Before I could get back on my feet, rough hands yanked me down. A guard forced my wrists together and tied them tight, the roping biting into my skin. I thrashed around, but it was useless. My eyes darted to Bellamy just as he lifted his bound hands and pulled the gag from his mouth.

"You don't look so good" pike said flatly, watching him.

"I'm fine" Bellamy answered.

"You got about 5 seconds to make me believe you're still with me" pike warned

Bellamy's jaw clenched, but his voice stayed steady.
"All the others are in a cave not far from here" he said

The words hit me like a knife.
"You son of a bitch!" I shouted, but the gag was shoved between my teeth before I could say more.

"No!" Octavia screamed, lunging forward. But one of the guards jabbed her with shock baton, her body crumbling instantly.

"Give me the coordinates" pike demanded

"I don't have the coordinates, but I can take you there." Bellamy answered quickly.

My stomach dropped.

The forest pressed in on us as pike lead the way with Bellamy. My hands were tied, a gag in my mouth, and every step felt heavier than the last. Bellamy kept his head down, guiding pike like he belonged to him.

"You sure about the route? We're getting close to the blockade line" Pike muttered, suspicion dripping from his tone.

"That's why Kane set up out here. He didn't think we'd risk it." Bellamy replied

"He was wrong." Pike said.

I saw Bellamy glance back, just for a heartbeat. Then he leaned closer to pike, his words low, meant to be hidden.

"What's going to happen to my sister? And Diana? I know they have to answer for their crimes but-" Bellamy starts, my chest tightened.

"Tell you what. I'll make you the same promise I made to Monty's mother. Immunity from all past actions, but if she screws up again-" pike cut him off.

"Oh she won't. I'll make sure of it. My sister my responsibility....and Diana? The same thing, I suppose-" Bellamy starts again

"No. Diana will be sentenced the same as before. She's a grounder. One of their leaders. I can't have her be running around camp" pike snapped

Bellamy said nothing. Nothing. And my heart sank like stone.

"Hold on" pike raised a hand, scanning the trees.

"The cave is just on the other side" Bellamy said

That's when it clicked. My breath caught. He wasn't leading pike to the cave- he was leading him across the blockade line. My gaze flicked to Marcus. He saw it too.

"Keep a sharp eye out" pike ordered.

We hadn't gone more than a few steps when a horn echoed through the forest.

"The blockade! Anybody got eyes? Back up. Back to higher ground" Pike shouted, guns raised, weapons snapping into place.

And then Bellamy moved. He spun, yanking pikes rifle free and leveling it on him.
"Drop your weapon!" He shouted

"What the hell are you doing?" Pike spat, fury flashing in his eyes.

"Drop your weapon!" Bellamy yells again, louder this time.

The world spun into chaos. I lunged at one of the guards, driving my shoulder into his chest, knocking him down. Octavia surged forward too, disarming another before he could raise the butt of his gun. With seconds, the guards were down.

Bellamy's voice rang out.
"We bring you chancellor pike of the sky people. Diana- translate" Bellamy said

My throat burned as I spat the gag free. My voice rose strong, carrying into the trees.
"It's Haiplana. We bring you Chancellor Pike of Skaikru!" I said

"You killed us all" pike hissed at Bellamy.

"Take him. Lift this blockade." Bellamy said

"Take him. Lift this blockade. Just as Lexa and I ordered!" I shouted, and almost immediately, arrows hissed through the air, knocking the rest of pikes men to the ground.

My people emerged from the shadows, blades drawn, eyes fierce. Relief hit me like the air after drowning.

But then I saw Octavia. Her knife was out, her rage aimed at pike.

"O- no!" I caught her arm, shoving her back.

"Octavia, no. We need him alive. We didn't get justice for Finn- my people won't let that happen again." I say

Pike smirked.
"In that case-" he starts, lunging at Bellamy. 

An arrow struck his shoulder, sending him stumbling. My people swarmed him, dragging him down until he hit the dirt, unconscious.

"Where are you taking him?" Marcus asked 

"To the new commander" one of the warriors answered.

"May I join you?" He asked, pulling back his sleeve to reveal the brand.

The warriors eyes flicked to it, then back to him.
"We're the thirteenth clan" Marcus added

"Don't slow us down" he nodded

He turned to me, bowing slowly.
"Haiplana" he said

The title rang in my ears. I straightened, my hand tightening on my blade.
"Who is the new commander?" I asked

"Ontari of ice nation" he said

My blood ran cold.
"What about the other nightbloods?" I asked

His eyes flickered.
"Ontari killed them." He replied

"Coward! No matter what, she should not have been named commander. I am a nightblood. I live. She wasnt the only one. There should be a fight for the throne" I spat

"Forgive us, Haiplana. We were told you were dead. Along with Lexa" he answered

"Who told you this?" I ask

"Ontari" he said

My jaw clenched so tight it ached.
"Let me speak with them. Then we leave for polis" I ordered

He nodded.

When I turn back, Marcus had already moved to speak with Bellamy, quiet words exchanged before he slipped away.

I stepped closer.
"Go Marcus. I'll follow soon" I said

He nodded once then disappeared.

That left me with Bellamy.

"What made you do this?" I asked

He looked confused.
"It was the right thing to do-" he starts

"No. Not this. Back then. What made you kill innocent people? What made you betray me?" I asked, my voice sharper than it was meant to be.

His eyes softened, shame heavy in them.
"I was scared. Angry. I thought you'd turned your back on us. On me. My mind was a mess, and Pike... he made it make sense. For a while. But I see now- he was wrong. I was wrong. I'm sorry, Diana. " He said

I studied him, the boy I'd once trusted, the man who had shattered that trust.
"You'll have to live with the burden." I said

His head dropped.

Silence stretched. Finally, I let out a breath.
"But I can't say I'm not glad to have you back where you belong, Bellamy" I add

His gaze lifted.
"I'll make it up somehow. I promise" he said

"Then help me save my people. And stay alive" I told him.

He nodded.

I turned away before my resolve cracked.

"Let's go!" I shouted, my voice carrying across the warriors.

They fell into motion around me, their blades catching the light as we moved.

Toward polis. Toward the throne that should have lexa sitting on.

And toward a war I could already feel in my bones.