile on her lips. It was a real smile; one she hadn't managed to crack in a very long time. It made its long coming return thanks to Clarke no doubt. Lexa slowly sauntered forward, nervously fidgeting with the red sash that hung over her shoulder and brushing off imaginary dust from her body armour.

Her sweaty palms made their famous return as well but as she gravitated closer to the three women, she grew more nervous but Clarke's smile put her entire being at ease. As it used to long ago; that much didn't change. None of them had noticed the General approaching until the clatter of the sword's sheath hit against her bronze greaves. A sound that caught the Empress' attention immediately.

Blue eyes grew wide and her mouth fell agape. "Lexa..." It was the only word Clarke could mutter before she launched up from the marble seat, moving as fast as possible toward the figure she had only dreamed of for so long. The Empress needed to touch her just to make sure that her eyes were in fact not deceiving her.

"Imperatrix..."

Chapter Text

The world seemingly came to a standstill. Society overall disappeared and it felt like the stars themselves, even in daytime, had fallen from the heavens. It felt like a tale as old as time itself was being told for the thousandth time again but yet it felt brand new. It was a thump, sloppy and unceremonious but neither women cared.

The Empress wrapped herself around the figure she had only seen in her dreams for the past year, a figure that danced through her dreams mercilessly, one that toyed with her emotions whenever it felt like it, one that brought chaos and peace all at once. One she almost lost hope to see again.

Perhaps it was the way the tanned flesh felt under her touch now, or maybe it was the strength of the hold that came in return after the briefest moment. Clarke doesn't know if this is another dream, if this in fact is only a figment of her imagination. If Lexa is only visiting her dreams again.

It's the soft hoarse voice that follows. A simple word. One that is so simple but one she had yearned to hear again. Imperatrix. Lexa never spoke in her dreams. No, she was only present in them, always too far to reach, yet close enough to feel, a constant torturing that went on for far too long. This was different; this moment was different.

The hold tightened around her, almost suffocating so but she couldn't get herself to protest. If death would take her now it would be fine, she would die in the arms of the woman that had finally returned to her. "Ego quidem omnes vos desiderabat." Clarke's voice came out in just above a whisper, so close to Lexa's ear that only she heard her.

The Empress dug her fingers into Lexa's hair even deeper, pulling her impossibly closer. Lexa could feel she was near the palace, the eyes that watched from the shadows, one pair more desperate to see something that could make them a quick coin than the last. Romans, that was their problem, always all too keen to get their hands on the newest gossip.

Stories had spread among the settlers throughout the past year; stories told by a particular jealous senator. The gossip was similar to the times before and then it suddenly took flame again. The secret lover of the Empress had returned and they all knew it now. The fierce Gladiatrix was back and the few that saw the embrace now believed that the tales that were told were indeed true.

"Et ego vos desiderabat, Imperatrix."

Clarke pulled back first, placing her palms on either side of Lexa's face, taking in the few little scars that were added to her impeccable beauty. The last time the Empress laid eyes on her so closely, the three lines over her eye were only scabbed, but now only three faint lines remained. A new small horizontal line was above her left eyebrow now and another small line coated her left cheek, both barely visible.

Lexa's eyes remained transfixed on the blue ones in front of her, ones that scanned all over her face to see if it didn't perhaps miss a feature in the process. But Lexa only found herself lost in the sea of blue, she was drowning all over again and gods be damned if she allowed another thought of Fenix Kyros to cross her mind. The thought of someone else that potentially laid their hands on Clarke was infuriating.

The minutes that passed felt like an eternity, no one daring to interrupt the budding moment. Octavia was starstruck by the image of her sister returning after more than a year of battle, all in one piece even, breathing, as they joked some time ago.

"How are you here...?"

Lexa drowned in Clarke's voice, the question absolutely falling upon deaf ears. She didn't want to talk, no, she would rather want to listen to anything Clarke would say as long as she spoke. Whether it was about how annoyed she was that she forgets simple Latin words sometimes or how passionate she was about the scenes she painted of the early morning sun.

"Lexa?"

The name flowed so easily from her tongue. A push and pull; pushed toward an edge that leads to a never-ending fall and a pull away from the edge back to the safety of serene blue eyes. Lexa. How does she manage to inspire such a storm with a simple word? A name that she was only called by one other person the past year but it wasn't the same.

Clarke caressed Lexa's cheek, waiting for her to come back to the earthly realm. "The war is over." The simple statement didn't exactly answer Clarke's question but Lexa wasn't sure how to answer. Was it a rhetorical question? "I thought I would come to see you before I would do anything else." Slowly Lexa lowered Clarke back onto the ground, not bothering to retract her hands though. To Hades with anyone that cared to stare and gossip about what they saw.

"And my father? Where is he? Is he still en route to Rome?"

That was the end of the surreal moment. The one question Lexa was dreading to be asked; the question she dreaded even more to answer. The moral dilemma came now, to tell the truth, or to tell the tale all the soldiers on the ships knew. The tale that would reach all of Rome and the tale the scholars will write about until all of their pinewood ink is finished.

No, she couldn't tell Clarke the truth. She couldn't tell her that it was her sword that ended Jake's life and finally his reign. It was her sword that assured Bellamy's throne and it was her sword she still carried now and it was her sword that she will use to kill again.

Lexa couldn't manage to move her lips, to tell the falsehood that Clarke's father died well. That he died Roman. Because he didn't, he died like a coward, leaving his tainted blood on the hands of someone that didn't deserve it. Instead of speaking, Lexa moved her head 'no' slowly, readying herself for the Empress' tears that will surely follow.

She waits and she waits but those tears never come. A radical wail of heartache never leaves her chest, only three steady blinks of understanding. The Empress doesn't ask how, she doesn't ask when, she just nods and brushes the information off for another time. "I see." That is all she says, a sad smile coating her lips.

Lexa is the first to initiate an embrace again, desperate to feel Clarke so close to her again. Yes, her armour was restricting most of the feeling but the rush that was named Clarke Gryphem was all Lexa craved now. The pure adrenaline of being able to touch the Empress again was beyond intoxicating. Forget blue lotus flower wine, Clarke was a drug that would work on her every time she dared to take it. With her so close, the familiar warmth of the ring around her neck felt like it was burning a hole in her chest. In her heart even.

She was feeling again. Intensely so. Perhaps Mars had not taken as much of her as she initially thought.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Clarke. For Abigail. I so deeply wish that I was here for you when it happened. My heart broke at the news; my heart broke knowing that you were alone through all of it."

"You're here now and that's all that matters. Do you have something urgent to attend to or can we have a few words in private?" Clarke sounded hopeful, her hands moving to take Lexa's hands in her own. It was a small gesture but for the first time in a long time, Lexa felt her heart make an actual beat. Perhaps skip a beat even. A beat so hard that she thought her heart might fly out of her chest.

Lexa nodded. Elena's ale would just have to wait and that was the end of it. "Of course. My time is yours if you just give me one short moment." Lexa removed her hands from Clarke's, instantly missing the presence of them. Octavia still stood in place, patiently waiting for her turn to come and when it eventually does, she meets Lexa halfway into a bear hug.

Their metal armour connected with one another with a loud clang, both uncaring of the sound and how uncomfortable it actually was. It was a moment of clarity for Octavia, realizing that she would likely not make it if Lexa was to go fight another war somewhere far away. Octavia had long ago stopped counting the many sleepless nights she had because on the inside she felt something was terribly wrong with Lexa.

The feeling of dread that overwhelmed her sleepless nights was almost tangible but now she wondered if these feelings of dread that came and went in fleeting waves were even necessary to feel. Her sister seemed perfectly fine after all. Her embrace was still strong, her breathing was even, her heart still beat violently, her voice was as strong as ever and her scarce smile still made its sneaky appearances.

"Thank you, for keeping her safe all of this time. I missed you, O."

"She didn't make it easy; I swear to you as much. Wait till you hear of all the mischief we have been up to in your long absence. You might want to jump on a ship again and sail away. But nevertheless, you know that I missed you too." Lexa was the first to pull out of the embrace, placing her palms on Octavia's cheeks and giving her a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"I can imagine Clarke didn't make it easy. And I can't wait to hear of all this mischief. You three must have wreaked havoc on Rome, I'm shocked to see that it's still standing. Tell me is that tavern still open? The one with the delightful woman named Corvina?"

Awkwardly yet confidently, Elena approached as well, looking the four women over thrice. The women of Rome could definitely compare to those of Greece, their beauty was of equal standard. The Flavian Palace was a thing of certain beauty as well and Elena noted to herself that once she returned to Greece, that she'll have a palace of similar size erected in Athens just for herself.

The only odd thing that Elena could truly not fathom was the fact that she hadn't seen one Priestess since their arrival to the capital. All throughout Greece, they had hundreds if not thousands of Priestesses scattered amongst the cities and smaller villages; it was a sure way for the people to stay in firm contact with the gods.

There weren't many offering shrines either which meant the Romans didn't seem to have that high regard for their gods. Perhaps they honored them differently than to the ways of Greece. This was definitely another reason Rome was a thuggish little brother of Greece; incomparable.

"Yes, of course, it's still open. Shall we meet for drinks there later?"

"Definitely." Lexa replied, looking over her shoulder to where Elena approached. Clarke too had a firm gaze on this armoured woman that she had never seen before. Blue sash with Athena's owl; the Empress recognized the woman as an Athenian. One that must have fought the war alongside Lexa; a fellow General.

"Empress, this is Elena Argyros, a General of the Athenian army that assisted us to trample the Egyptians in the war. She saved my neck more times than I can count; I hope that the palace can facilitate her with the best care during her stay. I expect the other General, Alexandros, should arrive here in the coming day."

Octavia guffawed, unable to keep her laughter in and all too eager to make fun of her sister again. "Well, Lexa struggles to get past five counts, so it couldn't be that many times." Elena snorted at that, already finding a liking in the gladiatrix she heard so much about the past long and grueling months.

"She overreacts often, it was only once or twice. I think we saved each other really; a shared amount of saving in the sense." Elena grabbed hold of Lexa's shoulder in a firm hold, giving it a slight push for good measure, accompanied by a mischievous smile. "She snores rather loudly, I must admit. Getting a peaceful night of rest in her presence is almost impossible. I hope she doesn't sleep in the palace, or she might keep all of you up."

"I do not snore! Carry on with these lies and I'll have your stay in the palace revoked." Lexa shared a hearty laugh, jokingly pushing Elena's hand from her shoulder. Octavia shared a similar smile, finding joy in the fact that her sister found a good friend even under the terrible circumstances of war.

Clarke on the other hand hardly found any humour in the situation while knowing that Lexa and this Athenian General shared a tent. Or room in the Egyptian palace even. Who was she to share a room with Lexa in the first place? And if they shared a room, did they share a bed as well? The Empress couldn't help entertain the idea and have an uncanny feeling of envy wash over her. Perhaps she'd suspend Elena's stay in the palace for a different reason overall.

Clarke didn't make any attempt to hide her distaste. She knew she had no right to be unhappy about the fact, or to even jump to any conclusions for that matter but what she and Lexa shared so long ago was sacred to her. Something she was unwilling to share with anyone else. She did not wait for Lexa to return for so long, just to lose her to someone else. Especially not someone of another royal linage. Screw her Queen-age of Greece. This was Rome and Rome belonged to Clarke alone.

Sensing the growing tension, Lexa excused herself saying that she had official business to discuss with Clarke. Octavia offered to show some more aspects of the city to Elena, and Raven happily accompanied them saying she knew of all the 'good' things to show that Octavia was yet to be exposed to. Octavia quirked an eyebrow at the statement, wondering what else the city had to offer. She was fairly certain that she had seen all of it after her almost two-year stay in the capital.

Clarke walked the familiar route to her quarters, closely followed by Lexa that kept a close eye on her. It didn't take a scholar to realize that Clarke's body language was rigid, protected, and on guard. She wasn't the same soft person Lexa left over a year ago. Her once milky skin was a darker shade, her firm arms now slightly toned and her blonde hair now clearly kissed by the sun. Nevertheless, her beauty was unmatched, even more so now.

The palace didn't change much Lexa finds out. The same Persian carpets were laid at certain places in the palace, the same statues stared in judging manners and the atrium was still the vibrant green it always was. Much fewer servants traversed the halls making the foot traffic abnormally little. Lexa had to stop herself from asking if something was wrong that no one seemed to be around. She blamed it on the paranoia she developed in Egypt.

Clarke didn't utter a single word on the way, not even an attempt at small talk, not that it ever was her style. No, the Empress always took part in fully-fledged conversations but today all that followed her was silence and Lexa of course. The deafening silence made the walk feel all the more farther than it actually was.

Lexa made eye contact with Apollo that still stood facing Clarke's door in all of his marble glory. And before Lexa could make an attempt to open the door for Clarke, the heavy door already swung open, Clarke opening it for herself. Lexa raised her eyebrows at the insignificant yet significant gesture, wondering how much she exactly missed in the time that has passed.

Lexa was so far lost in her own mind that she doesn't register the door closing behind her and her own body being slammed against it. Soon the sensation of lips on top of hers follows and they're rushed, they're angry and they're yelling things she cannot begin to comprehend. What on earth was Clarke trying to say without uttering a single word? And what about Fenix?

Ignoring the annoying thought that is Fenix and what role he played in Clarke's life while she was fighting a war in Egypt, Lexa indulges all of the urges that are named Clarke Gryphem. She indulges her so much that her hands move out their own volition, taking hold of the Empress' hips in such a tight grip that they might leave more than a few bruises.

When Clarke tugs at her bottom lip with her teeth, the familiar animalistic want brews inside of Lexa, the same feeling she struggled to subdue months ago when Queen Kamilah exacted the same behavior with her. She so vividly remembered the sensation, her lust wanting to give into it but her love for Clarke raised above it all. Lust was not the victor on that day, but rather love.

A love so passionate that it could concur anything. Love that she had waited to profess but she was still unsure when would be the appropriate moment. It wasn't now, definitely not now. Especially not when Clarke pulled her in as savagely as she did; especially not when she professed her own lust so unabashedly that nothing else could possibly matter. No, love would just have to wait. This was something entirely else. And Lexa was there for it. All of it.

There wasn't time for explicitly spoken words, there wasn't time to share details of war and there wasn't time for any more sweet words. All there was time for was clashing teeth, tongues fighting for dominance, and a competition of who could hurt the other the most. A hurt that was so intoxicating that it could've been considered poisonous. Unfair and unjust.

"Volo te."

Want was taking over reason, love was being thrown out the window and both women completely submerged themselves in the thick layer of lust. One after the other pieces of armour dropped to the floor with a loud clutter, whether it was physical pieces of amrour, or the finely crafted armour Lexa had carefully forged around her heart the past year, she wasn't sure. But that too didn't matter; all that mattered was the way Clarke's lips moved over her tainted skin, and the way her low moans filled the air.

This was sanctification. Sanctification from the horrors of war and then sanctification of a love so pure yet savage that someone far down the line will write about it. People in the later centuries will talk about it and forge their own idea of love based upon the concept. This affair that started over a year ago burned in the same fierce manner it did back then, showing no sign of relenting.

The affair bloomed much farther than anyone cared to admit and there was never to be some sort of clandestine meeting between the two women ever again. From here on out it would all be out there for all to see, or so it looked to be. There really was no way of telling the true future, especially not when power moved and shifted so freely within Rome.

By the time they crashed onto the finally sewed furs on Clarke's bed, they were both out of breath. All of Lexa's literal and figurative armour pieces shed between the door and bed, armour she felt she no longer needed against the man named Fenix Kyros because it was clear that he would never have anything on her when it came to Clarke. All of Clarke's passion was strictly reserved for her and nobody else.

One article of clothing flew through the air; one after the other until nothing but their bare skins remained. Unsteady hands smoothed over any exposed skin their delicate touches could find and moans followed with each action that came. Lexa removed Clarke's hands from her body, raising them above her head, interlacing their fingers.

The pace drastically slowed, both of them taking the time to familiarize themselves with how it felt to be so close; with how perfectly right it felt as if Zeus had carved them both from the same stone after all. That maybe, just maybe, they were for each other and nobody else.

All once felt envy and jealousy was gone, nothing but passion for love remaining. Lexa's fear that Clarke had moved on from her onto another was long alleviated. And Clarke fearing that this Elena character kept Lexa's bed warm on the cold nights seemed extremely unlikely.

But these thoughts and fears were kept to themselves, neither sharing their worries. Worries that seemed irrelevant now but little was known that such feelings never disappeared in the blink of an eye. They always lingered. That was the problem with passion, it clouds all possibilities of negativity and it makes one forget of all worries. Passion was dangerous in that way.

Clarke dragged her nails over Lexa's skin, uncaring that she'll likely leave a mark. Her mind was a whirlwind, so many thoughts swirled around yet her mind was completely blank, nothing but the beautiful feeling of Lexa's lips against her skin intoxicating her. She couldn't stop the hums of pleasure leaving her mouth.

When her hips started to move upon their own accord against Lexa's thigh that was just perfectly placed between her own legs, the hint was clear. Unwilling to leave Clarke's lips behind, Lexa allowed the Empress to continue on with her own endeavor. They moved together slowly, clinging to the sensuality that they shared.

The slow pace didn't last long before the power of lust took over completely. "By the gods, I missed you so much." Clarke's voice was hoarse, thick with ecstasy as the two women continued to move with one another. Lexa's hand smoothed over Clarke's abdomen in the slowest torturing pace that she could've ever imagined. "Please..."

Clarke was a wreck by now and she didn't understand how Lexa still seemed so calm and collected. Her once shaky hands were now still and calculated, her each and every movement thoroughly thought through. "And I've missed you, my love." After a few excruciating seconds that felt like hours, Lexa's hand made it to its destination, slowly dragging her finger through Clarke's slick heat.

The simple touch made Clarke's hips buck up immediately, chasing after the sensation she knew she wanted to feel until the sun itself would burn out and the stars would fall from the sky. Lexa repeated the action over and over, stopping at the sensitive nub of nerves eventually, rubbing lazy patterns upon it.

Clarke hummed into Lexa's mouth, the battle of tongues coming to an end when Lexa abandons the fight, trailing open-mouthed kisses over her jaw, over her neck, and coming to a halt at the Empress' full breasts. Taking one hard pink nub in her mouth, her other hand continued its onslaught on Clarke's sensitive bundle of nerves making her moans even more pronounced.

The Empress clutched one hand in Lexa's hair, wanting her to continue her journey farther down immediately to the part of her body where she needed her mouth most. Lexa groaned, understanding what the other woman wanted but she never was someone to be ordered around between silk sheets. No, she went at her own pace but for the sake of being away from Clarke for so long, she didn't hesitate to obey the wordless order.

Kiss after kiss went on, admiring every piece of exposed skin she could possibly find before she reached Clarke's core. In hindsight this wasn't at all how Lexa expected her day to go; when she stepped off of the ship a few hours ago she figured that she'd see Clarke, feel her heart break when Clarke no longer looked at her the same way. But none of that happened.

Instead, she dragged her tongue through Clarke's slick heat, admiring the taste of the Empress that never left her memories. Admiring every single soft moan that left Clarke's lips, admiring the way her chest raised and fell, admiring the way her back arches with every lick, admiring the way her eyes were closed and her head tilted back while savoring each and every movement.

Clarke's beauty was unmatched, there was absolutely nobody that could ever compare to her. The Empress removed her hand from Lexa's hair, not wanting to hurt her as she felt her high stalking closer. Instead, Clarke dug her fingers into the soft furs, clutching them tightly in her fists while moaning Lexa's name for the who knows what number of times.

The way Lexa's name slipped from Clarke's tongue only edged her on farther, almost driving her onto her own edge without any sort of friction. Lexa slipped a single finger into Clarke's entrance while continuing with her tongue, quickening her pace. Louder moans filled the room, uncaring of anyone that might be in the halls. To Hades with them then.

All of a sudden, the moment came, the stars fell from the sky and swirled around Clarke's head. Her orgasm rippled through her mercilessly, making her hips buck with every twitch of her body. It should be the most terrible crime to feel so good, Clarke thinks. Nothing so good could be allowed, it should be a capital crime, for sure. Amongst the greatest sins.

Lexa should be embarrassed by the fact that she came undone moments after Clarke but she's not. There was no friction applied to her or anything that could inspire the pulsing feeling that throbbed at her core. It was just Clarke. Her pleasure was enough.

Once Clarke came off her high, Lexa molded their bodies together again, laying featherlight kisses all over Clarke's sweaty skin and ending at her lips. They shared their breaths, both women occasionally stealing a kiss when the remaining temptation took over. "Never stop saying my name." Lexa whispers, stealing another kiss.

"As if I ever could, Lexa."

Green merged with blue and became one. The push and pull was over. Lexa fell over the edge and there was no way that she could ever find her way back up. She fell into the never-ending abyss that is Clarke Gryphem. This was no longer a tainted affair, or a short-lived infatuation. It was something entirely different. Something that Lexa was sure she never even shared with Costia.

War was something she feared all the way to the bone, but this? This was far more frightening.

Without thinking, Lexa reached between them to the one item that has burned her skin for over a year. She pulled the leather string from around her neck, dangling the ring above them, both staring at it as if it was the holiest thing in the world. "Thank you, for this. Whenever I missed you, it made me feel like you were close. Close enough to talk to, or to touch even."

Clarke averted her gaze away from the ring that slowly turned as it hung onto the thin piece of leather, landing her eyes on Lexa alone that still stared at the ring in wonderment. The sun shined just perfectly through the ajar balcony door, accentuating Lexa's sharp features. Her once complex braids now in a tussle and almost hanging loose over her shoulders.

"I love you." Clarke blurts, unable to sway herself away from the confession anymore. It wasn't the best moment to say it but when was the best moment? It was a long time coming and waiting just another day felt like it would consume her completely. The thought of rejection didn't cross her mind up until this moment. The moment Lexa stared back at her blankly, her mouth slightly agape.

Lexa couldn't get herself to say anything. The three simple words throwing her off course and destroying her entire trail of thought. She felt like she fell mute, her capability to speak completely stripped from her being. The ring dropped from her hand onto the silk sheets and bounced onto the fur, irrelevant now.

A deep kiss ensued; no more words being said but rather showed. Lexa firmly held Clarke's face in place, exploring every bit of her mouth with her own. With a deep breath, she pulled away, resting her forehead against Clarke's, soothing her fingertips over the Empress' soft skin. "I love you." Lexa confessed as well before a comfortable silence enveloped them; their eyes still shut.

They stayed in the moment for a while before Lexa made the first move, sliding to Clarke's side and nuzzling her face into her neck. Nothing could surpass this moment; it would come to an end eventually but it was theirs. The moment seeped into their minds, into their hearts, and into their bones for all of eternity.

Lexa pulled Clarke impossibly closer, pressing their naked bodies together. Words were of no necessity and only peaceful in sync breaths remained. It was a breath of fresh air after a long war and after more loss than any person should ever endure but they still had each other. Clarke was right, that was all that mattered.

Later that day Lexa shimmied herself out of bed, careful not to wake Clarke. The sun just started to set and the Empress fell asleep some time ago but Lexa didn't allow herself the privilege of sleep. She spent her time gliding her fingertips over every contour of Clarke's body, falling in love with every perfect piece of skin all over again.

As quietly as possible Lexa reclad herself in the armour that was scattered all over the marble floor that led to the door they came through hours ago. It pained her to leave the comfort of the soft furs and the content feeling of Clarke but she still had to make good on her arrangement with Octavia at the tavern they drank ale at over a year ago.

//

It felt like old times, one jug of ale turned to two, and two turned to three and then they lost count. Loud laughter filled the tavern, cups were spilled and inhibitions were nonexistent. Lexa's perfectly tailored armour laid on the table, her weapons belt underneath it. Elena and Octavia weren't clad in their armour by the time Lexa arrived and both women were already extremely intoxicated.

Lexa threw her head back in laughter at yet another silly tale Elena told of Greece. Her slurred speech making the story all the more humorous. If one would look at the group, they would seem like the best of friends; people that grew up together perhaps. Inseparable in the essence.

Corvina could barely keep up with her busy tavern as more soldiers started to filter in, all eager to get their hands on authentic Roman ale. Athenians and Romans all alike drank their body weight in ale while sharing tales of their experiences throughout the war and sometimes breaking out in full-out songs.

It became ever clear as time passed that those from Neapolis were starting to arrive in Rome, all tired from the long journey. The distance was supposed to be covered over a whole day but instead, they rode the path back to Rome without resting once. Some soldiers were from the legions that left to fight the original war and some were from the legions that traveled with Bellamy.

The two groups kept separate from each other, an unspoken distaste toward one another. The original legions disliked Bellamy's men for the fact that they were ready to kill their own. And Bellamy's men disliked the original legions for the fact that they followed a supposed tyrant. They were blinded by the aureus they were being paid; forget the normal sestertii most soldiers received; Bellamy's men were being paid with aureus.

Excluding herself from the bubble the three women formed for themselves, Lexa looked the tavern over; sensing the tensions that grew. It took but one instigator and the Romans would be at each other's throats. This tavern would surely erupt into another battlefield and there was no way of stopping it from happening.

Lexa considered to cut her evening short for exactly that reason, to return to the palace and spend the remainder of the night in the comforts of Clarke's silk sheets but her inhibitions were up to shit. Her mind worked at a slug's pace and each blink of her eyes made her head feel even heavier. The ale certainly got the best of her. Egyptian ale could never match the strength of Roman ale and her immunity to it didn't exist anymore.

A few moments passed and Lexa got to her feet, clearly unsteady as she surveyed her eyes over the tavern's occupants again. She was drunk and would likely need assistance back to the palace but the only people that could possibly assist her were even more intoxicated than she was. Lexa groaned to herself, reaching her hand out to take hold of her armour that now seemed to weigh as much as a fully grown steed.

Loud roars of cheers filled the air, soldiers thrusting their cups into the air, messing ale on one another but none of them actually cared for the mess. Lexa was drunk and then suddenly she wasn't anymore the moment she laid eyes on the people that caused the big outburst of cheers. The soldiers seemed as loud as the spectators in the Colosseum when a gruesome death took place.

General Blake made his way through the tavern entrance, receiving joyous bumps and pats on his oversized armour as he made his way to the center of the building. He was sweaty, his long damp hair bouncing on his head with each rough well-wishing he received from his men. Blake wasn't the one that struck Lexa with sobriety, but rather the man that followed behind him. Fenix Kyros.

He was receiving a lot of praise as well, for what exact reason Lexa couldn't imagine. He didn't deserve praise; he didn't do anything that assured Blake's fake victory. With her newly found sobriety, Lexa bid her farewell to Elena and Octavia that were barely sober enough to even register that she was talking to them.

As the fates would have it, her avoidance of General Blake was short-lived. "Alexandria! Join me for an ale!" Lexa groaned again, this time inaudibly. Her grip tightened on the neck lining of her armour. She just barely met his eye before inevitably focusing her gaze on Fenix. "I'm afraid I would have to decline, General. I have had a lot already; it would be better if I head to bed."

"So a whore house then?" Fenix quips, a smirk on his lips. Lexa couldn't tell if he truly meant it or if he was trying to get a rise out of her. Either way the latter occurred and she grinded her teeth in order to keep her mouth shut. "Hmm."

"Come, just one drink and he'll leave you to go traverse all the cunt Rome has to offer. Or cock if that's what you prefer. Or both." Every single word that came from Fenix's disgusting mouth drove Lexa farther to the point of explosion. Perhaps it wasn't even his words that was so infuriating but rather his presence. Or was it his smug expression?

"You should shut your mouth before I shut it for you, General. Our battle might've not taken place in Egypt but I'm all for it taking place in this shitty tavern in the middle of Rome. Say another word and I'll have your tongue."

"Aye, aye, that won't be necessary. No ale then." Blake interrupted, raising his arm in front of Fenix's chest as he was about to take a step forward. Tensions were running high already between the soldiers. If two Generals were to fight in the middle of the building now, all of the underworld would be unleashed. The city would likely never recover.

Fenix clenched his jaw. He was aching for a fight, especially with a sharp-tongued woman like Alexandria. She was a worthy fight from what he heard from all the soldiers and from Blake himself. He was eager to test this theory they had of her, that she was unearthly, perhaps a direct descendant of the Spartans or even Achilles. That's the story that traveled between the soldiers anyway.

"I have an idea that you both might enjoy. As a celebration of my Emperorship, I'm going to start the games early. It will make the people worship me; there's nothing that they love more than gore. The Colosseum awaits you, Alexandria."

The war was over which meant that both of them were disposable now. The people of Rome would love a match-up like the one he had in mind. Alexandria versus Fenix would be a combat occasion of the century. They already had an obvious disliking toward one another that anyone in their presence could notice; why not make the battle official for all to see? It would be a pity to have an occasion like them go to waste.

Lexa scanned her eyes over Bellamy, a broad smile coated his lips as he flickered his gaze between her and Fenix. Fenix still held his gaze firmly upon her, fantasizing about the battle they could've had in Egypt. He was still ever confident that he could best her with ease. She was a woman after all; women weren't supposed to handle swords, rather only unsteady brooms.

"After my Emperorship is declared, the games will begin. The event will start with a battle between the two of you." It wasn't a question, but rather a statement. He wasn't leaving room for argument not that either Lexa or Fenix would argue with the idea. If anything, at the quick thought of it, Lexa actually found herself excited by the idea.

Lexa was the first to nod her head in acceptance, already eager for the day to come. The thought of Clarke lingered then and how they haven't really had any sort of relevant conversation. Not of what happened in Egypt, not of what happened in Rome, and definitely not about this Fenix guy that has a head too big for his shoulders to carry.

"Very well, General. Now if you would excuse me, I really do need rest." Not waiting for a friendly good night or farewell, Lexa pushes past them, making sure her shoulder connects with Fenix's in a hard crash, inevitably making him stumble a little. He wanted to retaliate, his pride and embarrassment getting the best of him, but Blake's hand catches hold of his shoulder, followed by a few commanding words. "Stand down. You'll have your chance."

It was an inevitable death sentence but who was Blake to care? Fenix was strong, yes, determined, yes, but he made the mistake of overestimating himself often. A grave mistake he was making in the way he viewed Alexandria. Bellamy was doing him a favor, as he saw it. He was being sent back to the wall anyway, Blake had no intention to make good on the promise he made to him of abolishing his banishment.

The last thing Bellamy needed was another suitor for Clarke. Blake was all too familiar with why Fenix was banished in the first place. If he thought he was really going to have his citizenship back, then he was more mentally impaired than Bellamy originally thought. This fight was technically the trash taking itself out.

Lexa lightly stumbled out of the tavern, only missing a single step in her rushed pace. The night was cold, a sting in the wind that blew over her exposed skin. It was a full moon and as cliché as it was, the wolves outside of the walls howled at the bright light in the sky. An odd hoot of an owl sounded through the desolate streets.

It was calming, a nice change from the Egyptian city. It seemed familiar, with no feeling of an imminent threat and definitely no humidity which Lexa was the most grateful for. A few candles lit up in the inside of each home she passed on the way to the Flavian palace, the giggle of a child evident sometimes.

She passed the statue of herself again, only sparing a glance at Octavia's and completely ignoring her own. It was still an odd feeling to know that a statue of herself stood almost in the middle of the city for all to see as they went on with their day-to-day lives and she was off fighting a pointless war.

A war that ended up meaning less than nothing and ended with her killing Rome's own Emperor. What a sick twist of fate that was. Lexa decided a long time ago that she would not try to decipher the gods' humor anymore; none of it could ever make sense.

Lexa climbed the steps up to the palace slowly, remembering that if Clarke were to ask about her father again, inevitably so, she would have to lie to her. How long she would be able to keep the lie up remained to be seen. The dread that set in over Lexa was almost enough to make her turn around and find an Inn to sleep for the night.

She never does turn around nor does she waiver again; she walks straight to Clarke's quarters where a dim candlelight still shined from beneath her doors. Lexa tried to be quiet and miserably failed, bumping her armour against the doorjamb at least three times. Lexa's eyes shot up toward the bed to see if Clarke moves but the noise didn't seem to wake her though, she was still sound asleep, or so it seemed.

When Lexa lays her armour on the table along with her bracers and greaves, Clarke's voice rings out. "Do you always do that? Leave after bedding someone without saying a goodbye or something?" Her voice seemed distant; a voice of someone that had spent far too long pondering over the question and conjuring up an answer themselves.

The sudden sound of her voice, made Lexa twitch in shock, her eyes landing on the bed again. "I didn't want to bother you. My apologies. I was at the tavern with Elena—"

"Elena, right." Clarke scoffed, moving out of her bed and heading toward the back room. "Go spend the night with her, won't you? I don't feel like having company tonight." The tone of voice catches Lexa by surprise, Clarke was mad and that much was obvious. Lexa couldn't help feel the hurt in her chest caused by the Empress' words. What inspired this train of thought?

"Clarke, what's wrong? Is that what you consider me as? Company for the night? And what in the furies does Elena have to do with it?" Lexa rounded the corner into the back room not wanting to engage in whatever pointless argument Clarke was trying to start, but she needed to fix whatever was clouding Clarke's mind. Clarke stayed quiet then, too busy immersing herself in whatever objects she could lay her hands on. "Clarke, talk to me."

"You were with her, why don't you go back to her?" Clarke scoffed again, unable to meet the eyes of the woman whose gaze burned into her back. Lexa placed her hands on her hips, a confused expression on her features. Did Clarke somehow forget what they did a few hours ago; what was said a few hours ago.

"Go back to her? Clarke, I want to be here, with you. If that's a problem and you want me to go, then by all means, I will. I just thought—" Lexa stopped herself, dropping her head, knowing that she's about to engage in Clarke's argument anyway and say things that shouldn't be said. But then again, if Clarke wanted to argue, why not do it properly? "Fine, I'll go back to the tavern. Would you like me to ask Fenix to join you then? I'm sure he's dying to have you again."

The moment the words leave Lexa's lips, she regrets it. Oh, on the gods does she regret it. It's the way Clarke swings around, her eyes widen with shock and then filling themselves with unbearable hurt. "Fenix?! How dare you!" Clarke moves faster than Lexa's dazed eyes allow her to see and a hard shove lands on her chest. "How dare you speak to me that way! I have not seen that man in years and even if I did it would have nothing to do with you!"

Clarke engaged fully into the argument now, turning it into a battle of who can shout the loudest. Lexa allowed herself to be pushed all the way until she cannot move any further and her back collides with the cold marble wall over and over again. "Go fuck your Greek whore!"

Lexa doesn't respond with words; she attacks Clarke's lips with her own, brutishly so, not allowing the Empress to spew any more of her hateful words. Words that held no truth in the tangible world. Their lips and tongues fight, feverishly, furniture gets knocked over and pieces of clothing are flying again.

Only when they land on Clarke's bed again does Lexa pull away, her eyes serious and determined. Clarke's chest heaves against her own, their breasts pressing against each other and Clarke's nails already digging into her bareback. "How many times, Clarke?" She asks, the words loud and clear without any context.

"How many times what?"

"How many times do you want me to tell you that I love you, Clarke? That I'm in love with you!"

The Empress rolled them over then, this time pinning Lexa down against the furs, leaving no room for possible escape. "Tell me until blood stops coursing through your veins." That was enough for Lexa to reconnect their lips again, allowing herself to fall prey to whatever Clarke has to offer for her on the night and well into the early morning.

//

The next morning Clarke wakes and tries to turn, but she's unable to. Lexa's arms were too snuggly wrapped around her, her face nuzzled into the crook of Clarke's neck. Their nude bodies were still pressed against each other, Lexa's breathing still slow and even as she laid in her peaceful state.

Memories of the previous night washed through Clarke's mind and if she was able to, she would've slapped herself through the face for the things she said. It was her own insecurity and she knew it. She saw Elena only for a few moments and already felt intimidated even though she would deny it if anyone would ask.

Truly it would break her heart if Lexa and Elena were or was everything she imagined they were during the war simply because she feared that she would never be able to connect with Lexa the same way Elena probably could. Elena was beautiful and she couldn't deny it but Clarke knew as clear as day that Lexa looked for things within people, beyond their outer beauty.

And that inner thing was something Clarke feared she couldn't provide the way Elena could.

Lexa stirred behind her, readjusting her hold and pressing a soft kiss to Clarke's shoulder before she hummed a content sigh. She doesn't speak and she doesn't move too much but only resettles herself to let Clarke know that she was still there and she wouldn't leave this time. This time she would stay as long as Clarke wanted her to.

The Empress interlaced their fingers, feeling Lexa's calloused hands against her own soft ones. They were such a contrast and Lexa's scarred skin reminded her of it every single time. It was a constant reminder of the nagging question: could they actually flourish into a full-blown relationship? With her status and with what things the Empire expects of her, especially now with her father's death, could it actually work?

"If you keep thinking so much, smoke will start to come from your ears, love." Lexa coos, pressing another soft kiss to Clarke's bare shoulder, trailing all the way up to her neck. Giving herself a moment to stop thinking, Clarke focuses on every one of Lexa's actions, from her soft lips to the graze of her fingertips that moved along her abdomen all the way to her bare chest. "Tell me you're not worrying about the day already. If my vote counts for anything, I choose to stay between these furs while you tell me about all the mischievous things you've done in my absence."

Clarke hummed, finally being able to turn in the now loosened hold Lexa had on her. They came eye to eye and a bright smile coated Lexa's lips. She was happy for the first time in a very long time, long forgotten of the bitter words they spat each other the previous night. Anger and jealousy was a terrible thing and she knew that very well; she herself being all too guilty of the sin as well.

Clarke soothed her fingers over the three white lines over Lexa's eye, coming to a stop at her cheek. The scar was nothing short of the epitome of beauty. "I was so scared that day; of losing you. That blonde wench, gods, I should've had her head for what she caused." A smile tugged at Clarke's lips at the admission. She truly never could find a liking in Josephine, even less for the fact that she threw Lexa to the lion quite literally.

"Hmm. I must admit it is quite admirable hearing you want to exact revenge on someone that caused me pain. You are compiling yourself quite a long list for why I love you, Empress." Lexa's fingertips grazed over Clarke's exposed skin again, reaching her hip and halting, flatly placing her palm there. Lexa's simple touch left chills in its wake. "I hear many tales of you, Clarke. The people talk less than quietly. What have you been up to that has them in such a frenzy?"

The Empress didn't know where to start, or how much she herself would reveal to Lexa. As Lexa said, they were mere stories and if she, Clarke, wished for them to remain just that, then they would. But Clarke knew better, Lexa would never look at her differently, no matter what atrocities she committed the past few months. Lexa was a Gladiatrix and Mercenary after all. Death, blood, and murder was an old friend of hers.

"I made sure that the streets of Rome ran red with the blood of those who deserved it. I weeded out criminals, corrupt politicians, anyone that questioned my power, and most importantly, more than half of the Senate." Clarke chuckled, turning onto her back again and staring up at the newly painted scene on her ceiling. "I wonder if Bellamy has realized that at least half of his precious Senate is nonexistent."

Lexa propped her head up on her palm, leaving the other on Clarke's abdomen. She should be shocked but she already heard all of it in the tavern the previous night. Deep inside of her, she knew it was true before Clarke even confirmed it. Clarke's eyes exposed her the day before in the palace garden, they weren't a vibrant blue anymore, rather a blue that now carried many burdens.

However, Lexa wasn't aware of the disposal of the Senate. That fact was a shock.

"Tell me the last part is a jest, Clarke. The Senate? How? And why?"

"The collegium, that's how. For enough coin, they'll do anything. As to why ... in the last letter my father sent, he made me co-consul which granted me a position in the Senate house. That was when Bellamy decreed that he was marching on Egypt with the intention of removing my father from the throne." Clarke fell silent, her thoughts and emotions starting to catch up with her it seems.

"Obviously I didn't agree with the notion and I voiced my displeasure. Finn ... that wretch, said some things he shouldn't have and was conspiring against my father for so long, and believe me I did warn him about the consequences but he ignored my threats. I may have gotten carried away, but just a tad, and ordered Octavia to kill him ... in the Senate house."

"Did she? Kill him, I mean."

"No. The remaining Praetorian carried us away and locked me in my quarters for about a month and Octavia was in the Colosseum dungeons for the same duration of time. We were let out perhaps two weeks after Bellamy's departure to Egypt and that's when I decided to get rid of the Senate while I had the chance." Clarke placed her own hand over Lexa's, still not meeting her eyes but only soothing her thumb over Lexa's hand over and over again.

Lexa stayed quiet, plotting out her own ideas of revenge. Octavia failed to mention any of the matter the previous night. "You said half of the Senate. Where is the other half?"

"Fled from Rome. They're somewhere beyond the walls. Finn included, unfortunately." There goes that idea for revenge then.

"Good riddance. No one will confine you to these quarters again except for yours truly." Lexa towered over Clarke, cupping one of her breasts and capturing her lips in a searing kiss. The familiar heat they shared the previous night returned with an extravagant fury. "I'm proud that you took a stand and I'm at your service for whomever you need taken care of. Forget the collegium; I'm much cheaper."

Clarke giggled, catching the eye of her newly returned guard. The Empress certainly missed the playful tone Lexa used on her. "Cheaper now, are you? And how is it you take your payments? Monthly, weekly or daily?"

"You know how I take my payments, my love." Lexa stole another kiss, letting her lips linger over Clarke's for a moment. "Daily, hourly even if you have the time." Being interrupted from another moment that will surely lead to another round of just pleasure, a knock sounded at the door, making Lexa jump from the bed the same way a feline would at a sudden scare. As fast as her body allowed her to move, she made a fine sprint toward and into the backroom.

Barely registering the quick action, Clarke pulled the sheets over her bare body trying to recompose herself as well. Looking down and making sure she was covered to the neck; she finally calls out. "Enter!"

Octavia peeked her head through the door, only slightly looking inside. "My apologies for being late, Clarke. I had a long night at the tavern and I have a considerable headache but if you have any duties to attend to today, I'm ready to start the day." Peeking her head through the door further, she doesn't find Clarke at the table she usually sits at while snacking on her morning meal.

No, she finds Lexa's armour instead and a lot of clothing thrown all across the room leading from the backroom and scattered around Clarke's bed. "Oh, I see," Octavia notes to herself more than to Clarke. "I'll wait outside. And tell Lexa that my brother is looking for her. He's less than happy about the absence of his Senators. Please enlighten Lexa of the situation if you haven't already."

"Duly noted, Octavia, thank you."

The door closed again and Lexa slowly slipped out of the backroom, picking up her scattered clothing, ready to clad herself again and go take a much-needed bath at Octavia's villa. "I suppose I have to go then. The gods seem to have ignored my plea to stay with you in bed all day. Is there anything else I should know about?" Lexa asks between every piece of clothing she picks up.

Clarke kept a close eye on her, running her eyes over every possible contour she can possibly see before Lexa's full back comes into view. Seemingly ripped from her daze, Clarke's mouth moves out of its own volition. "What on earth is that on your back?"

"My back?" Lexa asks contorting her face, forgetting of the marking she received in Egypt months ago after the battle. "Oh..." The marking every General gets for every known important kill they made during pivotal battles. Except this wasn't a pivotal battle but back then Jake didn't know as much. "It's a stigma every General gets after a battle according to some Egyptian tradition. I didn't have much of a say during the process. Your father insisted that I get it."

Clarke failed to notice it the previous afternoon and night simply because Lexa's back was never on display. She didn't know what to say about it, or how to approach the topic of war. She didn't want to push Lexa on the matter or force her to speak about the horrors of war. In fact, if she could have it her way, they would never talk about it or her father's death. Clarke felt that she would be perfectly fine not knowing how her father died in the first place. 

Sometimes no answers were better than the harsh truths.

"Can we talk about it another time, if you don't mind? I should probably go see what Blake wants exactly. I'll come to see you here as soon as I can or should I find you somewhere else?" Lexa's newly found happiness dampened in the blink of an eye. She didn't want to go see Blake and stare into his face, and even less look into the face of Fenix.

Barely a day back in Rome and running from the city already seemed like one of her best ideas. With Clarke in tow of course.

"I'll send for you once I've dealt with everything I have to."

After Lexa dressed, she spent more than her fair share of time kissing Clarke again before being shooed away with the words, "If you don't leave now, I won't allow you to leave anytime soon." As tempting as it sounded, Lexa managed to tear herself away and just barely made it out of the door before she sent Bellamy to Hades.

Octavia stood on the other side of the hall next to Apollo, a smug look on her face. She wondered how long it would take Lexa and Clarke to rekindle whatever they shared over a year ago and clearly it didn't take long at all. "I must admit I'm very happy I don't live in the palace anymore otherwise I wouldn't of had a moment of shut-eye last night, no matter how drunk I was."

"Probably not." Lexa laughs heartily, taking a good look at her sister. She had definitely seen better days; her eyes were tired and the buckles on her armour were barely fastened correctly. But then again, Lexa was surprised that she didn't wake up in a similar state considering how much ale she drank. "Say, what's that on your neck?"

The look on Octavia's face turned from smug to shocked, to embarrassed, to smug again. "The Greeks are great lovers, that's all I'm willing to share." Lexa wanted to shake her head, disapprove of the entire idea but Octavia was always going to be Octavia and she will always have whomever she pleased to have.

As she said long ago, monogamy wasn't for her.

"We'll talk about this later. Especially about all the things you did while I was gone and then we're going to talk about the reason why you didn't tell me you were in the Colosseum dungeons. Think about a good excuse in the meantime, I'm going to go see your brother." With a chaste kiss to Octavia's forehead, Lexa was well on her way out of the palace.

She greeted the very few servants on the way out, and once she reached the palace stairs, she was met with a large preparation for a very large celebration. Every settler carried pieces of wood, iron, or flowers and some sacks of rose petals.

Blake was definitely sure to make his inauguration memorable.

Chapter Text

The settlers of Rome flocked to the streets just by the mere word that the once Consul, now turned General again, and soon to be Emperor Blake has returned from Egypt, victoriously so in his endeavors. Some were saddened by the loss of their beloved Emperor Gryphem but all sorts of tales about his tyranny spread through Rome. One tale falser than the last.

Truthfully, Jake wasn't guilty of any tyranny but Blake made sure to spread whatever lies he should to further his campaign. If anyone was guilty of tyranny, it was Bellamy himself. But such facts were no longer of importance. The settlers of Rome were used to moving from one Emperor to the next if it was the will of the gods.

This wasn't the will of the gods though, but rather the work of man. In all of its fraudulent state. Again, the facts didn't matter since the people of Rome were too filled with euphoria to care about how the event came to be.

Each settler was more excited to impress their new Emperor than the last. Not even a day after his return and they were already in preparation for his inauguration. As Lexa walked the streets and through the forum, it was clear that Blake anticipated his victory before he even left Rome some time ago to conquer Jake.

Such was confirmed by the once-proud blue Griffin banners that were no longer hanging on the city walls and not from official buildings either. They were now replaced by red Eagle adorned banners; that of true Rome apparently. A symbol Blake decided would describe him best. Strength, courage, and immortality.

The popular streets were too crowded to travel through and so it forced Lexa to take less popular routes where the crooks and swindlers traversed. These streets were much dirtier than the original dirt-covered routes, and on these walls were untasteful works of so-called art. Illustration of Jake and his 'whore' of Egypt with crude Latin words scribbled all around the distasteful illustrations.

It was likely done by a civilian that looked for a quick burst of clout from the immediate public. Upon inspecting it for a minute, Lexa only hoped that such personal dishonor was worth the small moment of fame and quick laughs. Jake must be turning in his unmarked grave in Egypt.

Later Lexa reached Octavia's villa and was met by a cheery Sabina that was over the moon that Lexa returned after all. The older woman even went as far as to pulling Lexa into a full-blown embrace. And even though Lexa felt awkward in the moment, she let Sabina have the embrace.

After rounding the corner into the atrium, by no surprise, Lexa finds a half-naked Elena still passed out on one of the chaises that surrounded the shallow pond of water in the middle of the room. Chuckling to herself and shaking her head side to side, Lexa continued on to the familiar backroom and fully engulfed herself in the cold water.

Roman heat couldn't possibly compare to the unforgiving dry heat of Africa, but it would certainly come up a short second. It was almost mid-day and the sun was at its peak heat, burning hot rays onto whoever decided to be outside; but even inside it was uncomfortable. Lexa even contemplated to leave all of her armour off when she would go see Blake, but such official business would require all formalities. Including the red General sash.

A sash that now hung very heavily on her shoulders, washed yes, but by memory, it was still covered in Jake's blood. Another tragedy she was forced to carry and the gods knew there were still days she struggled to accept the tragedy of her parents and Costia. Life was unfair and so were the fates but there was nothing anyone could do about it.

With newly braided hair and freshly bathed again, Lexa set out back into the Aventine streets fully clad in her armour that still had the Griffin on it. Seemingly among the few public remnants that remained of Jake's reign. How had things changed so fast? Had they started to change long before Jake's demise? Was his reign over before it officially ended? The people certainly made it seem so.

At the rate the Romans were going, the complete celebration preparations would be done by early afternoon and the official inauguration would take place later in the day. Truly in all the time Lexa had spent in the capital she had never seen so many people in the streets, not even on the days of the Colosseum games. It was close to impossible to move four continuous steps before having to come to a complete halt once again.

"Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem!" The Latin rang out over the ever-growing crowds and suddenly a walkway opened up the same way a flower would in Spring. The simple phrase caught Lexa's attention immediately; the language combined with a strong voice behind it truly could invoke serious respect. None other than Magnus Evander himself.

They didn't talk much in the week before the official departure from Egypt and they certainly didn't share a ship back to Rome. But even in the distance, Lexa could feel the tension that he elicited just by meeting his eyes for a small moment. What his grievance exactly was, Lexa wasn't sure.

Magnus and Lincoln disappeared farther into the crowds, only becoming small figures eventually and Lexa just continued to struggle through the plebs. She was in no rush to get to General Blake and if a few sweaty plebs could delay her arrival to the throne room, then so be it.

After thirty minutes Lexa casually strolled into the throne room through its front door with none of the newly appointed Praetorians even stepping in front of her. Instead, they only pounded their chests to acknowledge her rank with a quick 'General' thrown in between.

The throne room looked the same, only the blue Griffin banners now laid in untidy bundles ready to be carried away and disposed of. The new red Eagle banners were being hoisted up along all of the walls and truly it made the room feel much darker than it already was. The blue brought a certain vibrance. A vibrance that was now gone.

A few Centurions were in two parallel formations forming a walkway to the throne, standing on attention if any orders may come their way. Blake had already made himself home on Jake's golden throne that was far too big for him and Fenix stood at his side like a sluggish guard dog.

"You sent for me, General."

"That I did indeed. I need you to do something for me in relation to the games. Go to the slave traders and buy the best contenders. I want only the finest; those worthy of true glory." The request took Lexa aback considering what she overheard Octavia tell Clarke earlier. She figured he was going to task her to go on some sort of wild goose chase in order to find the one or ones responsible for the death of his Senators ... or perhaps to find the lost ones.

At the same time, she couldn't help feel offended by such a simplistic task. With her skill and honor, he tasks her to go buy slaves. What did she know about buying slaves anyway? "Very well, sir. Anything else?"

"Tell whichever trader to fetch their payment from the treasury under your name and make sure the contenders get to the dungeons, I have made arrangements. Furthermore, escort the Empress to the Temple of Jupiter Stator on Palatine hill; she will find the noblewomen there. I want our sister there as well, Alexandria. Today is a proud day for Rome and the family we share."

Today is a good day to shit on Rome.

"Your inauguration is today then?"

"Address him correctly or you will be punished!" Fenix barked, like the sluggish guard dog he was. If he thought his halfhearted threat and raised voice was going to make Lexa falter or take a step back and apologize for the supposed mistake; he was gravely mistaken.

Instead, it draws up a lazy smirk on her lips when Bellamy raises his hand in the air to silence Fenix if he dared to shout another word. "Pay him no mind. But yes, my inauguration will take place today. I see no point in waiting."

Stoking the fire even more, Lexa directs her attention to Fenix who is still shooting daggers at her with his eyes. "Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. If not, they will be your last words to me, General."

"I'm going to enjoy ending you." He spits, almost seemingly wanting to start foaming at the mouth as well. "And I, you." Lexa replies calmly, knowing that her calm temperament would only anger him more. It was a mind game from now on, if he was blinded by rage once their battle came, he would succumb to it and would inevitably fight with emotion and not with strategy. Emotions are the biggest enemy to any warrior.

Although she wouldn't admit it, Lexa was guilty of the deed as well and she needed to even out the playing field. She knew she would enter the arena with an equal amount, if not more emotion. Jealousy was a terrible thing and she would be damned if he ever laid a hand on Clarke again.

"I'll get you your slaves, General, and the Empress will be where you request her to be. Octavia is in rough shape however, but I'll have a word with her." With a half-hearted pound to her chest, Lexa turns to leave but halts in her step when a thought crosses her mind. "Say, General, you wouldn't have a hand in the fact that Octavia was thrown in the dungeons for over a month, would you?"

"Does it matter?"

Annoyed, Lexa fully turns around and places her hands on her hips, taking a slow stroll back to the large throne. Bellamy's expression was bored, yet attentive. "It does if you recall the agreement we had. If you were to harm her in any sort of way, I would have the permission to kill you without punishment. Do you recall our deal? The Empress was present when we made it."

Bellamy uncomfortably shifted in the throne, sitting up straighter. The deal slipped his mind and he forgot about it easily a month after it was made. "To be fair, I didn't harm her in any sort of way. I was protecting her from herself. She would've been punished much harsher if she carried out the deed Clarke ordered."

"And what was that order, exactly?" She knew the answer already but hearing it from his mouth would give her further grounds to argue against.

"To kill a member of the Senate. Finn Collins if you remember him." Of course she remembered him. Whether Blake was asking it as a rhetorical question or not, she wasn't sure. "Speaking of him, he's dead, or missing now anyway. It would seem that the Empress had her wish granted after all."

"He's a counselor and no member of the Senate. A low plebian. Octavia is your sister and you had the audacity to throw her in with filth. You may have not caused her harm directly, but hear me, General, I remember our deal and I will fulfill my end of it when the time comes." Lexa's voice was authoritative, strong, and her skin was already growing hotter with rage.

"Is that a threat?" Fenix asks, readying to draw his sword and engage in the battle they were promised; just not in front of blood-thirsty Roman mobs.

Her gaze snapped in his direction, her jaw flexing under her skin. "No, Fenix, it's a promise." Without another word Lexa was out of the throne room, pushing and shoving her way through the settlers that crowded the streets. She no longer gently pushed her way through, but rather roughly now, almost pushing some to the ground.

Lexa's patience and self-control grew very shallow the past few months and it took very little to push her over the edge. Essentially sending her into a complete fit of rage where the only way she could expend the unnecessary energy was to swing her swords for hours, dulling them against wood eventually.

The forum wasn't any different from the streets with settlers crawling around like busy ants. Normally when Lexa came to the forum, she steered clear of the cages the slaves were held in simply because she had no wish to buy them and their foul smell was enough to make anyone gag.

She took a stance next to a man with well-kept hair, much longer than the average Roman's hair. His arms were crossed over his chest and a broad smile coated his lips and he seemed to enjoy the cages full of slaves more than one probably should. His clothing was fair, a thin leather armour over his tunic and skin-tight leather trousers wrapped around his legs.

He spared a glance at Lexa for a moment, giving her a quick look over and instantly recognises her simply because he passed her statue every day when he came to the forum for supplies. "The victor of the Colosseum in the flesh. It must be my lucky day."

"And how is it that my flesh makes your day lucky?"

"I enjoy the presence of strong women. You're the epitome of such. I know who you are and what you do so excuse my boldness but if you ever grow tired of the bores of officialities, the collegium would be honored to have you. Especially considering the unique skill set you have. We often get many contracts. Contracts that will pay you much more than the throne will."

Lexa snorted and shuffled on her feet, unconsciously placing her hand on one of the hilts of her swords. If he was offering her a position in the collegium, he must be among the few that was in charge of it which meant that he may be one that dealt directly with Clarke. "Perhaps one day. What's your name? So I could find you when the day comes."

"Roan." He says simply, extending his forearm to her in greeting. "An honor to meet you in the flesh, Alexandria. Send my regards to the Empress." She should be shocked that he knows her by name but then she remembers that her reputation in Rome precedes her. "And if you're here to buy slaves, buy on the right side and not the left. The left side is where they keep the sick."

"Duly noted." Lexa replies.

With a last smile from the mysterious man, he disappeared into the crowd, heading directly to where the female slaves were being sold; the new women to Rome's brothels essentially. Lexa stayed on the step that gave her a head or two's length over the crowd, surveying over the many cages that stood still and those on wheels being carted around.

After a not so long survey, Lexa finds a cart with worthy-looking men, and she slightly jumps from the step and shuffles through the crowd, skipping right past where the women were being held. She could hear the lewd comments the men made toward the women, some were even given the opportunity to grope if they wished to. It was wrong but it was Rome.

Knowing it would only be trouble if she chose to intervene in the trader's business, Lexa tried to ignore the muffled whimpers the women made when the men stripped them bare to inspect their 'assets' as the buyers described it. Finally making it past them, Lexa reached the cart where eleven large men stepped out of.

Three were of a darker complexion, four looked of a Spaniard descent and the rest were Roman; all equally brutish in their appearances. They would certainly do. The faster she could leave the forum, the better. Because if one lewd comment reaches her ears again, the forum will erupt into chaos.

Lexa approached the well-dressed man clad in his newly crafted leather armour with an abundant number of intricate patterns and the image of a large bear in the center. He appeared to be in his late thirty summers and his receding hairline had certainly seen its better days.

"Salve, how much are you asking for these men, trader?"

The man looked Lexa over as any stranger always did, shocked that a woman would clad herself in armour, let alone the fact that it was Praetorian armour as well. His eyes glided over her red sash and ended at the blades at her sides. "Salve, General, are the legions recruiting after the many losses in the war?"

Lexa grumbled, loosely clutching her hands behind her back as she continued to inspect the eleven men lined up next to one another with their chests puffed and their chins held high. They were clearly bathed for the market day, their hair trimmed and their facial hair trimmed down to a respectful length.

They only wore knee-high trousers with tattered tassets around their waists, leaving their upper bodies bare for all to see. All were finely toned muscular men with scars that coated their skins. Perhaps they would be better fighters than the every day man after all. "No, we're not recruiting. In celebration of the new Emperor's inauguration, he wishes to host an exclusive event of games in the Colosseum. He sent me to buy him some warriors or gladiators. Tell me, what kind of training do these men have; if they have any."

The older man nodded, taking a stance next to Lexa once she came to a halt. "They fought in small arenas, all victorious obviously. I think the Emperor will be very pleased with them. I have three more carriages coming if you would want more. Five hundred and fifty denarii each."

"Five hundred each and if your other men look like these, I'll take all of them. Take them to the Colosseum, you'll find someone there waiting to receive them. Have the same guard accompany you to the treasury and claim your payment under the name Alexandria." Lexa extended her forearm to him, to finalize their deal.

Taking a firm hold of her arm, he respectively nods his head in agreement. "Very well, five hundred it is. My name is Leonardo Flavius for the purpose of the record. A pleasure to do business with you." Lexa smiled her best smile, before clutching the man's arm tighter with her own.

"A pleasure indeed. Now, remember, it's five hundred denarii each and not a single coin more." The man slightly winced, nodding his head in agreement once again. Lexa knew the slave traders in Rome took chances whenever they could and if she screwed up an order as simple as the one Blake gave her it would be seriously embarrassing.

//

Clarke fully indulged herself in the wide assortment of food the servants brought some time ago. It turned out all of her official business was canceled on the day and all she had to do was wait for Lexa to arrive at some point, or so Raven said.

It was relieving in a sense because truly she had no energy to deal with requests from the plebs today. The entirety of her body ached from the previous night but it was in the most delicious way and she wouldn't mind furthering the ache if the opportunity arose itself.

The Empress had been alone in her quarters for a few hours now, seeing that she dismissed Octavia some time ago because the woman certainly wasn't up for her guard duty and on top of that was the tension she and Raven shared. Clarke couldn't tell what was wrong but Octavia and Raven could barely manage to speak two words to each other without getting a disgruntled face.

Deciding that she wanted no part in whatever problem arose between them, Clarke sent them both away with the ridiculous excuse that she wanted to be alone so that she could paint. But she didn't touch any of her brushes or paint, or even spared a glance to the empty canvases. Instead, she slowly ate a little from each plate of food that was brought.

The silence always came with a problem though and that was an uninterrupted train of thought that she couldn't manage to stop. With word from Raven that Bellamy's inauguration would be on the day, and Jake would truly be replaced, it felt wrong not knowing exactly how her father died in Egypt.

Clarke thought she was fine without knowing but now with the imminent reality that someone was about to replace him to rule his Empire that he tirelessly built the past few years, a feeling of uneasiness fell upon her. The servants in the halls talked loudly saying that Jake died a true Roman death, and that he wasn't humiliated by Blake after all. But Clarke wanted to hear it from someone she knew she could trust with everything.

Lexa.

But how to approach the topic with Lexa was another problem because the one time Clarke barely hinted at her time in Egypt the previous night in between rounds of pleasure, Lexa's whole body stiffened, and then she immediately initiated the next round just so they wouldn't have to talk at all. The mere mention of the tattoo on her back this morning was enough to change Lexa's demeanor as well.

Cleary the wound that was Egypt, was still raw and sensitive.

Clarke wasn't a fool and she doesn't know how or when it happened but she could read Lexa like a book. From her body language to the tone of her voice to her facial expressions. She was always open with Clarke back then and even still now but the moment Egypt was mentioned she closed herself off.

As of on cue Lexa entered through the door skipping the formality of knocking. Perspiration coated her skin, essentially making her look as if she was glowing like hot embers in a fire. The door barely closed behind her before she unclipped her weapons belt from around her waist, placing it on the nearest flat service she could find.

"Why is there no one outside your door?" She abruptly asks, still well on her way to the table Clarke sat at. "It's not safe, where in the furies is Octavia? Just because she's hungover doesn't mean she gets a free pass on her duty."

"You're here now, aren't you? Give your sister a break, she looks terrible. Come eat with me, we didn't eat last night and by the looks of your face, you haven't eaten today either. It would explain that sour mood of yours."

Loosening the straps of her bracers a little, Lexa takes a seat next to Clarke and sighs deeply. She didn't have an appetite no matter how good the food smelled and no matter how long it's been since she had seen food this good. Clarke was right, her mood was sour but it wasn't because she hasn't eaten, it was rather about how foul the slave auction block was.

Sensing Lexa's disgruntledness, Clarke reaches for her hand and takes it with her own. She traces soft patterns on it and after a few moments, Lexa's strong shoulders slump into the backrest of the oak chair. Even after all this time, Clarke was still her peace and enough to set her whole soul at bay. Clarke was the port in her storm.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"Bellamy sent me to buy him slaves for the arena—"

"Wait, the arena? What does he need slaves for? The games aren't for another three or so months. Besides, the nobles bring their own Gladiators." The Empress interrupts, knitting her eyebrows together and immediately halting the soothing pattern she was drawing on Lexa's hand.

"The games are commencing sooner, a special event of sort. I assume he will announce it later at his inauguration. He has already arranged my fight as well." Lexa sighed again, dreading the conversation that will probably follow once it gets out that Fenix is her opponent.

It was Clarke's turn to sit back in her seat, just with outrage this time. Her mouth was slightly agape and her hand tightened around Lexa's, seeking for something she wasn't quite sure of yet. "But I just got you back and now you're already being thrown into a life-or-death situation again. Don't tell me you accepted the offer."

"It wasn't an offer, Clarke. Whatever he says is how it will be. Besides, even if I had a choice, I would've still accepted." Another long sigh escaped Lexa's chest before she continued. "Look, I don't want to talk about it. Can we just be here in this room for a moment without thinking about what's outside?"

Lexa's eyes became soft and hopeful when they meet with sea-blue ones; eyes that told her that the beholder was worried and unsure, but willing to cling to any word that would be spoken to them. "I'm sorry, that was selfish. The Colosseum is like a second home to you and if you want to compete then you should. I'm just terrified to lose you so soon."

A small smile crept to the side of Lexa's lips as she raised her palm to Clarke's cheek, finding a home in the abyss of blue that swallowed her whole every time she looked into it. "You're not losing me, my love. Only Zeus could part me from you and I'll slay him too if he tries again. You're my other half, remember?"

"How could I ever forget?" Clarke moved from her chair, sliding herself over Lexa so that she was straddling her hips. Without another word they met each other in a soft kiss, lips delicately moving with each other in sync. Their tongues danced with each other in the most beautiful dance until they came to the end of the song; having to part for a breath of fresh air.

They rested their foreheads against each other, eyelids shut, and etching yet another moment into their minds. Lexa soothed her hands up Clarke's thighs, bunching up her linen dress in the process and with her next movement, her palms were met with the softest skin.

Clarke snaked her arms over Lexa's shoulders, pulling away so that she could indulge herself in Lexa's forest green eyes that always turned a darker shade whenever she laid them on the Empress. A long time ago she decided that green was her favorite color and evidently, her preference still hadn't changed.

Lexa's movements continued up and down Clarke's thighs, not once stopping along the way. She was infatuated with the way the Empress' skin felt under her touch, how soft and delicate she was. Everything Lexa herself wasn't. "Undress me with your hands next, your eyes have already." Clarke mutters, her hot breath settling over Lexa's lips.

"And ruin all of the hard work your maidens have done? They will never forgive me." Lexa whispered, ghosting her lips over Clarke's. "We'll have all night ... I'm yours for the taking. But for now, I have to take you to fulfill all of your royal duties. The nobles await you and all of your beauty."

"I say screw them." Clarke smirks before she pulls Lexa into a searing kiss, this time not loving but rather lustfully. She bites Lexa's lip with hunger, knowing the gesture makes Lexa overflow with a brutish desire that she struggles to suppress. But Lexa is determined to get done what she was asked to do and as tempting as Clarke was, she wasn't going to win. Not this time.

Swiftly, Lexa stands from the chair, her hands firmly holding onto the back of the Empress' thighs still and after another few more clashes of tongues and low moans, she caringly lowers Clarke back to the marble floor. "Come on, we have to go." Lexa says, straightening out Clarke's beautiful blue dress that perfectly accentuated her curves.

"If you insist." Clarke sighs overdramatically, already turning to walk toward the door but Lexa catches her wrist and spins her back around, right into her metal armour once again, holding Clarke as close as possible.

"I love you. Don't you ever foolishly forget it."

Heat rose up Clarke's neck all the way to her cheeks making them a soft pink. She couldn't stop the wide smile that crawled onto her lips and she certainly couldn't ignore how violently her heartbeat picked up at the mere words. "I love you, Lexa. And I doubt I could ever forget. Know that nothing could ever change the way I feel about you."

As Clarke turned to reach for the door, she stopped mid-step, raising her index finger in the air. "Wait, I have something to give you." With curious eyes, Lexa followed every movement Clarke made toward a small chest that sat atop a table next to all of her boxed jewelry. After retrieving the box, she held it out in front of Lexa for her to open.

Slowly, Lexa lifted the lid of the box and was met with the vibrant blue of her Praetorian sash and the shining gold of her family sigil. "You kept it all this time..." She whispers, lifting the material and badge from the box. Quickly discarding the box, Clarke effortlessly unclips the red blood-stained sash from Lexa's shoulders, throwing it in the direction of her bed.

"May I?" Clarke questions, her blue eyes gleaming with love and pride.

Quickly nodding the go-ahead, Clarke clips in the blue sash on Lexa's shoulders, along with her family's badge on the right side and the round General badge on the left. With a quick look over, Clarke sees the same woman she lost over a year ago; the same woman that came back to her and that still looked at her with the most loving eyes.

"I'm not sure if they'll approve of this but truly it feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I wear your colors again."

"To Hades with whomever they are. You will wear my color as long as you wish to. You don't have to wear his red. You're mine."

"And you are mine." With one last peck, Lexa opened the door for Clarke, allowing her to exit into the almost empty halls. The noise from the city could be clearly heard all the way into the palace itself and a sense of dread set in over Lexa, already knowing how busy the streets were. She would have to be extra diligent today, and keep Clarke as close as possible.

It reminded her of the day they came from the bathhouse when there were riots in the streets and the settlers were restless. It was the very same day they shared so much passion in the open and thinking back on it now, that moment was among the most pivotal for them. Even though that encounter happened for all the wrong reasons, Lexa wouldn't want to do anything differently.

Well except for the fact that she probably would've kissed Clarke then. But jealousy was the victor that day, right alongside lust. Yes, they wasted a small amount of time by playing cat and mouse with one another but in the end, it all worked out and the rest is history.

Their fingers grazed over each other and their eyes met for a slight moment and the ghost of a smile plastered on both of their faces. "You look beautiful today." Lexa says, taking one complete look over Clarke again, half glad and half sad that she didn't take Clarke up on her offer. It really would be a shame to ruin a dress so perfect but, on the gods, what's underneath was so much more tempting.

"Why thank you. You don't look too bad yourself. I do love a soldier in armour but taking it off is so much more exhilarating."

Tearing her gaze from Clarke, Lexa averts her eyes in front of her, knowing if she entertained this conversation any farther, she would spin Clarke around and they would certainly miss the entirety of the inauguration.

Farther down the hall, Octavia and another two familiar faces approached. Elena and Valentina. "Would you look who I found; Rome's best healer and the curer of my hangover. Gods bless her soul." Octavia finished with a chuckle, giving Valentina yet another thankful smile.

"Curing hangovers are so much better than amputating limbs and trying to stop bleeding that flows like the Rubicon river."

"That much I can imagine. Thank you for having Octavia look half presentable. I'm also very happy your journey here was safe." Lexa respectfully bowed half way, truly grateful for not only Octavia but for all Valentina did during the war. "I regret not seeing you much in Egypt so I could thank you but now I would like to say that my Legions certainly appreciated your service. Without you, we would've had many more casualties."

"It's merely my job. Besides, how could you expect to see me if you were never injured? You know I'm starting to wonder if you're not a direct descendant of Mars. It's as if he held you in his palm."

"I likely have more thank to give to Elena. She's the one that had my flank at all times. But I suppose a thanks to Mars is also in order." Lexa admits, patting Elena on the shoulder. She still looked worse for wear, and clearly, Valentina's hangover cure hadn't kicked in yet and worked its magic.

Clarke's insecurity over the General made its return but was soon subdued by the simple fact that Elena had Lexa's back throughout all of it. And perhaps even Clarke owed Elena a thank you as well. "She's modest, I swear. As I said, it was a collective effort."

"Either way, I would like to add my thanks as well. Officially and unofficially. Officially, thank you and Athens for supporting my father's cause in Egypt ... it's a pity it ended the way it did. Unofficially, thank you for fighting alongside my General so fiercely." Clarke extended her gratitude earnestly, catching Lexa by surprise with the choice of her words.

My General.

Perhaps she was reading into the two simple words too much but she couldn't help the warmth that enveloped her heart. After the previous night, Lexa could tell that Clarke wasn't the fondest of Elena but after careful thinking and consideration, Lexa came to the conclusion that she understood the distaste because she shared a similar distaste of Fenix.

A possible suitor Clarke may have rekindled with. But if that were the case, she surely would've seen him in or near the palace already. It was a full day since their return from Egypt though and there was still a lot of time for Rome to throw another surprise her way. Hopefully, that surprise doesn't pop up before the day she gets to end Fenix once and for all.

"My deepest condolences for your parents, Empress. I wish you a long reign. It was and is among my greatest honors to have fought alongside, Alexandria. Not only is she among the most skilled warriors I have ever had the privilege to fight alongside, but she's also the most kind-hearted. A rare trait that not many soldiers are able to retain; but somehow, she did."

It was a small compliment but it meant the world to Lexa since she felt on the brim of losing herself quite often. If she retained her kind heart; was there anything else she could possibly ask for? Was the loss of war so bad after all?

"If you would excuse us, I have to go to the temple to meet the other nobles. Perhaps we'll see each other at the feast later."

"Actually, Blake requested for Octavia to join you and the other noblewomen. I assume he wants her among those of higher standard." Lexa explains, earning a groan from Octavia knowing full well that if it were the case, they were about to dress her as a noble as well. Which meant no armour, no weapons, and a pretty hairstyle.

"Very well. I'll explain what is expected of you on the way. Looks like he's making a noblewoman of you after all." Clarke chuckled, hooking her arm through Octavia's. "Let's see how much prettier you get in a dress and a bit of powder."

Clarke and Octavia set out in front, slightly laughing with one another toward the exit of the palace, slightly leaving Lexa & Elena behind. "It must be nice, for you I mean, for the fact that your sister gets along well with your woman. They could've been at each other's throats but instead, they're the best of friends."

Lexa snorted, shaking her head slightly. As they exited through the palace door, both women simultaneously held their arms toward the sun, blocking the rays of sun from entering their eyes directly. "It's quite frightening really. It makes me wonder how much exactly I've missed in the past year and a half. When I left, they probably hadn't spoken more than twenty words to each other and now look at them. A pair that is able to flip Rome upside down."

Conversation easily flowed between the two women as they approached the high-rise platform in front of the temple of Jupiter. Four thrones were set on it, one larger than the other three. Lexa knitted her eyebrows together, wondering what exactly the other two thrones were for. One was obviously for Blake and another for Clarke.

Perhaps a third for Octavia but the fourth?

In the temple of Jupiter Stator, noblewomen from all levels of class conversed with each other. Gossip was the main topic of all their conversations but they immediately fell silent when Clarke and Octavia entered ten or so minutes ago. All but one woman bowed. A woman Clarke didn't recognize of any noble house. But nevertheless, she did recognize the woman.

A few noblewomen approached Clarke, eager to convey their condolences to her but she knew better; they were suck-ups. One more pretentious than the next hoping to snake their way into the palace and into her formal gatherings. Octavia on the other hand was whisked away by maiden's that were already waiting for her to arrive.

After an odd twenty minutes, the musical horns sounded outside of the temple, indicating that Blake's inauguration in front of the High Priests and High Priestess' was complete. He was officially the new Emperor of Rome. White doves flew through the sky and different colors of rose petals were thrown into the air.

The gathered crowds cheered and clapped, waving the new red Eagle banners and fresh palm leaves. Tens of thousands of people flocked the streets, occasionally bumping into one another but none cared, they were too excited by the event.

The noblewomen, including now formally dressed Octavia, moved to the front of the temple in two parallel lines. Octavia grunted to herself, clutching the linen of her dress in her fists, careful not to step on any of the flowing material. Clarke stood in the very front, as her status allowed her to.

As she expected, the other woman that refused to bow to her earlier, took a stance next to her, her chin held high. Clarke knew who she was and she certainly knew who Clarke was, yet the other woman still had the audacity to stand in the front next to her. "You know you don't belong in the front; in fact, you don't even belong in my presence or in this temple. Move to the back or get out."

"Why should I? Bellamy requested me to be here and to sit alongside him. Your time as the Empress is coming to an end, I'm afraid. Get used to being the second woman now, royal highness. Your days are counted."

Clarke scoffed, not even sparing a glance at the other woman. "You listen to me now, and you listen very carefully. I will not let a vicious trollop like you take my throne. Say what you want and threaten as much as you like; many more powerful men and women have vowed to destroy me and guess what? They're ashes now. So, get to the back, whore."

Octavia approached the front as well, hearing the hushed yet angry words Clarke was speaking to the other woman. Concerned more as a guard than a friend, Octavia approaches them. "My apologies for interrupting, Empress, but is everything okay here? Is this woman bothering you?"

"No, of course not. It's just one of your brother's whores that thinks she'll have my throne. You will join me in the front; as your status allows you to." With a first and final glare to the other woman, the other woman clenches her fists at her sides and moves after all, but not to the back, but rather to the middle.

Once she's out of earshot, Clarke hooks her arm with Octavia's again but doesn't utter a word about the incident that had just taken place, so Octavia takes the initiative instead. "My brother's whore? I'm starting to think there isn't a woman in this city that he hasn't been through. What's this one's name and why is she here?"

"The gods alone know why she thinks she has the right to be here. She's a slave woman that worked in a high-end brothel in the middle of the city. On a few occasions before, I went to see your brother on official business, and she was on all fours in his bed. Absolutely vile."

"And her name?" Octavia questions again, knowing she'd want to ask Bellamy about the woman later and why on earth he was involving his private endeavors with his newly found Emperorship. The Roman citizens don't appreciate when unimportant people suddenly become important just because they sell themselves.

"Echo, I believe. A woman enslaved from one of the clans in the mountains. A real and true barbarian. She must fuck like Helen of Troy to convince him that she can stand amongst us. But I assure you it will be the last time she stands anywhere. I will not be humiliated in front of my people by a common whore."

The musical horns started up again outside and the large doors of the temple opened, indicating that it was time for all of the noblewomen to exit and assume their respective positions. Clarke and Octavia descended the steps, arm in arm until they reached the thrones.

The people cried out in joy again as they laid eyes on their last remaining Empress, one they admired more than anything. Essentially, she was a goddess to them. A woman that many believed was a straight descendant of Aphrodite or Juno.

As Clarke took a seat on her throne, next to Octavia's, the fourth throne on the far left didn't go unnoticed and she knew her humiliation was coming. Blake was truly showing off his new whore Queen for all to see. A sign of the highest grade of disrespect toward the Empress herself.

Lexa stood next to Clarke's throne, the proud blue Praetorian cape with a Griffin on it hanging from her shoulders, slightly drifting in the light wind that blew. She held her hands behind her bank, standing in respect of those in higher standard.

Clarke tried to meet her eye, but General Lexa stood next to her, not the soft woman that complimented her every chance she got. Not the woman that held her tight at night and definitely not that one that said she loved her. No, this was the brute that only followed a few select people's orders and lead thousands of men into battle.

Giving up on the futile attempt, Clarke looks around to the others that stood on the large podium. She finds Elena of course, next to another man she didn't recognize but both wore the colors of Greece. Then there was another Roman General and the one Praetorian named Lincoln that guarded Abigail. One of Octavia's lovers if she recalls correctly.

And—

Clarke's gaze transfixes on the last man that approaches slightly behind Bellamy as he waved to the tens of thousands of his new subjects. A man that Clarke hoped for a short while to see again, a man she had since forgotten of up until now. The Empress now knew why Lexa brought up Fenix the previous night.

He was back in Rome.

And on the gods did he age well. Clarke blinks her eyes a few times, withdrawing herself from all of her surroundings as she tries to figure out if her eyes weren't deceiving her. If thé Fenix Kyros actually returned from the wall of Hadrian.

Long forgotten now of one of Blake's whores, Clarke's eyes remain on Fenix and inevitably he catches her gaze as well and a wide smile coats his lips. He was clearly ecstatic to see her and the Empress struggles to subdue her smile as well. He was a familiar stranger. An old friend.

When Blake reaches his throne, he waves once more before he takes a seat, running his hands up and down the golden armrests. He caresses them softly yet roughly as one would with a lover. Fenix takes his stance up between the throne of the Emperor and the Empress, his hands also held firmly behind his back.

And Clarke feels it, oh on the gods does she feel it. The tension. It's palatable. Her ex-lover and current lover have met on more than a handful of occasions and Clarke wondered just how much they actually knew about one another. Yes, Lexa knew of Fenix and what he was to her but did Fenix know that she Clarke was with another now? A fellow General of his.

Besides that, Clarke couldn't help wonder if her betrothal to Blake still stood, especially now that his whore was in the public eye. Was she truly being thrown out of the palace now just to be replaced by a vicious trollop? And she would have to face two of her greatest lovers. One, short-lived and passionate, the other, just as new but one she couldn't imagine herself without.

Her world looked like it was about to crumble into itself.

Bellamy raised his palms in the air, quieting the many people of Rome. After a few moments they all hushed, their eyes wide and waiting in anticipation for what their new Emperor has to say. "Thank you, thank you, my people. It is with such honor that I am in front of you today. Without the blessing of the gods, I would not be here."

The people cheered again and Blake raised his palm again. "Thank you for sharing this day with me. In return, I have arranged for a special day of festivities just for you! For you, my people!" More cheering followed, and many even thrusted their fists in the air.

It was becoming late afternoon and the fire hot rays of the sun were starting to diminish; becoming a perfect heat along with the light breeze that flowed between the large architectures. Lexa lightly shuffled on her feet, only quickly looking down at Clarke that sat in all of her glory. But her eyes weren't in front of her, or on Blake but on rather on Fenix.

Lexa swallowed hard, clutching her hands behind her back even tighter until her hands became pale. The fates were cruel and the gods had a terrible sense of humor. She was making presumptions but Lexa always prided herself on her gut feeling, and the feeling she felt now wasn't one she was fond of. More jealousy. More envy. More bitterness. More resentment and an ever-growing grudge.

Blake liked to play the crowds and he knew all too well that there were very few things they loved more than blood sports. "The Colosseum gates will open tomorrow and your 60th annual year of games victor has returned! The woman's statue you all look in awe at each day has agreed to entertain you once again!"

Bellamy raised her arm to Lexa that rigidly stood next to Clarke's throne, a stoic expression on her face. Her skin was hot but not because of being on display, not because of the sun's rays but rather because of the fuming anger she felt.

The people waited in anticipation to hear who their new Emperor was matching her against and even spared a few glances to the other victor, the woman they now knew as Blake's own sister. One he shared with their victor.

Fenix puffed his chest and an evil grin presented itself because he knew he was the one. He was the one that they would soon cheer for; the one they would worship for becoming the new champion. Perhaps they could even tear down Alexandria's statue and erect one in his name instead.

"And my people, I have found you a worthy opponent! One of Rome's most prized protectors, a man that has spent each day of his life the past few years to make sure you can live in harmony, has dared to state his challenge!"

Lexa couldn't stop the scoff that leaves her chest, nor can she stop her head from shaking in disapproval. One of Rome's most prized protectors? Please. We will see how well he protects himself from her blades that ache to drive themselves through his annoying flesh.

"General Fenix Kyros, protector of Hadrian's wall and with more than eight years of experience in Legions, has stated his challenge!" The crowds roared with malice, thirsty for their annual cleansing of the blood sports. And this year they would certainly have a show.

Clarke on the other hand sunk into her throne, looking between the two Generals. This was a nightmare. She loves Lexa, so much, but she still cared for Fenix and that was a problem. Not only did the problem persist of Clarke's growing ache to ask about her father, but ache that will surely follow when she would inevitably have to face Lexa on the topic of Fenix.

It occurred to Clarke that Lexa knew she was going to enter the arena with Fenix, and that was no wonder she didn't want to talk about it earlier. Understandably she would hide such a fact to avoid confrontation but if she can withhold that, what else was she withholding?

With a few more announcements of the coming months' plans such as instating a new Senate and the change of some laws in Rome, the people dispersed back to their homes and a few remained to clean and tidy what they could with the remainder of daylight that was left.

Lexa waited at the bottom of the podium, fidgeting with the leather straps that fastened the bracers around her arms. Clarke had pulled Blake to the side, out of the eyesight of Rome's people where she seemingly looked to be scolding him as if he were a child; a scolding he didn't expect to receive.

Lexa kept herself out of earshot, even though she was curious to know what the scolding was about but this time, she took her own personal matters into consideration; keeping a watchful eye on Fenix that stood a few feet away, assumingly waiting for Clarke as well.

Some sort of confrontation was going to take place and perhaps blood will be shed before they even reach the arena in the morning.

"How dare you bring your whore onto this platform? To let her walk and sit among those who have actual integrity and status in the Empire. There is no place for her, Bellamy. I will not have it. If you want to strip me of my title, say so, do not taunt me." Clarke spat the words at Bellamy, shocking him in the process with the tone she used on him.

"Calm down, will you? I admit, perhaps I didn't fully think it through. She merely suggested it and at the time I didn't see any harm in it. But you're right, I shouldn't have had her here without your permission. And Clarke, I'm not stripping you of your title. This Empire still needs you in order to flourish into its full potential, I was hoping we could work together on the matter. When you are ready, of course. I understand what it's like to lose parents but for what it's worth, and I don't know what you've heard, I was not the one that ended your father's life. I tried to have him relinquish his title in peace but he refused to. By the time I reached the inside of the palace, he already laid in a pool of his own blood."

Clarke remained quiet for a moment, taking in all of what Bellamy said. She was surprised that he could admit that he made a mistake and the fact that he even realized that he should've consulted her beforehand. The fact that he could admit that the Empire still needed her, was even more surprising.

Perhaps she judged him too harshly based on the fact of the other woman's less than subtle threats. Perhaps Echo has her own set of wishes and conspiracy that Bellamy wasn't even aware of.

"So he killed himself then? Is that what you're saying? Are you saying he killed himself as a blatant coward would? Or was he murdered by someone else? That whore Queen of his?"

Bellamy shrugged. "I don't know, Clarke. The truth is I don't even know where the Queen or the boy is. I left some very trusted soldiers in Egypt to search for them though. But as far as everybody else knows, they're dead. This is me being honest with you, Clarke, because I really want us to work together. If you would have it." Bellamy smiled slightly, in the most hopeful way possible. "Besides, I think you would be very pleased to know that you do not have to marry me. I believe we can lead this Empire without such a formality; usher in a new era if you will. You may keep your bed open to whomever and I will do the same. But when officiality comes, we work as one."

Clarke took a deep breath, tearing her eyes away from Bellamy's. This was an agreement she could live with; one that might actually work. An agreement that would allow her to have and love Lexa without consequence. But was he truthful? What was the fine print beneath this agreement?

Above all that, it would turn out that she wasn't fine with not knowing what happened to her father. Not at all actually; but she was right from the beginning now that she knew. No answer would have been better than the harsh truth. That her father died a coward, by his own hand. Or murdered by a woman he claimed to love; a Queen that was missing. Or dead already.

"Give me some time to think about it. We'll talk in the coming days. I must excuse myself from your feast, I'm not feeling well."

"Of course, do not worry about it. Have a good evening and I eagerly await to hear from you." He slightly bowed to Clarke, giving off his signature smile. A smile that would win a lot of woman's hearts in Rome, or have them drop their undergarments, but Clarke really wasn't one of those women.

Lexa patiently stood in the distance, finally being able to regulate all of the many terrible emotions she was experiencing. She watched Blake walk away toward the Flavian palace, surrounded by his Praetorian guards that all wore his red Eagle cape and pitch-black body armour.

With another deep breath, Clarke approached Lexa, knowing that she was still waiting but before she could meet the comfort of green eyes, she feels a calloused hand on her upper arm, just beneath the snake jewelry that wrapped around her arm.

"Greetings, Empress. There isn't any wild chance that you remember me, is there?"

"Get your filthy hands off her before I cut them off. You are not permitted to touch her." Lexa growls before Clarke even has a chance to answer the familiar face. Fenix immediately removed his hand from Clarke's arm, returning it to his side. He could respect that order because perhaps the Empress didn't remember him after all.

He also found out from Emperor Blake that Alexandria was Clarke's guard before the war and obviously she has instated herself in the duty once again. A duty he Fenix once had. Duty was something he could respect, even if it was the duty of someone he despised.

"I remember you. I wish I didn't, but I do. However, I don't have the time to speak with you right now. I'm feeling ill, perhaps another time." Or never. Clarke felt like she was in the middle of the ocean, being thrown around by all the ruthless waves that crashed over her. One trying to drown her more than the last.

Fenix didn't protest, instead, he was left in the middle of streets, only surrounded by the plebians that cleaned the mess that the large short-lived celebration and announcements caused. He felt a pang in his chest, he was sure that she would jump back in his arms and they would have what they had, but she wasn't the same young naïve girl. She was a young woman that knew what she wanted, and it clearly wasn't him. Perhaps he was the naïve one to think that they could continue their affair after all these years.

Lexa tried to keep up with Clarke's fast pace, but the Empress was moving abnormally fast, even as she ascended the many steps leading up to the palace.

Thoughts ran full speed through Lexa's mind, considering the short exchange Clarke just shared with Fenix. He asked if she still remembered him, as if they hadn't seen in each other in years after all. Clarke was being honest the previous night.

Perhaps her gut was wrong after all, and Fenix never warmed Clarke's bed in her absence which meant nobody did because even Finn was out of the picture. Clarke truly was hers. And all of her jealousy toward him was unnecessary.

Clarke moved with the bolting speed of a wraith in dire search of something unknown. She didn't look over her shoulder to see if Lexa was still following, instead, she clasped her hand over her mouth to try and keep in the sobs that were threatening to escape.

Reality had hit.

The reality that her mother was gone and her father was gone. She had an entire Empire in the palm of her hands and suddenly she had no clue what to do with it. A grim piece of her past resurfaced and she has no idea what to do with that piece either.

Her present was chasing after her, calling her name over and over, a bit louder each time. But Clarke couldn't stop, no matter how desperate Lexa's voice called after her. She couldn't stop until she was safely inside of her quarters where she could feel everything away from prying eyes. Away from anyone that could potentially see that she wasn't the fierce strong Empress she portrayed herself to be.

The truth was that she was just a girl. A girl that feared to face her demons. A girl that feared the future.

When Clarke gets inside of her quarters, she just about slams the door closed behind her and presses her back against it as she feels her body start to shake. Lexa was on the other side of it, Clarke can feel it, it was her strong presence but the other woman doesn't talk, she waits until Clarke willingly lets her inside.

After a few more sobs, Clarke in fact does open the door and immediately gets enveloped with strong arms that embraces all of her. The metal armour is cold against her body but the embrace itself is warm, Lexa is warm.

Lexa occasionally placed kisses on the top of Clarke's head and never once loosens her hold, she couldn't, especially not when the Empress shook so violently. She had never once seen Clarke in such a broken state and it shattered her. The thought that Clarke was even half as broken as she was now when she lost Abigail, was enough to crumble Lexa to fine sand.

Neither women spoke and only Clarke's sobs echoed through the room that felt larger than ever. It continued for ten, twenty, or thirty minutes, Lexa doesn't know, but only then does Clarke's cries stop and her body comes to a still. Finally resting against Lexa's chest.

"What did he say to you, my love? By the furies, I will end his reign tonight before it even starts. Just give me the word." Lexa's voice was low, just above a whisper next to Clarke's ear. "Tell me what to do, my love. Anything, just ask." She wasn't good at comforting, and she never has been. But she did know how to follow orders like the soldier she truly was but that skill was completely useless at this moment.

But Clarke didn't answer, she stayed in Lexa's arms until she felt her body had no more tears to shed. Until her heavy shoulders felt lighter again, even though they still held an unbearable weight. Lexa didn't prod further, she stayed in place until Clarke shimmied herself out of her strong hold, making her way toward the bed where she crawled in between all the furs.

Clarke wanted space and that's what Lexa gives her.

As quietly as possible, Lexa removed all of her heavy armour and rested it against the wall before she took a seat on the chair that was placed in front of Clarke's jewelry table. She felt like a fish out of war, clueless on how to approach Clarke and what to do exactly. Or what to say even.

"Tell me what to do, Clarke, I'm begging you. I can't sit here and watch you cry. I can't be so helpless; it's making me ill."

"Were you with my father when he died?" Clarke chokes, only barely seeing through her tear-filled eyes. She hadn't cried this much since she lost her mother, but even then, she didn't feel so much heartache. Lexa couldn't answer, her head couldn't allow her to say anything. "Lexa, please."

"Yes."

"Did he kill himself?"

Lexa swallowed hard, and nervously her knee started nimming. She fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before making the final decision. To just tell Clarke the truth; it's what she deserved. Lexa couldn't lie to the woman she loves, not about this. Even if it destroyed everything.

It was the selfless decision to make.

"Yes and no. He begged me to kill him, Clarke. But I couldn't do it, not while knowing that I'm returning to you and he isn't." Lexa's voice started to shake and she could feel tears starting to burn her eyes. "He impaled himself on my blade. I'm so sorry but he gave me no choice. He— he told me to come back here and to take care of you—"

"Get out."

"But Clarke, my love—"

"Get out!" Clarke yelled one last time, her voice breaking completely in the process before she herself broke to pieces.

Again, the fates were cruel and the gods had one sick sense of humor.

Chapter Text

It was a colder night than usual in Rome. Perhaps hiems was approaching again. Or perhaps the gods were reflecting the same despondent state Lexa was in. She had nowhere to go because Octavia would likely have Elena in tow at her villa and there was no way she was going to march in there with tears flowing from her eyes.

So Lexa saunters to the only place left to go where she wouldn't be disturbed. The one place that was used for chaos and mayhem, turned out to be the only place she would find peace.

The Colosseum.

The gates were left open since the games would start the following morning. A battle Lexa dreaded an incredible amount to fight because she was the epitome of an emotional mess. A mess that wouldn't be able to swing a blade effectively.

She feared this feeling; the feeling she knew she would experience at some point again. The many nights at sea allowed the apprehension to seep in whenever the silence allowed it to and now it was in full swing. Hopelessness. There weren't many things she had left, or people for that matter.

Two of the three people she had were probably spending the evening with each other and the third clearly wanted nothing to do with her. The third one that mattered most. Clarke. Her two strident words echoed through Lexa's mind. Get out.

Lexa couldn't blame Clarke for wanting her to leave, for wanting space to breathe but by gods did she wish it went a different way. But what different way was there when you learn that the woman you love is responsible for the death of your father? And that she was actively avoiding to tell you.

Sitting down in the middle of the Colosseum on the soft sand, Lexa curses herself, over and over again. She does it audibly, loud enough to hear if someone cared to listen. But there was no one there. Just the empty marble seats of the Colosseum to hear the harsh words she spoke.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. There no longer was a stop to the tears she desperately tried to keep down, so she freely lets them roll down her cheeks. Clarke wasn't the only reason for her tears, but it certainly was the tipping point of the rock that was teetering at the edge of her cliff.

"Jupiter, what have you done to me?"

Lexa asks these words aloud to no one once again. She felt like the same empty shell of a woman as the day she watched her father being carried away to be buried in an unmarked grave underneath the oak tree that overlooked his vineyard.

She feels terrible for never returning to Polis, but then again it wasn't like she had an abundant amount of time to return. Perhaps it would be good to return home after the battle the following day to at least go see if the vineyard was still flourishing as she left it, and to see if the Gladiatorial academy was still standing. 

Lexa even considered staying there, if she were to return, for as long as it took to fix what Egypt broke inside of her. She didn't want to admit it and always tried to make light when the thought crossed her mind, but the truth was that Egypt left its mark. A deep one at that.

The smell of burning flesh wasn't something she could erase from her mind and the agonizing cries of men as they were struck down, reduced to only blood and flesh. Lexa remembered the day after the first battle as she stood on the dune that looked out over the battlefield with neat heaps of bodies stacked all over. The bodies were stripped of their armour so that it could be used again, and their jewelry to be used for war spoils.

In a flash the heaps were alight and the proud Roman men and Egyptian enemies alike were all burnt to a crisp and beyond recognition. It was sickening, the smell, it smelled like Polis after the battle to defend her home. And just like Polis, even after the 'victory', it was all still for nothing. All was lost.

Beyond that, she could almost feel the grief of the families that lost their breadwinners. The men she was responsible to lead and she couldn't help feel that she failed them. She wasn't ready to go fight a war. She was never supposed to be the person who commits regicide.

And Lexa wonders if she was even worthy of returning to Rome after committing enough sin for several lifetimes.

It brought back too many painful memories of Polis and what she had lost forever. A trauma she still hasn't processed and Egypt only intensified the constant heartache she almost successfully subdued for so long. The war opened a wound that was just starting to heal, digging its blade so far into it that it might take an eternity to heal.

However, that specific internal battle was to be fought another day. Right now, as the moon reached its zenith, the only thing on Lexa's mind was Clarke. The woman that likely resents her now. Understandably so. As much as the thought hurt, Lexa wouldn't want to take her confession back. Clarke deserved the truth; no matter how terrible it was.

Whether she would accept the harsh truth; remained to be seen but Lexa wasn't going to hold her breath on the matter. Clarke was stubborn and it was one of the traits she loved most about her. And her passion for things; Lexa could only imagine that all of her passion had now turned into a passionate hate.

Lexa pulled the top of her tunic over her face, wiping away the stray tears from her cheeks and chin. Now wasn't the time to crumble beyond recognition. Now wasn't the time to feel hopeless because in the end, the sun will still rise in the morning and Rome doesn't wait. Hard decisions were going to have to be made, and whether Lexa was prepared to make them, wasn't a factor.

Time goes on.

Tomorrow will come and a likely life-changing battle will take place; and Lexa knew if she survived, staying in Rome wasn't going to be an option. Seeing Clarke most of all, wasn't going to be an option. It was time to go back home in order to find herself again.

[Spes is/was the goddess of hope.]

After spending a good hour looking at the abyss of stars, asking Spes for hope again, Lexa wiped away the last of her tears and dusted off her trousers. She would have to return to the Flavian palace, inevitably so to Clarke's quarters to fetch her armour and blades that she left behind. Lexa could only hope that Clarke would be asleep by now.

Lexa contemplated sending someone to fetch it for her at first light but she knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight, so she might as well sharpen her blades for the following day. If she was going to kill Fenix, it was going to be clean strategic cuts and jabs that would induce no suffering. There was no honor in suffering.

Under the camouflage of the night, Lexa slipped back into the palace, once again being greeted by the Praetorians that were scattered across the halls on night duty. The braziers were lit already, warming the long desolate halls and providing much-needed light. The birds in the atrium had retired for the evening as well and only the odd splash of fish in the pond was audible.

As Lexa drew closer to Clarke's quarters, she saw no light shining from beneath her door which thankfully meant that the Empress was asleep already. To Lexa's luck, the door doesn't creak and she manages to slip into the room with ease and the half-moon outside was the only light illuminating Clarke's room.

The balcony doors were open though and Clarke's bed was empty. The thin linen curtains drifted up into the room as the cold breeze from outside blew in. Soft whimpers came from outside and it was enough to break Lexa's heart all over again because she knew she was the cause of it. It was her fault that Clarke was in so much pain.

Lexa picked up her armour as softly as possible, followed by her weapons belt. She contemplated to set all of it down again, go outside and gather Clarke up in her arms but Lexa feared that her presence might just make all of it worse. Clarke needs space. Turning around, Lexa repeated those exact same words to herself like a mantra.

Clarke needs space.

"Lexa?"

The broken word was enough to make Lexa's heart drop to the floor, shattering it into tiny pieces once again. She wasn't sure how much her heart could still take; it was being beaten black and blue.

"Lexa? Is that you?"

Lexa wanted to keep her mouth shut, gods she tried to. Maybe she could slip away, out the door and into the night again before the Empress would reach the inside of her room. That would be the best for Clarke. But she doesn't keep her mouth shut, she can't. "I'm leaving, I swear. I just came to fetch my things."

Clarke's tear-stricken face came through the balcony door first, making sure that she didn't just imagine the voice that answered her. But she finds Lexa, only getting a glimpse of her before she turns to leave as she swore to. "Please don't. I don't want you to leave."

"Clarke..."

Before Lexa could protest any further, Clarke was wrapping her arms around her already, instantly dampening the material of the tunic with her tears. With very little reluctance, Lexa wraps her arms around Clarke as well, almost instinctively pressing her mouth and nose to Clarke's head, leaving a kiss behind.

The familiar scent of the oils Clarke uses in her hair filled Lexa's senses, making her drown in it all over again. The Empress' body shook again as another sob shocked through her, only making her dig her fingers into Lexa's back farther, searching for the comfort only she brought.

"I'm sorry." Lexa's voice pierces through the darkness and she doesn't have to clarify what she's apologizing for and she repeats herself over and over again, even though she knows no matter how many times she says the words, they likely wouldn't change anything. "I am so, so sorry."

The Empress just shook her head before she pressed it harder into Lexa's chest, seeking all the contact she can possibly get. The wind outside picked up, now yowling around the many corners of the palace, once again making the curtains fly up into the room.

The night only became colder as minute passed by minute, and the moon moved from its zenith to continue its journey through the endless heavens. In the distance outside of the city walls, a lone wolf howled as it tried to find its mate again.

And in the security of Clarke's quarters, in the arms of the woman she loves, Lexa herself struggled to keep her own tears at bay. Her eyes stung, aching to spill their sorrow but she couldn't let herself break in front of Clarke. She had to be strong for the both of them.

"You did the right thing and I realize that. You saved him from humiliation. I just wish you would have told me on your own. I would've understood. War is cruel but you gave my father a death with dignity. One I fear he didn't deserve."

"I didn't want him to die, Clarke. I've spent the last month contemplating as many scenarios as possible; of how it could've gone differently. If I had just tried to convince him to leave, perhaps he would have still been alive. Gods I was ready to become a complete traitor of Rome just to save that little boy. And now..." Lexa fell quiet, pressing her mouth to Clarke's head again just as her voice was about to break. "I wanted to save the boy at least."

A tear broke through Lexa's defenses, running down her cheek in a flash. "I am sorry that I couldn't prevent any of it. I should have tried harder." That was it, Lexa's walls broke and she was breached, becoming an ocean of tears.

Clarke pulled away first, immediately grabbing hold of Lexa's cheeks before she slams her lips onto the other woman's. Clarke could taste the salt of their tears that mixed in with the kiss but it didn't matter. This was the comfort they both needed. The comfort of each other.

"Listen to me..." Clarke whispers, resting her forehead against Lexa's, her hands still firmly holding onto tear-stricken cheeks. "I know you and I know you did everything you could. You're incredible in more ways than I can count, but I don't believe for one second that it could've gone any different. And I am so sorry that he made you carry this burden, but let me take it. Let me carry this one thing for you because you don't deserve it. And I am sorry for yelling at you, it's inexcusable. If I ever do it again, slap me and then kiss me until I can't breathe anymore."

Perhaps it was inappropriate but Lexa chuckles softly at the notion. "I could never do that. Nor can I give you this burden. It's mine to carry. And I'll be okay with that in due time." Lexa leaned in again, kissing Clarke as softly and tenderly as she possibly could. Clarke nodded her head in understanding, dropping her hands to her sides in order to intertwine her fingers with Lexa's.

"Ask me anything, and I'll tell you of it. You have my word. I don't want to hide anything from you."

Skipping past the heartache Jake brought for the rest of the night hopefully, Clarke decides to ask about something she hasn't been able to wrap her head around. "This is going to sound incredibly selfish but did you and Elena ever..."

"No, Clarke. She knows that I am hopelessly in love with you. I may have professed my love for you in front of a dozen Athenian men." The confession made Clarke snicker and the smallest tint of pink on Lexa's cheeks presented itself, but whether it was because of embarrassment or the tears she cried, it was equally adorable.

Clarke left one hand intertwined with Lexa's, raising the other to wipe the remaining tears from Lexa's face. It was a surreal sight and the Empress wonders if she had ever even seen Lexa cry before. To see a woman of her caliber reduced to tears and a barely audible voice was enough to melt Clarke's heart.

"Under normal circumstances, I would've panicked but the Emperor has made me aware that I can be with whomever I want without consequence. So I too can profess my love to and for you whenever and however I'd like. Within reason of course. I can't kiss you in the streets as of yet, but inside of these palace walls you are mine and I am yours."

Lexa exhaled a relieved sigh, but the suspicion within her couldn't help feel that the Emperor's supposed words of freedom definitely came with terms he failed to mention. What the terms were though ... she wasn't sure. But for now, she'll take that victory, no matter how small it was.

The night was glum and filled with heartache but that was the tiny shred of good news that she needed. The small kind of good that both women needed and deserved. "Perhaps our luck is turning after all. The past month has been both the best and the worst days of my life. The thought of me being responsible for your heartache is unbearable."

Lexa took a small step forward, hooking her index finger under Clarke's chin. "The thought of us coming to end is unbearable. You're my better half and you Clarke, you make me want to be a better version of myself. You make me want to be good; to do good."

"Then don't enter that arena tomorrow. You can take your post at my side. I'll convince Bellamy to throw someone else in the arena with Fenix. Someone he could easily slay and the day will be over." Clarke closed her eyes for a moment, breathing out an unsteady breath, but when she opens them again, she's met with moonlight cascaded over an emerald green. "I know you say I make you want to be better, and I believe that wholeheartedly, but in the same breath I also know that, that arena is what makes you Lexa. That is what makes you, my Gladiatrix. My beautiful fierce warrior. I don't want you to enter that arena, but I'll understand if you do. I just want you to know that you have a choice in this."

Lexa didn't know how to answer because she knew she actually didn't have a choice in the matter. The Emperor has spoken and has made his decision. That was final.

Clarke nodded her head, realizing that Lexa didn't have anything more to say about the matter as of yet. And then the feeling of doubt came and fear soon followed. "If you do this, are you sure that you'll be victorious? It's not too late to back out. I can stop all of it. Don't let your pride be the death of you."

"You talk as if you've never seen me fight. I have conquered the arena before and I'll conquer it again. If you must know, and I don't mean to sound jealous, but the fact that he laid a hand on you again is enough motivation for me to give it my all. I'm going to destroy him for that single fact alone."

Clarke perked her eyebrows, eyes widening in the process. "Hmm, that certainly sounds a lot like jealousy, Lexa. Do you feel threatened? Is that what it is? Is that why you are so adamant to enter the Colosseum?"

Lexa guffawed, shaking her head a ridiculous number of times. "Threatened? By a washed-up soldier turned General with the duties of a scribe? Please." Lexa shook her head again, laughing an unhumorous laugh. "What is there to be threatened by?"

"The history we share. That's what threatens you, isn't it? You can't fool me, Lexa. Not even on your best days." Clarke placed her palms on Lexa's chest, bringing their faces closer to each other in the process. "If you want to kill him for the fact that I have a history with him, then it's a ridiculous excuse. Because history is exactly what it is. I'm here with you, not him. And here is where I'll be as long as you'll have me."

Lexa felt like a fool herself then. Clarke was right, it was history. "Perhaps I was a little threatened. But only because of the fact that I was under the firm belief that he was here in Rome with you while I was away. Truthfully, I didn't expect to find you waiting for me."

"I'm convinced that I will always wait for you, Lexa. Don't get me wrong, I do care for him platonically, but definitely not in the same way I care for you. You're the one I love and he's a bump in the road. Forget about the arena, stay out of it. You don't have to slay him for something he will never have again. Chances are that he'll return to Hadrian's Wall, and neither of us will see him again."

Clarke was grasping for a shred of mercy in Lexa. The same mercy Lexa showed Josephine over a year ago but it never comes. That mercy was gone. "I can't do that, Clarke. I gave my word to enter the Colosseum and to finish the fight; whether I am victorious or not. And you just have to accept that." Lexa dropped her hands from Clarke's hips, feeling that her touch would likely be unwelcomed after the statement.

"I understand. You have already set that incredible mind of yours to it and I will not intervene. You do what you have to. If it is to rid Rome of him, so be it. If it is to rid Rome of yourself, then so be it. For now, I'll cherish every moment I have with you."

Lexa on the other hand wished she could say the magical words that would convince Clarke that Rome wouldn't be rid of her so soon, but she's unable to find them. Because the truth was that she had never seen Fenix in combat once and he may be an equal match, or better. And if he's better, then it's the will of the gods and she'll accept it if her time comes.

She would accept it if her pride and honor were to be the cause of her death.

Clarke was the first to initiate a kiss, noticing that Lexa was falling dangerously deep into her own thoughts. "Do you want to stay the night or are you still insistent to leave?" The Empress wanted her to stay just to feel Lexa's warm embrace until the sun would rise and inevitably tear them apart again.

"For tonight, I'll do whatever you want me to do. If you want me gone, I'll go. I wouldn't take it personally." Clarke doesn't answer, instead, she takes Lexa by the hand and leads her to bed where they lay down side by side. Engaging in a cold war of tongues and hums, they strip each other down until only their undergarments remain and that's where the clash ends.

The evening of sorrow ends with Clarke wrapping her arms around Lexa from behind; a slight deviation from the normal routine, but surely welcomed. The balcony door is left open that night, allowing the cold breeze to settle and for the lonely wolf's howl to reach them; announcing that it was no longer alone, but with its mate again.

Another night passes where Lexa doesn't dream of Egypt and she knows Clarke is to thank for it.

When morning comes and yellow sun rays peek through the ajar balcony door, Lexa is already awake and slipping on her second greave. Her gold-plated bracers still laid on the table shining in the little sun that reached them and her body armour still laid bunched up where she dropped it the previous night.

The Empress on the other hand only had her bare shoulders exposed from the lavish furs that surrounded her, still in deep sleep. It makes Lexa smile to herself, finding glee in the fact that Clarke's sleeping patterns were still the same. If no one wakes her she would sleep until midday.

A knock sounded at the door and an annoyed female voice followed from the other side, seemingly cursing herself for struggling. When Lexa swings the door open without a second thought, she finds a disheveled Raven with a tray in each hand. "Well, don't just stand there and stare at me like a sheep, take one, these are heavy."

Without another warning, Raven drops one of the trays in Lexa's arms that she extends just in time. She gasps at first, relieved that she catches it, and then Lexa turns ready to curse Raven but lucky for her, Clarke was still asleep, so she refrains.

"A good morning to you too, maiden." Lexa grunts, setting down her tray next to the one Raven already put down. Her stomach growled at the scent of the food when it finally hits her senses. It dawns on her then; she hadn't eaten in a whole day and it should be alarming but there were days in Egypt that they didn't eat for three or four days at a time.

"Raven works just fine, Lexa. Care to tell me why Clarke isn't awake yet? The event starts in two hours; at this rate, she's going to be late." Raven moves farther into the room, heading straight toward the bed to wake Clarke from her peaceful slumber that Lexa tried so hard to conserve.

"My apologies, Raven. I wasn't sure what the time was. The city is still quiet which made me assume that there was still plentiful time." Not feeling the need to ask for permission, Lexa digs into the sliced fruits first, craving to feel the sugar in her veins. She needed energy. "Besides, have you considered the fact that she might not want to attend? Leave her be. You know this type of event isn't what she enjoys attending."

It was a tall order, and Lexa was hopeful that Raven would accept it. To at least understand where she was coming from. Hopeful that the maiden would catch the hint she threw in her direction. It would definitely be better if Clarke didn't have to witness the battle today; whichever way it was going to go.

Raven halted in her step, slowly turning around and tip-toeing back toward where Lexa stood as she mouthed an 'oh, right'. "You actually mean she doesn't enjoy watching two people she cares about go at each other's throats. Good point. Between you and I though, my coin is on you. I didn't even think that poor fool survived Hadrian's Wall. Now he wants to fight you?"

Raven crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head in the process. Lexa looked down to the slightly shorter woman, wondering when exactly things became informal between them. She was away for a long time and now she returns to a maiden that talks to her as if they hadn't missed a single day between then and now. Not that they were friendly before either.

"How does our royalty feel about the ordeal anyway? Has she cursed yet, or did you just fuck all your frustrations out? Clarke definitely understands that language. Not that I would judge, I'm rather envious." Lexa quirked her eyebrow at the maiden, her mouth halting mid-chew as well. Raven was definitely acting far too comfortable with the questions she asked.

"Right, none of my concern." At this point, Raven was having a conversation with herself as Lexa continued to indulge in the plates of food. She was hungrier than she expected herself to be and ignoring Raven was easier than anticipated as well.

"She'll be okay in time. She's strong, I know that much. With friends like you and my sister ... Clarke has everything she needs." Lexa shoveled one last piece of meat into her mouth, before filling a cup of lemon water and immediately drinking it. "Don't wake her. It will be better if she doesn't see this."

After tightening the last bracer around her arm, Lexa retrieved her armour and weapons belt, clutching it underneath her arm before taking one last glance at the bed where Clarke still laid peacefully. "Have a good day maiden." And with that, Lexa exited into the halls, receiving a glare from the statue of Apollo as any other time they made eye contact.

He was such a judgmental bastard; as were all the statues in the palace. None ever looked satisfied with anything. Why couldn't the gods be sculpted in a more ... friendly way? Nothing teethy, just a grin at least. Lexa chuckled to herself as the notion crossed her mind.

The halls still remained empty, void of any servants but the exotic birds in the atrium were awake and cheerful already. Lexa leaned her shoulder against the marble pillar after resting her body armour against it as well and after a minute or two she absentmindedly fastened her dual-wield weapons belt around her waist over the belt of dark leather tassets.

It was a nice day outside, considering all aspects. Blood would later run the Colosseum sands red but nature wasn't upset by it. In fact, it carried on as usual, flourished even. "Natura non constritatur." She says to herself aloud, her eyes following a blue bird gliding from one branch to the next.

"Why should it be?" A male voice answers from across the atrium, a smug grin coating the speaker's lips. "You're here awfully early, unarmoured and alone. I do not recall you having a room in the palace anymore."

The reply catches Lexa by surprise, not expecting to find anyone else at the atrium. Especially not him. "Salve, Emperor. I just came to see if the Empress needed anything before I would go to the Colosseum, you know, old habits. On my way out of the palace, I figured I would stop here and enjoy the scenery."

Blake's eyes dropped down to the armour that rested against the marble column, then went back to Lexa's gaze, wordlessly questioning why her armour was next to her, and not on her body. "My weapons belt, it was pinching me. To make it all fit well, I have to remove my armour and reposition the belt." It wasn't a complete lie; the pinching has happened before, just not today.

Clarke's words from the previous night swam in Lexa's mind. 'The Emperor has made me aware that I can be with whomever I want without consequence.' With a much clearer mind this morning, Lexa couldn't get herself to find any truth in the statement. Blake wouldn't give up a chance at Clarke's power like that. There certainly was fine print to the deal.

And Lexa wasn't about to confess that she was actually spending the night with Clarke, not until it was completely safe to admit it. Which she fears would actually be never. Not while Blake ruled. Lexa made a mental note to discuss this with Clarke at a later stage; that they shouldn't reveal what they share in front of anybody. No matter what empty promises Blake makes.

"I see. I wouldn't know much of that I suppose. I prefer the shoulder belts over the waist belts." Lexa only hummed in reply, shuffling on her feet awkwardly. "So, are you ready for your match today? Confident in your capabilities?"

"Yes sir. Today is a good enough day than any to spill blood."

"Good, because I have a proposition for you. One very confidential but I believe I can trust you with this. Your loyalty to the Empire is unmatched." Blake strolled around the atrium, his hands behind his back and his eyes firmly fixed on the multi-colored tiles underneath his feet.

He was clad in a white formal toga with a red sash hanging over his shoulder and a newly crafted golden olive branch wreath sat atop his head among his natural black curls. His face was freshly shaved, accentuating his strong jaw and no longer sporting a full stubble.

"For extra motivation, I'm prepared to pay you five thousand aurei to rid me of that pest. I want you to assure me that the only way he leaves that arena is by death. Do we have an understanding, Alexandria? I know your style, when the most pivotal battles come around you show mercy. I don't want you to make that mistake today."

Lexa almost choked on her own saliva by the mere sound of the request of assurance. Why was he willing to pay for the death of his supposed 'most prized protector of Rome'? "Forgive me for asking, sir, but is he not your General? A fine friend, even. Your most prized man, I recall you saying."

Bellamy audibly scoffed, shaking his head as a spiteful grin made itself home on his lips. "Please, he's a thorn in my side. From Emperor to you, my Senator, the Empress does not need another suitor, and this man has had the privilege before, and he is not to have it again if he hasn't slithered his way in again already. I wish to propose the same deal to you that your previous Emperor did: No man is to enter her quarters. I will double your pay if you would choose to be her guard again, under the condition that you report to me the ones that warm her bed."

Oh, the fates, were you as cruel as I originally thought? Or are you only a friend in disguise? Lexa finds herself asking such in her head as she looked up to the heavens that shined through the atriums' open roof. He knew of the affair Clarke had with Fenix years ago and he wasn't willing to take any chances with his return. Beyond that, Blake was indeed lying to Clarke about being free. She would never be free, and that much was evident now.

"What do you say, Senator? I know from our conversation some time ago that you and the Empress aren't too fond of each other, loathe was the word used I believe, so if you require triple the pay, then I'm willing to raise it to that. Seeing that the death of this lover may make things a little uncomfortable." Lexa fixed her gaze on the man that stood next to her while he watched the birds joyously fly around.

"Triple? For that, how could I turn you down?" He was keeping her as a Senator, and if that wasn't bribery enough for her services, Bellamy was clearly sure that the triple pay would do the trick. But he was such an oblivious man that Lexa almost wanted to chew her own wrists off. "I'll do as you ask, Emperor." By accepting, she keeps herself clear of his suspicions, which seemed to be the best move for now.

"I knew you would accept." Too friendly for her taste, Bellamy pats her on the shoulder with his hand full of large golden rings. "Soldiers as loyal as you is what this Empire needs. Perhaps at a later stage, I could beseech you to train some of the Praetorian, in not only loyalty but also in the more unorthodox ways of fighting as the Gladiators do."

Did he mean throwing sand in one's opponent's eyes? Or the part where one would use one's teeth? Either way, his stereotyping was tedious. Gladiators pride themselves in the way they fight, unorthodox or not. "Perhaps at a later stage, yes. But if you would excuse me, I must go sharpen my blades in preparation for the battle."

Bellamy tilted his head to the side in acceptance. "I eagerly await your battle. Mars be with you, Alexandria." Lexa didn't reply again, instead, she just picked up her armour and headed toward the front of the palace, neglecting to take the route through the garden as she originally planned.

She made quick work of making it back to Clarke's quarters; the Empress will just have to wake up. With her armour on her body again, and the straps pulled as tightly as possible, Lexa neglects to knock and enters into the room without warning but Clarke's no longer peacefully asleep. Instead, chatter and an adorable chuckle come from the backroom.

"Clarke?"

"Lexa? I thought you already left to the arena."

"I did and then I had a very interesting conversation." Lexa rounded the corner into the back room, finding Clarke completely submerged in her walk-in bath. Gods was she beautiful. Raven was kneeling at the side of the bath with a jar of scented oil. "My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt. But this couldn't wait. Maiden, would you mind?"

Raven quirked an eyebrow at Clarke, asking if she was actually supposed to leave. They were best friends after all; there was nothing she didn't know. But Clarke briefly nods at her in confirmation. "Don't stray too far, you're not done telling me that story."

"And I was just getting to the best part." Raven says annoyed, drying her hands off on a nearby piece of linen. Lexa wondered for a moment if Raven heeded her plea of not waking Clarke, or if the Empress awoke on her own but it wasn't of any importance at this moment.

"Don't take up all the time, she's insistent to be at the arena in time." Lexa wasn't sure if Raven intended to sound so imperious, but she certainly got her point across. No sex.

Lexa kneeled next to the bath, placing her palm on the marble floor to steady herself. "I didn't want to bother you when I left." Clarke glided through the water, exposing her perfect chest above the surface before pulling Lexa's face into a kiss. It was instinctual at this point, to inhale a sharp breath each time she felt Clarke's delicate lips against her own.

"Good morning, can you skip to the important part?" Clarke's dripping hands stayed on Lexa's cheeks, the cold water a sharp contrast against her warm skin.

"Uh— about that conversation we had last night, what Blake told you. I believe it was an attempt to root out the many lovers he expects you to have. See, I was in the atrium and he approached me with an offer. He wishes to reinstate me as your guard, under the same circumstances your father gave me when I just arrived in Rome."

"That no man is authorized to enter my quarters." Clarke dropped her hands from Lexa's face, immediately moving to the steps that lead out of the bath. "That conniving bastard." Lexa extended her hand to Clarke, a sign of chivalry to help her out of the bath which Clarke accepted with a smirk. "And? What else?"

"He made it very clear that he wishes me to kill Fenix. Five thousand aurei clear; he's worried that I may spare his life as I did with Josephine I assume. He's under the impression that you intend to rekindle things with Fenix if you have not already. With that he wishes me to report whoever ... has your eye and regularly visits your quarters with specific intentions." Clarke burst out in full laughter then, wrapping her body in a thicker linen to dry herself.

"So, he wishes you to report yourself? What an idiot." Clarke exited the backroom with Lexa in tow. "Bellamy is so set on you killing Fenix because he's under the impression that I still have an affair with him?" Clarke concludes to herself, plopping down on the foot of her bed. "It's a reasonable doubt I suppose." Clarke states a matter of fact.

Lexa kneeled in front of Clarke, taking her hands into her own. "He's paying for something I would've done anyway, which means he's desperate. If I get the job done, it'll gain me favor with Blake, which is what I need right now. With the reporting order, we can deal with that day by day until we can think of a more permanent solution. I can feed him whatever information I want about someone who supposedly comes to see you. I'll give him enough to keep him satisfied but not enough to actually do something with."

Moving on to the next problem, Lexa raised Clarke's knuckles to her mouth, kissing each hand. "When the kill is made, you need to make a scene. You have to truly seem distraught about his death; beyond the way of just platonically caring for him. Blake is blatantly aware of the history you share with Fenix and you have to substantiate just that. A beautiful love story coming to an end."

"So I have to pretend that you are the one I'm losing."

It shouldn't have sounded so heartbreaking, and Lexa can't help her head from falling at Clarke's question, or statement rather. Even it was for pretense, she didn't want Clarke to have such thoughts. "I suppose so, yes." Lexa moved her hands to Clarke's face, softly stroking her thumb over her cheek.

"And by doing this he'll think that he's winning? That he has some sort of control over me?"

Lexa nodded in confirmation, glad that Clarke already caught on. "That is the idea, yes."

Lexa got to her feet, with Clarke following suit. "Will you be okay with all of this? If it's too much, we can think of something else." Clarke shook her head no, adjusting the linen that wrapped around her body where water droplets were starting to seep through the material. "I'll be just fine. I can do it. Swear to me that you will be okay though."

Lexa answers with a kiss, drawing Clarke in as close as possible. Their lips move with one another slowly, a confession of assurance and nothing more. "I swear to you, Clarke, I'll be more than perfect if I get to see you after. Now, the people want to see their Empress, and this piece of material just won't do."

Clarke let out a chuckle, jokingly shoving Lexa's chest. "Perhaps I'll go in the nude then and really turn some heads." Lexa's mouth fell agape slightly, wrapping the material around Clarke's body more snugly.

"Over my dead body, literally, I won't be able to look away. On second thought, maybe this material will be fine." Lexa matched Clarke's hearty laugh, reveling in the light of the situation. Even with current events, it was nice to find terrible humor in the middle of it. "I should go."

Clarke stood on her toes then, kissing the branding between Lexa's eyebrows. "For good luck." With an earnest smile from Lexa and a stroke of her hand over Clarke's jaw, she turns to leave. Once the door barely closes behind her, Raven slips back inside.

The Empress moved toward the back room again, returning to where Raven laid down her dress for the day. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I'm just too damn curious for my own good. I won't pry, I just want to ask a question as a concerned friend, that's all."

"Ask away." Clarke did her bindings loosely first before Raven took hold of the material, fixing the shape. "Well, I'm only assuming in saying this, but I remember what you and this guy had, and I doubt that's something that just anyone can forget about. And now you have Lexa."

"Raven can you please just get to the question?"

"Fine, fine, I just figured I'd give an introduction." Clarke tied the simple string over her undergarment next, before Raven brought her blue and white linen dress. "Well, with knowing you're about to lose one today, how does that make you feel?"

Clarke shrugged, adjusting the material slightly. "I don't know. But if you're trying to ask which one I'm choosing today; it's not even a question. It's a shame about Fenix but if he's the price I have to pay for Lexa's life ... I'll pay it every day of the year."

//

The dungeons beneath the Colosseum still smelled the same; foul. Feces still covered the walls and here and there laid dead rats. The fact that the men and women in the cells never got too sick from their living conditions was a complete mystery.

Lexa felt sickened by the idea that Octavia had lived in this filth for a month and the thought only intensified the resentment she already felt toward Blake. Truly these holdings wouldn't even be acceptable for animals, what of humans.

The presumably 'new' Gladiators and Gladiatrices had their arms slung through the bars, watching Lexa closely as she passes them, but she chooses not to make eye contact with any. Lexa considered mentioning the filth to Clarke later, perhaps the Empress could somehow initiate an order that could better the conditions the warriors lived in before their inevitable demise. It was the least Rome could do as payment for their entertainment.

Lexa understood they were technically still slaves but that didn't mean the smell in particular was necessary. Gods the smell was the worst.

It was odd, Lexa thought, as she navigated the halls of the dungeons that would eventually lead her to the drop gate she would exit through. It was odd that she had other's well-being on her mind when she was the one that would march into the arena only a few minutes from now, potentially into her death.

She was more concerned with the wellbeing of her fellow Gladiators than she was of her own.

She wasn't nervous, not like the other times she fought in the Colosseum. Lexa felt calm, assured, and confident. The perfect mixture that would always secure a victory. Lexa gives thanks to the anxieties war brought, because the anxieties one would normally feel before the Colosseum, was nothing compared to imminent battle. This was a breeze.

As Lexa approached the staircase that led up to the drop door, she could hear the roars of the blood-thirsty Romans and as sick as it was, chills grew on her skin. Their cheers and shouts excited her. Clarke was right in what she said the previous day, the Colosseum was indeed like a second home.

And like the Roman mobs, Lexa now too craved for blood. If Blake wants entertainment for his new subjects, then she was going to give them one hell of a show. Almost ritualistically, Lexa lowered her father's helmet over her head, conjuring his might through it.

This helmet won the battle of Danube, four victories in the Colosseum and the battle of Egypt, and it was about to give her another victory. Or so she hoped anyway. Lexa stood in front of the drop gate, waiting for it to be raised.

The musical horns sounded, indicating that the games were officially underway, only then did the feeling of nerves spike, but perhaps this wasn't nerves, but adrenaline rather. Sweet pure adrenaline; a feeling one could easily get addicted to.

Lexa clenched her hands into fists, making the leather straps of her bracers whine under the pressure of her muscles. A handful of men pulled the chains, raising the drop door in front of her ever so slowly. With one last deep breath, Lexa jogs up the crumbling stone stairs and steps into the arena, being greeted immediately by louder cheers.

Elena stood close to the middle of the arena; her blue owl adorned sash gliding in the wind. Her gaze was firmly set on the exit Lexa came through, waiting for the now Gladiatrix to approach. In the distance, Lexa could see Alexandros as well, close to the exit Fenix came out of.

The mobs seized their incoherent cheers and resorted to chanting Lexa's name as if she was someone worth the praise gods and goddesses received. It was clear with whom the crowds favor laid with and it was all the more exhilarating.

"Since when do they allow Greeks in the Colosseum?" Lexa asks, barely audible over the loud cheers, but the message got through to Elena who sarcastically laughed in return.

"Very humorous of you. If they allowed us in your arena more often, a Roman would never win again. It would break all of your fragile little egos." Elena always had the wittiest of comments and Lexa enjoyed each one more than the last. "When they said you were popular in the Colosseum, I must admit I did not expect this."

Lexa nodded her head, looking around at the people who gathered to watch her on the day. She didn't expect this kind of fame and support either. "Lucky for us then. My ego would certainly not survive." Lexa's eye caught on Alexandros, taking the armour Fenix handed him. Elena quickly turned her head as well, catching onto what Lexa was so intently watching.

"Yes, I'm afraid we don't have much time for chatter. As per your new Emperor's decree, armour is no longer allowed and I need to check you for hidden blades; it's strictly swords allowed."

"Are you joking?" Lexa asks rhetorically, already in the process of undoing the clips of her body armour. "No helmet either?" Elena shook her head no, already reaching to take the helmet from Lexa's head to quicken the process.

With shaky hands, Lexa hands over her armour and she instantly feels nude. Her armour was like a second skin and without it, there was no room for error. One miss-step and Fenix could instantly kill her. "This is bullshit."

"No hidden blades?"

Lexa gave Elena a 'really?' expression, dumbfounded that Blake would be as petty to make these rules on such short notice. Nevertheless, Lexa slides a blade from each of her bracers and hands them over to Elena hilt first. "What's next? Should I strip down to the nude?"

"Well, if you'd like to, yes. I know the crowds will certainly enjoy it, but it's not required." Elena adjusted her hold on the body armour, noting that it was much heavier than her own. She wondered how on earth Lexa managed to fight a war while carrying the weight of an ox on her body. These Romans.

"This is it then. It was nice knowing you. I'll have to search for a new Roman to make fun of now." Lexa scoffed at Elena's taunt, shaking her head in the process before extending her arm to the Athenian General. "It shouldn't be too hard, you're all equally hard-headed but finding someone as attractive as you Lexa, might be a little more challenging."

Elena took hold of Lexa's arm, gripping it tightly. They shared an equally bright smile, Lexa still enjoying Elena's snarky comments. "What will I ever do without your inspiring words?"

"Have a very bland death, that's what you'll have." Elena tightened her grip, taking a step closer to Lexa. "All jokes aside, destroy this bastard. Ale is on me after the battle and I expect you to keep me company while I get drunk."

"I'll see you after then. And thank you, for attending I mean. Your support is duly appreciated. A friend like you—"

"Now, now, don't make me cry in front of all these people." Elena patted Lexa's shoulder one last time for good measure. "For the record, I might make a pass at the Empress if you die today." Elena doesn't leave room for argument, but only chuckles when she heads toward the drop door Lexa came out of minutes ago.

Lexa shook her head with a smirk on her lips and furthered toward the center of the arena in a head-on stare with Fenix. Even without his armour, he was a fairly large man. They were almost equal in height, but he was certainly more muscular, brutishly so. Lexa herself didn't lack in the muscle department, but she feared his strength would be much more than her own.

They stopped twenty feet from one another and turned toward the royal balcony as soldiers in formation would. Lexa's eyes immediately fell on Clarke and beside her, Octavia. "Mars, guide my blades today." Lexa whispers to herself, hoping that the god of war hears her plea.

From up on the balcony, Clarke looked down with horror-filled eyes at the two soldiers that were about to fight to the death. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She knew Lexa was more than capable of holding her own, but still the fear of losing her remained.

A servant tried to offer Clarke a chalice of wine but was instantly swatted away. She felt sick to her stomach, fear having fully taken over. Octavia shared a similar state of fear but noticed that Clarke was having a much rougher experience, so she reaches for Clarke's hand. "She'll be fine."

"I hope so."

Bellamy stood at the edge of the royal balcony, raising his hands in the air to quiet the raging crowds. "Today we witness the very first battle of many that will take place in honor of my name! I am pleased to present you with Rome's finest! Let the games begin!"

Lexa turned back toward Fenix, finding him already looking back at her like a predator stalking its prey. He had removed his tunic along with his armour earlier, leaving his upper body completely bare. Only his trousers and tassets remained along with his bracers and greaves.

They stopped again, this time ten feet apart, sizing each other up. "The moment we entered this arena, we became family. It's the way of true Gladiators. One of our legacies will end here today and one's legacy will only become greater." Lexa continued to saunter forward, unsheathing both of her swords before unclipping her weapons belt and dropping it onto the sand along the way.

"So tell me, do you fear me, brother?"

Fenix bared his teeth, tightening his grip on the hilts of his blades, matching Lexa's stalking pace.

"Because you should."

Fenix was the first to lunge but Lexa blocked him off with ease and so the clash of swords began. He was an experienced swordsman and that much was obvious just by the few strikes he made against Lexa. A worthy opponent for sure.

He fought like Maximus fought, slowly yet fast-paced and calculated. He clearly had a good mentor as well. He dodged the attacks he knew he would have difficulty blocking and not once did he place himself in a predicament he knew he wouldn't be able to get himself out of.

Fenix studied Lexa the same way she was studying him. They were testing the waters to see what style each would take up, careful not to reveal too much. Lexa was wrong, Fenix didn't show any sign of emotion. He was fighting with his head and not with his heart.

He was challenging her as a fellow soldier, not as someone he disliked for personal reasons or as someone that was being a threat to his manhood. Perhaps she was the one that underestimated him, and not he her. The sharp cling and dull clang of iron striking against iron continued on for what felt like an eternity as the two soldiers danced in a battle of blades and wit.

"Is it ... true what they ... say?" Fenix grunts between thrusts of his sword toward Lexa. "Are you the ... one that ... the Empress ... screws now?" He was on the offense and Lexa on the defense, making sure she takes firm steps backward every time to assure she doesn't fall over her own feet like a fool.

"So what ... if I am? What is it ... to you?" Lexa retorts, going on the offense this time. She catches him off guard with the sudden change of pace, making him stumble back slightly but he regains his composure quickly.

"I used to ... be you. And once ... I'm done here ... with you ... I'll have her again. Over ... and ... over."

The statement shouldn't have made Lexa smirk, but it does because she recognizes the tactic he was taking up. He was doubting himself. He was resorting to a petty strategy; hoping to throw her off with lewd comments. And it may have worked the day before but for the first time, Lexa felt secure in what she and Clarke shared and a lewd comment or two wasn't going to work.

"You see ... I'm here today ... to make sure you ... don't leave here ... alive. Some very ... powerful people ... no longer want you ... around."

Fenix threw his entire weight at Lexa, knocking her back with his shoulder. His chest heaved as he tried to regulate his breathing. Sweat gathered on his brow and perspiration coated his bare chest. "What are you talking about?"

Lexa matched his labored pace of breathing, twirling her blades in her hands. "Your beloved Emperor, he has put a price on your head. See, he thinks you're the one that will end up in the Empress' bed again." The blood-thirsty mobs voiced their distaste when they realized the two warriors were now only talking, and no longer fighting.

"That bastard, I should've known. And what do you suspect he'll do if he finds out that you're the one screwing her?"

"He's not going to find out, I'm afraid. If and when he does, I'll kill him too."

And just like that, the battle of blades continued. He swung his blades and Lexa ducked under them, but that was exactly what he wanted. When she raises her right sword to thrust it through his shoulder, he swipes again and cuts through her tunic and essentially her skin too.

Lexa winced slightly and backtracked, pressing her palm to the wound. When she raises her hand to see, it's patched with red. It was a superficial wound and Lexa felt like she was back in Polis, training against her biggest competition, Felix. The irony was that Felix sounded a lot like Fenix.

Fenix's glare was mocking and Lexa wanted nothing more than to kick that smug look off of his damned face. He enjoyed the small victory of landing a gash on the Gladiatrix but the fight was far from over.

The settlers of Rome roared with thirst again, and bets were being made far and wide. Emperor Blake watched over the battle with delight, but Clarke on the other hand was at the edge of her seat. Octavia still had her hand over Clarke's hoping to comfort her but on second thought, maybe Octavia was the one that needed the comfort.

By the way things looked now from up on the balcony, things weren't going very well for Lexa but perhaps it was only a matter of time until the tide changes, or so Octavia hoped. Oh gods did she hope Lexa had some sort of plan because Fenix's plan was clear, he was going to wear her down, break her confidence with small things.

"Your opponents must have been terrible; look at you, already bleeding like a pig being slaughtered. Lay down your blade's girl, take your death with open arms. Spare us both the time and hassle."

"You sure do talk a lot, if I were Clarke, I'd try to forget you as well." Two can play at the game of pettiness. Except Lexa was successful in her attempt to strike a very sensitive chord.

Fenix charged her down then, like a Spanish bull that sees red and there was no stopping him. When he gets in jumping range, he lunges, thrusting his sword down on her. With all the might Lexa can muster she raises her own blade and smacks Fenix's sharp iron away from her body.

When Fenix stumbles a bit, Lexa kicks the sword from his hand, but he's too fast and grabs hold of her leg and throws it into the air with the barest of effort; showing off his brute strength.

Lexa's back collided with the hard ground, her head following suit instantly. The wind was knocked from her lungs and she gasped for air that never came. Her head spun and she was pretty sure she was seeing stars. To make matters worse her chest was on fire and she could feel warm blood flow from the gash in her side. "Fuck..."

On the royal balcony, Clarke was standing at the edge of it, digging her nails into the wooden railing. She wanted to shout at Lexa to get up, but she doesn't. She silently prays to whoever may be listening to just do something, anything. Be it Zeus, that he could throw Fenix with a thunderbolt from the sky. Or be it Orcus that could just strip Fenix of his soul right there and then.

Clarke watched as a tired Fenix shuffled toward Lexa after stopping and trying to regain his breath, his own fatigue starting to get the best of him. Just one more thrust of his blade and it would all be over. But that thrust never comes and he doesn't realize the mistake he has made until it's far too late.

Never think it's over until it's actually over.

When the next second passes, Lexa twists and scissor kicks her legs through his and Fenix is on his back, with Lexa on top of him. She wrapped her hands around his neck, squeezing. She was blinded by rage, putting all of her strength into her arms and hands. She was pretty sure her own face was turning a strange color with the effort she enforced.

Fenix clawed at her wrists to loosen them but the attempt was unsuccessful, so he moves to the next tactic, punching her in the gut. He lands a few blows but to no avail does she budge, that is until his fist lands on the gash he made earlier and Lexa winces.

However, in retaliation Lexa tightened her fingers around his neck, pushing down on his windpipe with her palms. She could see the color drain from his face but he continued to swing his fists, every third blow landing on her open wound, but it was too late.

Something else took over Lexa and she has never experienced the sensation before. All of the pain she felt disappeared when a hoarse bellow escapes her chest, almost silencing the mobs. She pulled his neck upward and thrusted it down several times, knocking Fenix's head against the hard soil over and over again.

The cold feeling that slowly slides into her right side doesn't register in her mind immediately, but when it enters for a second time, she knows she couldn't mistake the feeling for anything other than what it was. Cold iron.

Without removing her hands from his neck, Lexa looks down to where the cold feeling came from and finds the hilt of a small dagger protruding from her side. For a moment she feels queasy, then shocked, and finally the last of her rage surged through her veins.

So much for no hidden blades.

Lexa pushed down on his neck with all of her weight until a strange cracking noise came from beneath her and Fenix stopped moving. Blank eyes stared back at her and Lexa stayed in position for a while, not loosening her hold on him. When she manages to yank herself out of her tunnel-like vision state, Lexa collapses next to Fenix's lifeless body.

A shrieking scream echoes over the barren arena sands, drawing the attention of all attending the games. The sound was heart-shattering to hear and Lexa knows where it's coming from. Gods, she asked for it. But she supposes the blade sticking out of her side isn't helping the case either.

The authenticity of Clarke's shriek would definitely not be questioned.

"Lift this door faster or may the gods help you!" Elena's commanding voice rang out from the door she exited the arena into earlier and by the time the door is up completely, she's already sprinting across the grounds.

Without thinking twice about the matter of the sand embedding itself in her knees, Elena drops and slides to Lexa's side and presses her own hand over the wound that blood freely flowed from. "Oh, fuck..." She curses.

"How bad is it?"

"Uh—" Elena chokes, deciding that awkward humor would suffice best in this situation. "It's barely a scratch."

Relieved, or she thinks its relief, Lexa exhales and closes her eyes for a moment. When her eyes open again, Octavia is next to her as well and Valentina is vigorously throwing things around as she tries to subdue the bleeding,

Lexa blinked again, but when she opens her eyes, her arms are slung over two pairs of strong shoulders and she's being dragged through the dungeons. She hears an annoyed grunt followed by "How in the seven hells is she so heavy? What do you Romans eat?" Elena, of course, never a dull moment in her presence.

With another blink, more time disappears.

//

Clarke marched into Octavia's villa, shunning the Praetorian that followed her around like lost pups. Bellamy tried to speak with her when the battle concluded and Lexa was carried out of the arena, but Clarke used a terribly harsh tone on him as well, making him recoil immediately.

The Empress was on a warpath that led nowhere since there was no one to wage a war against. The person responsible for her distress laid close to the center of the arena with purple finger marks around his neck. And the person Clarke was most worried about laid somewhere in this villa that acted like a maze.

Clarke heard a voice spewing demands faster than anyone could possibly act and the Empress could only tie that voice to one person and that was Valentina. Elena stood in the hallway Clarke jogged into and her once blue owl adorned sash was now colored in an odd shade of purple. Dried blood.

The Athenian General had her thumb nail in her mouth, nervously chewing at it as she paced the thin hallway, occasionally looking into the room when she gathers enough courage to do so. She wasn't squeamish of blood, but when it's a friend's blood, it was different.

Elena had lost many friends throughout her life, to blades, to spears, to daggers, to arrows or even to poison, and it never got easier. The two punctures Lexa had in her side looked to be deep and by the sound of her yelp when Valentina pulled the dagger out, Lexa had started to feel its depth as well.

Clarke walked right past Elena but was stopped in her tracks when the General took hold of her wrist, pulling her back out of the room. "My deepest apologies, Empress, but this isn't something you should see. Your feelings are only going to get you in the way. Let your healer do what she must."

She just wanted to see Lexa, to hear her voice, or at least to see if she was still breathing. Clarke just wanted some sort of assurance but she knew Elena was right. She was only going to get in the way, and she was far too unsteady to be of any help. Even with her not-so-limited knowledge of healing.

"If it's any consolation, she's a very strong soul, but I'm sure you know that. She's too stubborn to succumb to death. My words don't mean much but I have faith in the gods. Your General has much more to do for Rome before her fight is over."

Clarke struggled to let all of Elena's words into her mind, to process them. Elena was right again though; Lexa was strong and truly Clarke liked to believe that Lexa had much more to offer Rome before her days would come to an end, but most importantly there was so much more they had to offer one another. Things they were still to experience for the first time.

"I have to see her at least." Going against the fact that she will only get in the way, Clarke goes into the room anyway. Her selfish reasons rose above logic and she was fine with that much. But Clarke wasn't prepared for the sight she was presented with.

Lexa laid on her left side on top of a wooden table, the top half of her body bare except for the bindings. Thick trails of blood ran down the side of her back, over the tattoo she received in Egypt. A tattoo Clarke couldn't help admit was among the nicest designs she had ever seen on a person; not that she had seen that many in her life.

Valentina stood in front of the table, barking obscene orders to assisting healers and poor Octavia whose hands shook more than anything else. Valentina threaded a fishhook-like needle through Lexa's skin, one puncture looking more painful than the last.

A thin layer of perspiration coated Lexa's skin but she wasn't moving, nor was she moaning any sort of protests. Her head laid atop her left bicep, using it as a makeshift pillow, not that it would be of any comfort in her unconscious state.

The Empress slowly approached, unable to peel her eyes away from the two gashes in Lexa's side, one now sewn shut and the other only half way closed. Clarke didn't speak, not wanting to interrupt Valentina's vigorous movements and critical thinking. Let the healer do what she must. It was simple.

Easier said than done though.

Out of its own volition, Clarke's hand moved and took hold of Lexa's that extended past her head. It didn't feel like it always felt, it was cold and moist. Her hand was coated in dried blood and flecks of undried blood, it now transferring onto the Empress' hand. The care Clarke thought she still had for Fenix was gone, replaced with a dark and deep resentment. If she could, she would've revived him and killed him all over again for what he's done.

"She's in and out of it and I can't swear anything but I believe Fortuna was on her side today. I worked as fast as I could and the stitches will hold but beyond that, I'm afraid I can't do much more. Whether he punctured something vital, I can't yet tell, not that it would matter, but it doesn't look like it. The skin around the punctures hasn't discolored so that's a good sign."

Valentina threaded the needle through one last time before cutting the thread with the dagger that was once protruding from Lexa. "Blade wasn't poisoned either. Just normal iron." Valentina waved her hand to a young girl that stood more to the side of the room and with a quick motion, the girl held a silver bowl filled with water in front of Valentina.

The needle, dagger, and anything else covered in blood were discarded into the bowl for washing and the young girl disappeared from the room. "When she wakes, send for me. It might be a while though."

In another blink of an eye, the only people that remained were Octavia and Clarke alongside an unconscious Lexa. Clarke wished there was something she could do, but she was helpless. Everyone was helpless from here on out and Lexa's fate remained in the hands of the gods.

The same gods that have been cruel to her for more than a year now.

Chapter Text

I have officially posted the first part to my latest idea. How well I executed it though, remains to be seen. Go have a look if the following description peaks your interests.

A Rose By Any Other Name (Would Still Smell As Sweet)

What someone or something is called does not change their innate characteristics or attributes.
- by William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet.

There never was a dull day at Interpol but when a stack of twenty-seven particularly interesting cases falls on the desk of Agent Clarke Griffin; not only her day changes but her entire life changes.

Members of very influential families were being killed off one by one and that included suspected corrupt politicians. Each murder had more flare than the last and each case had one thing in common; there were no suspects.

But Agent Griffin had her own suspicions, and she was willing to bet her entire career on the fact that it was one singular woman responsible for all of them. The problem was that only six known female assassins were in existence the past twenty years and four of the six were dead, and the other two were too old to still be in the trade.

So once again, Agent Griffin fell back to square one. That is until she bumps into a dashing brunette woman in a French bar who is in desperate need of learning some manners.

The green-eyed brunette piques Clarke's interests almost instantly and it doesn't take her long to realize that there is something extremely peculiar about the woman. Though, she decides to leave her criticism and critical analysis behind for the night and falls for the brunette's perfect charms instead.

There was only one singular problem with the perky brunette; she was a psychopath in disguise. However, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

Chapter Text

Octavia casually strolled through the Flavian Palace, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword and the shifting of her metal armour being the only noise that sounds in the hall. It had been six days since the fight in the Colosseum, and Lexa still wasn't fully lucid.

She hadn't been in the room Lexa lays in simply because she absolutely hated seeing her sister so weak and depleted. Perhaps it was selfish that she wasn't going to see Lexa, but the feeling of so much helplessness was and will always be hellish.

Octavia passed a few people on her way to Clarke's quarters, only recognizing a few but they weren't slaves; far from. The past two- or three days members of the Collegium littered the halls, for what reason though, Octavia wasn't sure, and she wasn't about to ask why either.

The Empress on the other hand has been coping with her irritability and 'forced' confinement to her room in her own way by taking up a stroll on a road of destruction, leaving only rubble in her wake. Metaphorically of course. She was in the works of doing something, but she wasn't very open about the matter, but it was definitely something big.

After mumbling a few apologies when she bumps into someone by accident, Octavia finally makes it to a clear hall in the palace that only servants occasionally strolled through to bring the Empress whatever she wanted. It was just after early morning, which meant it was time for Octavia's duty that she earned again when Lexa became incapacitated.

It's not that she despised duty or had major issues with it, it was a good excuse to wear her armour and be armed at all times; the issue was all the errands she had to run and Clarke's newly found irritable mood swings. Octavia couldn't blame her for having them, but her days would've certainly been better if the Empress wasn't so sour every day.

Octavia was so lost in her thought that she doesn't even notice Raven coming from the opposite side of the hall. They hadn't spoken more than ten words in the past few days and tension was running high. The Flavian Palace had become their stage for constant drama, and their outbursts toward one another would put the street performers to shame.

If Octavia could find somewhere to hide before the other woman would spot her, she would've, but where does one actually hide in a desolate hallway? Behind a bust of Jupiter? It was too late anyway and the sullen look on Raven's face proved just that.

"I didn't expect to see you here so early. If I did, I would've made myself scarce a long time ago." Raven was bitter and she didn't bother to hide the displeasure in her tone of voice. Raven was hurt and Octavia could see as much, but she too was experiencing heartache and a sense of betrayal.

"I'll make sure to come at a later stage tomorrow. I would just hate to make things uncomfortable for you."

"Uncomfortable? You've done far more than that. You've humiliated me." Both women stood shoulder to shoulder in front of Clarke's door, waiting for the Empress to come out and start whatever havoc she would like to wreak on the day.

"I've humiliated you? You're a hypocrite. I only did to you, what you did to me. You don't get to run around on me and expect me to be fine with it. It's only right that I move on too then don't you think?"

Raven scoffed, knowing Octavia had a good point but it didn't make anything sting less. She made a mistake, one she apologized for, but Octavia didn't want to hear anything of it. "With someone that you didn't even know for more than a few hours, some Greek."

"And what then? That High Priestess of yours is any better?" Octavia slightly raised her voice, unable to stay calm and in control. "What are a few days compared to a few hours? It's the same thing if you ask me. You ran around on me first, Raven. You don't get to be upset with me if I see someone else."

"I apologized! I said I was sorry! I don't know how it happened, but it did. Jupiter strike me dead for it; I apologize for being a simple human. What happened between Luna and I only happened once and you were the first person I told because I regretted it." Raven shuffled on her feet, her eyes starting to sting. "I made a mistake and I don't know what more I should say about it. You're still important to me, Octavia."

Before Octavia could reply the heavy doors in front of them swung open and an annoyed face peeked through. "Is it necessary to yell at one another in front of my door? Just fuck and get it over with. Spare the dramatics and just do the inevitable. This constant banter between the two of you has become tedious. So if you're not going to fuck, then talk through your issues with one another and remain on whatever terrible platonic level you two were initially on."

Sparing a glare in both women's directions, Clarke turns and walks back into her room, scooping up the clay cup her tea was in. "If you can't talk to one another like decent people, should I get you a mediator? I'm sure there's one somewhere in Rome."

Octavia cleared her throat uncomfortably and followed Clarke into her quarters. "No, Clarke, thank you for the consideration though. But I think I've heard all I needed to. Sorry for yelling in front of your door, I think we both got carried away."

Clarke chuckled, taking a seat at the table in the middle of her room. For a split second, she watched the steam rise from her cup before she returned to her original train of thought. "So, how is Lexa today? Any changes? Does Valentina need anything?"

Raven closed the heavy doors behind herself and for the first time in a while, the tension between her and Octavia no longer felt palatable. There was still tension, but not as much as there was before. Maybe the few words they just shared made the smallest of differences. "I was there earlier this morning to see if she needed anything else but she has all she needs. She says there have been no notable changes with Lexa except for color returning to her skin. She's in and out of it, like any other day."

"Does Valentina know why she isn't lucid yet?"

Raven lightly shook her head, clueless on the matter.

"If it's worth anything, Maximus— our father, often told us of the battle of Danube. He said that many soldiers suffered serious wounds and they wouldn't be fully aware of their surroundings for quite some time. Nobody knows why, but it was a common occurrence. Maybe just give her some time; this has been the worst injury she has ever endured. Her body needs rest, and so does her mind."

Clarke nodded her head, taking a deep breath simultaneously. She herself hadn't seen Lexa in four days. She was in supposed mourning of a man she now loathed more than anything else in order to keep Blake off her back. The only times she left her quarters was to conduct official business with opulent families that hoped to gain the favor of the palace.

Other than that, she spent her time in quarters getting frequent visits from the Collegium to discuss future plans. "Tell me, are the same Praetorians still stationed in front of the palace? I don't remember their names. Lucius, I think? And the bald man."

"No, there's no one in front of the palace, only a handful of men traverse the halls. My brother isn't in the city anymore, he left at first light to neighboring cities with most of the Praetorian in tow. He wishes to personally announce his Emperorship to those most important in the Empire."

The news caught Clarke by surprise, immediately making her eyes shoot up to Octavia. No one had told her of this. "You should've started with that, instead of yelling your lungs out at poor Raven in front of my door."

The Empress stood from the chair and grabbed a fistful of her dress' material, heading straight for the door. "Come on then, let's go. If those two idiot Praetorians are gone it means there's likely no one watching me like a child anymore. Which means I can go see Lexa without being questioned about it."

On the other side of the city, very lucid and realistic dreams were haunting Lexa.

Lexa could feel the rustling of long wheat grass strands between her fingertips, the strands occasionally brushing against her legs as well. The fields were healthy, almost ready for harvest which meant the small city will have food for winter.

The sun burned hot on her skin and soon the low chatter of barterers could be heard as she made it into the streets of the small marketplace. Friendly faces smiled back at her as she passed by them, and on occasion she spared a wave at a shy child hiding behind a cart as their parent traded and sold their wares.

After passing through the narrow streets, the gladiatorial academy came into view and the large opening exposed the young and old warriors hard at training. The academy still looked the same way she remembered it, its gray stone walls still standing strong and its proud green banners hanging at the entrance.

A sense of pride washed over Lexa in knowing that Polis was still standing and going on as if tragedy never struck the small city. Her last stop was the vineyard and by the next blink of her eye, she stood under the oak tree, the smell of ripe grapes filling her senses.

She could feel herself smile, her heart fluttering and calmness settling over her troubled soul. Maximus would be proud to see that none of his hard work had gone to waste, and that his daughter finally returned.

Lexa sat down under the tree, lazily drawing her knees up to rest her elbows on them. The sun was setting in the distance, almost directly shinning its very last rays in her eyes. Instinctively she raised her hand to shield herself from the yellow light but there was no need, someone had taken their stance in front of her.

The mysterious figure offered a hand to her, familiar rings bejeweling the slim delicate fingers. "Come, take my hand, it's time to go." With little to no reluctance, feeling safe in the presence of the figure, Lexa extends her own hand, taking hold of the other offered to her.

"Where to?"

Once Lexa gets to her feet, she looks down at the mysterious figure and is met with the brightest of white light. A light much brighter than any fire or star could ever be. "Rome. It's waiting for you."

A harsh breath entered through her nose, almost making her chest ache with the sudden expanse of her lungs. Lexa frantically looked around the room before the ache in her side made the ache in her chest feel like child's play.

She didn't recognize the room she was in and that added to her panic. Just moments ago, she was in Polis and now she was in an unfamiliar room with an overbearing ache in her side. Lexa tried to sit up but with a tremendous groan, she fell back onto the flat surface.

"Hey, hey, don't move."

Lexa's head was spinning and her vision became blurry making her surroundings even more unrecognizable and the voice she heard seemingly came from nowhere. Warm hands clasped over her's, immediately sending a jolt through her body by the sudden touch.

"What ... where am I?" Lexa groans, once again putting in the maximum effort to raise herself up from the surface that felt much softer now.

"Lexa, lay down. Calm down, you're safe." A warm hand cascaded over her face, then suddenly disappeared. Lexa desperately tried to open her eyes again but her efforts were fruitless. She was too weak.

"What do you mean Rome is waiting?"

The figure took hold of her other hand as well, intertwining their fingers. The sun rays were focused on the figure's face, making it impossible to recognize them. "You must be pleased to see Polis again." The figure ignored the previous question.

Lexa peeled her eyes away from the bright light, looking over the vineyard again. She could see children running between the lanes, joyously laughing, trying to catch one another. "I mean yes. It's my home. It's taken me so long to realize but running from it years ago wasn't the right decision."

"You never would've met me then. On second thought, perhaps that would've been better for the both of us."

Lexa snapped her head back to the voice, the sun rays no longer illuminating the figure's face. It was Clarke ... of course it was Clarke. With eyes bluer than the clearest of oceans, skin so fair that it would put any Queen to shame.

"No, you misunderstand. You and I , we would've crossed paths no matter what. The love we share is cosmic. Not even fate could describe it."

"Lexa, are you with us? How do you feel?" A different voice echoed over her and again, she couldn't place it. Her vision remained blurred and the hold on her right hand only tightened. Her hand involuntarily squeezed back, enveloping itself in the warmth.

A cold trail of sweat rolled over her brow, and suddenly her whole body became aware of how cold it actually was. She could hear more rustling take place and colder fingers poking and prodding at where the ache came from. "Stop..." She breathes out, pushing the hand away with as much strength possible.

"Stop please..." Lexa tries again, pushing herself up from where she laid but strong hands she couldn't possibly fight against, ushered her downward again.

Hand in hand the two women walked through the vineyard, occasionally laughing at something the other said. The sun was almost fully set and parents were calling their children home, ready to serve dinner and call it a day.

"If I were to leave you to stay here, would you?"

Lexa looked to her side, furrowing her eyebrows at Clarke confused. "What do you mean leave me here? Where would you be going? We could live here, you know? Away from all the trouble in Rome."

Clarke raised her hand, rubbing her thumb over Lexa's forehead, mirroring the face she was pulling. "Don't do that. Stop frowning, it'll ruin that pretty face of yours." Lexa chuckled, dropping her frown and looking in front of her again, waiting for Clarke to answer.

"I'll always be Empress, Lexa. So, I would go home, to Rome. And I'll leave you to stay here forever. You could be happy every day, care for the crops and train the Gladiators. You'll never feel any heartache again. No pain. Just happiness."

"Happiness?" Lexa questions, coming to a complete halt. "That sounds terribly unlikely if you aren't here. So no, I wouldn't stay here if you were to go. I'll return to Rome at your side without any hesitation. Polis ... it will be perfectly fine without me, but I won't be fine without you."

"Are you sure that's what you want? You're not going to get a choice like this again soon." Lexa doesn't reply, but instead pulls Clarke in for a kiss saying everything words never could.

When Lexa opens her eyes again, she's surrounded by lavish furs and feather pillows. She recognizes this room. It was the room she and Clarke made love in the very first time.

The problem was that she had no clue how she ended up in this room. Lexa looked to her side, peering through the ajar balcony door. The Aventine was busy and going by its day and she laid in bed; alone.

Lexa groaned, grabbing a fistful of the furs as she pushed up from the bed, slinging her muscular legs over the side. She had a dull ache in her side but didn't bother to look what it was. Waking up with aches wasn't odd; years of physical fighting takes its toll. Only when she tries to stand up does she falter and forcibly falls back onto the bed.

Still slightly groggy, she looks down and pulls her tunic up to see, and only then does it all come back in a flash reel of memories; from choking a man to death with her bare hands to getting a blade in her side twice and finally the dream she had of Polis. The sudden realization makes her sink back into the furs, rapidly blinking her eyes.

"You should get back in that bed before the Empress comes back, and kicks both of our arses. Tell me where are you on your way to this time? Polis?" Elena moved to the side of the bed, taking hold of Lexa's legs and placing them back onto the bed, casually draping the furs over her again.

A disgruntled confused look crosses Lexa's face as she watches Elena nonchalantly make these actions. "Nowhere in particular and I'm not a babe, I can get into bed and cover myself, thank you." The words make Elena's head shoot up, her eyes widening slightly.

"You usually don't speak actual words. You only mumble incoherent things." Elena stepped away from the bed, turning her head toward the door. "Empress, get your healer. She's awake; really awake."

Lexa didn't know how much time she has exactly missed but it was clearly quite a bit of a lump sum. Minute passed by minute and Elena incredulously stared at Lexa, curious if her friend was actually lucid this time. "You look like shit."

"Thanks, Elena."

Loud voices came from within the villa, especially from the atriums side before Valentina calmly walked into the room followed by two other men in togas. "You look much better. Your face has color again. How's your side; tolerable?"

Lexa slightly pushed up from the bed again, swinging her legs over the side of it, this time with a hand on her side. "Elena was just telling me I look like shit." Lexa scooted further to the edge of the bed, this time firmly placing her feet on the cold marble floor before attempting to stand. "Tolerable is one word for it, yes, but I refuse to lay here for another minute."

With a heavy grunt, Lexa stood up from the bed, taking hold of Elena's shoulder. "Can I at least just go to the atrium and feel the sun? Then you're welcome to prod at me and scold me for getting up."

Valentina nodded her head, shocked by the fact that the woman was on her feet already. Some gladiators, including her father Maximus, as well as other soldiers, stayed in bed for at least two weeks before they built the nerve to even move more than a few feet. Lexa was clearly different. Or just extremely stubborn.

"Go ahead, if you're up for it and feel confident that you'll make it there, then don't let me stop you."

"Should I carry you? You do weigh as much as a small ox but I think I can do it." Elena joked, a small smile on her lips and a playful glint in her eyes. "It's good to see you up, Lexa. You had me worried." They continued farther down the hall with Lexa hanging onto Elena's shoulder, and awkwardly shuffling along.

"How long has it been?"

Elena hummed, slowly rounding the corner. "A few days."

The backside of the Empress came into view, her arms crossed over her chest and in deep conversation with a woman Lexa had never seen before. Clarke looked disappointed as she looked to the floor, slightly shaking her head. "Send for me or come to see me if your men find anything, I'll be in the throne room. If you can't find me in time, just do what we discussed. This can't wait any longer."

"I'll send more people out today. I think we're close." The woman looked over Clarke's shoulder, meeting Lexa's gaze. "They can't run forever. But until then, we'll keep looking. I believe the Athenian is waiting for you. I'll be in contact, Clarke." With a slight bow of her head, the woman disappears from eyesight.

It was odd to hear anyone address Clarke by her name and not by her title; especially if it was someone that Lexa had never even seen before. Clearly, they were very comfortable with each other. Lexa remembered that it took Clarke many kalends to even allow her to use her name instead of common formality. What made this woman so special?

Clarke pressed one palm to her forehead and rested the other on her hip. She was perplexed over something and she definitely wasn't working through it very well. 

"What's bothering you so much?"

"Those fucking Senators." Clarke growls before she takes the smallest moment to realize who was asking and when she does, her heart spirals. The fact that one person could ignite so much in her, was still indescribable. "You shouldn't be out of bed. Elena did I not tell you to make sure she doesn't try to get up again."

"I tried calling for you, Empress. Besides, I didn't have much say in the matter. She was adamant to get up and your healer had no problem with it." Elena slightly shrugged, turning her head toward Lexa that still held onto her shoulder for dear life itself.

Lexa was confused as to why they were talking around her; why Clarke wasn't directly speaking to her. She didn't recall trying to get up any time before other than a few moments ago. She knows Elena said it had been a few days but she didn't remember any second of it.

"Not even you are getting me back into that bed, Clarke."

Clarke averted her gaze to Lexa, her eyes flickering between the green ones that stared back at her. "You're not trying to run off to Polis again?" Lexa replied with the shake of her head, becoming even more confused. "I'm hardly in walking condition, I doubt I'm capable of running or traveling even. Why are you two asking about Polis? Has something happened?"

The Empress slowly approached until she was in front of Lexa, so close that she could feel the slight layer of heat radiating from Lexa's skin. "No, nothing has happened to it. You've just been talking about it when you wake up for a few fleeting moments ... how do you feel? Do you know where you are?"

"Octavia's villa. And I feel like I have been stabbed twice, Clarke." Lexa knew she dreamt of Polis, or she thinks it was a dream. A very odd dream. Elena slightly nudged Lexa toward a chaise, starting to feel the Gladiatrix beginning to press down all of her weight on the singular shoulder.

After setting Lexa down on a chaise, and Clarke only dumbfoundedly following behind, Elena excuses herself saying she has to go see Alexandros about returning to Greece soon seeing the plague was starting to clear up in Athens.

"I'm sorry for the stupid question. I'm just ... I don't know. At a loss for words. You weren't yourself the last time I saw you, and I haven't been here in a few days and they said you haven't gotten much better. I'm just shocked to see you out of bed and well ... here in front of me."

"How many days ago was the fight?"

"Six."

"Six..." Lexa breathes out. "I've been talking nonsense for six days?"

"I wouldn't say it was nonsense but it was confusing to interpret by anyone that didn't know Polis as well as you do." Clarke got up from her chaise and took a seat next to Lexa, placing a palm on her thigh. "How do you really feel? Are you sure you're okay?"

"I can barely stand on my own, Clarke. How do you think I feel?" Lexa was annoyed, not only by her weakened state but also by the fact that she couldn't remember anything she said over the past few days. It was humiliating and shameful. "I'm sorry. I'm frustrated with myself, not with you."

Clarke kissed the exposed skin of Lexa's shoulder before resting her head on it. "I know. And I'm sorry I wasn't here more often; I should have been. Our new Emperor had Praetorian's watch everything I did, the only privacy I had was on the inside of my quarters. I suppose I was being overly cautious about not coming here. It would've been ... suspicious. Especially since I'm supposed to be mourning the man that did this to you."

"What makes today any different? Tired of mourning?"

A low chuckle came from Clarke as she scooted closer, hooking her arm through Lexa's. "He left the city and I missed you. This was a pleasant surprise to find you awake though, thank you for that. It made my day a lot better."

"If I had it my way, I would've been awake days ago, without spewing a bunch of nonsense about Polis. I'm so embarrassed about it I might blush." Lexa returned a kiss to the top of Clarke's head and readjusted the hand she held on the sharp ache on her side. She wanted to look at it again, to see how bad it exactly was but at the same time, she was afraid to see how it looked. It was going to bet yet another ugly scar to add to her never-ending collection.

"Who was that woman from earlier? Another unlikely friend you made while I was away?"

"Anya, she's an old friend actually. You could say she's in charge of the Collegium. She makes sure the poor are fed and those too rich for their own good pay enough taxes. But right now, she and her ... partner Roan, are searching for the Senators that fled from the city. I heard talks that they may be back in Rome, living in the shadows now that Bellamy has been inaugurated."

Lexa groaned remembering the conversation they had days ago, and even then, she knew that these men wouldn't just stay gone. An arrogant rodent like Finn Collins wouldn't stay away from his food supply; the only way to rid yourself of a pest like him was to exterminate him permanently.

"That would mean that they just missed him then, right? So that gives the collegium a few days to find them. There are only so many places one can hide without funds. If you ask the right people, there's no doubt you could find them. Maybe I could help the collegium in two or three days when I'm better. I'll find that Finn bastard."

"Not so fast, you're lucky to be out of bed. You're not going into the city until I say you can and that's final. You can be as stubborn as you want, but I'm not letting you tear that stitching and possibly bleed to death on dirty streets." Clarke met Lexa in a challenging stare, a playful smile in place.

Lexa matched her with a grin and a large intake of breath. "Very well. As you say, love. I'm too tired to fight you on the matter right now. Would you mind getting Valentina? I'm sure she's eager to look at this wound and hurt me in the process."

"No need to call me, I've been patiently waiting. Why don't you lay down and I'll hurt you as fast as I can." Valentina jokes from the other side of the room. "And then leave you to rest again, right Empress? Lexa is going to rest."

"Yes, of course, Valentina. There's no need to chastise me. Thank you for caring for her, but I must go. I have other things to take care of today while I still can. I'll come by to see if you're awake later." Shamelessly, Clarke slowly leaned over and shared a lingering kiss with Lexa before she exited the villa. And Lexa only finds herself hoping that Octavia or someone is out there waiting for the Empress, and that she hasn't grown so bold as to traversing the streets alone.

Slowly, Lexa lowered herself onto the chaise completely and pulled her tunic up all way to under her bindings, exposing her toned abdomen. Right now, she regretted ever getting out of that bed since the ache in her side was about four times the pain of having one's arm crushed inside of a bracer.

She had been punched, cut, strangled, slammed with a shield at full force, pounded with a mallet-like object on her breastplate, and flying about five feet in the process, but none of that could ever compare to having a dagger plunged into you twice in a row. Lexa almost wished death upon herself instead of enduring this sharp neverending pain.

Valentina's poking and prodding continued for what felt like an eternity and Lexa struggled to keep her winces at bay until she could no longer take it. Though, only a singular tear ran down her cheek followed by a breathy cry. If this is what a stab felt like, then she refuses to enter the Colosseum without armour again.

"It's healing well, I'm surprised and impressed all at the same time. The bruising around the wounds are fairly normal, or I hope so anyway. I'll be very honest with you, this is very new to me. I've never actually seen anyone survive anything like this. You're a big help for the journals I'm busy writing and I assure you the scholars are grateful too. Your pain and suffering is not in vain. This study will help a lot of healers when battle inevitably comes again."

Lexa huffed a breath, wiping at the cold sweat the formed on her brow again. "That oddly makes me feel better. Tell me, did I dream it or did I actually strangle a man to death with my bare hands?"

Valentina suppressed a laugh, changing the wrapping around Lexa's waist carefully, and occasionally adding an oil or two, along with a paste the servant Sabina provided. Valentina was learning healing methods used in Gaul from Sabina, and Sabina was learning pure Roman healing techniques from Valentina, making both women more talented in the art of healing.

"He is very dead, Lexa. They burned his body a few days ago just outside of the city walls. He had a swell turn out of a few men from Hadrian's wall and nothing more. If Fenix brought anything to Roman history, or to his family name, it is pure vile dishonor. If the Colosseum prides itself on anything, it is fairness, integrity, and honor. And the gods will punish anyone that dares to defy that singular law, as they have punished him and spared your life. The people outside in the streets ... you're the only talk among them. You're worshipped, they pray to the gods for your recovery. The offerings at the shrines are ... unbelievable. I'm sure I saw our new Emperor bat an eye in jealousy, and envy even."

Valentina signaled over two male slaves who quickly shimmied themselves under Lexa's arms and raising her up to a standing position. "Come on, let's get you back to bed and I'll tell you about all you've missed. If you would care to hear of course."

With many grunts and whines, they finally make it back into the room and lays Lexa down without much hassle. "Entertain me, Valentina. What is happening beyond these villa walls? Especially considering the inauguration of Blake. Do the people praise him, or has a revolt started yet?"

"Yet? You sound very certain that a revolt will come. So far, it's quiet, the Aventine continues, the palace still stands and the forum still trades. There are no protests. The people seem happier than ever. I might even dare to say they're happier than they ever were under Jake's thumb. I won't say that Blake is receiving praise but he's certainly not hated. Between you and I, we all know the Empire only truly loves their rightful Empress. She is the one that guides and feeds them after all."

Lexa nodded her head best she could, only draping the furs halfway over her body since the heat of Rome was starting to make itself known. She couldn't say that she knew Valentina was right on the front of only the Empress being the face of the Empire, but then again, she has missed over a year of activities in Rome.

And Valentina, the very resourceful woman she is, could probably catch up on everything in a singular day. Lexa had no reason not to believe the healer for the fact that even before Egypt, the people of the Empire praised the ground Clarke walked on. It was perfectly possible that her praise only became more with time, especially since her father was no longer present.

If she could run the Senate into the ground and simultaneously feed all of Italy's people, she really was worthy of praise.

//

Anya and several other men stalked through the grubby Aventine streets after getting word that a few of the Senators may be hiding in one of their very own brothels. How it came to happen, remained to be seen but Anya herself wasn't in the mood for any hassle on the day. And if Roan couldn't effectively look after the brothels, then he was going to feel her wrath later as well.

The beggars and middle-class people of the Aventine all stepped out of the way when they saw the leader of the Collegium approach. She wasn't feared among them, but she was respected, and very much so. There was no valid reason to cross her, but there were always going to be the smaller gangs that would try to get their hands on the wealth she has.

But to this day, none have been successful in getting their hands on it. The memory of the last battle was still firmly and freshly etched into everyone's minds and nobody was about to forget it very soon either. And no one was going to rise up against the Collegium again very fast either.

After turning onto a less crowded street, more a back route than anything else, the high-end brothel came into view. The hidden spotters in the streets saw the Collegium approach much earlier than Anya managed to see all of the pesky spotters, and just like that alerting whistles were shared throughout the streets.

Even as pesky as the spotters were, seeing and hearing them was a good sign. It meant that someone important was inside of the establishment so they were finally on the right track. Anya watched a young man run into the building, desperate to get to whoever was hiding inside.

Anya waved her hand through the air, once to the left, once to the right, and finally once straight ahead. As if rehearsed, two men branched out to the left, two to the right and the remaining three stayed behind her as they made their way through the front door. The men that branched out would cover the other two exits.

Loud panicked steps echoed from the wooden second floor and Anya couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips. Someone was here and they were about to make her a lot of money. The Empress was paying a lot of aurei for each Senator that would be either brought to her alive or just immediately disposed of.

The tattered wooden planks of the stairs creaked under their heavy steps as the collegium drew their weapons and prepared themselves for whatever they may find on the second floor. At the sight of the weapons, the women in the narrow hallway all screamed in fear and squirmed into whatever open room available. After scanning each and every room and finding nobody of importance, they reach the end of the hall and the very last room.

Anya pushed down on the door clicker and attempted to sway it open but soon realized that it was blocked from the inside. "Open the door you fools! I own this place; I wouldn't mind busting this door down! And believe me, when I do come through here, I'm going to kill the lot of you! If you open the door willingly, you'll maybe live to see another day!"

More panicked yelling came from inside the room, seemingly sounding like debating if the door should be opened or not. They were being real senator-like with their lengthy discussion and Anya was becoming impatient; she didn't have all day.

"I'm counting to ten, then we're coming through! ūnus, duo, trēs, quattuor—"

The discussion inside the room ceased suddenly followed by a loud drop making Anya step away from the door trying to figure out what had just happened. Movement started up once again and a heavy object was pushed away from the door before a weary Senator opened it, slightly peeking his head through.

Anya didn't give the man a minute to come to terms with how many were waiting to enter the room and the next thing he knew, the heavy wooden door was kicked right into his body, sending him flying back into the room and the door following suit right behind.

A clear struggle took place when Anya and the three men of the Collegium eagerly pushed into the room, barely giving each other a chance to go in one by one. "If the long-haired one is here, spare him, she doesn't want him dead! Kill the rest!" Her initial plan was to take all of them to Clarke alive, but her patience wearied thin already, so that plan went out of the window.

What the Collegium wasn't expecting to find however was an already bleeding Senator on the dirty brothel floor, his blood already starting to seep into the planks, and just like that Anya's original plan fell into motion; to spare them. "Stop! Restrain them. The Empress would want to know about this. Let her decide their fate once and for all."

After tearing cloth from nearby bedding the Senators were gagged and bound while Anya kneeled next to the man bleeding on the floor. It was the long-haired man, the one named Finn, the one Clarke wanted alive. Anya leaned forward, resting her head against his chest to try and hear if his heart was still beating, which it was, but extremely faintly.

"You, get the men outside." Anya orders a large man waiting for his next task. "Let them take hold of some of these Senators and the two of you, carry this one. We're going to the throne room. Pull bags or pillowcases over their heads, we don't want the public to see their faces."

The man nodded his head, immediately descending the steps and it wasn't long before the other members of the Collegium pushed into the room as well, already hoisting up Finn over their shoulders. After bagging each man's head, they were ushered out of the room and back onto the busy streets.

Low whispers came from those that watched the now poorly dressed Senators being dragged through the streets. But little to none of them knew that these men were actually Senators and not low plebs like them. All of them only assumed that they were criminals being towed away to the dungeons only to face justice in the coming week or two.

Settlers stopped to stare as the men were hauled through the streets, one more curious than the last. Eventually, they reached the Flavian palace, dragging each man up the stairs and through the halls toward the throne room, once again receiving curious stares from the remaining servants.

A hard look was plastered onto Anya's face, a bit of blood covering her hands and wrists, sweat starting to matte some short hairs to her head. Clarke stood in front of the throne that used to belong to her father, her back turned to where the leader of the Collegium was approaching. She seemed to be signing many documents, ones Anya found herself curious of.

Upon hearing the struggle of the many men that approached, Clarke slightly turned her head, finally laying her eyes on one of her greatest fortunes of the day. Among the only problems that still remained in order to completely clean her slate of trouble.

With a dismissive wave, everyone in the room disappeared except the Collegium and their hostages. "I bring you what you requested, Empress. Do with them what you please." Anya flicked her fingers over her shoulder, wordlessly ordering the two men carrying Finn forward. "I'm not sure what happened to this one, but I have a fair suspicion his brothers stabbed him before I gained access to the room. Therefore, I brought them to you alive, if you would wish to know why. I myself am fairly curious about the matter."

The Empress descended the three steps, a wicked smile on her lips. She was pleased beyond any words could ever explain. "You never disappoint, do you? I'll have your payment delivered to you within the hour." Clarke passed by Anya, taking a stance in front of Finn, pulling the hood from his head. If her smile could get any bigger, then it would've but it was physically impossible.

He had a bit of a beard now, clearly unkept and his hair was a little longer as well but he still had his boyish features, only slight signs of stress starting to show. Clarke forcefully took hold of his chin, raising it up so they were leveled in gaze. But his eyes could barely open, the loss of blood taking its toll.

"Look at me, I want my face to be the last thing you see before you die like the good for nothing man you are. You're a coward, a treasonous bastard, a worm. I wish my father was here to see this, gods he would've loved to watch you suffer for all of your conspiracy. Tell me, do you remember what I said would happen if you spew another hateful word toward his name?"

A low whisper came from his chest, only barely being able to speak the word. "Empress..."

"I'll remind you, there's no worry. I swore that I will cut your pretty pink hands off and nail them to your mother's door. Let me assure you, Counselor Collins, I'm going to uphold that promise. Today, I will be the commander of death that you insisted I was." Clarke hummed, enjoying his suffering. "Come to think of it, perhaps I have grown into the title after all. The Commander of death, or the mad Empress as you had it."

Clarke turned then, uncaring as of yet why his brothers had stabbed in the first place, but she was going to finish the job. Without any sort of obvious warning, she yanked the dagger from Anya's belt and plunged it into Finn's gut. Once. Twice. Thrice. Fourfold.

When she pulls it back for the very last time, she realizes his head dropped two maybe three plunges ago. Her hands are shaking but not with shock or remorse but with relief rather, finally exerting all of her pent-up frustrations and rage. It was the very first time she took a life and it did not at all feel like she expected it to feel.

Clarke expected to feel guilt, sadness, or physically feeling a part of innocence disappearing, or maybe even ill. But she feels none of those things. Only relief. She realized then why Gladiators killed for sport and entertainment, it felt like an unbearable burden being lifted from one's shoulders. Perhaps it was that, or perhaps it was only the way she experienced her first kill, it being more satisfying because it was personal.

The Empress handed off the dagger to Anya, and shortly after wiped her bloodied hand on the material of her dress. She took a seat on her father's throne, holding her chin up high and resting her arms on the gold-adorned rests. Clarke embodied all the power and hierarchy that the word Empress held, proving that she truly was someone to fear. "Cut his hands off and nail them to his mother's door. She lives across from his villa. And do what you want with the rest of these fools, I really don't care."

Anya was still struggling to compose herself, finding it terribly hard to believe that the Empress was capable of such brutality. She worked under three royal families and no woman had been as brutal before. As shocking as it was, it was good to see. It showed that Clarke was willing to do what needed to be done, and promptly so. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty.

"That will be done, Empress. But are you not curious as to why these men betrayed one of their own?"

Clarke shrugged her shoulders, shaking her head side to side slightly. "Not really. He's a conniving snake, and they probably finally realized that. But have at it, ungag one of them, let's hear it. You're clearly dying to know."

With another gesture, one of the men were unhooded exposing his face and disheveled hair. Clarke recognized him and another smile appeared on her face. Marius. He was part of the treasonous bunch and an overall distasteful man. He was really down on his luck though because Clarke explicitly remembered Lexa saying that he spoke against Jake the day she was inaugurated as a Senator and General.

"Marius. It's so good to see you. Please, entertain us. Why stab and ultimately betray the man that is supposed to be your best friend? A brother even."

A member of the Collegium pulled the gag out of his mouth, making Marius struggle a bit more in frustration. "You're not going to get away with this, you know? Killing us. Emperor Blake will find out and punish you for it. You're dea—" A hard fist connected with his jaw, jerking his head to the side violently.

"That's not what she asked you, cunne. Now speak."

[Cunne means cunt if y'all still remember.]

Marius growled slightly, spitting warm blood to the side and glaring at the man that just assaulted him. "We figured you just wanted him. If he was dead and we killed him it would've been a sign of trust, assurance maybe, that we were willing to be on your side of things. But now, I think we'd rather die than live in whatever turmoil you will bring over Rome. You're unhinged."

Clarke nodded her head. It was a good idea from their side but it would have never worked. If she had it her way, there wouldn't even be a Senate. What were six hundred old men good for anyway? Except for spending all of the palace's taxes on villas, wine, and whores. "Fair enough. You will not see this supposed turmoil. I wish your journey to the Styx long, grueling, and full of suffering."

The Empress directed her gaze to Anya that had a grin on her lips, staring down at the man on his knees. "Are you satisfied now? If yes, take them and dispose of them. I don't want their bodies to ever be found. Bury them far, or burn them. I'll pay extra."

Anya bowed her head slightly in acceptance, grateful that these poor souls were about to make her even more money. Oh, how much she just loved Rome. The thugs were dealt with daily and she was making money off of each one of them. She would've never had this much success in Greece.

"A wish you a good evening, Empress. Call on us if you ever need anything else. Our services are always available to you." With a last bow from each Collegium member to the Empress, they filtered out of the throne room, one singular man flinging Finn over his shoulder, and another pulling a hood over Marius' head again.

When they were all out, Clarke exhaled a heavy breath, settling into the throne. For the first time in her life, she could truly admit that she felt large enough for it; large enough to carry all of the burdens that ruling an Empire brought. Only one thing remained in her way and that was Emperor Bellamy Blake.

"Raven!" She bellows to her side. "Call the cleaners, there's a mess on the floor." After a few minutes, four women rushed in with two jugs of water and tattered cloths along with floor scrubbing brushes.

Raven took her natural stance next to the throne, crossing her arms over her chest while looking at the medium puddle of blood. "What happened there?"

Clarke shook her head in reply. "Nothing extremely important. Do I have any more things to do today? Or am I done?" Raven stayed quiet for a moment, wracking her brain for anything else she was supposed to have the Empress do today but nothing came to mind. "No, I don't think so. Should I have the cooks prepare you supper? Wine?"

"No, I won't be staying in the palace tonight. I'm going to Octavia's villa. Care to join me? I'm sure you and Octavia have some things to talk through, don't you? I must admit I miss spending time with you both simultaneously. I miss my best friends."

Raven sighed defeated, sparing a glance at Clarke hoping by some miraculous way her friend's face would provide her with the courage to face the Gladiatrix once again. For the last time. "Fine, I'll try to talk to her again. I don't have many ideas left on the matter of how to fix things. She's far too stubborn to accept an apology and quite honestly, I don't know what else there is left to do. More apologizing? Or finally admitting that I screwed up and that's the end of it."

Clarke hooked her arm through Raven's pulling her toward the throne room's front door that exits directly into the city. "Maybe, maybe not. But trying one more time can't hurt any more than it has already. I'm still convinced you two should just tear each other's clothing off. I have not been in one relationship where that hasn't worked. You're two very attractive women with the most incredible hearts, I see no reason why this cannot be fixed. You made a mistake and so did she. And as much as I hate to admit it, I like both Luna and Elena. But Luna ... she's not your type of person, and Elena is not Octavia's type of person either. However, whether you and Octavia are each other's people, I don't know, but there's a fairly good chance."

"Ugh— when did my love interests become so complicated? Remember the days when we just use to run through Rome and be with whomever we wanted to be with without any sort of complications? Then you found Lexa— or she found you, however that happened. Then I realized I was deeply in love with her sister ... honestly, I blame you for this, Clarke. Your sudden softness has crawled onto me and now I miraculously actually love somebody."

It was a moment of reminiscence without actually enjoying each memory. She vividly remembered the days she and Raven would have whomever they pleased to have whenever they liked to. But then Lexa entered the picture; this brutish and beautiful Gladiatrix assigned to be nothing more than her personal guard.

Clarke remembered fearing the woman so much that she physically shook at just the thought of being alone with her. Fearing that she may just say the wrong thing and be struck down for it. But then this tenderness appeared and Clarke found herself infatuated with it; infatuated with the underlying softness that Lexa has.

They really have come a far way.

And if Clarke wasn't so taken aback by her friends' sudden admittance of loving someone, she would've wondered what softness Raven was talking about. Clarke was convinced that all of her so-called softness disappeared a long time ago, all between and during becoming the woman she was today. But just like Lexa being the fearless warrior she is, she too was the most tender person in certain situations. 

Clarke supposes in certain situations, she was tender and soft too, especially with Lexa. That was the softness Raven was referring to. But loving Lexa was nothing new, and Raven knew that much. Loving Lexa has been all she's done since the day she sailed off to Egypt. Loving Lexa was something as sure as the sun rising in the morning and then setting in the evening.

"Have you told Octavia how you feel? Honestly admitting that you made a mistake and that she is the one you love. Because Raven, in all honesty, I have never heard you admit that you loved anybody. Sons of dis, have you ever loved somebody?" Clarke focused her eyes on the side of her friend's face while the shadow of flames from the braziers danced over her delicate features.

Raven shook her head, taking a rocking step forward, uncomfortable and unsettled by the thought that she actually loves somebody other than herself. "No, I suppose I haven't. But I will definitely not be telling Octavia. What if she doesn't forgive me for what I did, and I look like the silly fool in love with somebody that would never feel the same about me."

They stopped in front of Octavia's villa and the women came eye to eye, Clarke taking hold of her friends' hands with her own. "Listen to me, as much as I adore Octavia, she would be an absolute fool to not admit that she loves you too. It's painfully obvious, you're both just terribly oblivious. Talk it out or don't, but I really hope you do. If you're not ready to, then that too is fine. But I'm going to go see the woman I love inside of here, and there's a good chance Octavia is here as well. Now is a good enough time as any to talk through this. There is no reason to prolong this heartache of yours."

Raven looked the big doors up and down, considering if she should just say screw all of it. She didn't have anything to lose except for the remaining pride she has left; might as well toss it away if there's only the briefest chance that Clarke was right about Octavia feeling the same way. It was worth a try at least. "What if Elena is here as well, it would make things extremely awkward again."

"She's not. She's with Alexandros. They're preparing to return to Greece soon. Their Monarch sent word that the plague was withering."

"That settles it then, doesn't it?"

A smile coated Clarke's lips, and perhaps even a little sense of pride filled her. "It does." The Empress pushed the heavy door open herself and was immediately greeted by the cozy warmth inside of the villa. Each time she would come here it would feel a little more like a home, a comfortable place to be without any sort of worries. Unlike the palace. It was cold, lonely and it always felt like somebody was watching.

"Clarke— what are you doing here? How did you get here?" Octavia fastened her weapons belt around her waist, clearly on her way out. "You didn't walk here on your own, did you? You know it's not safe."

Clarke considered Octavia's words, she was right, on normal days it wouldn't be safe. But lately things were more ... quiet. Everyone kept to themselves and hardly ever truly bothered her.

"Well, I wasn't completely on my own. Besides, the streets are quiet. I don't even think anybody saw us." Raven rounded the corner, immediately falling under the watchful gaze of the Gladiatrix. "Would you mind if I stay here the night? Lexa and I—"

"Of course. My home is your home." Octavia scanned her eyes over Raven, her heart almost sinking to the floor even as it beat more violently as each second passed. "I was actually on my way out to come and find you. I'm sorry for being late."

"Nothing to be sorry about." Sensing the tension growing in the room, the Empress clears her throat and grabs a fistful of her bloodied dress, hiding the mess before Octavia would notice and ask questions that arent worth asking. "Well, I suppose you two have a lot to talk about. I would hate to be in the way." With one last 'good luck' look in Raven's direction, Clarke glides down the hall toward the room Lexa was in.

"Are you still on your way out or can we talk?"

"Well, it depends. If talking involves more fighting then yes, I am on my way out. I don't have any more fight left in me, Raven. If it's all we're going to do, maybe we should do a better job at avoiding each other and refrain from showing up each other's homes uninvited."

"Fair enough. I'm sorry for just showing up. But I really just want to talk if that's okay with you." Raven took an unsure step forward, but Octavia doesn't move, instead, she inhales a deep breath and stands her ground, darting her eyes between Raven's. "Fine, we can talk. But not here in case this does turn into a fight again. Lexa needs to rest, and our yelling won't allow her to do that."

Coming to reasonable terms, the two women exit the villa and from around the corner the Empress nods her head satisfied with the progress. Talking to each other like decent people was the first part, the next stage is the hard part. Forgiving, but not forgetting, and hopefully moving on from there. Individually or together.

After pushing up from the wall, Clarke continued down the hall. She had always been the curious type and she just couldn't help herself from listening in on whatever the women were going to decide on. She hoped they could sort through their differences because the bond they shared couldn't be mistaken for anything else other than love and adoration. But mistakes were made and the hurt was going to take time to heal.

Lexa halfly laid under the furs, her one leg propped up and her left arm tucked under the pillow while her right firmly held onto some sort of ledger from the scholars. Her fascination with their writings was beyond peculiar but certainly amusing, and Clarke enjoyed teasing her about it. For some sword-wielding warrior, she was far more literate than most in Rome. But not only that, she knew the most interesting tales by heart.

Clarke slipped her feet from her leather sandals and crawled onto the bed the same way a feline would, stalking closer and finally shimmying herself against Lexa's muscular body, and draping an arm over the Gladiatrix's abdomen, careful not to touch her wounds. "What has grasped your interests so tightly that you didn't even hear me coming in?"

"Oh, I heard you all the way from the front door, and then all the way to where you stopped in the hall and leaned against the wall. On whom were you eavesdropping? It's not very polite."

Lexa paged over, removing her arm from underneath the pillow and pulling Clarke closer to her body. "Was it Octavia? And let's see ... Raven? Please tell me you finally got them to talk. If I have to hear one more self-pitying and sad word come from my sister's mouth, I might stand up and run away. Octavia has never been the one person at a time kind of woman, but this Raven has her in a tussle."

Clarke giggled, welcoming the strong arm that embraced and pulled her closer. "Oh, love, they have each other in a tussle. Raven is just as a mess if not more. I think they realize they've met their match and I don't think either of them knows how to deal with it. It's both amusing and frustrating to watch unfold, but I gave Raven some sound advice if talking doesn't work."

Lexa closed the book, tilting her head down as far as possible and quirking an eyebrow. "You? Advice? That's two words I never thought I'd hear in one sentence. Do tell what your sound advice was." A grin made itself home on Clarke's lips, a twinkle in her eye appearing. "Oh no, I know that look. That was no sound advice, you're just up to no good."

"I told her to just you know, tear your sister's clothes off."

"See that's one thought I could've lived my life without. And that's not good advice at all. Remind me to tell everyone about the terrible advice you give once I'm out of this bed. The Empire must know about it before it's too late." A hearty chuckle came out of Clarke's chest. Lexa always had a sense of humor, but never one like this and it was beyond amusing.

Admiringly Lexa held her gaze on Clarke, drowning in the sound of the Empress' laughter. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are? By the gods, I swear that I have not seen anyone that compares to your beauty. And that laugh ... I longed for so long to hear it again." Lexa slightly lifted herself from the bed, gliding her fingers over Clarke's jaw before drawing her in for a kiss.

"I love you; don't you ever foolishly forget it." Lexa repeats the same words she said to Clarke on the day of Blake's inauguration. But her heart was still heavy with unspoken words. "Your eyes hold everything that my soul thirsts for and our lives may not have fit together from the start but my love, our souls danced together from the beginning. I would choose you in a hundred lifetimes, a hundred worlds, and in any version of reality. I will find you and choose you over and over again. By loving and feeling you, nobody can tell me that I haven't touched the stars."

"And you told me you weren't a poet of any sort. I would have to differ."

"I suppose you make me one, my love." Lexa coos, soothing a finger over Clarke's jaw again and this time down her neck, only later halting on her hip. "Are you staying the night?"

"Tonight, and every other one that is still to come.  I might never leave."

Chapter Text

Day passed by day, and days turned to weeks and eventually into a full month. Rome was experiencing explicit peace for the first time in a long time and most importantly, there were absolutely no signs of war in sight. The city's heart was always violently beating during the day and at night it simmered down, about as peaceful as the breathing of someone in slumber.

But in Lexa's case, restful nights came at a price she was unable to pay. What the price was though, she didn't know but it seemed to be insatiable. She tossed and turned most nights, having dreams of Egypt, or nightmares rather. From slaughtering men that had no fighting ability to watching them burn as if they were nothing. And finally, killing Jake.

Under normal circumstances, a soldier would feel regret for killing their Emperor, but Lexa couldn't care any less about his status. Her issue was that her circumstances were far from normal and Jake's death looms over her because he was the father of the woman she loves. His connotations to her personal life were the issue, and deep down Lexa feared that Clarke would never really forgive her for it, no matter what she says, or how much she 'understood'.

Lexa feared that Clarke might loathe her for it someday.

Moreover, she was haunted by the men that looked her in the eye the moment they breathed out their last breath, or those that begged her for mercy. Unfortunately for them, she learned early on in battle that there was no place for mercy. Mercy was the accompanying name of betrayal and or death. Spare one life and it will return the following battle just to attempt to end you again.

Perhaps all these men weren't the root of her nightmares, but rather her father, Maximus. Lexa wondered if he too begged for mercy the day of the attack in Polis, and if whoever drove their blade through him last killed with the same ideals as she had in Egypt.

Mercy was for the weak and uneducated.

On some night Lexa woke in cold sweats, frantically sitting up in bed, reaching for the dagger beneath her pillow and thrusting it into the darkness of night. But just like all the other times ... there was nobody. Only Clarke that immediately sits up and wraps her arms around Lexa from behind, muttering soothing words close to her ear. Always something along the lines of that she just had a nightmare again, or that she was safe and okay.

It was embarrassing each time, to the point where Lexa eventually started to leave and sleep somewhere else the moment Clarke dozed off. The Empress didn't deserve to be kept up all night; especially not when the problem at hand wasn't her fault.

Such went on for some time, never being mentioned when daytime would inevitably come again and both women would act like there was nothing wrong. That is until Lexa tries to slip out again but is stopped by a soft hand wrapping around her wrist.

"You can stay, you know? I know what you're trying to do, or avoid rather, but we can get through it, together. Whether you sleep out there and wake scared and alone, to if you sleep here and wake scared, it won't make a difference. But at least here I'm with you. Please, Lexa, just stay."

"Let me go. It's not fair of me to keep you awake. Please, my love. I don't want this to get to the point of where it becomes so bad that I hurt you in my sleep. I just ... just go back to sleep, Clarke."

When Lexa turns to leave again, hoping that the hand will let go of her, it only tightens and pulls her back harder. "You're not doing this on your own. And I'm afraid to tell you that you'll never be alone in anything again, sorry. I'm stubborn and you're not allowed to be more stubborn than me. So, whether you walk out of here now and go sleep in one of the guest rooms or on one of the chaises in the atrium, I'm coming with you."

Clarke undid her hold, grabbing one of the overthrow fur blankets as she got out of bed, wrapping it around herself in the process. "So? Where are we sleeping tonight? On a nice comfortable bed or under the stars in the atrium; I'm leaving it up to you. I'll be damned if you sleep anywhere alone tonight, or any other night again."

"Why are you this way?" Lexa chuckles, in awe of how anyone could be so darn stubborn and annoying all the while being the most spectacular thing in her life.

"Because I love you." The Empress affirms, glaring at Lexa through the darkness. "Make up your mind. The floor is cold and I know you hate my cold feet; you're only making this harder on yourself."

"I suppose if you put it that way ... a bed would be much better than a chaise. The gods know you sleep me off of a chaise." Lexa was the first to crawl back into bed, flipping open the furs, inviting Clarke back in. "Let's get you warm again."

With a smile in the darkness, the Empress accepts the invitation and makes sure to tangle her entire body with Lexa's, finally resting her head on the brunette's chest. "How are you always this warm? It's ridiculous."

"It almost sounds like you're complaining, that chaise never complains—"

"No, I'm not complaining. Screw that chaise." Clarke slightly shimmied impossibly closer, briefly kissing Lexa's jaw before resettling her ear on a slow and steady heartbeat that seemed like the most beautiful music. "Rest well, love."

That evening Lexa remains in the same position, staring up the ceiling and the beautiful art painted all across it. She studied every single detail possible with the little light that shined into the room from the moon's white shimmer, all the while soothing her fingertips up and down the Empress' shoulder. At some point in the night, she did in fact fall asleep, and this time without any sort of terrors.

//

Before the rays of the sun could fully crawl over the seven hills of Rome, chariots wheeled their way into the large city with the clatter of horse hooves echoing between the buildings and bouncing from wall to wall.

Eager eyes filtered out of their homes curious to see where all the ruckus was coming from and who was riding into the city so early in the morning. It surprised all to see that it was none other than their new Emperor returning from his journey but he wasn't waving at them, his normal smile wasn't there but instead he looked furious.

Many that noticed as much wished a safe journey to the Styx for whoever would fall victim to his merciless fury. Why the Emperor was so disgruntled though, no one was sure but there was no doubt that in just a few hours the morning announcer will tell them of all the developments within the palace and why the Emperor had returned early.

On Aventine hill all were still peacefully asleep, that including the Empress and her loyal guard still tightly wrapped up in one another, unknowing that Blake has returned with an uncanny wrath. One hour passed by the next and slowly the city came to life; its heartbeat gradually starting to increase as it did every day.

Barterers stocked their wares and neighbors greeted one another cheerfully but it wasn't long before word traveled, and soon everyone knew that Emperor Blake was back with all of his Praetorians. Word even traveled that in a few days new young recruits from neighboring cities will come to Rome in order to be sorted into different regions to acquire the skill of being a trained soldier.

To the naked eye and common intuition, it seemed that maybe Rome was preparing for yet another war, but with whom?

In the villa, Lexa was the first to awake from her most peaceful slumber in the past three weeks. She was grateful for the rest, and she was fairly sure her body was as well. With as little rest as she has gotten, it was shocking how well her wounds have been healing.

She pressed a kiss to Clarke's bare shoulder as she does each morning if and when she wakes in the same bed as the Empress. It was ritualistic at this point, and she refused to start her morning in any other way.

Hard footsteps rushed down the hall, instantly making Lexa creek an eye open and slightly peer at the door to see who it was. A disheveled Octavia appeared in the doorway, her chest heaving inside of her loose armour that wasn't buckled tightly onto her at all. "Gods, I hope you two are dressed. Get up! My brother is back and actively searching for Clarke since she's not in her quarters."

With a few curt nods Lexa slightly shakes Clarke till her eyelids flutter open and reveal eyes bluer than the clearest of skies. "Morning, love, Blake has returned. And he's looking for you apparently. It'll be unfortunate if he finds you here in bed with me." Now wasn't the time for the slightest of humor and sarcasm but there really was no other way to deliver the news.

Groggily, the Empress turns onto her back and tries to open her eyes wide enough to actually wake up but as much proves to be more difficult than it should be. "He's what? He's only supposed to be back in three or so weeks. Shit!" When realization finally hits her, she flies out of bed scrounging up her linen dress, and throws it on her body as fast as humanely possible. "Octavia, do you know why he's back?"

"No. A few men came by here asking where you were. They figured I would know since I was last assigned to you."

"And? What did you tell them?"

"I told them I don't know. I can't keep my eyes on you every hour of the day, especially not at night. I said you likely just started your day early and that you were somewhere in the city."

An equally disheveled Raven appeared in the doorway, pushing Octavia out of the way and stumbling her way into the room, directly into Clarke's direction. "Come on, take a seat, we have to make you look presentable and fast. You can take a bath once you've shown your face and have proved that you didn't just wake up with your guard."

Said guard was out of bed already as well, throwing on her tunic after tightening the straps of her greaves around her legs. "I'm right here, you know. Why do you always insist on talking around me, Raven?"

"Sorry, Lexa. I'm just slightly in a state of panic." Raven ran her fingers through Clarke's hair before settling on doing a loose crown braid; at least that way the Empress would look like she took time to ready herself this morning when in fact she was still rubbing sleep from her eyes.

Lexa settled on light leather armour, definitely not feeling up to wearing her full Praetorian armour since it weighed as much as a tiny ox and the healing wound on her side definitely didn't want anything heavy weighing upon it.

With a slight peck to Clarke's lips, Lexa briefly met her eyes giving off the smallest of smiles. "I'll wait for you outside." After another peck, she too was out of the room, closely following behind Octavia to the front of the villa, absent-mindedly watching her sister tighten the last buckles of her armour on the side.

"So what? We're both on duty today? Or are you just coming along because you missed your beloved brother so much?" The taunt earned Lexa a slight jab to her side, luckily the uninjured side.

"To Hades with you. My beloved's brother's arse. I don't like this new Emperor version of himself that he has created. And that is saying a lot because I barely liked him before all of it. You're my family; and my only family. He's just someone I happen to share blood with."

"I know, I was just pulling your leg." Lexa slung an arm over her sister's shoulder before pulling her closer and pressing a chaste kiss to the side of her head. "And I love you."

"Love you too."

It was but a few minutes of small talk between the women before the Empress stepped out of the villa, not even looking for a second like she woke up only moments ago. She was beautiful, close to perfect, and Lexa was sure to let her know as much.

"Why thank you. But you really should thank Raven, she makes all of this possible." Unconsciously, the Empress hooked her arm through her guards' arm, holding onto it as if they were attending some sort of formal social gathering. "Besides, you look rather beautiful yourself, as usual. I do enjoy a woman in armour."

"Your flattery is unnecessary, but thank you." They trekked through the Aventine toward the Palatine, not once coming close to wavering and letting go of one another. "Why do you think Blake is back so soon? Think they denounced him already? I mean I personally believe that it is extremely hard to compete with your father."

"Perhaps. But truthfully, I don't know. I'm not exactly in the mood for whatever it is though. I feel as if it will be rather trivial. He has been trivial his entire life, I doubt any of it has changed in the past few weeks. Maybe someone insulted him and bruised his already fragile ego."

The settlers no longer acted the way they did while the Emperor was away and they were rather edgy again; reaching for the Empress when she passes by them. Seeing so many hands reach out and nothing short of chaos and anarchy ensuing, Lexa grew anxious, frequently reaching for the hilt of her blade but Octavia on the other hand was calm, only occasionally reprimanding someone that would actually come too close.

Perhaps it was the shouting and all of the accompanying loud noises that made the hair rise at the back of her neck, or that hundreds of people flocked toward them with the illusion that it might be thousands. The Roman plebs weren't dangerous people, overbearing perhaps, maybe a little too exuberant but to the eye of a soldier, they in fact were dangerous and nothing more.

Luckily before anything rash could happen, they reached the entrance of the throne room, quickly filtering in one by one with the Empress in the front, her stride oozing nothing but pure power and dominance. Lexa remained next to Octavia, matching her pace, not once letting her eyes drift from Clarke.

It was a different experience to have each and every time her Clarke would transform into thé Empress in a matter of seconds, and later the Empress would transform back into Clarke with the brightest smile and the silliest of jokes, and definitely not to forget her quirky playful taunts.

"Why weren't you in the palace when I arrived?"

"Ruling an Empire, where were you, Emperor? Too busy putting up a show for the different provinces? One might argue that you're behaving yourself like a street performer instead of someone that deserves respect."

"Watch your mouth!" Bellamy's hoarse voice echoed between and through the marble pillars of the throne room. With the heavy and loud bellow, he rises from the throne and hastily descends the stairs until he stands four feet from Clarke and she doesn't recoil, but rather stands her ground confidently.

Lexa took a singular step forward, half of her sword already drawn from its sheath before Octavia's arm swings up, blocking her sister off. "Stand down. He won't do anything; don't make trouble when it's not necessary." It was a low whisper, the look in Octavia's eye showing nothing but surety and perhaps ... warning?

"Or what? You're going to strip me of my title and place your whore on the throne?" Clarke questions, she too raising her voice. "Please, not even you are stupid enough to do that." Grabbing a fistful of her dress, the Empress swiftly passes by Blake and takes a seat on the throne that once belonged to her mother. "It's baffling really how you couldn't even have the decency to tell me that you were leaving and selling yourself off to people that could never make an actual contribution to your reign. I'm starting to wonder if you even know the first thing about ruling an Empire. My father is probably turning in his grave."

A hushed laugh came from a nearby Praetorian; one none other than Lincoln Falco himself.

"How dare you speak to me that way? I will—"

"Will what, you pathetic man."

With a low growl, Bellamy turns to Lexa, signaling her over with the flick of his head. Shocked and quite unsuspecting of the order, Lexa approaches wearily, trying to understand what might happen next. "Emperor...?"

"Did you do as I asked of you?"

"I'm not sure I know what you're referring to—"

"Her lovers, who are they?" Blake cuts off, drilling his eyes into hers. "Answer me! Who are they!"

A grin appeared on the Empress's lips, only watching on as the Emperor tries to make his power play; but there was absolutely no play to make because he was talking to her one and only lover.

"I uhm—" Lexa spared a glance to Clarke before trying to focus her eyes on Bellamy alone. "Well, I killed Fenix as you ordered me to, sir. The other— I'm not sure where he is."

Clarke slightly tipped her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowing in the process. What was Lexa's play?

"Who is he?"

"Your counselor, sir. Finn Collins of the house Cato. He has been her lover since my arrival to Rome over two years ago. I only realized recently found out that they were still seeing one another."

Smart, Clarke thinks. Bellamy would be running around in circles chasing his own tail since Finn was already indisposed of. Lexa surely knew when to be deviant. The Emperor's jaw flexed under his stubble, his disgruntled look only intensifying by the second. It was the look of betrayal; the feeling of betrayal that one's best friend could stab you in the back so deeply, repetitively even.

Blake turned to the Empress, furrowing his eyebrows, his hands on his hips. "Is that why he was gone when I returned from Egypt? Because he knew I would find out about the affair you two were having?"

Clarke shrugged, wracking her brain for a better explanation. This was a good ploy and she would be damned if she screws it up before the pointless chase begins. "Perhaps, perhaps not. You're a fool if you think that I'll expose him to you. So do your worst, Emperor."

"Find him and bring him to me alive!" Bellamy orders the group of Praetorian's standing to the right of the room. A few men's shoulders slightly twitched at the sudden loud noise. Simultaneously the men pounded their chest before marching away in a sloppy formation. Lexa watched each one of them; if they were the future of the Praetorians... it would be one hell of a shame to the brotherhood of Praetorian.

"Now then, I still have things to do today. So if I can be excused, Emperor, I will take my leave." The Empress rose from the throne, heading toward the hall that eventually leads straight to her quarters, but she's stopped in her step when Blake's voice calls after her.

"You say you were ruling the Empire ... what requires your ruling before the sun has even completely risen?"

"A grain delivery. I like to oversee it myself otherwise bags go missing." Truly it didn't even sound like a lie, she said it as if it was the most natural thing. If Lexa wasn't with her then she definitely would've believed it. "See you, Emperor." With a half-hearted curtsy, the Empress was well on her way again.

Lexa attempted to follow but was stopped yet again by an arm on her chest, essentially blocking her off. "You, stay. We're going to have a word first." Bellamy turned away from her, toward his sister. "Accompany the Empress to wherever she has to go. Alexandria and I have things to discuss."

Octavia formally nodded her head, taking up her normal post in tow with Clarke.

Only several Praetorians remained, all of them thinly spread across the throne room and out of earshot of both Bellamy and Lexa. "You're certain it's him? The low light of the palace could sometimes play tricks on your eyes—"

"Yes, I'm certain, Emperor. I've had to remove him from her quarters a handful of times." Brief memories from those days washed through Lexa's mind. She wasn't telling complete lies; it just happened a very long time ago. Those days were simpler than the present days but they had one thing in common though; her night terrors of battle.

"Did you ever tell Jake of her indiscretions?"

"No, sir. She made me swear not to speak of it. I know what she's capable of and I feared for my life." Lexa wondered how many more lies she would have to tell today; and how many of them she would actually be able to sound convincing on. She had never been any good at lying. Her left eyebrow twitched and her palms always became moist.

"She is a little feral sometimes, isn't she? It's why the Empire respects her." Blake fell quiet for a moment, soothing his hand over the stubble on his chin in thought. "This certainly changes things. I ended my trip sooner because a scribe came with word that my Senators were in the city and felt under threat from somebody but the scribe didn't know by whom. But now you bring me word that my best friend and advisor has been bedding the Empress even when she was to be my betrothed. I feel like I have no one I can truly trust except for you and my sister."

Lexa had since forgotten that Clarke was once promised to Blake, but had later been promised to her. Yet she never shared as much with the Empress; which on second thought might be a good thing. Clarke wouldn't like to know that her father used her as a war prize; it would taint the remaining image she has of him.

However, on another note, it was peculiar to hear so much defeat in the Emperor's voice; especially with his admission that she and Octavia were the only people he trusted. It almost made Lexa feel bad for him because she couldn't say the same. She didn't trust Blake farther than she could throw him.

"Finn certainly is or was in the city, sir. I have not been out and about for long because of my injury but I am certain he is still somewhere here." Buried somewhere rather. Clarke did not bother sparing any sort of detail about how she ended him. Lexa was worried about the blonde initially since one's first kill is always the hardest, but Clarke ... she had no remorse. It was almost erotic how unapologetic she was about the matter.

"What would you have me do, sir?"

"Keep an eye on her and report back to me if the wretch Finn shows himself again. I want to deal with him myself. Dismissed."

"Very well, will do, sir." Lexa pounded her chest before heading straight toward Clarke's quarters. A shenanigan like this would and could never last long; it was only a matter of time before word will get out that Finn is actually dead, and by Clarke's hand as well. No matter how 'loyal' the people of the collegium were, in the end, they only worked for coin. And for the right amount, any one of them will talk.

If Finn's death could come out, so could the relationship she and Clarke has, and have been having for a very long time. Things could so easily become very difficult ... and bloody. It all depended on the essence of time and how graceful the gods would decide they will be.

Lexa tried to devise the next plan of action on the way to Clarke's quarters, nervously fidgeting with the strapping of her bracers. They were faced with the decision of committing regicide or fleeing. Those were the only two options remaining and Lexa doubted that the Empress would fall for the second option; she cared too much for the people of Rome.

Octavia stood outside of Clarke's quarters, boredly staring at the statue of Apollo and occasionally kicking at an uneven piece on the Persian carpet. She had far better things to do today than to just stand and wait for something to happen; she wasn't exactly bargaining on spending her day in the palace but rather at the vineyard with Raven.

"You can go, I'll take over. Have a good day." Lexa's voice pulls her out of her daze.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're somewhere in my head. It's strange that you always know what I actually want to do."

"Let's call it a sibling bond."

"Let's. See you for dinner?"

"Yes, perhaps."

With a pat on the shoulder and a short nod, Octavia was strongly on her way down the hall; grateful that she was able to get away after all. It gave her the extra time she needed with Raven, and time alone is definitely what they needed to fix the issues they were having in their problematic relationship.

Without sparing a knock or any sort of warning, Lexa enters the Empress' quarters and is met with the fragrant smell of vanilla along with steam coming from the back room. "Clarke?"

"Back here."

Lexa followed the trail of clothing toward the backroom, carefully picking up each article and placing it on the lavish furs splayed over the bed. She didn't like to be untidy but it would a shame for a dress of such beauty to lay on the floor.

When Lexa rounds the corner, she is met by a sight that she was sure she would never get used to, let alone tired of. Clarke was a goddess, sculpted by Aphrodite herself. Her skin wasn't as milky as it always was, but rather a shade darker now, certainly kissed by the sun. It suited her, even as a stark contrast against her blonde hair.

She elegantly glided through the water, returning the jar of oil to the side of the bath before submerging all of her body. Her hair was still in a crown braid but a few strands had come loose, now dampened by the water. "Would you like to join me?"

Lexa feverishly entertained the idea, chills rising on her skin just by the thought but she knew with current events it was too dangerous to indulge in any sort of sexual interactions within the palace. There was always someone watching and or listening.

Clarke soothed her fingertips over Lexa's sharp jaw, revealing the top of her breasts in the process. "I would love to but ... this palace ... and Blake ... it's too dangerous. Besides I was thinking I'd go train for an hour or two." It was a lie; she wasn't even remotely thinking of training but it was the only way she could expend the sudden energy surge within her.

"Well, maybe I'll join you for that then."

//

Birds flew from the high openings of the Colosseum, then shortly after came flying back, curiously looking down at the two sword-wielding women effortlessly swinging their blades at one another. For some time, it looked like the cold was coming in full swing, but not on this day. Sweat coated both women's skins and even though a fully-fledged battle was taking place, there were no spectators.

The sharp cling of iron connecting with iron echoed throughout the large architecture and heavy grunts escaped their chests until one sword inevitably flew through the sky, landing far away from one of the warriors. A hearty laugh came from the Empress when she takes her final step forward, holding the tip of her blade to Lexa's throat.

"I must admit, you're much better from the last time we sparred. Looks like we're yet to make a Gladiator out of you." Lexa's chest heaved inside of the light leather armour she wore, the ache in her side worsening with each heavy breath she took, but it wasn't unbearable, rather refreshing. A blink of an eye passed, and Clarke's sword was flying through the air as well, and she was in a headlock. "You're good, but you're not great yet, my love."

A shocked gasp left Clarke's chest when she feels Lexa's strong arm around her neck, and the palm of the gladiatrix's hand on top of her head. "That's why we're here, is it not? You're here to make me great." She thrusted her elbow backward, colliding with Lexa's gut, instantly making her double over with a pained grunt.

"Faex! Wrong side, did I hurt you? Are you okay?"

When Clarke bends down to check if Lexa is fine, her feet are swiped out from underneath her and she's lying flat on her back on the hard ground. It was but a few seconds before Lexa is on top of her, their faces only inches apart. "Not sure on what rule we're on already, but never check the condition of your opponent." A tender kiss follows before Lexa is back on her feet and pulling Clarke up with her simultaneously.

"Would you like to go another round?"

The Empress dusted her trousers and tunic off, a slight grin on her lips. She enjoyed training with Lexa, especially since she actually knew what she was doing now. And on top of that, Lexa's recovery was going spectacular. She was wielding a sword like she was never injured before. It was astonishing.

Although it was a normal day in Rome and the Empress likely had duties and things to attend to, she couldn't care less about those things. She was desperate for a day off, or rather a full day with just Lexa and nobody else. Most of Clarke's days consisted of grueling hours signing peace treaties and trade agreements or even directly interacting with magistrates from certain provinces. And finally, at the end of the day, she would share a meal with Lexa and they would retire for the evening, together.

On days the Empress didn't have meetings with magistrates, her gatherings with the settlers continued and she made sure all of their requests didn't fall upon deaf ears. If she could make them happen within the week, she did and if they took a little more time, then they were also taken care of. New buildings were built almost every day, more land was given to farmers and even the market forum was expanded, allowing more traders to sell their wares.

"I think I've had enough. If you continue to beat me, my ego might start to wither and I simply cannot have that. If you would like to continue though, I'm sure there's a Praetorian or two that would like to spar with you." Sensing that Lexa's energy wasn't depleted as of yet, Clarke turns to call for the two men stationed at the main gates but before her mouth could open, she's interrupted.

"No, no. I'm parched. And my side actually does hurt. Your elbow really did hit a fragile spot." Lexa unconsciously pressed a palm to her side, trying to dull a bit of the ache. "No worries though. You did well. Always use your opponents' wounds to your advantage."

"I'm sorry about that but I was fortunate enough to have very good teachers. Maybe next week when you're even better, you could teach me how to use a bow and arrow." Both women headed toward the exit of the large Colosseum side by side; the Empress' hand instinctively reaching for Lexa's.

"Perhaps I'm not the best teacher for that. You can rely on Octavia for such. If it has a blade, then I'm your best choice, but I'm not afraid to admit that my sister is much better with bows."

Clarke hummed, halting underneath the tunnel that leads out into the city. The shade was a much-needed relief from the furious rays of the sun. She longed for a cold bath and a good oil cleansing with a strigil to relax her muscles.

The Empress leaned her back against the cool marble wall, lightly pulling Lexa along and closer. She had seen a distant look in Lexa's eyes the majority of the day but she was afraid to ask what was bothering her so much. Perhaps it was about something Blake had said.

With an ever-growing grin, Lexa presses a palm against the wall a little higher than Clarke's head and allows herself to be pulled closer until their bodies are almost flush against each other. Such heat was the last thing both women needed, but truthfully, they struggled to keep their hands off of each other and took advantage of every moment they had alone together.

"You have something to say, or maybe ask, I can see it. Don't leave me in suspense."

The Empress slightly shook her head, finding solace in the fact that Lexa could so effortlessly read her. Lexa's eyes remained trained on Clarke as she tried to look anywhere but into the piercing green ones that could and would never look away from her.

"It's just that I can see you're bothered by something. Or you're struggling with something. And I don't want to pressure you into telling me because I mean it's none of my concern, and likely has nothing to do with me." Clarke tapped the palm of her hand on the tailored tempered leather strapped to Lexa's body, a soft thump following with every pat as she tried to figure out what the best choice of words would be. "I suppose I'm just worried and I want you to know that I'll listen to whatever is bothering you. Even if it's about Egypt. I'm here for you as long as you'll have me."

The look in Lexa's eye softened, the crease in her forehead disappearing, and all of her features simultaneously relaxing. "It's not about Egypt. And even if it was, I'm not really sure if I'm actually ready to talk about what happened there. I was actually waiting for the right time to talk about the actual issue with you but I didn't know how to bring it up. Or if there even will be a so-called right time."

It was Clarke's turn to furrows her eyebrows, a crease forming on her forehead. "What is it?"

"I've been thinking about returning to Polis, or visiting it rather. It probably sounds silly but I feel drawn to seeing it again. I can't explain it but it's a tedious nagging feeling and it just gets bigger by the day. The issue is I don't want to leave you here, especially not with Blake. When he realizes his Senators are truly gone, he will feel threatened; a wounded predator is more dangerous than a hungry one, they will run after their prey not to satisfy their hunger but to gratify their anger."

"His fragile ego is the last thing you should worry about. And leaving Rome for a few days, or weeks will maybe do you good. Not that I want to be apart from you again so soon, but I understand the nagging feeling of wanting to return home. Who knows, maybe I could join you on the journey for a few days, but I can't leave the Empire for too long, let alone solely in Bellamy's hands."

Lexa twirled a loose strand of blonde hair around her finger three times before letting it fall again. She liked the thought of having the opportunity to show Clarke where she was from, where she grew up and what she loved to do in her free time back in the day. Maybe the Empress wouldn't love it as much, but sharing something so personal with the person you love is surreal and magical.

The Empress on the other hand reveled in the sight of Lexa that was completely enthralled in softly tracing her fingertips from the top of her jaw and ending at her chin. "Thank you ... for being you, and enduring all of my imperfections. With my tossing and turning at night, keeping you awake and you remaining exhausted for the sake of me getting a few moments of shut-eye before I wake in cold sweats again. It seems like something small, maybe even trivial, but all the small things you do ... I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have you, and to love you."

Lexa pressed a soft kiss to Clarke's lips, lingering for a moment before they pull apart and rest their foreheads against one another. "I would love for you to join me, even it is for a few days. Polis isn't much but it is my home. And I swear to you when we return here, I will rid Rome of its Emperor, and by doing that I will gift you the Empire you deserve."

It was a bold declaration but it was definitely something Lexa was prepared to do. Blake was nothing but a constant problem and if Rome was to lose him, it certainly wouldn't suffer. The Empress was perfectly capable of ruling it on her own; it's what she has been doing for quite some time anyway. She was and is ruthless but just the perfect amount, and with that more than enough caring of her subjects and settlers.

Clarke stared back at Lexa in bewilderment. Normally when conversations like this arose it would soon end up in silence, and the silence always came from Lexa's side. But not this time, no, this time she started the topic and she was intending to follow through with it; and capitalize on it.

"Would you really do that? For me? I mean that's more than ... wow. Lexa, I can't possibly accept that or ... I don't know what to say. It's not that easy. There's so much that can go wrong and you ... my father. Lexa..." Unorganized and uncohesive words spilled from Clarke's lips. Her thoughts were darting through her mind at a too rapid pace. She was all for getting rid of Blake but now that Lexa was actually on board with the idea ... it made the Empress anxious.

Lexa was a woman of action; she was never just talk.

However, considering Lexa's stasis of sleeping patterns and overall obvious anxiety between crowds of people and their noise, she clearly wasn't in the right mindset. Especially not in making a decision like this; carrying out an action like this.

"Maybe ... let's just take that trip for now, okay? And talk this over properly. If after we still decide to go on with this movement, then so be it. But I don't think right now is the best time to make decisions like these. They're not small moves and I can't believe I'm saying this but by eliminating him ... a lot of things will change. A small revolt might rise up ... or Octavia? He's still her brother."

Lexa's head dropped, her eyebrows furrowing in the process and lips pursing. Clarke was right, or for now she was anyway. "Yes. Perhaps I wasn't thinking straight. Forgive me." Lexa took a steady step backward, putting a necessary distance between herself and Clarke. "Forgive me." Lexa repeats, this time completely removing herself from the Empress' touch.

"Hey, hey, don't do that. I'm with you in this." Clarke placed both of her palms to Lexa's cheeks, aligning their eyes once again. "Now just isn't the right time and I think you know that as well. Everything has a time and a place ... his demise just isn't a good idea for now, or in the coming kalend or two. It'll look too suspicious; especially with his recent inauguration and touring. But my love, his day will come ... whether it is by your hand or not."

Lexa nodded her head, her body and mind relaxing under the blonde's touch. She closed her eyes for a moment, drowning out the noise of the city, ranging from the barters and cheerful chants of children playing in the streets. She made herself deaf to all of it until only the Empress' steady breathing remained and that's where Lexa makes her mind at home. In the peace.

"Can we talk about something else?"

"We don't have to talk at all." A soft smile coated Clarke's lips before she interlaces her fingers with Lexa's and the two women are well on their way again toward the exit of the Colosseum. It was just after midday which meant it was time for the soldiers' training and as much was proved by the hordes of men marching throughout the city toward the city gates.

Their training was rigorous and Lexa only watched them with relieved eyes, knowing that she never had to endure training so harsh. But then again, she was already in a physically fit form when she became a soldier of the Legion. This type of training was reserved for those that strictly fought on the front lines; and to those that were in dire need of discipline.

At some point during the walk, the two women's hands drifted apart from one another but they still remained close to each other. This time Lexa felt less anxious and fortunately much more comfortable and content no matter how many settlers flocked toward the Empress. And as if it was ritualistic, Clarke waved to them and even greeted as many as she possibly could on the way without once coming to a halt.

It was satisfying to see Clarke interact with her people, and simultaneously it was interesting to see in person how much they exactly admired and praised her. Lexa could swear that she may have even seen tears in some of their eyes as they extended their gratitude to her for listening to them and overseeing their needs.

Clarke truly was someone magnificent.

Once they eventually reached Octavia's villa in the Aventine, the Empress took the liberty to open the heavy door for herself, not bothering to allow Lexa to do it. Clarke saw no reason to let the brunette do it since truly she wasn't there to serve her, not like the servants were. If it were anybody else, the Empress would expect nothing less than the person to open the door for her. But not Lexa. In fact, Clarke oftenly went as far as to opening doors for Lexa and allowing her to enter into a room first; not for safety, but rather as a sign of care.

Besides other than that, the blush that burned on Lexa's cheeks each and every time made it all the more worth it. It was a rare sight to see the Gladiatrix flustered and Clarke made sure to make such happen whenever the occasion allowed her to. There was something about seeing Lexa so ... human. Vulnerable even. Nothing like what she portrays herself as to the public and those that looked up to her for leadership.

On many occasions, Clarke observed when men from Lexa's legions came to visit her when she was bedridden because of her injuries and each one of them talked to her as if she was nothing short of a goddess. She was almost more than that to them; someone that stretched much farther than admiration ever could. They talked as if they were family, but hierarchy was still ever evident.

The Empress could revel in it for hours to dissect the three versions of Lexa she knew. The Gladiatrix she met a very long time ago, the Lexa she grew to love and cherish; and lastly, General Alexandria Silvestre. All of them were so diverse, yet all the same. They were all Lexa; all in their own way. Her heart was in all of them.

Wordlessly the women traversed toward the backroom, finding a lukewarm bath ready for usage. Without any sort of hassle, Lexa undid the buckles of her armour halfway before another pair of hands clasped over hers, slightly pushing them away and taking over the task they were busy with.

Lexa watched the slim fingers move with great care, pulling one buckle loose after the other. It should remind her of someone else that used to do this for her, but the brunette's mind never wanders to her past lover. It remains on the woman in front of her. The woman she imagines her future with.

"Care to join me for a bath this time?"

"With pleasure." Lexa replies pulling the Empress' tunic over her head, shortly after making quick work of her bindings as well. It wasn't long before their lips feverishly met, both women almost overly eager to get each other nude.

When all clothing articles were discarded and their nude bodies came together for the first time in a very long time they stumbled into the walk-in bath, one splash after the other until Clarke's back is pressed flush against the adjacent bath wall.

The Empress dragged her hands over Lexa's body, desperate to touch every piece of skin possible until her hand brushes over the sensitive wound on Lexa's side, instantly making her wince but not once does she relent in her onslaught of kisses. The wince was duly noted and the blonde makes sure to not touch near the sensitive area again, instead, she moves her hand to a different sensitive place.

And this time the wince that Lexa elicits isn't one of pain, but rather one of pleasure. When Clarke starts to feel a heartbeat against her chest even more rapid than her own, she momentarily pulls away to catch her breath. "I don't want to hurt you. If your body isn't ready for this ... just say so."

"No, I want you, right now." Lexa connected their lips again, trying to take dominance but the Empress wasn't having any of it. Before the brunette could realize what was taking place, she felt her back connect with the cold tile wall of the large bath.

A clash of tongues and teeth continued, both women equally breathy but neither were willing to separate first for a breath of fresh air. Clarke continued to press harder against Lexa but then a thought crossed her mind. When was the last time that somebody really took care of Lexa? Not in any way sexually; but truly cared for her.

A feigned moan came from Lexa's chest when the Empress pulls away, and the intoxicating sensation coming from her core disappears as well. "What— what's wrong? You didn't hurt me. I was just—"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking. I know it's been some time since we've done this but how long has it been since someone has actually taken care of you? As in taking the time to massage these very tense muscles of yours or just washed you, maybe apply an oil or two?"

Lexa's eyebrows furrowed before she pulled a strand of her hair to her nose, slightly sniffing it? "Are you trying to tell me I reek? Because I don't smell it. But if you just give me a moment, I'll be all clean. Training is pretty hard on my skin—"

When Lexa tries to slip past, Clarke quickly reaches for her hips and recenters her. "No, no." The Empress affirms between chuckles. "You don't reek. In fact, you smell great as you always do. I'm truly just curious about when last someone took care of you."

"Oh." The brunette's bottom lip curled up into a pout as she thought. "I don't know. Never I suppose. I haven't exactly had the time to be taken care of in such a way by anyone really. When you and I get in the bath it's not exactly to wash one another and before you ... I mean Costia and I ... we didn't have humongous baths like this is Polis. Tubs there could barely fit a singular person and there was no time to ... have intercourse, I guess."

"Well, that settles it then, doesn't it?" It was more of a statement than a question and before Lexa knew it, she was being ordered toward the shallow part of the bath, and slowly lowered into a sitting position. Clarke drifted around, and soon settled behind her, resting her legs on either side of the gladiatrix.

"Now relax and lay back." Reluctantly Lexa did as told, soon feeling the presence of the blonde's breasts against her back and immediately halts. "You can lean back father. You're not going to crush me or something, love." With a deep breath, Lexa gave in and leaned back completely, immediately being welcomed by both of Clarke's arms.

The Empress pressed a soft kiss to the side of Lexa's head, staying in the same position for a few minutes until their breathing became one, and their heartbeats became one as well. This was something far more intimate than intercourse would ever be but Lexa would be lying if she were to say she wouldn't mind having both.

"I love you, Alexandria." Clarke confesses just above a whisper right alongside Lexa's ear, instantly making chills rise on the brunette's skin. "You're perfect in every sense of the word and my vocabulary doesn't extend far enough to vocally tell you how much you mean to me but know that I cannot live without you."

It was surreal to hear Clarke make use of her full name and Lexa was sure she felt even more jolts shoot up and down her spine. The way she was feeling was incomprehensible but she knew she never wants to feel any other way than how she feels at that very moment. Loved and appreciated. Two of the simplest feelings, yet they were the most powerful emotions she had ever experienced.

"Now, let's get you less tense." Clarke poured a variety of oils onto Lexa's skin before reaching for the strigil and gliding it over Lexa's arms and shoulders multiple times. A low groan escaped Lexa's mouth as her head slumped forward, finally feeling a release as her muscles pulled apart and settled into a resting state. It had been years since they were truly apart and Lexa was sure not even a climax could match the relief she felt.

"Much better, isn't it? These things work wonders. With the right pressure applied right after, it could loosen the tightest of muscles. I can simply not move if this isn't done to me at least once a month. And I have decided that I will not let you go a month again without it either judging by that groan."

"This is one offer I will definitely not pass up; or try to argue against. Your hands are godly."

The Empress chuckled before returning the strigil to the side of the bath before soothing her hands over Lexa's shoulders one last time for good measure. "I'm not done with you yet, but I'm afraid I can't continue inside of this bath."

"There's more?" Lexa asks excitedly, almost childlike, and animated within the thought alone of possibly feeling even lighter than she does already. "I'd have to repay you somehow. I'm starting to feel guilty for having you do all of this."

"I'm sure we can think of something."

"Oh?"

Both women stepped out of the bath, neither hiding their hungry eyes from one another. Lexa's once vibrant green eyes were almost completely black now due to her overly dilated pupils and lust taking over. The blue staring back at her was becoming fewer and fewer as black overtook it as well. They were ready to devour one another.

"Go lay on your front. I'll be there in a moment."

Obeying the order, Lexa does as told and heads into the bedroom, laying down on her front and resting her arms underneath her head as a makeshift pillow. It wasn't long until the Empress entered the room as well and ghosted her fingertips over Lexa's calves all the way up to her bottom.

A warmth cascaded over Lexa's back before she felt the Empress' legs on either of her side of her and soon delicate hands pushed down onto her shoulder blades, and branched out to her shoulders, down her arms, and finally returning to the middle of her back.

"Better?"

"Hmm." Lexa hummed, unable to mutter any jumble of words that may or may not make sense.

Going over the same movement several times, Clarke readjusts herself and moves onto Lexa's lower back, firmly pressing her thumbs against hard muscle. She wasn't really focusing on her actions but rather on the large black symbol that covered the majority of Lexa's scarred back.

"May I ask what all of this means or is it a tale for another day?"

"Each circle represents a General or leader I killed in battle. Or so I was told. I myself haven't seen what exactly is on my skin but this is what I was told. It's some Egyptian tradition, and at the time your father was so enthralled in becoming part of Egypt that all of us received something similar to this. Magnus, my mentor, has something similar and so do the remaining centurions."

Clarke mentally counted the circles, noting that one was larger than the rest of them. "Seven Generals? How many legions did they bring if you managed to kill so many, and still some remained for Magnus and other centurions?" Lexa shrugged underneath her.

"I lost count at some point."

"And the biggest one? The circle I mean."

"Billius Cadogan. He was the most notorious warlord and practically led the entire Egyptian army. We infiltrated their camp one night and the Athenians killed many in their sleep. Magnus and I found him in the middle of the camp, drunk on blue lotus flower. He was taken back to our camp while I snuck the Queen into Alexandria and essentially into the palace as well."

This was the most Lexa had divulged about Egypt since her return, and to say Clarke was intrigued would be an understatement. However, at the very same time she couldn't help feel a sense of guilt, or pity rather, for knowing that Lexa had fought this war just to kill Jake in the end ... her father. The Empress could no longer blame Lexa for not sharing the news with her immediately ... the Gladiatrix was hurt by his death as well.

"What happened then?"

"Kamilah murdered her younger brother in cold blood. Wore a smile on her face when she came out of the palace with my bloodied dagger in her hand. She was ... something else. Something dark resided within her." Lexa fell silent for a moment, indulging herself in the feeling of Clarke's hands moving all over her body until they reach the back of her neck. "We reached camp again in the early morning. Your father then ordered me to follow him and we rode for some time until we reached the bank of the Nile. Billius was tied to a dead withered tree, his clothing ripped and his back full of lashes from a studded whip."

Lexa fell silent again, unable to get herself to finish the tale. It was among the things she was most ashamed of during the war and speaking of it aloud would mean that it truly happened and that she would never be able to possibly forget it; or rather shrug it off as yet another nightmare. Besides, this was a closely guarded secret within the Legion; nobody was supposed to know the truth. "You don't have to finish. I can't say that I know your pain, and I'm not going to force you to speak about any of your time in Egypt. You've shared so much already ... let's talk about something else. Actually, we don't have to talk at all." Clarke repeats her words from earlier in the day.

Grateful that the Empress understood that she was ready to share some of the things in Egypt and not all, Lexa closes her eyes and feels nothing but the firm pressure Clarke's hands elicited onto her back.

After some time, the movements slowed, eventually disappearing and then being replaced by butterfly kisses all over Lexa's shoulders and the crook of her neck. The Empress' breasts were pressed flush against her back and Lexa couldn't manage to stop the gasp laced with a moan that comes from her mouth.

"Turn over."

Once Lexa was on her back, Clarke immediately attacked her lips, not even giving the brunette a chance of taking a breath, though she didn't seem to care as her fingers got lost in blonde locks. The Empress wasted no time to get to the point, continuing on with what she started in the bath, this time with the intention to finish it.

She glided her middle finger through Lexa's folds, already finding that she was drenched and involuntarily making the brunette buck her hips, chasing after the simple touch. Lexa inhaled a deep breath through her nose, refusing to part her lips that viciously fought with the Empress'.

Clarke's middle finger continued to draw lazy patterns on the sensitive nub, refusing to give Lexa all of what she wants just yet. Her low moans had started already, wordlessly begging Clarke to take all of her but the blonde wasn't going to give in to her pleads just yet.

"By the gods..." Lexa whimpers, rocking her hips up against Clarke's hand. "Don't make me beg ... I don't beg and I'm not about to start." Lexa's breathing picked up, she herself taking the initiative to knead Clarke's breast. Two could play at this game of teasing and if Clarke wasn't going to give in first, Lexa would be forced to resort to more drastic measures.

"Fuck me or I will—"

Two fingers easily slipped into her, the palm of the Empress perfectly cupping over her core and rubbing against her clit. Clarke started off slowly initially as she connected their lips again, stealing Lexa's gasp right from her chest. "Or you'll what?" She asks, breathy next to the Gladiatrix's ear before nipping at it.

Lexa cried a hearty moan in reply, her one hand gripping the furs underneath her and the other grabbing a handful of Clarke's buttocks. The Empress continued to pump her slim digits in and out of the Gladiatrix as fast her hand possibly allowed her to go, only eliciting more erratic moans from Lexa.

"Futuo!"

Lexa's over-exposure to pleasure became evident once she started to exclaim words in Latin that Clarke could only decipher a hand full of times but she wasn't about to relent on the pace she was going. She would be damned if Lexa doesn't scream her name on this fateful afternoon.

Lexa's inner walls began to flutter around Clarke's fingers as she threw her head back, her eyes seemingly rolling into the back of her head as well. The Empress stared in awe, taking in as much of the sight as her eyes allowed her to see and possibly engrave in her mind for all of eternity. If anyone was a goddess, it was Lexa.

"Oh fuck, Clarke!" And just like that she became undone, her back fully arching off of the furs beneath her and coating Clarke's fingers with the remainder of her arousal. Lexa's chest rapidly expanded, her eyes wide open and lost in an abyss of blue that swallowed her whole. "By the ... oh fuck them too." Lexa admits, finally falling back onto the furs. "They don't have to hear my pleas."

Clarke removed her hand from Lexa's core dragging it up along her infinite body, going particularly slower of her toned abdomen and finally halting on a perfect breast. "You are so beautiful when you feel all of it. Faex ... I might have to do it all over again just to see you come undone again."

Lexa tried to get her breathing under control, the ache in her side non-existent but her lungs certainly burned with her harsh intake of breath. "I have no objection ... just give me a few moments." Her body continued to jerk with aftershocks, her eyes not once leaving Clarke even as she licks her fingers clean of Lexa's arousal.

"Take your time ... I might need a breather as well. Seeing you like that ... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at the edge of tumbling as well. You're just so ... phenomenal."

"If you put it that way..." Lexa ponders, quickly towering over the Empress' curvy frame. "Maybe I don't need a few moments after all." With a giggle from Clarke, the next round of lovemaking ensued.

Chapter Text

Translations:

(Latin) Pythonissa = Witch / Sorceress

(Latin) Stigma = Tattoo / Branding / Marking

_______________________________________________________________________________

A handful of Praetorians exited the city walls once again long before the sun reaches its zenith. Their sloppy formation remained but as Praetorian's their hearts still gleamed with pride. However, none expected to be tasked as a search party for their very first large charge. As much was humiliating, but most agreed that everyone has to start somewhere; nobody started at the very top.

Unlike the woman that led them out of the city on this fateful morning. She seemed to start at the very top and it was no secret that the brotherhood envied her for it. Yes, she was a champion of the Colosseum, perhaps that's what got her so far. Or perhaps she had her hands in something far bigger than anybody in the city knew.

Low whispers were shared between the men of the Praetorian, none hiding the glare they had on General Alexandria Silvestre. They shared their theories with one another as for how she reached such a rank so fast and as feeble-minded as they were, most resorted to the notion that she likely screwed Emperor Jake to reach her position.

When such notion passed, it wasn't long before lewd comments started and mocking laughter began. It annoyed Lexa agonizingly easily; not that she knew that she was the topic of conversation, but for the fact that she was dragged out of bed on short notice to lead these morons into the outskirts of the city; essentially into the woods.

She would much rather be tangled up in the nude body of the Empress but unfortunately, Lexa was down on her luck. Instead, an anonymous tip reached Emperor Blake early morning; a tip that was alarmingly accurate. In fact, the so-called anonymous tipster was walking right in front of her. Lexa was in a tough predicament, to say the least.

The tipster was all too proud to tell Blake that she knew where Finn was but she feared that it may already be too late to find him alive. It took Bellamy by surprise to hear that someone knew where his once most trusted advisor is, and the fact that he may be dead already was a tedious thought, but nevertheless, he approved the search party. Insisting that he's most trusted General lead them.

The Emperor was all too eager to send someone to find Lexa and to immediately have her report for duty and lead the Praetorian out to the location that the tipster pointed him in. However, what nobody was expecting was the fact that the tipster was willing to lead them to the exact location herself, in the flesh.

Lexa hadn't been right in her initial assumption that a member of the collegium will squeal, but instead, she found herself looking at the back of a Priestess. But not any Priestess, the High Priestess of Mercury. Luna. This deity of a woman sent chills down Lexa's spine. She was ... unnatural.

"Tell me, Priestess, how certain are you that we will find counselor Collins out here? It seems like you're not only wasting my time, but all of these Praetorian's time as well. Am I supposed to rely on your so-called visions? It's a bunch of crap if you ask me."

Luna chuckled, slightly looking over her shoulder as they ascend yet another small hill. "The Empress would disagree, General." Lexa furrowed her eyebrows at the statement. "She visited me often while you were in Egypt, always vaguely asking about you. If you were still alive to be more precise."

It was an odd thought to have; to consider the fact that Clarke had truly visited this fraud of a woman. That's what the Temple of Mercury is; fraud and corruption. They didn't know of the future as they claimed to; nobody knows of the future. "Is that so? And how would you know if I was alive or dead? I could've died on many occasions and not even my legions would know that I was dead. Not for days."

"But you didn't die, did you? The Empress made sure you didn't die. Her offerings were ... lavish."

Lexa grunted, wondering how much this woman swindled out of Clarke. It was disgusting really; the thought of someone taking advantage of another in desperation. The Empress was a smart woman; how could she have fallen for the likes of someone as shallow as the High Priestess?

For the rest of the walk, Lexa kept her mouth shut before she may say something out of annoyance and possibly decapitate Luna for just being an overall nuisance. First for swindling Clarke, then for dragging her out of bed so early for a wild goose chase, and lastly just because Luna's death would likely benefit all of Rome. Rome didn't need more corruption and the High Priestess was the epitome of such.

They reached the edge of a cliff only twenty feet high. Lexa wasn't even sure if it could be considered a cliff. "So? You brought us all the way out here to reach a dead end and I see nothing. We wasted so much daylight just so you can make a few aurei. How typical. Always hungry for other people's riches. Maybe I should just kick you down from here and—"

"Hush, General, and open your eyes." Luna pointed downward, over the small cliff's edge.

With a deep sigh, Lexa stepped closer to the edge, only barely peeking her eyes over the ledge. She had a fear of heights, and twenty feet was enough to get her palms moist and her knees weak. She didn't expect to find anything because they were practically in the middle of nowhere; there was a better chance of someone pushing her over than there was for finding something.

But again, Lexa was wrong.

Twenty feet below them laid a heap of bodies all dressed in expensive white togas. The smell of death hit her sense like a storm in the middle of the ocean and her heart sank. They were the Senators no doubt and for the life of her, Lexa couldn't manage to figure out how the Priestess knew exactly where they were.

Perhaps a member of the collegium squealed after all. It was the only explanation.

"Changed your mind, General? I know things ... many things." Luna fearlessly stepped toward the edge, standing so close to Lexa that she could feel the Priestess' breath on her face. "I know who killed them, and who killed the singular man the Emperor is searching for. What do you think he will do when he finds out that the Empress ended him? And that you are her lover."

No one was in earshot of them and the words were specially meant for Lexa who immediately darts her eyes up from the deathly cliff and toward the Priestess. "What are you on about, Priestess? Spewing a bunch of nonsense in my ear. Take. A. Step. Back." Her warning was clear and the shrill of her blade sliding from its sheath solidified it. However, Luna showed no sign of fear or a hint of uneasiness. She was calm and collected, almost mockingly so.

"You're scared, I can see it. You're afraid that your only source of happiness will be taken from you again. Do you think Clarke's head will roll the same way Costia's did?"

Lexa's fingers wrapped around Luna's neck, tightening around it second by second and the Priestess was dangerously close to being lifted from the grass patch under her feet. "What did you say to me? I remind you that we are standing very close to the edge. Choose your next words very carefully, Pythonissa."

"Very interesting choice of words, General." Luna chokes, wrapping both of her hands around the singular wrist hoisting her into the air gruelingly slow. She didn't try to free herself and she still didn't reek of fear. Instead, the look in her eye gleamed with ... enjoyment? It was unsettling. "All of my acolytes know of your scandalous affair so go ahead, kill me like you kill all of your problems. I will haunt you at night when you try to sleep and I will haunt you in the daytime when you try to eat. If I do not return to the city, my people will tell the Emperor everything. Clarke will be dead before sunset, and so will you."

The Praetorians watched with wide eyes, all unsure of the event that was unfolding in front of their very eyes. None were willing to intervene even though they knew they probably should. All of their tough talks had disappeared as the feared General of Egypt emerged. The tales they told of her in war were gruesome, wreaking fear in whoever heard the stories.

A low growl came from Lexa's chest as she ground her teeth, considering her options. She was all for killing her problems, all of them. But if she kills this problem, there were about ten more problems standing right behind her. She couldn't kill men from the brotherhood. It was dishonorable. But how much honor did she actually have left? Regicide and all.

"And let's say I spare you. What will happen? Will you spew your shit to the Emperor anyway? Or will you and your people remain quiet?"

"I do as Mercury tells me. If he chooses to exposes you then he will; I have no control over his choices. I only do as my god orders me. So for now, yes, we will remain quiet. I cannot tell you for how long but either way, you're screwed. The gods .... They do not favor you. You may be as cunning and sharp as Odysseus, but you're just as unfortunate."

"Do not compare me to Ulysses." Lexa's fingers tightened around the Priestess' neck, making an unceremonious choke come from her mouth. She was starting to turn an odd shade of pale mixed in with an unpleasant purple. In Lexa's peripheral, she noticed a sudden movement followed by the rustling of Praetorian armour.

"Come any closer and I will kill you. Stand down." The figure halted immediately, reconsidering their next move, teetering more forward than backward. "I said, stand down!" Lexa's hoarse voice echoed all the way to the tree-line of the forest, making the eyes of the Praetorian widen.

The Priestess lightly slapped her hand against Lexa's wrist, almost pleading for her to relent in her hold. It was getting particularly hard to breathe. "General ... please. Put me down." Lexa's eyes darted back to the woman in the air, blinking her eyes a few times before setting Luna down.

"If any of this reaches Blake, I will end you and all of your acolytes. Mercury will not be able to stop me. None of the gods will." The words were nothing short of a growl. The High Priestess was yet another problem, an imminent one, and another problem laid about twenty feet down from the small cliff.

Lexa stepped away from Luna, strongly making her way toward the huddled group of Praetorian. "You, the fearless one that dares to stand against his General, you have won yourself the grand prize of getting down there and hoisting the bodies up. Careful though, they're starting to rot."

The men of the Praetorian laughed at the man's unfortunate task; grateful that they won't be the ones to come so close to the corpses. The smell of death lingers for days.

//

By late afternoon, almost sunset, Lexa and the Praetorian along with the Priestess, returned to the city of Rome. The bodies of the Senators were all wrapped in white cloth, hiding their mangled state. Some had limbs missing and some were relieved of their facial features such as ears and noses.

Whoever orchestrated and carried out the deaths of these men ... were cruel. This person made sure each one of them suffered for a long and grueling time. Unfortunate for Lexa, she recognized each one of them still, even with their decaying faces. Predators had started to feed on them and insects had started to nest. Be it a week later and rarely anything would've remained.

Curse this Priestess.

Also, unfortunate enough was the fact that Finn was among them, without his hands as the Empress described to Lexa some days ago as some sort of promise she made him for his treachery. It truly was becoming more of a nightmare than anticipated. The sacks of bodies were dragged into the throne room, almost proudly presented in front of the Emperor.

It was almost feline-like; the predator dragging in its prey just to present it to its superior and or master, hoping to receive some sort of reward or compensation. Except no reward or compensation was going to come from this, only horror. Blake sat back on his throne, scoping out the situation in front of him. It was unfortunate that his Senators were all dead, or murdered rather, but as far as he was concerned at that moment was that Finn deserved his demise, the others didn't.

He was a liar and a cheat. A master of fraud. Not only did he bed the Empress but he made many funds and coinage disappear for his own riches and such only came to light recently when Blake dug farther into his history. Finn was nothing more than a power and money-hungry fool that would never rise above anything but a commoner.

"Where did you find them?"

"A few Roman miles from here; through the thick foliage and at the bottom of a cliff." Lexa's heart beat with anxiety. It was a guilty conscience; not that she committed the crime but rather because she generally knew who killed them and who ordered their murders. She only hoped that her exterior wouldn't show how anxious she was.

Suddenly the Empress marched in, the material of her dress gliding behind her and her face convulsed into someone determined, her eyebrows were furrowed and her mouth hung in half an angry frown.

"What is it you called me for; I was in the middle of meeting the—"

The Empress' eyes landed on her guard, her angry frown turning to one of worry in split seconds. Lexa's eyes danced all over the room, afraid of each moment that passes and how much exactly will be unveiled. It was closed to impossible to meet Clarke's eyes knowing that it would give something unspoken away to prying eyes.

The moment Lexa left the comfort of their bed this morning, Clarke could feel that something was terribly wrong. This was it.

"We found the Senators," Blake announces proudly as if he had a part in the search, or rather that he played the main role in it. "Your lover ... Finn ... is dead. Stripped of his hands and his face is barely recognizable. It would seem that someone got to him long before I did."

The Empress lightly gagged as the smell of death hit her senses like an unstoppable force. It was deafening, the smell, unhealthy to anyone living really. Lexa barely flinched at the smell, only occasionally blinking her eyes. This was barely anything compared to Egypt. The smell there was this, intensified by at least a hundred.

"Well, isn't that just a shame? What ever will you do now?" Clarke feigns.

"I'm not sure. I expected you to be more upset about him being gone." Blake sighed, tapping the tips of his fingers against the golden armrest of his throne. "You're a nuisance sometimes. A labyrinth of secrets. An unsolvable puzzle. A riddle that takes eons to solve. I don't know what to do with you anymore, Empress."

Ignoring the relevance, or rather irrelevance of Finn, Clarke moves on. "Leave me be as I leave you be. I stay out of your hair and you stay out mine. We can rule together. Take your fame, take credit for what I do, I honestly don't care. Just let me live my life." It sounded like a plea to Lexa's ears and it hits her then; Clarke was tired of playing cat and mouse with him. She just wanted to live in peace while caring for those that look up to her.

"So ... you don't care that he's dead? And you're not even remotely bothered by the fact that someone had some of the most influential men of Rome murdered? And that they were disposed of like plebs? If this is your idea of 'ruling' and turning a blind eye, I want no part of it. I want justice for my Senators even if one of them doesn't deserve it."

"Then chase your justice, Emperor, I never cared for the Senate anyway."

Lexa shot Clarke a look of warning. Now wasn't the time to act arrogant. This was the moment Lexa warned her of days ago; the moment Blake will inevitably feel threatened because he no longer had a team of influential men behind him that would agree with him for a big enough 'gift' or 'donation' to their riches. Bellamy was dangerous now, more so than he was before.

By uncovering these bodies, a world of new problems were uncovered as well. Lexa even considered running the idea of fleeing by the Empress again before things get ugly. They had a good two weeks while Blake chased his own tail trying to find Finn, but it was time to throw in the sword and admit that the gods were against them.

Clarke cleared her throat awkwardly, locking eyes with Bellamy again. "What I meant to say was that they never really had a big impact on my life. It was insensitive of me to not consider the fact that you have lost dear friends, and not only Senators. I mourn with you, Emperor."

Blake's features softened then, his shoulders sagging in the process. His defensiveness disengaged and he felt in control again. The Empress showed a sign of subordination which was exactly what set his mind to ease, it's what he wanted, even if he himself didn't know it.

That was the beauty of Clarke, Lexa notes. Once she realizes that she has spoken out of turn or landed herself in an uncomfortable situation, she knew how to recover, and fast. Such a skill is only acquired through a lot of dealings with ministers and monarchs of provinces.

Perhaps the Empress' slick tongue wasn't the best trait to have but it was certainly useful.

"Thank you for your consideration even if it was a little late." Bellamy sighed again, absentmindedly soothing hand over his now cleanly shaven face. It had become a habit of his it seems. A reaction to stress. "Nevertheless, the Empire continues, even without them. In the meantime, I will need a new Senate. There are so many decisions to make and you were right in what you said some time ago, I don't know much about ruling. I need guidance from elders." It was a tough pill to swallow and admit that he may have bitten off more than he could chew.

The Empress smiled softly, finding a small victory in his words. They were on a slight equal footing and that much was good enough for now. It bought her more time, no matter how little it was. "I understand. I'm heading into my fifth year of being Empress and I learn every day. I remember my first year was very intimidating. If a few hundred men will make your first year a little less intimidating, so be it. Now if you will excuse me ... it's been a long day."

//

It was close to midnight by the time Lexa sauntered into Octavia's villa, most of her braids loose already and her bracers hung by a leather strap from her weapons belt. She looked worse for wear, the day taking its toll on her for sure.

They traveled miles and miles on foot since it was too dense forestation to go by horseback. Luckily, she didn't carry any of the Senator's bodies back to the city but she had to keep everyone at a steady pace and that took its emotional toll. Being a General and acting disgruntled as well as strict and brutal constantly, just wasn't her forte. Not anymore.

On top of all of that came the stresses of keeping Blake at bay and lying to him constantly because he asked the most uncomfortable questions and came far too close to the truth occasionally. He insisted that she would come to have a few ales with him at the tavern since he considered her 'a dear friend' now, or rather someone he could confide him.

He was a drunk mess, to say the least, and a moaning one at that as well. He certainly was a different man after a few ales; all of his ego and tough exterior dissipating. All that remained was a broken fragile man with no family except for a half-sister and no true friends. Lexa pitied him at first but after a quick evaluation of her own life, she realized that the closest thing to family she had was a half-sister as well, and they happened to share the same one.

The gods were peculiar, and so were the fates. She loathed Bellamy, yet they weren't any different from one another. They both killed innocents, they both lie, they both don't have pure blood remaining and they were both sad drunks it seems. And somewhere along the line, Lexa landed herself in the unfortunate situation to be Blake's favorite company now.

Lexa sighed a heavy groan the moment she undoes the knot of her bracers and places them on the table in front of her as she sits down on a chaise. Her head dropped into her hands immediately, eliciting another heavy sigh.

The half-moon shined through the roof of the atrium, shimmering over her sweat-glistened skin and reflecting off of her Praetorian armour that once again weighed heavy on her. Except this time it wasn't a case of not feeling worthy for the sacred metal and the symbolic power it held, but rather because she was tired of wearing it.

She wasn't sure if she was ready to admit it aloud, but she was tired of wielding blades and being a soldier each and every day. Lexa wanted a quiet life, lately more than ever. Perhaps it was the injury she endured; it being the humbling she needed. Returning to Polis became a more attractive idea as each day passed by.

But then there was Clarke, she couldn't leave her behind and the Empress was far too loyal to her Empire and people to ever abandon it. Not even for love. Perhaps even a once-in-a-lifetime love. But Lexa couldn't fault her for it because she would've done the same. The greater good of others should always come first especially if it meant life or death.

"I thought I heard you coming in."

Octavia took a seat on the opposite chaise, resting her elbows on her knees as she slouches forward. She could see Lexa was down and she wasn't sure when last she had seen her sister in such a sullen mood. Lexa hardly ever portrayed her emotions outwardly, let alone in front of others.

"Do you want to talk about what has your head in your hands?"

Lexa laughed halfheartedly, shaking her head side to side. "And what would that bring me? Your pity? Maybe some advice that would do me no good?" Octavia remained quiet, allowing Lexa to spit more dejected words if she wished to. She had her moments and if it made her feel better, then so be it. "I'm sorry, Octavia. I know you only want to help but there's no fixing this."

"Try me. I'm feeling rather creative."

After a few minutes, Lexa gathered enough courage to look Octavia in the eye. "Where would you like me to start? Jake impaled himself on this very blade." Lexa motioned to her sheathed sword on the table, unsurprisingly still haunted by his death. "I saw Ontari again, it turns out after I abandoned her, she was raped multiple times and sold off as a slave, so that was my fault as well."

Lexa nodded her head in acceptance of the fact, interlacing her fingers together. "I ruined a lot of families in Egypt, I just about lost myself. I came back here and fell susceptible to jealousy of another even though I know Clarke loves me. The very man I was jealous of just about killed me."

The moonlight continued to dance over her as her voice started to shake and her eyes started to burn. "I thought I was dead and that I had lost everything I've fought for every single fucking day. Now your brother had me look for a man that I damn well knew was dead and I know the fates aren't kind enough to let his murder go unsolved. I fear what I will do when the truth comes out. These streets will run red with the blood of innocents because they will choose to fight for a man that doesn't deserve it."

"She killed him, didn't she?" Octavia questions, putting the puzzle pieces together. Clarke had killed Finn after all. "I see. It wouldn't take a scholar to piece together that what you told him was a lie; about Finn and Clarke's affair. And let's face it, the bond you two share ... it's all the plebs talk about. It's astonishing that Bellamy hasn't figured it out yet."

"Your point?"

"My point is if and when the day comes, Lexa," Octavia stood from her chaise taking a seat next to Lexa before grabbing the back of her neck and pushing their foreheads together. "I will fight alongside you, and I will kill anyone that stands against you or Clarke. Be it an innocent, be it the man I'm connected to by blood. You're my family. We fight together and we die together."

The motto from the academy hits Lexa in the gut. She hadn't heard it in years and quite honestly, she had almost completely forgotten about it. Lexa just barely manages to swallow down the lump in her throat and blink back the tears in her eyes before it was too late.

"Thank you. Your words weren't half bad." They pulled each other into a bear hug, the embrace tightening with every second. Lexa could almost feel a weight being lifted from her shoulders by knowing that someone stood behind her. Especially for the fact that it was her very own sister.

"I'll see you in the morning. Clarke tried to wait up for you but I think she may have fallen prey to the temptations of sleep."

Lexa chuckled, quickly wiping away the tear that escaped after all before pulling away. "I love you, little sister. With you at my side, I'll get through this. Chances are I'm merely overreacting and the fates will be in my favor on this matter."

"I love you too. When morning comes, you'll feel better as well."

"Hopefully." With one last good night, the women retired to their respective bedrooms and just as Octavia predicted, Clarke was fast asleep, a tiny snore and all. The smallest of amused smiles made its home on Lexa's lips. With each and every moment she spent with Clarke she thought that she couldn't possibly love the Empress more, but she was proven wrong each and every time.

Carefully, Lexa undid the straps of her armour before placing it on the wooden statuette. She opted for a change of clothing, doing her utmost best not to make any sort of noise but fails as she has all the other times in the past. Clarke was a heavy sleeper, by all means, but only when she was in the security of Lexa's embrace.

"Lexa?"

"Hmm." She hums before crawling into bed and falling face-first into the feather pillow awaiting her. Lexa was sure the moment her head would hit the pillow she would instantly fall asleep but now that the moment had finally come, she was wide awake again.

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm." Lexa hums again, this time lazily drooping her arm over Clarke's abdomen, slightly pulling her closer. "You might have to warm me tonight, it's freezing outside."

"Yeah?" Clarke did as hinted and immediately sprawled as much of her body possible over Lexa's while pulling up the second fur over them. "You went to the tavern, didn't you?" Absentmindedly the brunette nodded her head, not even trying to deny it. "Did you eat as well?"

"Like a Queen, yes. Bellamy thinks we're the best of friends. Its heart wrenching really."

"Lucky you." Clarke quirks sarcastically, starting to draw an uncoherent pattern on her guards' chest. "How are things? With the Finn situation? I've made a lot of trouble, haven't I?"

Lexa guffawed, closing her eyes as she laughs, trying to find humor in the situation but fails to. "You've made a bit more than trouble. And I fear we'll have to make a decision about the future soon. When you, or we get found out, there's going to be an unimaginable amount of anarchy. We've both lied so much that Blake ... gods. There's just no turning back anymore. Either we leave Rome or people will die. Whether it's you and I, or innocents when we try to escape anyway."

The realization had sunk into Clarke earlier in the afternoon when Lexa and the Praetorian brought in the decaying bodies of the Senate. Her power trip and dominance had caused a lot of trouble and overall havoc. The consequences of her actions were coming and at a rapid pace. But in the moment of her initial decisions, she failed to consider the consequences.

Especially for what it would mean for her as the Empress, and how much pressure it would place on Lexa; an official royal guard, a General, and among the very few remaining members of the Senate. Her official status was also in jeopardy just because of Clarke's personal grudges.

"You're right. I'm sorry that I've put you in the middle of it. All of this is my fault. I shouldn't have gone after the Senate. Not yet anyway, or rather never. Or maybe just less blatantly. Fuck, I really made a mess."

"It's okay. You did what you thought was right for the Empire. Which is the best anyone could do for it. You did what was necessary." Lexa pressed a chaste kiss to the blonde's head. "At this point, it doesn't even matter. We just have to deal with what we have and what we know. By doing that, nobody will get hurt. For now, let's just try to get a night's rest, and tomorrow we'll make a final decision."

"Tomorrow." The Empress repeats before resettling herself. "I don't deserve you, Lexa. You put up with far too much of my problems and the ones I cause. Maybe I should just face the consequences."

"Don't talk such into existence. The gods are wicked and will give you what you wish for. You don't have to suffer for anything because you have done nothing wrong. Now please, stop thinking and close your eyes. With light comes hope."

//

"Lexa," Clarke whines, trying to make an escape from the brunette's arms but to no avail. "I have to go. I forgot there's a grain shipment coming in and I really do have to oversee it, so you need to get out of bed as well."

"No, screw the grain. Let Raven tell whoever that you're sick and so you're staying in bed to rest."

"Lexa." The Empress tries again, trying to pry herself out of Lexa's strong hold. "Tell you what, I'll excuse myself tomorrow and then we can stay in bed all day." Clarke tries to bargain with the green eyed overgrown infant in dire need of attention today. "But I really can't today. And we have to talk about our plans as well but right now the Empire has to go on."

"Don't make me resort to drastic measures."

"Drastic measures?"

Lexa pulled Clarke down completely, burying the blonde's body beneath her own. "You should really fear me, you know? I have one of the most savage attacks in the whole city. I'd just hate to use it on you?"

"Attack?" The Empress mutters under her breath as chills start to rise on her skin. "Do your worst."

After a girlish giggle, Lexa buries her head in the crook of Clarke's neck, kissing every piece of skin possible before sprinkling butterfly kisses all over the Empress' face. An equal amount of giggle's filled the room and all worries dissipated into thin air. They were just two women, hopelessly in love with one another and the world was just the world, going on without them. In a matter of seconds, a space of peace, serenity, and love formed.

And just like that all of it was stripped away.

Praetorians jogged through the villa and down the hall followed by a loud bellow. "Lexa, run! They're coming!"

Before a clear thought passed through Lexa's mind she was on her feet, with the dagger once hidden under her pillow now wielded in front of her. One man after the other filtered into the room, blocking off the only exit of the room other than the window behind her.

The Empress pulled the furs over her body as her frightened eyes darted between the assortment of men. "What is the meaning of this?! Get out!"

The Praetorians ignored Clarke's order as they seemingly waited for something, or rather someone. "Stand down, men. There must be some sort of mistake." Lexa says calmly as she tightens her hold on the hilt of the dagger, holding it in a battle stance in front of her chest, upside-down – blade outward.

"Can't do that, General."

"Stand down, or your families will lose their breadwinner. You may be part of the brotherhood but I will not think twice about killing any of you. Back away and leave."

The foreman remained silent this time and the only sound in the room remaining was the heavy breath's coming from the helpless Empress. It was too late and their window to leave the city had closed. The consequences were here and it was time to face them.

"Lexa! Lexa! Get off of me you idiot!" Octavia continued to call after her sister while simultaneously trying to fight off the three Praetorians that were pinning her down onto the marble floor in the middle of the atrium.

"This is my final warning, men. Stand. Down." Lexa growls.

"They won't be listening to you; in fact, no soldier will ever be taking orders from you again." Emperor Blake rounded the corner as his men made way for him, standing on attention if he were to give them their next orders. "By law, you are charged on basis of the crimes of conspiring against those in ruling as well of the crime of conspiring to kill those of the Praetorian. As punishment, you will be lashed, tortured, beaten, and stripped of your citizenship."

"Fuck your laws. You'll have to get me down before any fruitless punishment will commence. You lot don't know the first thing about killing. Today won't be about conspiracy, Blake, but I'm going to make good on my word. Why don't you save these men's lives and their families and just face me directly? Don't hide behind them. Let's do this like true Romans; fight me in the Colosseum in front of the Empire."

"Unfortunately, this isn't how things are going to work. See, criminals don't get to decide how things will take place. You're going to take your beating and lashes like the slave you were always meant to be." Bellamy made a slight gesture with his hand forward. "Take her."

Wearily the men looked between one another to see who would be the first to step forward but all seemed quite hesitant. "What? No takers then? You call yourself Praetorians. You're absolutely disgraceful. Romans died in Egypt just to turn in their graves at the sight of you pitiful wretches."

The taunt seemed to poke one soldier too close to home and in his newly found bravery, he was the first to step forward and the first one to hit the marble floor as well, tainting it with his blood and labored moans. Lexa recomposed herself again, wiping the blood from the blade onto her face with her fingers as the old Roman tradition goes when slaying their own.

The Empress looked on in horror, never having seen Lexa kill so close to her, only from afar.

When the next wave comes, its only two men with their swords drawn. The Gladiatrix knocked one in the face with the butt of the dagger and buried the blade of it in the other's neck before pulling it out with one swift movement, slicing the first one's throat. Blood splatter hit the walls with a shrill yet dull noise before it ran down in lone trails.

"Stop this Bellamy!" The Empress begs with desperation coating each word, and tears of fear starting to well in her eyes. "Please, stop this! They don't have to die, just take me, I'm guilty! I killed the Senate, I— I— conspired to kill you! Lexa was just doing her duty, please Bellamy, stop this!"

"You..." Blake breathes, pushing through the Praetorian in front of him. "You killed them?!" A slap echoed through the room as Clarke's head jerked to the side. "You ungrateful, whore! They gave you power and in return you murdered them!" Bellamy yanked at the cape of a Praetorian, shoving him in the direction of the Empress. "Take her as well!"

But he doesn't reach her, in fact, a blade is protruding from his head. The blade went through the metal of his helmet as if it was only made of wax and essentially useless. In the split second Blake looks upward, Lexa is lunging through the air, leaving the blade behind in the Praetorian's head before she lands on top of the Emperor.

As the day of her last fight in the Colosseum against Fenix, her long digits wrap around Blake's throat and she's blinded by rage. The occasional hands that grab at her are met with extreme resistance and not even a blade in her side will make the Gladiatrix falter today. No, today was the end of the family name Blake.

The Praetorians continued to grasp for her and pulled at her limbs but it was if she had become one with Blake's throat. That was until an enforced leather sandal connects with the side of her face, not once but twice before she falls next to him, her vision blurred and a trail of blood running from her ear.

Lexa tried to blink away the dizziness but there was no point. An assortment of blows strike every single piece of her body that meets the eye and that's when she realized that she has officially lost. The violation of the single rule her father taught her from childhood has cost her a victory; do not fight with your emotions, fight with a strategy.

She tries to shield her head and her side from the blows but Lexa soon realizes that she has to choose one of them, but she never does. The Gladiatrix only sees a dark figure lunge into the room and three Praetorians fall but this figure soon falls as well when it becomes outnumbered.

The figure fell next to Lexa, both of them face down on the cold floor, being drenched in their own blood and those who have been slain. The figure reached for Lexa's hand that laid in a puddle of blood, weakly clutching its fingers around her own. "We fight together, and we die together, sister."

A minute or a moment passes, Lexa isn't sure, but she's being hoisted up by her arms and being dragged from the villa, leaving a slick trail of blood behind her. She tries to fight against their hold but her body aches too much and soon the brick roads came in contact with her bare legs, scraping them with each rough pull from the Praetorian's.

The citizens of Rome stood outside their homes, watching in horror as they dragged Lexa through the dirty streets toward the throne room. The Praetorians were met with resistance to Lexa's surprise, people rising up against them for mangling their victor of the Colosseum and war hero.

When they eventually come to a halt, Lexa is dropped in the middle of the room, watching through a thick trail of blood as the Praetorians walk away for a moment before returning with thick rope in their hands.

One man took to tying the rope around her left wrist and the other took to tying it around her right wrist before she was hoisted up between two pillars, just barely in a standing position. Finally, she was given a moment to recompose herself and try to blink away the blood that had started to run over her eyes.

Octavia was hoisted up across from Lexa, the women about twenty feet apart yet face to face. Her sister wasn't too badly beaten, she had endured worse at the academy and Lexa finds herself grateful for the fact. But guilt followed shortly after because she knew that Octavia was in this predicament because of her.

"And so, the sisters come face to face one last time." Blake coos, his hand firmly holding onto the back of the Empress's neck, shoving her down onto the floor just seconds later. "You're all guilty of something. A poison to my Empire and now it comes down to who will suffer for these crimes."

Though, the Emperor seemed to make the first choice by connecting his fist with Lexa's jaw with tremendous force. She writhed against her constraints, finding her second breath within the rage. "Untie me you bastard, at least make it a fair fight!"

Blake laughed bitterly, unclipping his weapons belt and throwing it to a Praetorian. "I'm afraid the word fair doesn't exist in my vocabulary. There is no fairness in the crimes you have committed, why should you get any grace from me? You could've faced the consequences of your crimes in peace but no, you killed the men from the brotherhood. Its punishable by death, Alexandria."

"Then what are you waiting for!" Lexa barks, pulling against her constraints making the muscles in her arms bulge and her veins pop out. "Come on! Do it! Kill me!"

Another fist connected with her jaw, this time coming from a Praetorian. One fist turned to two, and eventually three until Lexa spat blood to her side and glared at the dark-skinned man that mischievously smiled back at her. "You hit like an infant."

The man was about to strike again before Blake raises his hand in the air, making the Praetorian freeze immediately. "That's enough. She's pulling the piss out of you. Look at her eye, it's red with blood." Bellamy points out, slightly shoving the man away. "I'm going to ask you some things and if you're not honest, you're going to receive an extra ten lashes for every lie you tell."

Lexa growled in reply.

"Who killed the Senate?"

"I don't know."

"That's ten. Try again, who killed the Senate?"

"I don't know!"

"Twenty. Last chance, who killed the Senate?"

"What don't you understand about I don't know!"

Bellamy signaled again, this time the Praetorians pulled Clarke toward another two pillars, readying the rope to tie around her wrists. Lexa's chest heaved as she watched them pull the Empress, one or two of them starting to rip at pieces of her clothing.

"I did it! I killed them!" Lexa yells in desperation. "I killed every single one of those old bastards and I enjoyed it!"

"Funny, because I remember Clarke confessing to that crime? Are you denying that she did it and all of their deaths were by your hand? Even counselor Collins?"

"Yes, I enjoyed killing him the most. I nailed his hands to his mother's door." Lexa lies, recalling the specifics Clarke told her in order to sound more convincing. "I found him in a brothel, hiding. Stabbed him four or five times and then I watched him breathe out his last breath."

Blake nodded his head, signaling for the Praetorian to let go of the Empress once again who only fell to her hands and knees. "Is this another one of your duties, Alexandria? To lie for the Empress? If she murdered the Senate and you testify to it, you will be acquitted from all of your crimes and I will even go as far as to rewarding you with some land. All you have to do is tell the truth."

"I have told the truth already. I killed them. It was the last wish Emperor Jake had, to kill those that have betrayed him. Finn, however, was more personal than anything else. He never deserved the Empress, and I only made sure that he will never lay his grubby hands on her again."

Bellamy slightly gasped before chuckling with his hands on his hips. "So, they really did have an affair then? That wasn't a lie? And what? The rumors are true of you and her? The Empress and her guard..." Emperor Blake shook his head again in disbelief, a wicked smile on his face though. "Well, this makes all of it sweeter then. I finally have my grasps on her real lover."

"Punish me for it, Emperor. All of it." Lexa urges, meeting the teary eyes of Octavia. "Let me endure the punishment for our sisters' crime as well. She only killed the Praetorian because of the promise we made to one another as children; to always protect each other. Please, I beg you, only punish me."

Bellamy looked to the back of the throne room where a lone hooded figure stood, only the ash white lines on her skin gleaming in the lonely rays of the sun. The High Priestess nodded her head once, the action slow in approval of the Emperor's wordless question. This whole interaction between Blake and the Priestess goes unnoticed by all present in the throne room, except for the Empress.

"Very well. Praetorian, take Alexandria to the forum and string her up. Make sure the restraints are tight enough, she has a long day ahead, and make sure the Empress has a clear view of the spectacle. And Octavia, say your last farewell."

The moment Octavia's restraints were undone, she sprinted over to Lexa before wrapping her arms around her sister in a deathly embrace. "We don't have a lot time. But listen to me closely, take care of yourself, okay? And look after Clarke for me. And by the gods, don't let this man's reign last long. Avenge me."

Octavia was yanked from her embrace around Lexa, being dragged away to the other side of the room once again. "I love you, Lexa!" She yells between her sobs. "I love you too, little sister." Lexa mouths, a lump in her throat forming rapidly.

Once both Octavia and the Empress were escorted from the throne room and toward Clarke's quarters so she could decently dress again, Blake took to Lexa again; relentlessly beating her until she could no longer stand by herself. Only leaving her to hang from the restraints, gasping for air to fill her burning lungs.

Only when he received word that Clarke was presentable to the people again, did his brutal attack on Lexa stop. She wasn't sure how much exactly she had left in her, and if he were to change his mind and throw her in the Colosseum now, she would most definitely lose.

As the time before, Lexa was dragged from the throne room, all the way to the market forum where she was dropped onto the brick road like a sack of grain. Her hair sprawled across her face and the shortest of them matted to her skin, soaking up her blood. She coughed a few times, a few drops of blood flying through the air.

Behind a line of more Praetorian, Clarke watched in horror as they dragged Lexa to the middle of the market forum, tying either of her wrists to the legs of two adjacent statues. One of the deity Justitia the goddess of justice and the other her maker, Caesar Octavian Augustus. They hoisted her up until she stood on her bloodied knees. She seemed too weak to even lift her own head so it hung as if it was in shame. The Gladiatrix was weak and defeated ... her spirit crushed.

The Empress tried to bust through the Praetorians but they held her back, essentially constraining her as well; forcing her to watch the woman she loves being beaten as if she is a common slave. It was heartbreaking, shattering, and inhumane.

Blake emerged from a crowd on the right, the people parting for him as if he was a god. He wore his war armour, accentuating the gathering at hand and the hierarchy he held in it. He was to be the one who delivers the punishment for conspiring against the one in ruling, the murder of the Senate, and finally, the murder of the brotherhood. He dragged a whip along, one of at least several feet long and studded. It shined in the sun's rays, gleaming as if it was made of gold.

Lexa struggled in the constraints, weakly pulling at them to try and free herself but her attempts were feeble. There was no escape and this seemed to be the end. Her end. She couldn't even manage to lift her own head to see the growing crowds. Some staring in awe, some staring in pity and some staring with the gleam of bloodthirst in their eyes.

The Empress sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks and her lips quivering. She could barely see through her eyes; tears blurring her vision. It was a nightmare coming to life, her biggest fears becoming a reality.

Lexa on the other hand struggled to have a coherent thought as her mind still spun from the beating she received just a few moments before. She couldn't feel her face, let alone her arms or legs but the ache in her side was there; her previous injury aggravated by the new trauma.

The only thing that chased through her mind was that this in fact may be the end and she already accepted it. She deserved all of this; for the lifetime of sins she committed in Egypt just to be considered a war hero. For the lies that she's told and the innocents that she has killed. 

This was her fate.

This must be the lifetime of bad fortune that was sworn upon her years ago the moment she looked into the blue eyes of a woman she wasn't supposed to see. Perhaps the myths were true of having a lifetime of bad fortune when looking royalty in the eye without permission. It was such a simple infraction yet here she was at the foot of death; one leg in the grave already.

From all the bad fortune sworn upon her, to the sins she committed, Lexa couldn't decide on which to pin her unfortunate fate upon.

Did it matter though? Did it matter who or what was at fault for this? She herself? Clarke? Or maybe even the gods? No, it didn't matter because this was her fate and it was too late to change it. And who was she to question it? This was the end of the pure Silvestre line and that's how it was going to be.

The first strike of a whip crossed the skin on her back, leaving an angry red line behind in its wake. She didn't wince, she didn't scream but her head did lift and the first person she laid eyes on was the Empress. Blood tainted her face, an assortment of angry purple bruises starting to emerge.

Another shot cracked over Lexa's skin again, making her back convulse, trying to subdue the pain but it was no use. One shot cracked after the other; one turning to five and five turning to ten and eventually, ten turned to fifty but not once did Lexa make a sound.

Her lip twitched and blood started to run down her back, turning her white bindings red. The blood on her face had started to crust on her eyebrow and blood caked at the sides of her mouth. All throughout the whipping, not once did her eyes leave Clarke; the Empress being her only source of strength remaining.

It was then when her life started to come in flashes; from her childhood, to her adulthood and the war in Egypt. But none of it reigned superior. Clarke reigned superior through all of it. One flash came after the other and Lexa knew in all of those moments they shared, nothing could've torn her from the Empress, not even the biggest of men.

The first kiss they shared sparked a fire so fierce that it eventually became unkillable. They shared a love that would extend for eras and eras; generations and generations. Their love would span over countless amount lifetimes, talked about, written about, and sung about. No matter what troubles they fought through before, their fire always remained hot and unwavering. It was phenomenal.

At that moment Lexa couldn't feel the lashes of the whip but rather the soft touch of Clarke's hands gliding across her nude skin, occasionally halting and a tender kiss following. It eliminated all worries, all pain, and all suffering. All that remained was the pure ecstasy of intimacy.

They spent hours sprawled and tangled in one another beneath the furs talking about everything and nothing. From stories of their childhoods, to the most outrageous of myths. Other times Lexa would share the boring yet intriguing history she had learned of the Empire, or Clarke would share the havoc she wreaked in the palace kitchen multiple times. Apparently cooking and baking wasn't her strong suit.

A small smile appeared on Lexa's lips even as she remained suspended by her arms, her knees occasionally dragging over the hard gravel beneath when one lash would consecutively follow over the exact same spot. She wondered how many times Clarke had asked about the branding on her forehead; what exactly it meant and why anyone 'with a face like that' would brand it. The answer was simple; pride in where and what she came from.

Lexa explicitly remembered each and every time Clarke would kiss her forehead, or the branding rather, muttering each time how much she adored it. Or on the multiple occasions the Empress dragged her fingers over the three lines the lion left behind many moons ago, always mentioning how much more beautiful it made Lexa.

Behind closed doors, they were only two women far too deep in love with one another. The willingness to sacrifice all and everything. That was the beauty of all of it; willingness to die for each other. They were free; free to be who they actually were and most importantly, free to truly love.

They held each other close, finding peace in all of it; a simple feeling both women craved more than they cared to admit.

But here it was ... the end.

A hundred lashes passed and blood poured from her back, mixed in with the black ink from the stigma she received in Egypt. Yet still, Lexa didn't do as much as groan and it annoyed Blake that the woman wouldn't even show emotion or pain now.

The cold of the setting sun drawing in stung Lexa's skin, a real relief to the burn she felt all over. She wished for some sort of miraculous snow. It would be a beautiful death, wouldn't it?

"Was it worth it? Lying to me? Deceiving me? Killing those that only followed orders?"

Lexa nodded her head best she could. All of it was worth it and she would do nothing of it differently if she had the opportunity. "Put me out of my misery, will you? Have I not suffered enough?" She didn't bother looking in the direction of the Emperor; her eyes still remaining on Clarke that tried her very best to break through the wall of Praetorian men to no avail.

"I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to banish you. Make you really suffer. I'm going to leave you to live the remainder of your life without the person you love. It's a fate much more dreadful than death. So, say your last words; after, your citizenship will be revoked and you will be sold as a slave in the morning. You will be reduced to the nothing you were always destined to be."

Again, Lexa nodded her head, the first tear spilling from her eye as reality sets in. "You can take my hope, you can take my life and you can take my legacy. But may the gods help you the day you go after her! Banish me, kill me, do your worst! But I will come back for you; if not in this life, in the next, and the one after! I will watch you die and I will revel in it!"

"I admire your fighting spirit. But I'm afraid you'll never be allowed into my Empire again. And you will never see Clarke again either."

Finally, Lexa's head settled, fully upward, her face being warmed by the setting afternoon sun. She didn't want to admit that this was the end of life as she knew it; she didn't want to admit that it was perfectly possible to never see Clarke again, or the fact that she might even die in the following week or two due to her injuries.

But there she was, living in the moment, remembering what is and what was and what could've been. Her one true love sentenced to an eternity of heartache. Another tear fell from Lexa's eyes, her bottom lip now too starting to quiver.

"I love you." Is the last thing Lexa mouths before feeling an assortment of heavy shots connecting with her body all over again. Perhaps she wouldn't even reach this lifetime of suffering she was promised, maybe death will overtake her sooner than she anticipates. And the worst part is that she didn't fear it; death was trivial and almost welcomed at this point. When darkness overtakes her, a sudden bright light appears in front of her eyes and she sees Clarke walking at her side with a valiant smile coating her lips.

Clarke was the beginning and she was the end.

My Clarke, my Empress, my greatest passion, I will always love you.

Chapter Text

The market forum bustled with impatient Romans and foreigners ready to spend the coin that was burning holes in their pouches. They all gathered there on the day for one reason, and one reason alone, and that was to buy the Colosseum's champion. Alexandria Silvestre. When news reached far enough that the Gladiatrix will be on the auction block, the slave traders were sure to be in the forum before it was even first light. They traveled from far and wide, day and night.

They pushed and shoved at one another, angsty to get to the very front where the slaves were being lined up one by one as if they were nothing but cattle. It wasn't all true what Blake had promised Lexa; that she would be sold the very next day. No, such never came true. It was a whole week later. Once he heard how much interest was vested in the Gladiatrix, and her overall sale, he decided to wait.

He might as well make some coin from the last thorn in his side; the only thing that remained in the way of the success of his ever-growing Empire. Or that was the way he justified it.

There was no point in selling her to the richest, yet poorest, of travelers visiting Rome; it would be so much more advantageous to sell her to someone that would be willing to pay thousands of denarii and not only hundreds.

Perhaps it would be a Greek, perhaps it would be a trader from the kingdom of Silla in the Korean Peninsula, or perhaps it will be a brute from the Germanics. Either way, her new owner will be known before midday which was only two candle lines away.

The first line of slaves were lanky, almost unhealthy looking, but with a few good meals, they would surely be perfect farmworkers. They didn't get much interest and were only sold for a handful of sestertii which was practically worthless. The second line of slaves were healthier than the first group and they would likely be used on fishing boats or as plain slaves in the villas of the rich to serve food or drink at private banquets.

Finally, after a strenuous amount of time and bartering trying to get a better price per head, the third line of slaves were moved to the front. They were built into the fighting class, and not be sold as a group but only individually. All were healthy, strong, and shirtless to show and prove that they had fair experience in fighting judging by their marked skin.

With their chests puffed, freshly bathed, trimmed facial hair and glistening skin due to the oil rubbed on them, they were ready to be auctioned off. All but one. One that remained on their knees, rocking backward and forward, threatening to fall over at any moment. Lexa had definitely had better days, in fact, she was sure that she had never had so many consecutive days as shit as the last week was.

Her beatings ceased three or four days ago; she wasn't sure. The days in the dungeons all felt the same, smelled the same, and looked the same. The noise coming from the other slaves was incomprehensible since they knew who had joined them in the dungeons. Some opted for bellows of incoherent words and others threw mocking slurs her way that 'she was just like them' now.

She was no longer at the top of the ranks, and on the outside of the cells, she was inside of them now, waiting for the day that she will be sold off to the highest bidder. Even throughout all the noise, patiently waiting for the other slaves to grow bored since they don't get a reply from her, she slept most of the hours away. Lexa had hoped the little rest would help her body recover but it was a losing battle since not eating for days certainly delayed the process. Maybe even completely halting it.

There were moments that she felt like death would overtake her, or perhaps she was rather hoping for death, anything to end the constant physical and mental suffering she was enduring. Life had become glum, faster than she could comprehend really and the days were going to remain glum; Lexa knew as much. If the glum would eventually disappear, then she would surely thank it to death.

But the gods weren't gracious enough to allow death to befall her. They seemed to find glee in Gladiatrix's suffering and mercy was the last thing they had in mind. She hated them, loathed them, but at the very same time, she constantly begged them for help, or a favor. The favor of death. At least in the Styx, she would no longer be in pain.

"Come on, get up." Calloused hands grabbed at either her arms, hoisting Lexa up faster than she could possibly find her feet which only makes her stumble and fall again. "By the gods, if you don't stay on your feet, they are only going to beat you again as punishment." The calloused hands picked her up again, this time only letting go when Lexa looks sturdy enough to stand on her own.

"For what it's worth, I was honored to serve under you, General. Your sacrifice to Rome wasn't in vain, know that." The voice whispers in her ear, and at first, she struggles to place it but when she lays eyes on the dark-skinned man there was no mistaking him for anyone other than Lincoln Falco himself. "I'm sorry that is happening to you, Commander. I wish I could help you out of this."

Before Lexa could mutter a few words in reply, maybe even a 'there's nothing you can do but thank you for the thought', she was pushed forward yet again by another Praetorian to stand on the very front of the stage. Luckily not falling down this time with the harsh push. The last thing she needed was another round of fists and kicks colliding with her body.

The noise of many voices and heckles finally filled her senses and only then does she realize how many people were gathered in the market forum. She had never seen this many people in the forum on a normal day, let alone in the auction block. She had only seen this many people when the Colosseum games were taking place. 

She had found herself many times on the other side of this stage when she had to buy slaves for Blake; or when she passed by the auction block on the way to another piece of the forum. But unfortunately for her, she was standing on the wrong side of it this time. She was the one being sold.

Lexa knew this day was coming, Hades, she even tried to prepare herself for it but there wasn't enough time in the world that would be long enough to prepare for this. She watched as hands flailed around and miniature fights ensued as one man tried to push past the other. It was complete chaos.

It was like watching a competition of sorts, and she was the grand prize.

"Feast your eyes on the victor of the Colosseum! Once a free woman and now up for auction! Who has a purse heavy enough to buy a Gladiator that will make you a fortune outside of Rome?! She is a seasoned warrior with years of training and experience, perfect for the arena or security for the opulent. Let the bidding begin!"

"One thousand denarii!" The first man started.

"Two thousand denarii!" The second.

"Seven thousand denarii!" And the third with a much larger bid. The amount equal to a full term pay of four years for a seasoned Centurion in a Roman Legion.

"One thousand aurei!" Bellows a man, making everyone fall silent and look in the direction of where the voice came from. Lexa herself tried to look the crowd over to see where the voice came from and to see who has potentially bought her. One thousand aurei was equal to twenty-five thousand denarii and not a heavily circulated coin. Only the richest of the rich had aurei.

"Two thousand aurei!" Another calls, making the crowd's head snap to the other side. Lexa knew that voice, it was like a call from her past; a welcomed one even. One from a man that she had not seen in ages, though now she wished she had. Johnathan. He stood in all of his glory, his prestigious white toga almost glowing under the flaming hot sun.

"Three thousand aurei!" The stranger retorts and this time Lexa's eyes catch onto the strange gentleman. But he too wasn't a stranger, although they had only met briefly, she remembered his face. Roan from the collegium. He wore his normal attire; tattered leather body armour matched with beaten brown bracers and his longish hair neatly styled.

"Four thousand aurei!" A new contender bellows. Who was he?

The betting continued and John himself had no issue contending with the other gentleman, outbidding each and every amount they set forward until only his bet remained. Ten thousand aurei; enough coin to partially fill quite a hefty space in the palace treasury. By the gods, it was enough to build another palace altogether.

The auctioneer looked off to his side, where Lexa now notices Blake atop his stallion in his gold-adorned armour and red sash, only a glimpse of the eagle on it visible to the eye. To Lexa's surprise, she sees him shake his head side to side, declining John's offer with a suspicious look in his eye.

"But Emperor ... he's willing to pay the most for her. Why not let him have her? We won't get a better bid."

"Because they know one another. I'm not selling her off to be freed, I'm selling her to suffer until she wishes for death." The jest was on him though, Lexa scoffs, she was already wishing for death. "Sell her to the bidder before him, the bald trader. That's final. Take your fee and have the rest delivered to my quarters." And just like that Rome's Emperor disappeared into the direction of the palace, atop his stallion with his Praetorian in tow.

Lexa herself shook her head side to side in despondency. Though, she wasn't shocked, there was no way the gods would favor her enough to be bought by someone that wouldn't think twice about making her a free woman once again. No, they were going to make sure she's sold to a complete stranger that she's yet to lay eyes on.

One that wouldn't be interested in making her a free woman, but rather one who is likely interested in exploiting her knack for fighting with swords and killing without mercy. However, whoever this gentleman may be, he wasn't buying what the auctioneer said he was selling. She was never picking up a sword again.

Lexa's days of killing were over, the swing of her blade was something that was going to remain in the past and only become a piece of history. And if her buyer wasn't satisfied with such, then he was going to have to kill her or make peace with the fact that he is a few thousand aurei poorer and the owner of a soldier that doesn't kill.

There is only one life that she will take, and that is the life of Emperor Bellamy Blake of the house Bellicus. 

"By decree of Emperor Bellamy Blake, the twelfth Emperor of Rome, he nullifies the final bid made on the Gladiatrix; and with that, he accepts the runner up with the amount of nine thousand aurei. Gentleman, go pay your due amount at the slave registration block and collect the Gladiatrix."

"Mutiny!" John yells, forcibly pushing past the few men in front of him until he's just about on top of the makeshift stage. "I'll make it fifteen thousand! Name your price, I will pay every single coin of it today! But this woman will be mine!" Lexa briefly met John's eye, thankful that he was putting up a fight to overturn the decree but she knew that there was no use.

Blake was gone, and she's sure even if he was here, he wouldn't accept any amount John would offer. He was too spiteful of an individual and the gods seemed to constantly side with him as well. Her fate was sealed and Lexa could only hope that her owner isn't a complete cunne.

It was official, she had nothing left. Not a status, not a home, and most importantly, no Clarke. Lexa hoped that she would at least lay an eye on the Empress on the day before she would inevitably be taken out of the city, never to return again, but Clarke was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps it was better that way. Clarke didn't have to see her this way, beaten and bruised with dried blood on almost every piece of material that covered her body. She wore clothing that didn't even belong to her; if it could even be considered clothing. It looked like the material farm produce and grain was carried in, essentially a bag since it was far too big even for her stature.

"The Emperor has spoken." The auctioneer answers calmly before gesturing to the guards to remove John from the stage. "Now, you and you, take her to the registration block and make sure she is given to her dominus."

"Yes sir."

Lexa was harshly pushed off of the back of the stage where only a handful of people stood in silent conversation. They seemed like the wealthier bunch, only interested in buying the 'working' women for their brothels. They were hardly interested in the fighters, unlike the slave traders at the front of the stage; those that were so eager to buy her, even in her injured state.

The Gladiatrix wasn't sure what she was supposed to feel, or think even. She was officially sold as a slave, now being nothing but someone's possession. What was to become of her now? So much had changed at such a rapid pace and she was yet to process the majority of it. All she knew was that life as she knew it was over and accepting such wasn't easy at all.

She teetered between the feeling of wanting to just give up and the overbearingly powerful feeling, or rather need, for vengeance. But she had no resources available for revenge, so that wasn't an option, so only giving up remained. And just like that, Lexa was wishing death upon herself once again. She wasn't fit to be anyone's slave; her temperament wouldn't allow it.

The two Praetorians pushed Lexa once again, this time toward a table where an old man sat dressed in a fine white toga with a quill between his fingertips, scribbling something down on a piece of papyrus. From Lexa's side of the table, she could make out what he was busy with; slave registry.

"Name?"

When an answer doesn't come, Lexa receives a slight thump on her shoulder from the Praetorian trying to tower of her to no avail. He looked like a child compared to Lexa's towerous height advantage over him. The old man in front of her looked up with a bored expression, waiting. "Your name, slave?"

"Alexandria Silvestre."

He scribbled it onto the papyrus, going over a hand-drawn line since slaves never had last names. Shortly after cramming everything in, he moved onto the finer details such as her physical description and whatnot. "Where is her new owner? Did the Praetorian buy her?" It was an interesting question to Lexa's ears. She thought, or rather assumed, she was known throughout the city, by the gods she even had her own statue. Yet this man didn't know who she was.

Lexa almost unhumorously laughed to herself. Who she was. Now, she is just a slave. She is no longer a Praetorian, she is no longer the General of the 3rd and 4th legion, she is no longer a renowned victor of the Colosseum, and lastly, she is no longer a part of the Senate. It must have been a record of sort; she never even attended a meeting of the Senate. She wasn't even a citizen of Rome anymore.

"I'm her new owner." A man says from behind Lexa. She had heard the voice before some time ago, and even then, only briefly. "The name is Leonardo Flavius." Lexa nodded her head to herself with the revelation; the gods had a sense of humor, as proved many times before. Only a few months ago did she buy slaves from this man for Bellamy who wanted 'gladiators' for the Colosseum when his lavish, and quite expensive, celebrations were underway.

"And how much did you pay for her?"

"Nine thousand aurei, and not a single coin more." His heavy hand landed on Lexa's shoulder, jabbing his taunt at her in case she would remember their last interaction. She remembered it, of course she did. She treated him like a trashy slave trader, making it obvious that she did not trust him to gather the right amount of denarii from the treasury for his slaves. And she had no doubt that interaction was going to bite her in the arse now.

The old man choked on his own spit, shocked by the price paid for this woman but he quickly wrote it down anyway. "Is her cunt made of gold that you would pay so much?" There it was, the vulgar comments that always came out on the slave trading block and Lexa had to do her best to restrain herself from knocking the man's teeth out with her head.

"No, you frog-eyed prick, piss off." Leonardo growls before spitting at the feet of the man that asked. The defensive words caught Lexa by surprise; intrigued by the fact that her owner would actively defend her honor in front of everyone. Such wasn't a commonality, in fact it never happened. She hadn't even entertained the idea that she could've possibly been bought to be a sexual object; and now that she had, she felt frightened.

"By the gods, Rome sure has a bunch of sick fucks. I can't wait to go back to Greece. The weather is better as well. Have you ever been, Alexandria?"

"For a day or so, yes, dominus. In Athens."

"Only for a day? Who in their right mind travels all the way to Greece, especially Athens, just to visit it for a singular day? You Romans are a strange bunch." The casual conversation completely caught Lexa by surprise; a surprise following up one by the other. This Leonardo character ... was different. And she could definitely tell he was from Greece by the way he spoke; much like the way Elena spoke. "Well, we won't be going to Athens. We're traveling to Elis, or Olympia to be more exact."

"Elis? Olympia?" Lexa asks shocked. She knew of the city since she had read about it over and over again from the ledgers in the biblioteca. It was the famous city of the Olympic games; it originated there ages ago. Somewhat eight hundred or so years ago. It was the proud owner of many champions; men that were considered nothing short of gods.

"You know it? Of course, you do. You're a literate one, aren't you?" Leonardo asks rhetorically, reaching for Lexa's bound hands, slicing his blade through the rope before tossing it to the side. The Praetorians looked at one another wearily, witnesses to what the Gladiatrix was actually capable of. She could turn this entire slave block into a bloodbath if she wished to.

But Lexa had no fight left in her. Her body ached from her head to her toes and her stomach frequently reminded her that she hadn't eaten for days either. It was a miracle all on its own that she was even standing upright all on her own. What would her father think of her if he were to see her now? Disappointment, surely.

"Excuse me for bringing this up, sir, but Elis is still within the Roman Empire. I'm banished from the entirety of the Empire."

"Correction. You are banished from Rome. I read the fine print before I made my bid on you. You're just not allowed into this city. Otherwise, you can go wherever you would like to. Or in this case, wherever I take you."

Without even skipping a breath, Leonardo sheathes the dagger at his side. "We don't need you tied up. I want us to start off on the right foot, and you being bound is hardly appropriate." The Gladiatrix couldn't help furrow her eyebrows at the action. Owners weren't necessarily keen to be friendly with their slaves, let alone on the 'right foot'. They held all the power, why did he want a mutual and equal relationship?

"All done, Leonardo." The old man giddily exclaims with the knowledge that he too will get quite a payment for completing the registration for a slave of this price. "Here are your papers of registration, just present them at the city gates when you leave." The old man handed off three sheets of papyrus to Leonardo which he graciously accepted with a bright smile, relieved to get out of Rome and its terribly hot weather. "Let's get you fed, Alexandria. You're looking a little bleak."

When Lexa turns to follow behind her new owner, a scuffle erupts in the growing crowds of people. Shouts of bartering changed to screams of horror and people doing their very best to get away from whatever was taking place. Leonardo himself halted in step, holding an arm out in front of Lexa to stop her as well which she had no problem doing. 

As a member of the Praetorian and a half proud General of two Legions, her duty would've been to rush into the crowd and defuse whatever was going on. But as a slave, there was nothing obligating her to do anything for Rome. All she had to do was listen to her dominus, and he says halt. Although, selfishly, she enjoys the tensions brewing and erupting already while knowing that such could've been avoided if Blake didn't denounce her completely. She could've stopped this before it even started.

The screams continued and the two Praetorians that accompanied her to the registration block flew past Lexa and Leonardo, heading into the separating crowd with their swords drawn already. Lexa supposes it's merely a brawl between two slave traders that are upset that one didn't get their hands on their desired slaves.

But it was far from such.

The two Praetorians were cut down with ease and three masked individuals pushed through, heading straight toward where Lexa and Leonardo were standing. "Why did I know this was going to happen? Either they're after your head, or they're after mine. You're not in any fighting condition, are you?" He quickly looked her up and down. "No, you're not. Get behind me, you were expensive and I will be damned if you get killed before you've made me my coin back."

Leonardo seemed to be the type of man that answered his own questions oftenly and Lexa finds her grateful for the fact. She had never been the keen conversation type, even less now. Besides, her vow of eschewing swords was going to remain firm. For now at least.

The three masked individuals drew closer, one remaining more behind the other two. The masks looked to be ones used in rituals, such as the ones used by the women in the Temple of Jupiter Fulgor. "Now, now, I don't want any trouble but if you push me, I will give you trouble." Leonardo unsheathed his blade, getting into a fighting stance which Lexa notes isn't half bad.

The two individuals at the front lifted their blades as well, ready to get into combat with Lexa's new owner but they were quickly stopped by the third trailing behind them. "Stop! No more blood has to be spilled! My orders to you were clear, no innocents should be harmed." The third individual pushed by the other two and it doesn't take Lexa a second to know who it was.

The Empress removed the mask from her face, fully revealing her identity to the man that was threatening to cut down anyone who is supposedly looking for trouble. "Your highness ... my apologies. I didn't know it was you. What is the meaning of this? I have paid my due for this slave. Here, look." Leonardo held out the papers to Clarke with a shaky hand but she barely spares a glance at them before whooshing past him.

She wrapped her arms around Lexa that gladly received her, slightly stumbling backward because of Clarke's force. "You've made trouble again I see. When will you ever learn?" A slight chuckle escapes both women's chests as they sway.

"I had to come to see you." Even if it is for the last time, Clarke wants to add, but decided not to utter the possibility aloud because that would make it true. If a minute with Lexa would cost the lives of a few Praetorians, then she would gladly pay it over and over again. "It's not too late. I'll fix this. Aut viam inveniam aut faciam."

They pulled apart and Lexa looked down at the woman she loves more than anything with a broken smile, the almost healing cuts on her face tearing open by the action. "I'm afraid it is too late, my love. I am subjected to a kill order if I set foot on Roman soil again after tomorrow morning. Now go, before anyone else sees your face. I appreciate this gesture, but Blake will punish you gravely and I cannot have that happen because of me."

"I could come with you. Maybe even buy you—" Clarke turned toward Leonardo who had a very confused expression plastered to his features. "I'll triple whatever you paid for her—"

"Hey, no, no. You're not going anywhere and you're not buying anything. I can't allow you to abandon the Empire. Not for me. These people will starve and die under Blake's sole ruling; they need you, Clarke. Please, go now. I can hear the Praetorian coming."

"Lexa, please." The echo of footsteps sounded, indicating that the army of Praetorian were indeed coming. "I need you, Lexa, I don't need this Empire. It can burn for all I care. If you're not here ... what's the point for it even continuing? I can't do all of this without you. I'm nothing without you."

"That's simply not true. You were so much before we even met, and you became so much more ever since then. You can do anything you set your mind to, don't you ever forget that." Lexa held the Empress' face in her calloused hands, darting her eyes between two endless blue spheres. "I will always love you, and I will never love another. But this is where you and I part ways, forever. Walk away, Clarke, and don't look back." Lexa pressed her lips against Clarke's forehead before pulling away and brushing past the Empress, limping toward where Leonardo stood. If she were not the one to walk away first, then they were going to remain in place until the Praetorian would inevitably pull them apart.

"I'll walk away under one condition." Clarke breathes, taking hold of Lexa's wrist, forcefully stopping her and spinning her around in the process. "Take this and know in your heart that I am yours, and yours alone. I will see you again," The Empress dropped her ring in Lexa's hand; the same one that burned Lexa's chest on so many nights when she gazed up at the moon in Egypt, longing to return to the woman she loves. "If not in this life, I will find you in the next."

She admired Clarke's stubbornness; her unwillingness to accept that this was their end. But Lexa knew better than not to accept this reality because if she didn't accept it, the hurt was going to last for much longer than it has to. Of course, the void in her heart will remain, but at least she will have peace in knowing that she at least had the opportunity to truly experience love in its rawest form.

"Clarke, we have to go now if we wish to not be caught with the Praetorian's blood on our hands." The masked individual pleaded, slightly pulling at Clarke's wrist. It was a female's voice, Lexa notes, which meant it could only be one person that had so much comfortability in using Clarke's name. Anya.

"Until then, my love." Lexa replies softly, sliding the ring onto her left ring finger. "Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit. Ego amo te."

The Empress allowed herself to be pulled in the opposite direction of where the heavy footsteps were coming from. "Ego amo te." Only looking back once before disappearing into a narrow alley that leads to the slums of the Aventine.

"We should probably go as well if we don't want to be blamed for this." Leonardo attests. "My cart isn't far from here."

They passed market stall after market stall, some merchants looking at her with pity and the others completely avoiding to meet her eye. Lexa wondered if they were too ashamed to look at her while knowing that she helped them with favors on multiple occasions, even overpaid them for their wares sometimes in order to help feed their families. And now, there was nothing they could do for her in return.

Inevitably they even passed by the statues of the Colosseum victors on their way to the main city gate and to no surprise, Lexa's statue was already reduced to nothing but rubble, however, Octavia's still stood proudly. As Leonardo continued to stroll, the Gladiatrix found herself stopping in front of her sister's statue, looking up at it for a singular moment. She pressed her fingertips to her mouth and laid her hand at the foot of the statue with a plea to the gods that she will live a long and fulfilling life.

//

With a full belly after hounding down as much food as possible, Lexa shuffled next to the slow-paced cart that was being pulled by two black stallions. They were hardly fit to pull something as feeble as a cart; they were more the type of horses that would pull chariots in races. It was more than questionable why Leonardo would have such prized horses pull a cart, or cage rather, full of slaves. 

They were as muscular as Vitus, or even Liberius. After a quick thought of the comparison, Lexa finds herself feeling guilty for only caring for her horse a handful of times since she returned from Egypt, and now, she had essentially neglected and abandoned him for good. Not that she had any say in the matter, but still he remained among the few things she still had left from Polis, and Maximus.

All of this, it was cruel. There was no winner, except for Blake, and even he had lost quite a bit in the ordeal. Just because of his fragile ego, he indirectly caused the loss of many lives, and by that he forced Lexa to be slathered in the blood of innocents yet again. Many Praetorians were lost, but on the other hand, they should've known better than to stand against her. The only two reasons that more didn't fall at the mercy of her blade was the fact that she was outnumbered eventually, and that she made the mistake of engaging with Blake in a fit of unbridled rage.

If such didn't happen, Rome would've run red with their blood.

"That was an interesting development," Leonardo states from atop his own horse, pulling Lexa out of her thoughts. "There were rumors, we all heard them but not once did I believe that the Empress would ever fall for someone like you. I mean no offense. She seemed more inclined to, or rather destined to, to end up with someone of equal status. Such as your fine Emperor."

By the way he pronounced 'fine' Lexa could tell that Leonardo wasn't fond of Blake either. Or his Greek accent was just so heavy in that moment that it conveyed something completely different from what he actually meant.

"None was taken, sir. Truly, I'm not sure how it happened either, but it did. It caught me by surprise ... look where it got me though. On my way to Greece, away from everything that I have ever known." It sounded a bit more bitter than intended, but Lexa felt that she was entitled to a little bit of bitterness, especially considering recent events.

"Do you regret it?"

"Not for one second." Lexa answers sharply, not having to contemplate her answer. There was no room for regret, only loathing for the man that singlehandedly caused all of this hardship, and an insatiable hunger for vengeance and infliction of unimaginable suffering. "She brought out the better part of me, shining a light on my darkness. When we accidentally crossed paths at first, I was in a very difficult place in life."

"May I ask why?"

"I had just arrived in Rome after months of rebuilding the small city I'm originally from." At the mere thought of those days, a bad taste made itself home in Lexa's mouth. She didn't like talking about the rebuilding of Polis, let alone the destruction of it and the losses it caused. "I had lost both my parents in an attack from a tribe in the mountains. I will never forget their names, Azgeda of Aticus. They killed hundreds of settlers, men, women, children. And my lover at the time."

A slave within the cage quirked his ear toward the conversation between the Gladiatrix and his master; hearing the familiar name of the tribe he abandoned many many years ago.

"My apologies for your loss." Leonardo mumbles, also fumbling with the tribe's name in his head. He was sure he had heard it somewhere before but couldn't remember where so he decides to push the thought to the side, and continue with the conversation since a long journey still laid ahead. "If you don't mind me saying this but I find you oddly ... calm. I've bought many slaves, separating families in the process, or even separating young lovers such as yourself and the Empress. And I was always met with some sort of resistance or issues, yet you have caused none. You don't even show a sign of panic for all of the possible uncertainties, and you don't speak to me with a resentful tone. Why is that?"

Lexa supposes that he has a valid point. She imagines that she is supposed to feel all of those things, and do all of those things but what would that gain her? This man held no fault and feeling angst would fix nothing. "When you've lost as much as I have, you get used to it. It becomes a constant nagging question of 'when will I lose something again?'. It's quite tedious. I knew this day would come; it was only a matter of time. Besides, why should I feel resentment toward you? You have done me no wrong. In fact, you treat me with dignity, better than most people would treat a slave."

"Those are some very heavy words, Alexandria. See, where I come from, slaves are a commonality. I was a slave too back in a day, in fact, my family were all slaves until my master decided to leave me all of his wealth on the day of his death. I know what it feels like to be treated like dirt, stepped on, spat on, shit on. It's no way to treat a person. I vowed that I would never treat someone in that way, no matter what they've done."

Lexa nodded her head best she could. At first look, Leonardo didn't look like a man that had seen a day of slavery in his life. He wore clean clothing; a newly made tunic coupled with shining leather armour that fit him perfectly. He looked like he had been a slave master of gladiators for many years.

"Have you ever been a slave before this?"

"Never, dominus. This is fairly new to me, but I know the gist of it. I do everything you tell me to do and that's that. It's not very different from the life I was living before, I realize now. I've been following orders my entire life without a say in it, now I just don't have any of the luxuries and vanity that accompanied my title."

The silence between them grew larger in size, only the hooves of Leonardo's stallion clicking against the few rocks on the path and the creaks coming from the wheels of his cage-like carriage. A few other slaves sat inside of it, those of the fighting class that he had also bought on the day, and those that accompanied him on his journies.

The lankier of the slaves, walked on the other side of the cart, all tied by their hands, and rope linking them to one another, making it impossible for one to run away if he dared to try. But doing such would be like a death sentence, or very close to a death sentence.

"Why did you buy me?" Lexa questions after a while, unable to conjure up the answer herself. "Look at me, I can't stand up straight, and to be honest with you, I'm not sure if I ever will again. And I expect I'm hard to look since I was beaten for days at a time. What use am I to you?"

Leonardo remained quiet for a moment, rocking with his horse's every movement as he deliberates his answer. "I've seen you fight in the Colosseum. Every single one of your battles. But your fighting skill isn't the reason I bought you. I bought you because of your fierce will to never give up, no matter how bleak things look, no matter how impossible things seem. Do you remember the day you fought that brute? The one that flung you through the air with the back of his axe, was it? Doesn't matter. You stood up after, and believe me, the mobs were already retracting their bets on you while you laid there, and yet you lunged through the air, landed on his back, and ripped his throat out with your teeth. Even after looking death in the eye, you stood up. But yes, in short, I am looking at you, and you look terrible, and you walk like there's a stick up your arse, but you're walking nevertheless, refusing to give up yet again."

The memory was still vivid in her mind; flying through the air and landing with such force that her newly crafted sword sheath on her back snapped. She remembered the Empress yelling, but it was far too late. She remembered her life flashing before her eyes, as it has far too many times, the previous week being the latest. When would the very last time be?

"I still can't believe I did that," Lexa answers in disbelief that she would ever act so outlandish. "I however doubt that I'll ever be able to again. He left me with a few fractured ribs after the battle. And more than that, I have had so many injuries since then. By the grace of the gods, I survived the attack of a lion and somehow an entire war with Egypt just to return and be stabbed in the gut, and after being stripped of everything I have built myself up to."

"The gods? Your gods?" Leonardo bellowed with laugher, throwing his head back in the process. "Their grace?!" The man continued to laugh in mockery. "My dear, if your gods had so much grace for you, you wouldn't have been here in the first place."

Lexa's gaze remained in front of her, finding peace in the steady water stream in front of them which they were about to cross. But Leonardo's words didn't fall upon deaf ears. Once again, he had a very valid point. The gods had no grace for her, only a handful of taunts and false promises of a happy life just to take it all away and have a laugh about it. "Do you think they have abandoned me, dominus? Have the gods abandoned me?"

He hummed before pulling the reins of his horse to a halt and hopping from the makeshift saddle onto the gravel below. The entire carriage came to a halt as well making the slaves inside of it look through the bars with extreme intrigue. "I don't think they were ever with you. But man was, by the seven furies, did man stand by you. I was taught early in my life to not rely on the gods, but rather on the loyalty of those that serve you, or those that wish to befriend you."

They set off in a slow stride again, Leonardo's face turned toward the setting sun. "Fortunately enough for you, those that have already befriend you, and serve you, have done their part. I feel now is the most appropriate time to tell you that I have been tasked to ... help you. But at a price of course which turned out to be quite expensive."

Lexa's head snapped toward Leonardo, but the man doesn't even spare a glance in her direction. "What do you mean, dominus? I have no one that serves me, and sadly I'm quite short on friends. I have an ever-growing list of enemies but that's how far as things go."

"Your healer, Valentina. She cornered me in hopes that I will buy you. She wanted to assure your safety, and now I assure you that much you will have in Olympia. What I told you about the reason I bought you, was all true, but I want you to know now that there are people that look out for you. Though, I wouldn't lie, doing this favor for her as well, did sweeten the deal."

"Valentina..." Lexa breathes, shocked by the turn of events. "Why are you telling me of this, dominus?"

"Because I'm excited about our journey together."

"Our journey? I'm your slave, it's not much of a journey, I must admit. Unless you're referring to the long travel we have to Elis. Which will take weeks. Actually, months." The grim idea of traveling for weeks, or rather months, set an even larger damper on Lexa's ever-growing sour mood. Although, the news of Valentina certainly gave her a sense of ... happiness? Maybe gratitude that someone on the outside really was interested in her safety.

"Perhaps a singular month, we're definitely not traveling by foot or horseback. I have a ship in Neopolis. But on the contrary, I wasn't referring to the actual journey. I was referring to the metaphorical one. You and I will likely spend most days in each other's company, I apologize for that in advance, I become quite annoying sometimes, but my favor for Valentina consists of a bit more than I've let on."

The Gladiatrix continued to look her owner up and down, her eyebrows not once unfurrowing. What could this favor possibly more entail? "Enlighten me, sir. What is this metaphorical journey? And what is this favor?"

"Well, you've certainly seen better days, haven't you? My supposed task of helping you, is to restore you to your former glory and once you've paid me off throughout, I will bring you back to Rome as a free woman. As Valentina put it, the Empire should cease to exist and she believes that you are the perfect candidate to end it. With that, I assume you don't have the best of relationships with the Emperor. I mean, he has made you look like an overripe avocado. I expect you want revenge."

Lexa halted in step, her hands on her hips as she gazes at the man that has essentially changed everything. What he was promising was a future, an actual future. "How long? How long will it be until we return? And what is the grand plan on how to make the Empire ceasing to exist? I see no viable way for that to possibly happen while I am subject to a kill order if I set foot in that city. I can't exactly just march in there."

He smiled with a playful malice dancing on his lips. "How does a dead woman return to a city? Let alone, how does a dead woman have a kill order on her head if she has already passed on to the Styx? If those in power believe you are dead, they will not think of seeing you again. They will forget about you since there is no statue to remind them of you. I regret to say this, Alexandria, but by the time the next games in the Colosseum come around and a new champion arises, you will be long forgotten."

Catching onto Leonardo's insinuation, Lexa shakes her head side to side. "This is a fool's plan; it could never be done; they won't believe I'm dead without proof. Besides, I will not let the Empress believe I am dead. I refuse to inflict that kind of pain on her. She has had more than her fair share of heartache and loss. My death ... it would destroy her."

"Perhaps it will, perhaps it won't. Initially, I would've agreed, that this was a fool's plan but that ring on your finger ... would be all the proof they need since you won't part ways with it without a fight. The Empress did you a big favor by giving it to you without her even knowing how pivotal it could be. But nevertheless, if you do not wish to take part in this, I will not force you to. You can pay off your debt to me and be well on your way."

A large silence set in over them again and Lexa fell into the void of possibility head first. The plan stood a chance, a small one at that, but a chance. But it also came at an extensive price that she wasn't sure she was willing to pay. She couldn't have Clarke believe she was dead, Octavia neither. They've been forced to live a life apart, yes, but the hope and possibility of seeing one another again, no matter how small, still remained. But if they believe that she is dead ... all hope will be lost.

How would they even deceive Blake into thinking that she is dead? How would the ring reach its way back to Rome?

She decided to indulge the idea, if they were to follow through with it. If her 'death' is successful and she pays off her debt in Olympia and they make it back all the way to Rome, what then? Lexa wasn't aware of a way into the city except through the main gates that were littered with Praetorian's that looked everyone over. Even as a 'dead' woman, there was a slight chance that she would be recognized by someone.

The lion claw across her arm, the tattoo on the other, and the very distinctive lion claw across her eye. It was hard not to be identified by someone.

Say she does get by the main gate then the issue remained of getting into the palace without someone noticing which was impossible. Which meant the only choice remaining was an opportunistic kill but that would also mean that she would have to find a place within the city to hide until the opportunity would present itself. Perhaps the Collegium?

There was a grave sacrifice to make; the sacrifice of the Empress' emotions and possibly her livelihood. But the possibility remained that it might even make her stronger than she already was and that is the deliberating factor that convinces Lexa of her final choice.

"What will I do in order to pay off my debt to you? And how will we get this ring back to the Empire?"

Leonardo grinned to the Gladiatrix, only glancing at her with a mischievous side-eye. He didn't expect her to make a decision so fast but the woman has always been faced with situations that required immediate thought and decisions, why would this be any different for her?

"It depends. You will be healthy before you have finished paying off your debt. It all depends on the crowds gathered and how much they favor you and your victory. You owe me thirty-seven and a half Greek talents. That's roughly two hundred twenty-five thousand drachmae. The crowds usually—"

"If we turn around right now, I'll pay you myself. Right now, today. I'll find a way to get the coin out of the city." Lexa interjects, coming to a halt again, this time a little too abrupt making pain shoot through her abdomen. "I have enough aurei in the treasury to pay you two or three times over." She grunts through clenched teeth, trying to bite through the ache all throughout her body.

"The Emperor had your wealth cleaned out on the third day you were in the dungeons. It's in the palace treasury now according to your healer. She actually suggested that you 'buy' yourself under the guise of myself. But unfortunately, you have nothing to give me, I'm afraid. Not right now anyway."

"Matris futour!" Lexa yells, rage coursing through her veins like a shot of pure adrenaline. "That piece of donkey shit! I'm going to kill him and bathe in his blood!"

The many slaves' heads shot in her direction, shocked that anyone could so openly speak out and against the Emperor of Rome. Leonardo himself recoils a bit, surprised by just how much this Gladiatrix still had left in her. Just a few hours ago, she could barely stand on her own and now she was already proclaiming death upon someone that had armies behind himself and spies in every corner of the Empire, even in the woods that surrounded them.

"The time will come, now please keep your voice down. The last thing we need is attention. The woods have ears. By the way you're going on, we won't even have the opportunity to make a hoax of your death, someone will just come to kill you and I won't be able to stop them."

Lexa grumbled to herself, knowing that there is truth in his words. Someone was always listening, even in the most desolate of places. "Fine. Tell me then, how do you plan on making the throne believe I'm dead?"

"That I do not know. Valentina said she will send someone to the port in Neopolis in three days time. She is a quite resourceful woman, you know? Sometimes I wonder if she doesn't have a hand in ruling the Empire as well without anyone knowing."

"Very well. Say I didn't agree to this, which I initially didn't, I might add. What would have happened then?"

Leonardo shrugged his shoulders, slightly frowning in the process. "I really have no idea. Valentina somehow just knew that you wouldn't turn down the opportunity to return to Rome and burn this Empire to the fucking ground. Perhaps she knows you better than you think."

"Perhaps, or maybe she's just wise like that." Lexa chuckles; for the first in what feels like an eternity. She's reminded that this past week had been glum, and she was sure the remainder of her life was going to persist to be glum. But there was light at the end of this glum tunnel, no matter how little, it was enough to give the Gladiatrix the tiniest shred of hope. "Say, you mentioned crowds and betting. I have not read of Greece's arenas, or not on many occasions anyway. But if you plan to have me fight in those arenas, dominus, I must refuse. I have vowed not to kill innocents again, not after all the blood I have spilled. When I pick up a blade ... terrible things happen."

"Who said anything about killing innocents? We do not kill in Elis. You will compete in our Olympic games. I expect you will fare well in running, diskos, and finally wrestling. Maybe if you're up for it, pyx. You have a far reach and your height will be quite advantageous as well."

"So ... you do not expect me to kill anyone?" It wasn't the oddest question she had ever asked before, and probably not the most notable at this point considering the fact that she had no clue what diskos or pyx was, but she has never been requested to do anything other than kill. It was refreshing. Or something along those lines anyway.

"No. There is nobody to kill, Alexandria. We live in peace and harmony. You will find that we are nothing like Romans. Life in Elis ... it's quiet." Leonardo looked proud in that moment, almost looking as if he falls into a trance of reminiscence as he speaks. "I fear you might even get frustrated with how quiet it is considering how busy your life has been."

To Lexa, it seemed almost too good to be true. A life of peace and harmony? It seemed like Polis. Practically the next best thing. Perhaps being sold to Leonardo was even better than being sold to John. Of course, she wouldn't have to pay him back instantly, or work her debt off but John wouldn't have been able to offer her a temporary quiet life. One that she had craved for so long. "And when these games of yours are not underway? What will I do then?"

"You will work in my vineyard, look after my animals, and train my sons so that they are prepared for the day the Athenian army comes to recruit them. Who better to train them than a Roman war General that fought alongside Athenians." Leonardo announces, not making it sound like a question, but rather a very strong statement that he had no doubt in.

"Nobody I suppose, but I don't think I will be as nimble as I once was. I haven't seen a healer yet, and I fear that it may be too late already even if I see one now." As odd of an injury it was, Lexa was fairly sure she broke her wrist but she stabled it best she could with a ripped piece of cloth, wrapping it as tightly as possible. "I will train them best I can, dominus. You have my word."

"I expect nothing less. And call me Leo. Dominus is a mouth full and quite honestly, I despise the Latin dialect. Now, get on." Leo orders friendly, cocking his head toward his horse. "You have walked enough for today. I'll walk the rest of the way until we set up camp."

Lexa awkwardly smiled, grateful that she didn't have to drag herself along any farther. Once atop the horse with a lot more effort than anticipated and a fairly good amount of assistance from Leonardo, she was almost comfortably rocking along with its movements. 

If all that Leo said were to be true, her future was fairly set out solidly once again. It came with a price; a hefty one at that, but perhaps this way was the best way. 

More than that, the more Lexa considered the plan at hand, the more convinced she became that they could in fact pull it off. If Blake would hear that she is in fact dead, he would be in a state of too much euphoria to even question the possibility that it wasn't true. It was a fault of his, not thinking farther than his nose and not being suspicious of almost anything. It was the main reason why he would never be a good leader, let alone a good Emperor of an Empire as large as the Roman one.

Of course nothing of the future was certain no matter how certain it seems, and Lexa has seen such more than she would've wanted to but for now, she was content with what was possible. Perhaps a year, two, maybe three without Clarke, but what remained was an ever remaining promise that she will be able to return to Rome with a violently burning vengeance.

The Emperor's Empire will fall and his head will roll.

Chapter Text

That night when they set up camp, Leonardo himself cleaned Lexa's wounds on her back left behind by the studded whip a few days prior. She sat with her back toward him as he slowly continued to dab at the open skin. "It's a miracle that you don't have severe sepsis. These are all open wounds, slightly inflamed but treatable." He had a bit of knowledge in the field of healing since his previous master oftenly got injured during pankration.

"I used most of the drinking water I had to pour over my back, to wash out the dried blood and on some occasions, I removed a piece of dead flesh with my fingers. If the war had taught me anything, it was to immediately treat wounds with what you have available before it would be too late." The memories were still freshly etched into Lexa's mind, especially the sharp and burning sensation from pulling a bit too far back on a piece of skin until it reached healthy flesh.

It was like picking at one's cuticles and just pulling a bit too far. It was a tedious sensation, one annoying enough to irritate the most patient of people. But it had to be done, and Lexa didn't regret any of it, even keeping in mind the hours she spent biting on her teeth in hopes that it would lessen the pain, but such unsurprisingly never worked.

A sudden liquid poured over her back, the burn almost feeling as if her flesh was about to start sizzling like a hog suspended over a fire at any moment. Lexa's muscles momentarily convulsed while grinding on her teeth and baring them simultaneously. The liquid continued to pour over her back, the stream flowing from the right to the left and back again.

"Erghhhhh!" She growls through clenched teeth, clutching the crimson material in her hands tighter and tighter until her nails start to dig through it and into her palms.

"You're not about to bite me, are you?"

"I'm very fucking tempted to." Lexa grunts annoyed, slowly returning her body into its previous resting state. "If you're going to pour something resembling fire over my back again, a warning would be nice."

"My apologies." Leonardo offers, taking a swig of whatever was in the clay bottle he bought in Rome before passing it on to the Gladiatrix sitting in front of him. "Here, for the pain." Lexa gladly accepted, drinking more than half of it in three large gulps.

"See, in Greece, we have a very crude way of doing things. The slaves never spend their drachmae on food; they spend it on wine or whatever else strong is available." Leonardo explains, tilting his head to the side to get better light. "After a few good lashings from your master after not addressing him correctly, you would go to your nearest tavern and buy the cheapest of drink possible and just pour all of it onto the open flesh. It burns like Hades' asshole, but it cleans the wound."

"Interesting." Lexa notes, taking another swig of the terrible tasting liquid. Truthfully, whatever it was didn't matter to her anyway. It was quenching her thirst and rapidly increasing her pain tolerance.

Although Leonardo believes in this method, Lexa finds herself rather opting for Valentina's way of things. While knowing how much Valentina loves her ointments and oils crafted by hers truly, she would definitely not approve of this method of healing. It was ... primitive and seemed like a game of chance.

"So, the war. What was it like? If you don't mind me asking."

Lexa considered the question and this time she doesn't feel bothered by it, or even pressured to answer. She never liked when Clarke, or anyone in general asked about Egypt. Whether it was because they cared to actually know how it was or if they were just making small talk. But that was beyond Lexa; how anyone could think war was a topic of small talk yet she encountered the tedious question daily.

But Leonardo wasn't the small talk type of person, and for some odd reason, Lexa found it unnervingly easy to tell him things. Perhaps it was the fact that he hadn't shown any signs of judgment, or perhaps it was the fact that he never continued to pry at things when he didn't get an immediate answer.

"Grueling and very hot. As my legionnaires had put it on many occasions, and the Athenian General, Elena, as well ... actually I think she had taught my legionnaires the term. They were sweating their tits off. I agree that it was quite hot but I grew up training under the vicious rays of the sun and working beneath them in my father's vineyard for years so I didn't find it too uncomfortable. Though, I must add that the African sun was just unforgiving ... it was as you would say ... it burns like Hades' asshole. I remember a soldier passed out in the sun once after a few too many ales, fully armoured and he was boiled alive."

Leonardo quirked an eyebrow from behind Lexa, attempting to figure out if the Gladiatrix was being serious or not. Was the sun really hot enough to boil someone inside of their armour, or was she simply exaggerating? It was a Roman trait, he learned. Constant exaggeration. And Lexa in particular had a knack for sarcastic replies when the opportunity would present itself. She became quite chatty if the right topic was at hand. "Did he make it? The passed-out soldier."

Lexa shrugged her one shoulder, finishing off the terrible liquor in the process before tossing the bottle in the direction of the fire. "No idea, he wasn't one of my men, so he wasn't any of my concern. They took him to the injured tent; I don't know if he ever came out again. As a General, you can hardly account for one singular irrumator when you were losing thousands on the battlefield. If they don't report back in a week's time, you kind of just assume they died in battle."

The harshness of battle washed over Lexa like an ocean of poison that begged to be consumed. That's what war essentially is; a poison. And if you dared to take it then it would consume you whole in return and by the time you reach the bottom of the bottle, you wouldn't even remember your own name, let alone those that bravely died at your side. It was an endless pit of loss and well ... nothing else. It was lonely. Cold even.

"Piss poor for him then, he should've known not to drink his own bodyweight in shitty ale."

"Piss poor for him..." Lexa repeats in a whisper as the red flames of the fire danced in front of her eyes showing everything and nothing simultaneously. It was a belief they had in Egypt that fire could show someone their future yet Lexa could never find anything in the red and yellow fine lines. She blamed it on her impiety. Could anyone blame her for it though, she wonders. All the gods have ever done is disrespect her, what was so wrong about disrespecting them in return?

It was a question that would remain unanswered for the night.

The chills of the night blew in right alongside the howls of wolves in the distance and the ominous hoot of an owl peering down at the odd group of travels from the tree peaks. Later when Leonardo was finally fully satisfied with the state of Lexa's wounds, they parted ways for the evening.

Lexa laid flat on her back outside, one arm propped under her head as a makeshift pillow. The quiet snores of the other slaves echoed from a bit farther away; the few men already fast asleep. Leonardo had offered Lexa a spot in his tent which she politely declined saying it would be 'unfair to the other slaves'. The slave master had waved off the notion lazily saying it would not matter, but Lexa remained firm in the belief. Fair is fair. No matter the situation they were in, she was still a slave and didn't expect to receive any sort of special treatment.

Staring up at the moon above, a few words get lost in the darkness of the night. "So my love..." Lexa whispers. "What are you doing on a fine night like this?" The moon remained quiet as it always did, its white light tauntingly only shining back at her in solemn peace. She envied it for exactly that reason; that it was always peaceful no matter what happened beneath it.

Natura non constritatur. Iratus est natura.  Natura enim pacificae.

In Rome, the moon shined onto the lively city with pity.

The palace was in shambles, busts that were perhaps hundreds of years old now broken into shards and statues that once stood proudly now reduced to nothing but separated limbs. But that wasn't the end, no, the end was in the Emperor's quarters.

Angry flames burst through its balcony doors sending up a thick cloud of smoke into the night sky.

The Empress was on a path of destruction.

Plebs of the city and slaves of the palace alike squirmed around one another, clashing into shoulders as they desperately ran to get water to extinguish the flames that already started to engulf yet another room.

But Clarke, she didn't care. She peacefully sat in the palace gardens, tilting her head to the side as flames burst through yet another room's balcony doors. The beauty of the destruction all laid at the tips of her fingers. If the Emperor was going to take Lexa from her, then she was going to take his precious Flavian palace from him.

"How peculiar," A voice comments before sitting down next to Clarke, neatly folding their hands in their lap. The figure had appeared so abruptly and so silently that the Empress barely registered its presence. But the sweet scent that evaporates from them and the ash white lines that ran down the length of their arms gave the woman away instantly. "That you would burn the one thing that solidifies your position."

Without fully looking to her side, Clarke prepares herself for whatever onslaught of words may come. Surely the Priestess will have a mouthful to say. "Luna."

"Empress."

"Why don't you make yourself useful and get a pot of water. Better yet, fling yourself into the flames, you harlot."

"Very classy of you to say." The High Priestess scoffs, diligently lifting her hand and placing it atop Clarke's, but not in comfort but rather to turn it over. She was met with black fingertips and small blisters starting to form on them. "To do what though? Extinguish the fire you caused? I'd rather not if you don't mind."

"What do you want, Luna? I have nothing left to give you, and there is nothing left for you to take from me. I know what you did, I know what you said and I know whose ear you whisper into. And if you think you're going to get away with this richer, or alive, you are sorely mistaken. Mercury won't be able to keep you safe from me."

The Empress yanked her hand free, shooting a glare at dark eyes that stared back at her with a blank expression, though a glimpse of expectation was present. The Priestess allowed Clarke to leave, returning her hands to her lap as she sighs deeply, reveling in the sight of flames engulfing yet another piece of the palace.

Later in the Aventine, the doors to Octavia's villa swing open, hitting the wall with great force, enough to make the few occupants snap their heads toward the entrance. Of course they were met with the seething wrath of the Empress who had tears in her once flawless dress and her entire being reeking of stale smoke.

Raven followed with her eyes as her best friend beelined for the table that held the jug of wine and three chalices. She watched in horror as one chalice filled and was emptied, filled again, and was emptied, filled ...

"You don't get to that," Octavia says softly, her head in her hands in frustration, she herself freshly released from the dungeons just two candle lines ago. "You don't get to come in here and drown yourself in my wine. You don't get to set the palace on fire and seek refuge in my home! You don't get to have a pity party!" Her voice raised with each sentence that passed her lips until her chest was heaving for air.

"You don't get to feel sorry for yourself!" Blinded by rage, Octavia doesn't even register that she has flown up from the chaise in the atrium and was now standing flush in front of the Empress with her finger in Clarke's face. "All of this! This is your fault!" With a sway of her hand, the half chalice of wine is swatted off to the side, creating a permanent red stain on the light Persian carpet.

"What is going on in that thick head of yours? Setting the palace on fire is not going to bring my sister back! Drowning yourself in my wine isn't going to bring my sister back! Maybe! Just maybe! If you didn't have your head up your own ass she would've still been here! But no! Clarke always gets what Clarke wants!"

The Empress stared up at the Gladiatrix in fear, never having seen Octavia so rageful before. Hades, she had never even heard Octavia truly raise her voice in a hateful tone. When Clarke tries to open her mouth to offer some sort of apology or explanation, she's stopped by another finger in her face.

"Shut up! It's my turn to talk because I'm sick of you!"

Raven remained on the sidelines, unwilling to intervene because even she knew that this confrontation was a long time coming. She even encouraged Octavia to speak with Clarke, though this wasn't exactly what she had in mind. But nevertheless, this was the intervention that Clarke needed.

"Lexa always bent over backward for you! Cleaned up your every single mess! Loved you when you didn't deserve anything close to it! By the gods, she even took responsibility for the people that you killed! Do you remember?! Counselor Finn Collins ... the man you revolved around even while you knew that my sister had eyes for no one but you! You had her stand on duty in front of your door while you fucked him just to hurt her! But still, she remained head over heels for you."

Clarke's head sunk in embarrassment at the memory.

"That's right. I know all about that. Do you remember the night of the fire? When she ran into a burning structure for you just to save people she had no obligation to save, and even after, she ran into that same structure to save you as well just to have you be UNGRATEFUL once again!"

"Octavia, I—"

"No, I'm not done yet. You've always been a vindictive wench and look where it got Lexa. She's stupid for always listening to you, and you're stupid for never listening to her. She told you, over and over again that it was time to leave the city and you turned down the idea every single time. That makes you selfish! Because you knew ... you knew she wouldn't leave you. And you knew as clear as day that when things would come to light, no harm will come to you. But not once did you consider Lexa..." The first tears spilled from the Gladiatrix's eyes. "She killed for you, tainted herself in the blood of a brotherhood that she became a part of before you even batted an eye in her direction. She took responsibility for the men you killed, whether it was directly or indirectly." A beat of silence passed, Octavia's breathing becoming uneven and her voice not so audible anymore. "I'm happy she's out of your grasps. She's better off without you."

Before any more hateful words can be spewed toward the Empress, Raven finally intervened, knowing that Octavia was treading into territory that she didn't actually mean. "Go take a breather, love." The maiden softly pushed onto Octavia's chest, ushering her toward the front door. A few more labored breaths came before Octavia regained her composure, hastily nodding her head before marching out of the villa, slamming the door shut behind herself.

Clarke's eyes remained trained on the door, even minutes after it closed as every single word seeped into the marrow of her bones.

"Don't take her too seriously..." Raven whispers carefully, smoothing her hands over Clarke's upper arms. "She's just angry and hurt. Lexa was all she had and she's looking for someone to blame and rain her anger down upon. She'll come around, I'm sure of it."

"She's right though. About all of it." The blonde's eyes remained on the door, eventually drifting down to the intricate patterns on the marble floor. "It is all my fault. I don't deserve Lexa, I never have." She hated to admit it but perhaps Lexa really was better off without her. All she had ever caused was pain. "I don't know how I'm going to makes this right, Raven. I— I don't know how to."

Raven pulled her best friend into an embrace and it wasn't long before her shoulder was drenched in salty tears, sobs rippling through Clarke. "With daytime comes hope"

//

After a long fiery night in Rome, its days continued as normal. Vendors set up their stalls and put their wares on display. From fresh produce to crafts, and blacksmiths smithing on hot iron to shape the perfect sword. Bustling laughter and casual conversation took place between the civilians as they passed one another in the streets, occasionally stopping to greet an old friend.

Birds flew from the openings of the abandoned Colosseum, flying high up the sky in an undeniable pattern, swerving from side to side before swarming back to the large structure, once again finding solace.

The farmhands were hard at work at the stables, caring for the hundreds, maybe even thousands of horses that awaited their daily grooming. Others tended to the cattle, choosing which ones will be slaughtered today in order to feed those of higher standing in society.

Just outside of Rome where the countryside began, Emperor Blake sat in his own villa enjoying a warm cup of tea while reading over a trade agreement from a neighboring province. It was a rather gracious offer that wouldn't cost him much and would supply Rome with an almost overflowing amount of grain.

He still had a few other documents to read over, from trade agreements to peace treaties from provinces that were not yet under Roman rule. But he was to get them under his rule soon especially since they were sitting on a lot of precious resources such as gold, jewels, and a lot of fertile ground.

A few knocks rapped at the already open doors that lead onto his patio which overlooked the vineyard. Slaves were already hard at work between the rows of vines, making sure the plants hadn't fallen susceptible to any pesticides that may claim all of the harvests.

"Yes?"

"My apologies for bothering you at your villa, Emperor, but I bring news."

Blake slightly raised his eyebrow in the direction of the man's voice, subsequently placing the document on the table beside him after he finished reading the last two lines. "What is it, Lucius? Has a plague broken out that you feel it's so important to come and see me at my home?"

"Uhm, well no, sir. I bring news from the city registry. A member from the registry came to look for you at the palace this morning but..."

"It burned, I'm aware. Get to the point, please."

"Right, right. Well, he brings word on the Gladiatrix. Alexandria. He could not find her in the registry." Bellamy visually stiffened at the few words, now fully placing his attention on the finely dressed man and the latest addition to the Senate.

"What do you mean she's not in the registry? Every citizen of Rome has a record."

"Well, you see, sir. Her mother was a Roman but her father ... he wasn't Roman. He's a Greek. Alexandria was never declared a citizen because she is not of pure Roman blood. Therefore..."

"Therefore, I cannot strip her of her citizenship because it never existed." Blake breathed out a heavy breath, slumping into his chair, clutching at the oak armrests. "This ... this cannot get out." If it were to get out, he would look like a fool and there is no doubt that Alexandria will return with a vengeance that he wasn't yet equipped to face. The thought was enough to send a cold shiver through his body. If this one claim he made that she was being stripped of her citizenship would be found false, surely the people will question if his other claims were even true. It could cause a full-blown revolt.

Bellamy fully took his bottom lip between his teeth in thought, breathing out yet another heavy sigh. "Fix the records. Make her a citizen and then terminate it." The young man wearily shuffled on his feet, fidgeting with his fingers. "But sir, that would be ... that's illegal. If I'm caught—"

"I am the Emperor! You do what I tell you to do!"

The young man slightly recoiled at the authoritative deathly voice, dipping his head immediately. "Yes, sir. My apologies, sir. It will be done. I wish you a good day." With that the young man disappeared, hopping onto the back of his horse and riding back toward the city.

Blake sat in silence for a while as thoughts raced through his mind. It wasn't enough to forge the records. It was perfectly possible for someone to be caught in the process of forging them and Bellamy wasn't going to take responsibility for the lawlessness. He needed a contingency plan.

"Lincoln!"

A shuffling came from inside the villa and after a few more heavy steps, the new Praefectus of the Praetorian stood in front of the Emperor. "Gather a party of four. Your most trusted men. Find Alexandria Silvestre, and kill her. Find out who her owner is at the slave registry and go to his residence, I don't care how far it is. Take as much coin as you need from the treasury. If someone gets in your way on the route to her, kill them as well. Burn the bodies and this is never to be spoken of again."

Lincoln Falco pounded his chest in salute before he sets off toward Rome as well, a sense of anxiety burning over his skin, much hotter than the sun's rays were. He had a different task assigned to him already by someone else. Yet, it involved Alexandria as well.

She was proving to be a very important and popular woman, with an equal amount of powerful friends and enemies that worked against one another constantly. Yet all of them worked with or for one another. The palace was a scandalous place, even after it went up in flames. It seemed that it didn't have to stand in order for those in power to shift their wills and weight around.

Rome was a place for heroes, legends, and kings. None of those people were made without a little bit of backstabbing and blood running the streets red. Things were changing, and rapidly so, power was shifting and those high up were yet to realize it.

In Rome, it was important to choose carefully whom you trust, because one might choose one wrong individual and your plans will go up in flames. And that was the case for Lincoln Falco because his loyalties already laid with another.

The original throne; The Gryphem's. And, of course, the Silvestre sisters.

After a short ride to the city, Lincoln hopped from his horse and tied its reins to a nearby post, patting the animal's nose after. His skin still burned with a smidge of anxiety, not because he was afraid, but because he was unsure how he would accomplish both tasks given to him.

He adjusted his red Praetorian cape and removed the golden helmet from his head before laying a few knocks to the healer's door. Lincoln looked to his sides, left, right, and left again before settling his gaze in front of him, patiently waiting for the distant footsteps to draw closer.

The door swung open after a few moments, revealing the finely dressed healer as she cleaned her hands with a light cloth. "Lincoln, I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow. Isn't that what we agreed on? Or have I been so enthralled in my oils that I missed a day?" Valentina slightly chuckled as she stepped out of the doorway, allowing the Praetorian to enter her home.

"Greetings, Valentina. My apologies for intruding but this couldn't wait. Blake has ordered me to find Lexa and well ... assure her journey across the Styx. I don't know what inspired the idea but he wants it done today. So, I ask you, how does this affect your plan? You asked me to help you with something involving Lexa, and I will lay down my life for her, but I suspect this might cause an issue or two."

Valentina nodded her head in agreement, yet the news came as a blessing in disguise. It assured that she didn't have to somehow get her hands dirty in order to get an excuse to send out a false party after Lexa. This was perfect and the Emperor has played into her hands without him even knowing.

"On the contrary. This is great news. It accelerates my original plan but it's no problem. My original plan will take its course, just a day early and slightly different. May I ask, what was your exact instruction from him? Just to kill her?"

Lincoln nodded in affirmation, adjusting the helmet under his arm. "And to burn the bodies of whoever 'gets in my way'. I assume that would include her as well."

"I see." Valentina scoffs. Blake had far too much blind faith in people he barely knew. People he just assumed would follow him because of his Emperorship. And with that, he just trusts that the soldiers that followed Alexandria into war would kill her if asked to. That was among the many things that Blake couldn't begin to fathom even if he tried; the bond that forms between soldiers far from home. No amount of coin could break a bond like that. "Emperor Blake is an idiot. Take the trip, have a chat with her, and come back. Tell her I send my regards and that I eagerly await the day we meet again. She's on her way to Neopolis with a man named Leonardo Flavius."

"And the Praetorian I'm supposed to take with me? Surely they won't believe that we're just going on a trip with no cause. Besides, I doubt they would play along with the ploy. Two can keep a secret, but more? I doubt."

Valentina shrugged absentmindedly. "I don't really care for them. You could always travel alone, or you could rid the brotherhood of a few corrupt members on the way, don't you think?" There was an overflow of corrupt members of the Praetorian that abused their power within the city. 'Collecting' taxes from the civilians of Rome in the Emperor's name even though he never gave the order.

"Very well. I will rid Rome of a few scum. See you in a few days, Valentina."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Give her this." Valentina quickly recovered a small clay pot with a wax lid and hands it over to the Praetorian with a friendly smile. "For her wounds."

Lincoln slightly bowed his head before exiting the home and saddling up with his horse again to head toward the Praetorian barracks to gather the most corrupt members of the brotherhood.

As usual, he found them in the corner of the barracks playing with wooden dice, wagering on the rounds with the coin they stole from the citizens for the day. Truly, they were just a disgrace to the whole brotherhood therefore disposing of them wouldn't even make Lincoln blink an eye in the direction of guilt.

Once they notice the Praefectus approach, the three men scramble to gather up the few hundred sestertii to fumble into their pouches, uncaring of who was about to win the round and the overall 'large' pot of currency. It was better to gather it up before the Praefectus would ask where exactly it came from.

"Salve." Lincoln greets, raking his eyes over the men suspiciously, making them aware that he knew exactly what they were up to but that he wasn't going to audibly comment upon it. "We have been assigned a task. Get your armor and blades, I expect to ride out soon." The three men remained staring at him like sheep for some or other reason. "Now! Go!"

The three men squirmed then, struggling to get on their feet, stumbling over one another in order to get to the weapons racks and armour statuettes. Once they were out of earshot, Lincoln laughed to himself lowly simply because he enjoyed his newly found power over them.

//

In the Aventine, Octavia returned to her villa in the early morning hours, surprisingly sober and calm. Her mind wasn't clear as of yet, and she wasn't completely prepared to apologize for the harsh words she spoke to the Empress the previous night but she did have a clear idea of what her next action will be.

And that did not entail staying in Rome.

So, by the time first light came, her horse was saddled up with dried goods on one side for snacks on the road and the other side with essential clothing for whatever may come. She wasn't yet sure in what direction she was going to head in first but Octavia was set on finding Lexa somehow, somewhere. And from there they'll figure things out together.

As family would.

"I'm not sure how long it'll be until I return, but just keep an eye on things. You know where to find coin if needed." Octavia instructs to her most trusted servant, Sabina. "Until then, Sabina." The two women gripped arms in a temporary farewell, a well-wishing smile coating Sabina's lips. "See you, domina. Travel safely."

When Octavia turns to leave, she's inevitably caught out. "Were you really planning on leaving without telling me? Was is it with you Silvestre sisters always leaving without a goodbye?" Raven jokes, gliding through the atrium until she's right in front of the Gladiatrix. "I'm not so forgiving you know."

A smile played on Octavia's lips as she snaked her arms around the maiden, pulling her as closely as possible, instantly drowning in her soft sweet scent that reminded her of the orchard fields. "I thought you were at your own home. I was going to stop there before I left, I swear it."

"Sure you were." The two women shared a lingering kiss, long forgotten that they once couldn't even stand looking at one another without feeling overbearing betrayal. "How long will you be gone?" The Persian questions.

"I don't know. It depends on how long it takes me to find Lexa. I just don't know where to start looking. All I know is that it's outside of Rome, maybe outside of the Empire itself. Could take me a week, a month, maybe a year. I don't know."

"Greece." Clarke announces from the hallway that led to the room she once shared with Lexa. "Her owner is taking her to Greece. Elis, wherever that is. You'll likely find them at the port in Neapolis. I asked around yesterday, I was considering to go meet her there myself but I thought about what you said last night and you're right. She is better off without me."

The Empress shook her head at the revelation, accepting it as she spoke the words into the tangible world. The thought had crossed her mind behind before, and she had uttered it to Lexa a few times before as well but the Gladiatrix would always tell her that as much wasn't true. Lexa was always insistent that she wasn't deserving of Clarke because the Empress was nothing short of a goddess with a golden heart.

Perhaps the truth was that neither were deserving of one another. Clarke because Lexa was too good for her, and Lexa because Clarke wasn't worthy of her. That was how things seemed now, so bleak. But the truth was often bleak, Clarke realizes.

"Thank you." Octavia breathes just above a whisper, a twang of ache shooting through her heart at the defeated words coming from a woman she considers a dear friend. But by the way she spoke to Clarke the previous night, they probably couldn't consider themselves friends anymore.

Even while Octavia was away for the evening, she realized that there was much more she would've liked to throw in the Empress' face but at this very moment, as her eyes danced over Clarke, she realizes that her already spoken words were enough to destroy the blonde. The feeling of guilt that washed over her was unimaginable.

If Lexa would ever know or find out about the things she said, surely her sister would be disappointed to her very core because spewing hateful words in anger wasn't the way they were raised. Among the last requests Lexa had for her was to look after Clarke, but instead, she broke the woman down.

Even went as far as to blaming her for things that were out of her hands. Lexa had made all of her decisions on her own, Clarke never forced her to make any of them. All the sacrifices Lexa made, all the pain she endured, was because she decided to endure it. Wasn't that what love was? The willingness to endure all pain and suffering for the one you love?

Before Clarke could realize what had hit her, strong arms wrapped around her. "I'm sorry for the things I said last night. I didn't mean it. I'm angry and I feel helpless. It was wrong of me to take it out on you. I forget that you care for her too, sometimes maybe even more than I do."

Another sob broke through the Empress' chest as she reciprocated the embrace since it reminded her of that of Lexa. Only the gods knew that the Silvestre sisters always opted for bone-crushing embraces and nothing less. As much would have a lot of people complaining. But Clarke? She wouldn't have it any other way.

"Look after yourself, Clarke." Octavia says, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of the Empress's head.

"Travel safe." Clarke mutters through tears before being pulled closer in comfort again by her best friend.

Halfway to the door, Octavia stops and turns around. "Is there anything you would like me to tell her for you?" She convinced herself that it was the right thing to do; to allow Clarke to have one final message to Lexa if she wished to have one.

But Clarke shakes her head side to side, quickly wiping at another tear that threatens to spill over already reddened cheeks. "Very well." The Gladiatrix concludes, swiftly nodding her head before exiting into midday Rome, not completely ready to trek onto the coming journey.

Truthfully, she really wasn't sure when she would return to Rome, or if she ever actually would, but she wasn't ready to admit as much to anyone. She didn't have much to leave behind in Rome in the first place, and Bellamy didn't even come to mind. He was far too eager to throw her in the dungeons whenever she inconvenienced him and she would be damned if she would ever consider him an important aspect of her life.

But furthermore, yes, she had Raven in Rome, and a few friends but without family, could she consider the city home? Home was with Lexa, no matter where it would be, and no matter under what circumstances it would be.

If it was in Elis, Octavia would do all in her power to help Lexa pay off her debt to whoever her new owner was. Two incomes would be better than one, and the faster that debt can be paid off, the faster they could move on to a new life. Their life would never again be in Rome, but at least they can be together again, and as much was good enough for Octavia.

Thoughts raced through her mind as she slowly trotted forward atop her horse, the line of people exiting the city of Rome moving excruciatingly slowly. She never understood why it always moved so slowly and, on this day, she cursed it with every single word that could possibly cross her mind.

"And who do we have here?"

"Lincoln." Octavia greets with a smile, gliding her gaze over his newly crafted armour and newly dyed Praetorian cape. He himself looked older as well since the last time she truly saw him which she realizes now was a very long time ago. Perhaps even before he left for Egypt. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Good, considering all things. I finally moved up in ranking. I'm praefectus now."

"Congratulations are in order then." Octavia averted her gaze to the front of her again, slowly rocking with the horse as it continued to move forward. The world was a funny place, or rather the fates were. Of course, Lincoln would rank up since the position just recently opened up. Lexa was a praefectus.

Such a conversation would be a far too awkward one to engage in now, especially with a man she once shared a bed with and hadn't spoken a word to again ever since. Unfortunately, the line started to move again actually, making it far too easy for him to remain at her side, far too eager to continue in conversation with her.

"Thank you. Where are you headed to?"

Octavia contemplated on whether to tell him a lie, or telling him the truth. Considering the fact that he had ranked up, and was a member of the Praetorian still, it would be a rudimentary choice to tell him the truth. He was a good man once, but a lot of time had since passed. The Praetorian served her brother, and nobody else. That reason alone was enough to allow Octavia to question his loyalty.

If her brother would get word that she had left the city, possibly not to return again, he would definitely send a party of soldiers after her. It was his strange way of showing care. He enjoyed her company and was friendly toward her whenever necessary but when things became tough, he treated her like he would treat any other unlawful pleb.

"Just taking a trip to clear my head. You know since..."

"Lexa? Yes. My deepest apologies. She was a tremendously good General and friend." They finally made it through the main city gate, galloping past the few plebs on foot.

"That she was." Octavia answers skittishly, considering the words he spoke.

"I saw her the day she was sold. It was hard to witness. There's something about watching someone so strong be ... turned into something broken ... and weak. She led us mercilessly through Egypt once she understood her duty to the legion. Those barbarians didn't stand a chance when the third and fourth stepped onto the battlefield." Lincoln was reminiscing, clearly. A faraway look in his eye as he spoke. "Tell me, are you really only taking a trip to clear your head?"

Wordlessly, Octavia shook her head no.

"Neapolis?"

Again, wordlessly Octavia nodded.

"I see. I'm heading there as well."

The other three Praetorians trailed in front of them, deep in conversation. They heartily laughed with each other, too enthralled to listen to the conversation that was taking place a few feet behind them.

"Did my brother send you?"

"He did," Lincoln answers truthfully with a side-eye, a grin twitching at the side of his mouth. "He seems to have quite a grudge against your sister. I can't imagine why though. Perhaps you can enlighten me? At this point, it looks like a big pissing contest to me."

It was one way of explaining it, except one of the individuals involved had far more power over the people than the other had. In fact, one had little to no power over them and that was Lexa. "I was there the day he whipped her in the streets in front of everybody and judging by the words they so audibly shared with one another, something much larger is going on. Something much larger than the plebs like myself are aware of."

"Forbidden love in some aspects I suppose."

Lincoln nodded his head, suspicions confirmed. "Condemnant quo non intellegunt."

"Hmm. As much added oil to the fire, inspiring my brother to assert his desperate play of power over and against Clarke. He's had this obsession for so long to hurt her in the worst way possible and it would seem that he finally got his way. It was the main reason all of this happened actually, in my opinion. Furthermore ... Lexa murdering the Praetorian in 'cold blood' ... it was self-defense. I was there. She shouldn't have been punished for it."

"I figured. It's not like Lexa to kill people who don't deserve it. She only kills when absolutely necessary. Even in Egypt, as merciless as she was, she would never hurt a civilian. But gods be with anyone that would threaten her life. And I suppose that applies to anyone that threatens the people she loves."

Octavia nodded her head again as they diverted down a more secluded path, much like a detour to Neapolis. She was taking it for the reason that her gut told her to choose flight over fight because Lincoln's intentions still weren't quite clear. But still unbeknownst to her, he took the path to dispose of those that inflict harm upon the city.

He waited for the perfect moment; waiting to be away from all prying eyes before he would set his very simplistic plan into motion. Whether Octavia would go along with it, remained to be seen but he had enough faith in her to act when push came to shove. She didn't have to know the exact reason for his travel to Neapolis as of yet but if she were to help him blindly, he decided that he would reveal all.

"Follow my lead, will you."

Octavia furrowed her eyebrows at the statement, watching with curious eyes as Lincoln went ahead and ushered the men to a halt saying that he had to take a trip into the woods.

Octavia pulled the reins of her horse, coming to a halt as she watched Lincoln disappear into the very dense foliage. What lead was she supposed to follow?

"You won in the Colosseum, didn't you?" A Praetorian questions, receiving a shove on the shoulder from his friend. It was a stupid question, truly. He knew the answer, obviously so, but still dared to ask.

"Yeah. Some time ago." Her eyes remained on the dense foliage. "I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind. I don't like dwelling on the past."

A meticulous bellow of panic came from inside the thick forest, followed by a cry for help. The three Praetorians shared singular glances before jumping from their horses, lunging into the forest without a second thought. Octavia was short on their heels, yanking a dagger from her right bracer since she neglected to bring a full-blown sword.

By the time she reaches the inside of the forest, almost standing a few feet away from a clearing, two Praetorians already laid on the ground amongst dead leaves, choking on their own blood. Nervously, she looked around, holding the blade close to her body if danger was to approach.

Leaves cracked behind her, instantly making the Gladiatrix spin around only to find Lincoln with blood splatter across his face while pressing a singular finger to his mouth. Pointedly, he flicked his chin in the direction of an overly thick bush; its leaves noticeably rustling.

"You go right, I'll go left."

Without any more context, Lincoln brushes past Octavia toward the anxious-looking bush. With a thought of 'fuck it', Octavia does as ordered and slowly follows behind the Praetorian, only diverting to the right at the very last second.

Lincoln reaches the full one-eighty degrees before she does, closing in on the member of Praetorian that had lost his blade at some point while trying to find an extremely poor place to hide. "Sir, please, don't kill me. I— I'll do anything. I have a family—"

"Shut it, you don't. All you have is whores in brothels." Lincoln continued to close in on the scared man until his back bumped into the Gladiatrix that solidly stood behind him acting as an immovable object.

"Mind explaining, Linc?"

"Just trust me."

Octavia considered the fact that two Praetorians already laid bloodied on the forest floor, killed by Lincoln's hand. What would another one be? The chances of anyone finding them were extremely low. Either way, let's call it blind faith. The gladiatrix pulled her blade over the young man's throat, ear to ear, just as her father taught her while hunting. Perhaps it was the smell of the forest that made her think of the days she and Lexa went hunting with Maximus; inevitably making her compare this moment to those days.

"There's your trust, now explain yourself." Nonchalantly, Octavia pushed the body away from herself causing it to fall straight onto its lifeless face. "Well?"

Lincoln cocked his head toward the road again. "I'll explain on the way." A quick walk followed to the narrow route again, and after a quick look to the left and right, the two of them stepped onto the gravel. "I'm supposed to go see your sister. Your brother wants me to kill her but Valentina has ... other plans. She told me to give her this little pot of oil and a few words." Lincoln shrugged after, hitting the three horses on their backsides, sending them all sprinting in different directions. "I just follow orders. You know how it is."

"And those three men lying in the forest?"

"I suppose they're to show that your sister put up a fight when we tried to ... you know. If your brother sees that they don't return, well ... let's just say he'll take my word for it that the job is in fact done. He trusts me, Praefectus and all." With a slight vault upward, Lincoln was atop his horse again. "Point is, he just has to think she's dead according to Valentina. Apparently, she has taken care of the rest. Whatever the rest is."

Once Octavia was atop her horse again, and her blade snuggly shoved in between her bracer and wrappings, she tightly took hold of the horse's reins. After a few clicks of her tongue, the horse moved forward again, neighing in the process. "Why didn't anyone tell me of this beforehand? I'm her sister—"

"And very close to the Empress. Valentina made it very clear that Clarke cannot know about this meeting. Why, I'm not sure either. But I'm sure it's because of the fact that the Empress rarely ever thinks before she does anything." Lincoln smiled then, lazily holding onto the reins of his horse with one hand. "It's what I admire most about her, mind you. I remember her mother was the same. Always so ... imperious. But in a good way."

"That's one way of describing Clarke. Imperious. I'd personally more go along the lines of occasional vindictiveness, pompous, and definitely overzealous in some aspects. But she has a good heart even though she is absolutely horrendous at showing it."

Lincoln laughed heartily. "Just like her mother. Apple definitely didn't fall far from the tree with that one. Then again, she carries both of her parent's traits. She's not afraid to lead, just like her father, and she's not afraid to make tough decisions, just like her mother. The perfect ruler, if you think about." The smallest moment of silence followed before he continued. "Say, do you think she will ever solely rule the Empire?"

"I have no doubt that she will." Octavia affirms with truly no doubt in her mind. It was Clarke's destiny to reach the very top. At the rate Blake was ruling ... a revolt was sure to form. And no Emperor has survived a revolt.

//

By the time Leonardo and his slaves reach Portus Julius in Neapolis, the sun was already setting over the high mountains that surrounded the port. The travelers were tired especially after being on their feet the entirety of the day. Lexa herself was ready to fall over the moment the opportunity would show itself.

She hoped that they will sleep on Leonardo's ship on the night, or in a lodge. Anywhere warm really. And she was more than keen to accept the special treatment on the night if Leo would offer it again. Sleeping out in the cold was even worse than she thought it would be.

The port itself was slowly coming to a standstill as the traders had already started to pack up their wares, preparing to return to their homes for the evening. Lexa found herself envious of them simply because they had a home to go to. A family to see, and a lover to kiss.

So many hours spent on the road left her with far too much time with herself that allowed the flow of thought to wash over her non-stop. One wave crashing onto the shores of her mind, over and over again. At first, she was fine with the agreement to travel to Elis to work her debt off, but the farther they traveled from Rome, the faster reality set in. When the sight of incoming ships and departing ships came into view, her stomach did a full flip upside down.

She wasn't fine with it.

How could she be?

It could take years to pay off the debt, years she didn't quite feel like wasting. However, on the other hand; how much of a choice did she have?

Lexa tried to find the silver lining in all of it, which surprisingly didn't take long to find. A peaceful life. But how much was a peaceful life worth if she couldn't spend it with the one person that mattered? How much was a peaceful life worth without family? Without someone to love?

With the silver lining came difficult acceptance. She couldn't have both, not simultaneously anyway. It was one or the other, and for now, it seemed that the only thing she will be getting is a peaceful life. Yet, she remained ungrateful for it because it wasn't the option she would have chosen if an actual choice was given to her.

Lexa acutely knew that she would choose love and family.

Even if it meant constant war and restlessness.

"Do you ever get out of your own head?"

"No." Lexa cuts, glaring at Leonardo in the friendliest of ways possible. "Are we camping again? Or will decent beds be an option? Because I would love one of those."

"You're bleeding again," Leonardo notes, ignoring Lexa's question. "Your back is soaked. Why didn't you say anything?"

"What difference would it have made? We don't have any replacement cloth. You yourself said that you used the very last of your supplies last night. Besides, it's fine. It doesn't even hurt." It was an utter and ferocious lie. The dried blood on the cloth started to pull at her skin hours ago but again, there was no way around it. "Now, a bed? Could probably find some water somewhere to clean this because you're definitely not coming near me again with your crude way of healing. It hurts."

Leonardo guffawed, truly finding humor in Lexa's words, making her chuckle as well. For people who only met a few days ago, they turned into the oddest of duos that didn't hesitate to playfully bite one another with words.

"I'll get you a bed, but we have to get cloth first. I forbid you from getting septic and dying. You owe me—"

"A lot of drachmae, I know." Lexa hitched the horse's reins around a post, smiling at Leonardo over the stallion's back. She patted the animal's neck a few times, already fond of its friendly nature. He reminded her of Vitus since he too was extremely friendly with complete strangers and quick to get familiar with its new rider. "Good boy."

"Want an ale? You could use one. Ripe avocado face and all."

"You're a cunt."

The odd duo, stumbled into the tavern, jokingly shoving at one another. The slave keeper, or the one that kept an eye on the slaves, a slave himself as well, diverted the others to a secluded part of the tavern, ready to spend the little sestertii they have on extremely shitty ale.

"Fair enough. Though, you know what they say, 'a slave is only as good as their owners'. So, that makes you a cunt as well my dear."

"I assure you nobody says that, Leo." Lexa says through yet another laugh, swinging her leg over a backless wooden bench situated next to a table.

The tavern was fairly busy, already filling up with Romans that were ready to deflate after a long day of work. Whether it was for a jug of ale or a very ripe jug of wine that was enough to knock one's breath away just by taking a whiff of it. If Romans knew how to do anything, it was to mature wine up until the point it was almost undrinkable. Almost vinegar-like.

"So, are you excited for what's coming, or still teetering between your present and future?"

"That's a loaded question. Try asking me later after I've had enough to drink that I can't even stand on my own two feet. Gods forbid that I see my ripe avocado face in the reflection in any sort of liquid."

"Ah, yes, it's catching on." Leonardo snickers at the comparison that he had muttered for hours on end. The gladiatrix's face really wasn't the most pleasant of things to look at, but surely in a few weeks, she would be as good as new. He remembered that those in the Colosseum oftenly compared her to the Amazons of Greece. Her skill in fighting was unmatched, and her beauty was comparable to that of Aphrodite herself. "Getting inhumanely drunk then I see. As long as you don't vomit on the deck of my ship, I won't get in your way."

Lexa wasn't the type of person to drink a lot, let alone get drunk. Even she knew that she wasn't in her prime youth anymore. Each and every hangover that would erupt in her mind in the morning became worse and worse the older she got and with that came an unimaginable amount of regret. Rarely any gathering or celebration was worth the headache that accompanied it.

But considering the last week or so that she had, maybe a hangover would be the least terrible thing to happen.

A skimpily dressed woman approached their table, leaning over it when she was close enough, sure to put her ... assets ... on display. "What can I get you two? Wine, ale? Perhaps something a little stronger?"

"Ale would be fine. Bring two jugs."

The woman's eyes glazed over Leonardo and finally landed on Lexa that kept her eyes trained on the table, feeling ashamed of her appearance for the first time in her life. It was a thing of pride she supposes. For the entirety of her life people complimented her on her appearance, and now? As Leonardo would put it ... she looked like an overripe avocado.

Lexa remained fidgeting with her fingers, anxiously waiting for the woman to disappear but she continued to linger. "A Praetorian? What are you doing so far away from home?" The servers' eyes remained on the brand burned onto Lexa's hand many moons ago, marking her as a member of the Praetorian.

The Gladiatrix's words caught in her throat before moving as fast as light itself to cover the branding with her other hand. "I— uhm, not any—"

"Yes, that's right. A Praetorian. Better hurry on that ale my dear. We don't have all evening." Leonardo interjects, a firm voice in place. It was enough to get the woman into a fast pace, immediately scrambling toward the back of the bar to fetch the jugs of ale.

Once she was far enough, Leonardo hooks a finger under Lexa's chin to encourage her to eye-level. "Don't be ashamed. This is only temporary. Other than that ... this branding," He gently moved her hand from atop the other to the side, exposing the brand. "This mark, it gives you power. Use it to your advantage whenever you get the chance. Even in Greece, they'll recognize it. Don't draw back when it's mentioned, don't deny what you were part of. Use it."

Lexa nodded her head wearily, taking a deep breath in the process. She wasn't a dishonest person by nature and she absolutely hated lying, or shying away from the truth. Shit, she even hated telling a small white lie except when the situation absolutely required it. But being a crook? Living a life that she no longer had? It felt wrong on so many levels.

"Another Praetorian?" The woman asks rhetorically from behind the bar, her eyes firmly fixed on the entrance of the tavern. "Are the Romans shipping out to yet another war? Didn't the last one just end a few kalends ago?"

The few words were enough to catch Lexa's attention, no matter at what distance they were spoken at. It was a finely honed skill she had; to hear the faintest of sounds or the farthest of voices. It happened unconsciously by now, her ears would listen while she would be thinking about something completely else.

She conspicuously turned her head toward the entrance of the tavern, not wanting to draw any attention if it were indeed Praetorian that no doubt came for her to finish the job. It was the only reason why Praetorian would be so far away from the capital, especially now considering all battles were over.

However, she finds the familiar face of a dark-skinned man that she led in Egypt for longer than a year. The same man that apologized for her fate only a few days ago. There was no way he would 'come to finish the job'. Lexa knew him, better than she knew most people, and he was like her in the most important of ways. He served the rightful throne; not those that have forcefully taken it.

So, on the next action, Lexa turns herself toward the door completely, drawing attention indeed. However, what she doesn't expect to see is the tired eyes of her sister following behind the alert eyes of the Praetorian. He himself seemingly searching for something, or someone rather.

"Your friends, I presume. Or hope anyway."

"Friend and family, actually." Lexa breathes bewildered, unable to get up from her seat fast enough.

The people within the tavern continued to stare in the direction of the door, the whole lot of them befallen with silence just at the mere sight of the towering Praetorian that looked like he was on nothing but Imperial business.

Lexa whooshed past Lincoln, directly darting toward Octavia that she had not laid eyes on for what felt like an eternity, but was merely only short of two weeks. Short of two weeks too long.

With one hand resting on the back of Octavia's neck, and the other wrapping around her body, the sisters engage in among the most uncomfortable embraces in all of history, but perhaps even the most needed in history as well.

"You're not supposed to be here, little sister."

"Too bad." Octavia clips only tightening her embrace that makes her sister involuntarily wince in the sweetest of pain. "Careful, please. My back is still raw."

The two women pulled apart after a few blinks of an eye, Lexa immediately placing a palm on either side of her sister's face to inspect it for injury. But there are rarely any; the remnants of a purple-yellow-blue eye and a small cut on her lip. "Did he do this to you? Or one of his hounds?"

"Hounds."

"Bastard." Lexa concludes disgruntled with a shake of her head.

The tavern continued on in conversation, at ease now to see that the Praetorian wasn't on imperial business after all, but now merely only getting a shitty ale at the bar.

"What are you doing here? Are you the one Valentina was sending? I thought her person was only supposed to show up here in a day's time—"

"No, I'm not. Lincoln. He was sent ... I was on my way here out of my own volition and we decided to travel together. Safer in pairs you know..."

Lexa nodded her head, mindlessly peaking over her shoulder at Lincoln that finishes his first cup of ale, already flicking his finger to it for the bar maiden to refill it again.

"My brother sent him and three other Praetorians to come and kill you," Octavia adds. "He doesn't know what inspired the whole mission. He said there was no initial plan for it; the order just came out of the blue. We killed the other three on the way here—"

"Wait, wait, wait—" Lexa interjects, completely pulling away and dropping her hands to her sides. "You killed Praetorian? Octavia, you know you can't do that! Look where that got me! You can't be doing reckless things! You have a life in Rome, are you trying to screw it up? As happy as I am that you're here, you shouldn't be. You need to be in Rome, with Clarke—"

"Can you just for one second not talk about her?" Octavia questions dissatisfied, this time passing by Lexa on her way to the bar as well, needing a breather from the conversation that was quickly on its way to reach boiling point.

A sink pit formed in Lexa's stomach. It was unlike Octavia to act the way she was acting, to even speak in such a way. Octavia had never been the reckless sister; she was the reserved one. She wasn't the sister that had temper problems either; she knew how to keep her cool. What was this about? What had Clarke done this time?

Returning to her spot at the table with Leonardo, Lexa too downs a cup of ale from the newly served jugs. He doesn't ask why Lexa looks troubled, or why she's drinking at the pace she was, and he certainly doesn't ask why there's a Praetorian at the bar shooting daggers with his eyes in their direction.

After a few flickering moments, Leonardo is unable to contain himself and the words just about fall out of his mouth. His curiosity getting the best of him. "Is he here to kill me? To kill you? Why is your sister here?"

"I don't really know, Leo."

A heavy presence sat down next to Leonardo, a rift of wind passing over him as the red sash is adjusted in a more comfortable way. In front of Leonardo, the familiar yet unfamiliar Gladiatrix takes a seat next to her very troubled-looking sister.

"So, you're the trader I was supposed to meet? Leonardo Flavius."

"That's me..." Leonardo says nervously, still unwilling to look at the towerous man sitting next to him with an overly malicious grin on his face.

"Hey, wipe that shit-eating grin off of your face, can't you see you're scaring him?" Octavia swats at Lincoln's shoulder, slightly making him flinch at the sudden action. Not because it was painful, rarely a tickle even, but simply because it happened so fast.

"Fine." Lincoln says in defeat. "You really do know how to take the fun out of things. We traveled all day, least I could do is ruffle this guy's feathers for a bit."

An awkward silence befell them, only the loud gulp of Lincoln drinking his ale sounding between them. Lexa's eyes remained on a crack on the oak table, the wood just starting to splinter out. Octavia firmly held her gaze on Leonardo, sizing him up. She wanted to see what kind of person had bought Lexa, and moreover at that outrageous price as well. He certainly didn't look like the overly opulent type.

Tired hazel eyes, a receding hairline, and finely trimmed facial hair. He didn't wear a luxurious clean white toga, but rather a tunic as black as the night itself with rugged leather armour over it. His bracers weren't that of the fighting class, but rather wrist cuffs to show that he was a slave master. Silver with intricate golden patterns on them. They could probably sell for two thousand aurei each if not more.

"What's your deal? Your face is scarred, your hands show signs of hard labor yet you had the aurei to buy my sister. For nine thousand aurei, I hear. That's a lot of wealth for a common slave trader. One might even say it's a suspicious amount—"

"Give it a rest, Octavia, he means me no harm." Lexa reprimands with a firm tone, following up with a look in her eye that only Octavia would understand. "Why did you come all the way here? I can't imagine it's just to say hello. What has happened in the city?"

Octavia scoffed, shaking her head side to side, deterred by the fact that she was yet again scolded like a child. "Clarke set fire to the palace. Burned half of the thing to the ground. She's a bit much sometimes, don't you think?"

Lexa facepalmed herself before taking hold of the bridge of her nose, uncaring of the large gash on it. "Why am I not even surprised? Tell me your brother was at least inside of it when she put fire to it."

Lincoln audibly laughed at the notion, even sparing a glance at Leonardo to see if he would join in on the laughter as well, but he doesn't. He was still quite frightened of the large Praetorian. Lincoln cleared his throat then, awkwardly returning back to his half cup of ale, quickly quirking an eyebrow and cocking his head to the side.

"I'll take that as a no. Is she safe at least?"

Octavia nodded her head, slinging one leg over the back of the bench again so that she was fully facing her sister. "She's at my villa with Raven last I saw. You don't have to worry about her. I gave her a ... piece of my mind. It should keep her at bay for a while. And Raven ... she'll keep her under control as well. You don't have to worry, Lexa."

"Unsurprisingly that gives me absolutely no reassurance or peace of mind. Raven is even more malicious and insubordinate and defiant and disobedient and—"

"Naughty, I get it." Octavia interjects, placing her hand on her sister's knee. "Don't worry about it. What should happen will happen, leave it to the gods."

"Screw them."

"Cheers to that." Leonardo chants, raising his cup toward Lexa which she happily meets with her own.

Lincoln and Octavia both shared a worried glance with one another, neither able to figure out how or when the other two become impious. Lexa was a firm believer of the gods, when had that changed?

"Other than that, which I can do nothing about. Why are you here, Octavia? I know Lincoln is here because of Valentina, but you? You have a life in Rome, there's no reason for you to risk it in order to come see me for an evening. Even you're not that stupid."

"A life in Rome? Bullshit." Octavia shook her head again, her knee bouncing up and down with annoyance. "Doesn't matter. I'm coming with you to wherever Elis is." Octavia looked to Leonardo, hoping to meet his eye to wordlessly ask if she can sail with them to Greece, but he doesn't lift his head. Knowing that it was better to stay out of whatever sisterly quarrel may take place.

"There's absolutely no way. With the plans in motion, it would look too suspicious if you just disappeared from Rome. You need to keep your brother at bay until I can come back. That might take a year, two or maybe even three. I know it's a lot to ask but you need to be there for Clarke when she finds out that I'm dead."

"How am I supposed to be there for her, Lexa? She's not going to take lightly finding out that you're dead. What if she spirals? Burns the whole city to the ground even."

"Then you get her out of the city when it starts to crumble." Lexa answer sarcastically, taking a good chug of the ale in front of her. "She won't burn it to the ground. She probably didn't intend to burn most of the palace anyway. It was just another power play ... or something. I bet your brother is pissed so mission accomplished."

"Pissed? He's probably livid and that annoying vein on his forehead probably popped already." A round of laughter played out around the table, even the lone Greek laughing at the thought. "Fine, fine. I'll go back but you have to promise me that you'll come back one day. I don't expect it to be soon, but one day."

Lexa nodded her head with the best smile she could possibly muster, finding a big sense of pride in her heart for her sister. A big amount of responsibility was placed on her shoulders from a young age making her grow up much faster than anyone should ... but that's simply what made Octavia well, Octavia. And today, she was the most reliant person Lexa knew.

"All of this is a little dramatic if you ask me. But let it be known that I was only doing Valentina a favor by buying Alexandria. Don't go killing me in my sleep tonight little Lexa." Leonardo clarifies and pleads in Octavia's direction who still glared at him with suspicion burning as hot as fire. "My name works just fine, old man. Besides, I'm not convinced."

Lexa returned a hand to Octavia's knee, shaking it lightly. "Hey, stop it now. He really means well. Besides, I think he knows I'll kick his ass if his intentions don't remain what he has made them seem. So̱stós?"

"So̱stós." Leonardo agrees.

Quickly getting back to business, Lexa turns the ring on her finger, one slow rotation at a time. One slow breath came after the other, one rotation in unison with each breath. "Take this to the Emperor." With a swift pull and place, the ring spun thrice before coming to a halt on the oak table in front of Lincoln. Her heart was screaming to take it back, but Lexa knew that it was time to use her head instead. "He'll know what it is. Tell him you got it off my corpse."

Chapter Text

I have a urgent question about a decision I'm battling with. While busy with the timeline of coming events (basically an outline of the story) I've come to a ?divide?

I'm debating whether to give either Lexa or Clarke a short lived 'love interest' in their time apart. But it wouldn't really be a 'love interest'. It would be like this short-lived burst of intimacy. A very likeable character, don't worry about them bad-mouthing either Lexa or Clarke during the 'relationship'.

Basically I just feel that it would only be natural for either one of them (especially Clarke) to move on with the 'knowledge' that Lexa is no longer around. In the case of Lexa having another partner, it would be out of loneliness mostly. Or perhaps even someone that reminds her of Clarke ...maybe even Costia.

Either way, its important to remember that both these characters are ONLY human.

So basically what I'm asking is; which one would y'all prefer to have another short-lived interest; Lexa, Clarke or neither?
Let me know in the replies/comments or dms on Instagram or Twitter.

Instagram: Anarchy_Drawings
Twitter: Aphrodite_But_Gay

All the love,
Mic.

Chapter Text

"Please don't make me get in there." Clarke pleads, eyebrows furrowed and lips in a very obvious pout. "I'll look like a fool."

"You're a fool if you think you're not getting your feet a little dirty today. Now quit giving me that look and come here, I'll help you." Lexa chuckled, holding her hands out for the Empress to take. "Come on, love." She continued to urge in the most loving way possible. She truly enjoyed days like these that allowed reminiscing of past days. These were the type of days that reminded her of Polis and sharing just a small glint of it with Clarke meant the world to her.

"Help me to what? Ruin this perfect material?" The Empress waved a piece of the blue material even though she was inevitably already busy shimmying her feet out of the leather straps of her sandals, knowing that Lexa wasn't going to let up. How could she deny her though? When Lexa had nothing short of a childlike glint in her eye of pure glee ... it was so hard to say no to her. When Lexa became so animated and vivacious in the moment ... Clarke couldn't help love her even more.

Lexa was determined to come to the vineyard today and mash some grapes. Clarke wasn't sure how she thought wine was made exactly but after finding out people used their potentially dirty feet; she suddenly wasn't so keen for red wine anymore.

After some rather convincing words, and maybe a few kisses, Clarke relented and said she would consider getting into a wine pit, but just barely. Lexa was just convincing like that.

"Don't make me come get you." Lexa was already walking toward the edge of the pit, a mischievous grin in place. Her armour was already half undone, the straps on the side unclipped and her blue sash already tossed to the side. "Ten seconds before I pick you up and drop you in here, pretty dress and all."

Clarke nervously teetered in front of the small clay brick wall; the material of her dress tightly clutched in her fists. The slaves in the other surrounding wine pits continued to mash the grapes with their feet while curiously darting their eyes toward the Empress about to engage in the work of a pleb.

"Quinque, quattuor, tres, duo, unus—"

When Clarke lifts her one foot to step into the pit, there are hands on her hips already and she momentarily glides through the air before being met with a wet slosh beneath her feet and in between her toes. "By the gods! This is even worse than I thought!" A screech escapes her lips as she grabs at Lexa's shoulders. "I love you, but I'm not doing this!"

"Will you just calm down and take a breath? It's really not that bad." Lexa heartily chuckles, leaving her hands on the Empress' hips, softly massaging the material beneath her palms. Soft snickers came from around them, the slaves finding the screeches of the Empress amusing. "You do look a little ridiculous, I won't lie."

Clarke swatted her guards' shoulder, furrowing her eyebrows even more and the pout on her lips etching itself in deeper. "But you're also incredibly adorable." Lexa adds, earning herself a few points. On days like these, she didn't need Polis, but only the illusion that they in fact were there sharing all of these precious moments together. And judging by the valiant smile coating Clarke's lips, she could almost believe that the Empress was enjoying it much more than she was actually letting on.

Clarke looked past Lexa's shoulder at the few slaves in the pit behind her as they tried to stifle yet another snicker. "If these plebs don't stop laughing, they're going to get an earful—"

The words catch in the Empress' throat and they die there as soft lips make contact with her own, moving over her own painfully slowly. It was yet another thing so key to Lexa, her constant interruptions by the hand of kisses. Clarke admired it though.

A velvety tongue pushed past her lips and dragged along the roof of her mouth as fingertips dug past the material of her dress on her hips. A graceful purr escaped Clarke's lungs as she got lost in that which is Alexandria Silvestre.

Lexa could feel the tight grip on her shoulders loosen as Clarke finally settles into the wet pit they were standing in. The kiss was accomplishing that which it intended to do; distracting Clarke so much from where they were and settling her in pure serenity.

Finally parting after a few fleeting moments of love, Lexa slowly draws away, stealing one last kiss before only hovering over Clarke's lips, tempted to steal another kiss or two. Maybe even tempted to abandon the entirety of the day. "Can we continue now or would you like another moment?"

After not receiving a prompt reply, Lexa momentarily tears her gaze away from hooded blue eyes that stare back at her, still entranced. She looks over the surrounding slaves as they quickly get back to the task at hand, pretending that they didn't just witness any sign of affection between the two women.

"It's as if you want to get yourself in trouble." Clarke mutters just above a whisper, no hint of chastising though. She duly enjoyed it when Lexa was 'trying to get herself in trouble'. In fact, she would be lying if she were to say she didn't push the Gladiatrix to do so every now and then.

The material of her dress was long forgotten, now freely laying in the red liquid, slowly soaking it up. Clarke willed a deep breath as she slowly raises the bottom of her right foot, balancing on the left even though it was completely unnecessary, Lexa's hands still firmly holding onto her hips. "This is horrifying."

The bottom of her foot was already stained a deep shade of red and gods forbid that the material of her dress even touched it. There was no doubt that it was ruined now.

It must have been quite the sight as the two women stood completely frozen close to the center of the wine pit.

Lexa's sash, bracers, and greaves were all discarded at the side of the pit, leaving her only in unfastened armour and a black tunic. Her hair was freshly washed and intricately braided by the maiden Raven after a lot of protest.

Clarke's eyes remained on her guard, reveling in her effortless beauty—

"Clarke?"

"Hmm?" The Empress answers in a hum absentmindedly, raising her head from the palm it was resting on. She had started to daydream at some point, reminiscing on a fond memory. It had started to happen more often than she cared to admit to herself but each and every time it happened it was a sweet escape from reality.

"What's wrong? Don't feel well?" Raven whispers from beside her, a worried look on her face.

"No, no, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

Bellamy continued to speak with the Senators in the cabinet of seats to the left of the throne room, all of them tentatively listening to yet another bill of rights that will stay the same. It had been a boring meeting, so infuriatingly tedious that Clarke was close to chewing her own wrists off.

But nevertheless, she had to attend. Though there wasn't any point. There was no room for her in the conversation at hand, she was simply there to look good for the opulent civilians in attendance. She was a trophy wife essentially without actually being a wife.

Getting lost in yet another memory, Clarke stared at the deep crimson red banners that adorned the walls. The eagle looked rather boring compared to the blue Griffin that once proudly decorated the walls.

"I suppose that's all we have time for today, Senators. We will reconvene again tomorrow for the final meeting after I revise the remaining items. I thank you all for attending today." Blake stood from his throne, slightly tilting his head toward the cabinet of old and young men alike; all of them sharply dressed in white togas with red sashes.

Blake himself wore a white toga accompanied by a red sash and his golden olive wreath atop his head, almost lost in the black curls of his shaggy hair. Large rings decorated his fingers along with golden wrist cuffs.

He looked ridiculous.

He was a try-hard and nobody could convince Clarke otherwise. It was painfully obvious how much he tried to be like her father. The crown, which she was sure was her father's original one, the rings, which was eerily similar to Jakes, and finally the wrist bracer cuffs? It was just too much.

The Senators started to filter out of the throne room, grumbling a couple of words under one another. It ranged from plans for the remainder of the day, complaints about their wives, and the fact that the Empress looked even more unimpressed than they did.

Blake sunk back into his throne with a deep sigh as if he had just finished the hardest task of his life. He had barely spoken for an hour, not that such was the most unimpressive, but the fact that it was all read from different pieces of parchment that the slave next to him held. He hadn't even made the effort to prepare a few words truly spoken from the heart.

Jake was probably turning in his unmarked grave.

"Can I leave now? Everyone has left and you're not particularly the conversation I would like to have today."

"Always so snappy." Blake retorts, rubbing his fingertips over his temples. "Leave, don't, I don't care." He finally answers boredly, only sparing an uninterested side-eye in the Empress' direction. Whether she would stay or not, it wouldn't matter. He himself just wanted a few moments of silence before continuing the day.

He still had a few more ministers to see, treaties to sign, and perhaps even a brothel or two to visit.

"You're fucking insufferable." Clarke bites, a furrow of eyes following in disgust. She had, had more than her fair share of hearing his voice for the day and his constant show of self-importance was becoming more than she could possibly bear. Perhaps it was dramatic, or conceited, but the amount of distaste she had for him was unexplainable.

Not only did he indirectly cause her father's death, but now he was trying to imitate him? Unsuccessfully so but it was righteously ridiculous. He would never be half the Emperor Jake was yet he believed that he already reached his very peak and there was no better in history.

The heavy front door of the throne room ominously swung open again, only being closed a few moments ago after all the civilians left. Clarke was surprised to see the face that walks through the entrance, his shoulders rugged and facial features stoic. His right hand rested on the hilt of his blade as any soldiers did; were he from anywhere else in the Empire, Clarke would've feared for her life.

Yet, she had grown so accustomed to the way the Praetorian carried themselves. Their shoulders were always solid, postures close to perfect and their dominant hand always either extremely close to the hilts of their blades or on top of them.

It reminded Clarke of Lexa through and through when she was on Imperial business and away from the comforts of either her or Clarke's quarters. It was always astonishing how fast she could switch between roles; from a lover to a guard in mere split seconds. Or from a guard to a General that just oozed authority. The whole sight was riveting and among the many things that Clarke admired about her.

"Falco, you're back. With good news, I hope. You're looking rather lonely."

"Greetings, sir." The large man sunk down to one knee, placing his helmet next to him, resting both of his arms on his upward knee afterward. Clarke had slowly returned back into her own throne, curiously staring at the man that once guarded her mother. He was a guard in the Praetorian since before the Grymphem's even arrived in Rome.

"May I request an audience with you alone, sir." Lincoln moved his gaze to Clarke, bowing his head to her in respect. "I mean no offense to you, Empress."

"We rule together. You can speak freely, Lincoln."

Lincoln visibly became uncomfortable. He was bearing in mind the conversation he and Lexa had before his departure from Neapolis. She recommended that the news of her 'death' shouldn't be shared with Clarke firsthand from him. It was a sure recipe for uncanny vengeance.

"Sir—"

"Speak, Falco. I will not ask again." Blake's voice became stern and Lincoln recognized it for what it was. This was the so-called pissing contest going on. This was Blake's powerplay. Perhaps even his final play.

Lincoln dug his hand into the neck lining of his armour, retrieving the round piece of metal that hung from a thin leather strap. A bad taste formed in his mouth as he slowly extended his arm upward, the strap dangling from his hand a mere four feet away from the two large thrones.

"She's dead, sir. Three Praetorian casualties."

Blake visibly radiated with something nothing short of pure joy, it looked sadistic. He was the first to reach out for the leather, curious as to what was being offered to him. With an open hand, he accepted it, bringing it up close to his eyes as the ring slowly turned, the numbers catching a glimmer in the sun.

CXXXVIII. 138.

"Yours, I presume," Bellamy announces, holding the ring out to Clarke. "The year you were inaugurated. Your mother had the same one. Hers is buried with her so this must be yours." He slightly chuckled when he fully realizes what it meant. Lexa was truly dead. "I find it amusing that you would gift something of this value to a gladiator. This is the only symbolic thing that keeps you on that throne and you gave it to a dead woman. How intriguing. It really must have been love."

Clarke yanked the string from his hands, shuffling the ring around in her hands, desperate to get it immobile enough to see if it truly was the ring she gave to Lexa over a week ago. Her only breath caught in her throat when she finally sees the number on it and a lone droplet of blood on the inside of the golden band.

The Empress looked up at the kneeling Praetorian but his head hung in what seemed like sheer shame. "Have you no honor?" She asks, a break in her voice evident. "Your General. Your friend. And you've ... Lincoln. How dare you show your face in front of me?!" His head remained turned down. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you, filth!"

Blake spectated the exchange in pure glee, chills raising on his neck and the back of his hand in front of his mouth to hide the smile that was so deeply etched into his features that it may never disappear.

"I ask you again, have you no honor?!"

Lincoln remained quiet, meeting the eye of the Empress while pursing his lips and biting his tongue momentarily. "My loyalty has always been to the throne." He opts to say, not clarifying which throne he was referring to. He wasn't very fond of telling lies; only the one he was telling now was large enough to take up all the space in his personal morals that can be destroyed every now and then. In fact, opting for the words he spoke wasn't even any lie. He is loyal to Clarke, just not in the way she would like him to be at that very moment. "I however did not deliver the killing blow. The man that did has already paid with his life."

"Where's her body?"

"Burned, ma'am."

"Burned?" Clarke asks in a whimper so inaudible that barely anyone hears her. Her heart shattered then for what felt like the final time. Losing a parent was unbearable, losing another was unthinkable but losing someone that felt like the only reason left to breathe was unsurvivable. Tragedy struck in phases and this was the last straw for Clarke.

The Empress had no words left to utter.

//

"Ergh, I don't feel good." Lexa grunts between rapid breaths, her hand clamping over her mouth.

"Fuck, we probably should've made an offering to Poseidon before leaving the docks." Leonardo notes, baring his teeth in a look of pity.

Lexa waved her hand dismissively before doubling over the railing of the ship, emptying the very little contents of her stomach into the seas below. "There, I think I've made him an offering."

Leonardo himself gagged, quickly looking away from the gladiatrix. "As much as I appreciate the jest, I don't think he'll like that offering." The slave owner gagged once again, a hand over his mouth while he moved farther away from Lexa. He had seen his fair share of seasickness, and has had his fair share of it as well but there was just not getting used to it.

After a few more offerings to Poseidon, Lexa wipes her mouth before sinking down onto the deck of the ship, leaning her head against the railing. "Aren't you the one that always says that the gods are nothing but a bunch of shmucks?"

"No, no, you misunderstood. The Roman gods are a bunch of shmucks. The Greek gods aren't. I won't dare speak against them."

"There's a difference?" Lexa asks with one eye open, the other hooded as she tries to catch her breath.

"I'm going to pretend that you didn't ask."

Taking that as an answer, Lexa proceeds to close both eyes, focusing on evening out her breathing and swallowing down whatever more bile may rise. She was fairly sure that it was impossible to become accustomed to sailing over the ruthless waves of the ocean. The mellow waves that occasionally became one with the unforgiving ones created the perfect turbulence to mix one's organs.

Once her stomach finally feels stable enough to stand up, Lexa leans over the railing of the ship, watching as Portus Julius grew smaller and smaller in size until she could no longer see it. What felt like a blink of an eye was actually much longer but time itself had become a timeless concept to her. It passed before she could properly comprehend it.

By the time her conscious mind returns she's standing on the upper deck next to Leonardo that barks out orders to his crewman to drop the canvas sails to catch the favorable winds. They had a long journey ahead. Not as long as her previous trip to Athens, but nevertheless, it was still quite a distance to cover.

"So, Elis, or Olympia rather ... what does it look like?"

"Beautiful..." Leonardo answers with pride, a reminiscence playing out behind his eyes. "Picture Rome but more open. Nature still thrives but so do the people. Don't expect to see anything as impressive as Athens but don't underestimate Olympia either. You'll love it there, I know it. I'll take you on a tour the first chance we get so you're familiar with it if I need to send you somewhere. The last thing we need is you getting lost and prancing around somewhere you're not supposed to. As friendly as Olympia is, there are strict rules. As much as we pride ourselves in our levels of equality, there are boundaries."

"Such as?" Lexa questions, an eyebrow quirked. Rome had its boundaries as well which she had no problem crossing. By the furies, she may have even created new boundaries or just simply destroyed them. First female General, first female Praetorian, first female Senator, first female Colosseum victor. There could've been so many more firsts if things didn't unravel the way they did.

Leonardo shrugged as if it didn't exactly matter but continued anyway. "Well, women aren't allowed to spectate the games for one. In the male leg of it all anyway. They can spectate the female part of it though. Only the High Priestess of Hera is permitted to watch the male part of the games."