I found Octavia alone, sharpening her blade against the edge of a rock. She looked up the second I stepped closer, her shoulders tense like she expected a fight.

"I know it was you, Octavia" I said flatly

She scoffed.
"You're welcome" she said

I tilted my head, studying her. She expected anger, maybe even punishment. But I wasn't mad- at least not in the way she thought.
"I'm not mad. Not exactly grateful either...but I'm leaning towards it. You saved Roan or me from another fight. Thank you. Next time, though, ask me first. That way you don't look like an assassin sneaking through my camp. People might get the wrong idea" I say

Her lips twitched into a grin.
"Thank you, Heda" she said

I shook my head.
"Oh please, it's Diana to you" I say, a smile on my face.

For just a second, I saw Lincoln in her- the same stubborn defiance, the same loyalty hidden under sharp edges. It made my chest ache, but I turned before it could show and left her standing there with her smile.

Later, Marcus filled me in- about the nightblood, about how it could save us all. My people. All people. But before hope could settle, roam summoned me.

I walked into the embassy where he waited.
"What did you want to speak about?" I asked

"Skaikru has lied to us all, Heda. They are now the enemy" he spat

Heat flared through me. My fists curled.
"And how did you come by this information, Roan?" My voice steady, but anger boiled just beneath it.

"I sent echo to spy on them. They're rebuilding their ship. They have a nightblood with them" he said

I stared at him, disbelief turning sharp.
"Did you think I didn't know? Marcus told me.  You sent echo to spy without my permission?  You went behind your Hedas back. I could have you killed for that" my voice dropped low.

"You could. But you won't. Because you know I'm right. Skaikru will save themselves and leave us to die. I already acted- I have Bellamy and Marcus as hostages. Warriors have killed the rest" he said, unfazed.

For a second, my world tilted. My heart sank like stone. Bellamy. Marcus. My people, gone? My people. Lincoln's people. Lexas dream. My chat burned.

"You did this without me, Roan. You declared them enemies. But you have no power to do that." I said with fury.

"I'm doing what you couldn't" he said, staring me down.

I turned sharply. I couldn't look at him or I'd strike him where he stood.

"Where are you going?" He demanded

"I'll be back to speak with you." I said, already walking out.

The blood hit me before the sight did. Trikru. Skaikru. Bodies on the ground. Octavia stood among them, her blade slick.

"O!" I ran toward her.

Her eyes burned into me.
"How could you, Diana-?" she starts

"This wasn't me. Roan went behind my back. You need to leave. Now" I snapped, desperate for her to understand.

"But you can stop this. You-" she starts again

"Listen to me, Octavia. Azgeda will follow Roan even if I stop him. The only warriors I have are his. I need to find a way to speak with Clarke and roan. Alone. But you- where is Indra?" I ask

"She's gone to warn Trikru" O replied

"Good. As should you. I will ride out as well- I know the route they'll take. But you need to go. Now" I said

Her jaw clenched, but finally she nodded and ran off. I watched her disappear and whispered a prayer to Lincoln.
"Watch her for me, brother"

An hour later, I mounted my horse and rode hard toward Arkadia. By the time I arrived, I barely felt the ache in my legs.

"Clarke!" I shouted the moment I broke through camp.

She came running. 
"Diana? What are you-" she starts

"Azgeda is marching an army towards you as we speak" I cut her off

Her eyes widened, but she didn't argue. That's one thing about Clarke- she knows when to fight me, and when not to.

"We need a plan" she muttered

"I have one.... Wheres Octavia?" I ask

"She's not here" she answered

"Damn it" I cursed under my breath, moving back to my horse. But before I could mount, another horse galloped up to me.

"Faya?" My breath caught, and I reached for him, pressing my hand to his head.

"He came back here about a week ago. We held onto him for you" Clarke said softly

"Thank you." I stroke his mane.
"Faya. Find Octavia. Bring her home" I said, and he bolted into the woods.

For the first time in hours, my chest loosened.

The plan came together fast. We readied to head out.

Then I heard a familiar sound.

I turn towards the gates. Faya run in, Octavia on his back.

"Octavia!" I shouted, sprinting over. Clarke behind me

I grabbed her, as people helped her down. Her body limp.
"Get her in here" Clarke ordered

"Azgeda- marching" Octavia mumbled out

"Rest O. I'm here. You'll be ok" I whisper rubbing her head.

I look at a doctor who was already starting to help her.
"Don't let her die" I command

Guns were readied in the mountains. Warriors ready. When roans army marched, I was waiting, standing tall between the rocks, Clarke at my side.

Roans eyes locked on me, his voice sharp.
"Archers! Target Wanheda" he ordered

Neither Clarke or I moved. We didn't have to.

One look to the mountains, and guns shifted toward his army. His warriors faltered. Then guards dragged Bellamy and Marcus forward, shoving them to their knees.

My heart twisted. Bellamy's eyes met mine. Alive. Relief and rage warred inside me.

"Your move" roan called

"Ten minutes. Now" I ordered

We turned and he followed.

We stepped into the cave, shadows curling around the stone walls like watchful spirits. Roans voice cut through the silence first, sharp and defensive.

"I suppose you think you've got us right where you want us" he said

Clarkes eye flickered between us, her voice low and urgent.
"Roan were allies, what are we doing?" She asked

But I didn't stop walking. My boots echoed against the stone, each step a reminder that this wasn't his hall to command- it was mine.

"We had a deal. You broke it." He replied

I turned on him, anger sparking in my chest. 
"Wrong again, Roan. The deal was they tell me the plan, not you. And they did. But you- you went behind my back. Against your Heda. You nearly killed Octavio. You hold Bellamy and Marcus like their trophy's. You marched an army here for what? To spill more blood when all of us may be dead soon anyway?" I spit

His jaw tightened.
"We weren't here to kill them. We're here to take their ship. A ship they restored for their people, not mine." roan said

"That ship is a backup plan. It'll hold a 100 people tops." Clarke cut in

"Then you won't mind if we take it." Roan shot back

Clarke stepped closer, her voice sharp.
"Before you took him hostage, did Kane tell you about the nightblood situation?" She asked

"He tried. Sounds to me like you're trying to replace Heda. Another violation of our deal" roan said

"You know that isn't true. I am doing everything I can to save all of us" Clarke snapped

Roam shook his head, his words laced with scorn.
"No, you're not. You grieve for Lexa, yet you've learned nothing from her. She was Trikru, but she rose above loyalty to clan. You tell yourself you have to. The great Wanheda, commander of death, who says she wants to save everyone. Yet builds a ship for herself and her people." He said

"The nightblood solution will save everyone." Clarke insisted

"I don't believe in miracles" roan muttered.

That was when I laughed. Low. Cold. The sound echoed off the walls, silencing both of them. Slowly, I rose to my feet.

"It's funny to me, Roan. You still think you're in charge here. One look from me, and my people open fire. But yes- if they did, we'd lose Bellamy and Kane. I'm not a fool to war. I know the cost" I said softly, yet my voice carried sharp edges.

His eyes narrowed.
"If you bring me down from leading by your side-" he starts

"The people will think I'm weak?" I cut him off, stepping closer, my gaze unwavering.

"How dumb do you think I am? I wouldn't just strip you of your place, roan. No. I would kill you all. One by one. Warriors first. Then echo. Then you. Do you think Azgeda- or anyone for that matter- would whisper 'weak' after watching a king bleed out in the dirt at my feet?" I question

The silence that followed was answer enough.

"You forget what I carry now. The flames burns within me. You forget your place. But still- I offer survival. We share the ship. Fifty spots apiece" I said, the weight of the words settle in him.

His pride faltered, and after a long pause, he nodded.
"Fifty spots apiece. I can live with that" he said

"As you should. You're lucky to get anything at all, after what you did." I told him coldly

Clarke glanced between us, her brow furrowed.
"Can you people manage that? They wanted war" she asks

Roam straightened, masking his hesitation.
"I'm a king, Clarke. I don't have to ask my people what they want." He said

I stepped forward, my eyes narrowing at him.
"And yet...if I told Azgeda their only chance to survive was to kill you, your crown wouldn't mean much" I said

For the first time, his breath hitched- shaky, uneven.

"The real question, is how are you gonna sell this to your people? They won't be happy about losing half their seats in the lifeboat." Roan said, turning to clarke.

"They don't need to be happy. We need to survive." Clarke replied firmly

Roan stood.
"If Skaikru won't follow you when the time comes to close the door. Azgeda will see that it gets done." He said

Clarke reached out her hand.
"Well let's hope it never comes to that" she nods

Roan takes his blade, cutting his hand. Then passes it to Clarke.
"We bind ourselves with blood" roan muttered

She took the blade, cutting her hand.
"We bind ourselves in blood" she repeated

Then they shook hands.

My eyes narrowed at roan, unshaken, fierce.
"Break that, and I kill you" I spoke

Then we walked out.