Chapter Text
A few hours after Wells had left another knock graced Clarke's door.
"I come with your vestments," a woman's voice said from the other side of the door.
"Come in," Clarke told one of the maids of the castle. Mia entered with a large amount of tangled fabric full of laces.
"Good afternoon, Sky Prisa," greeted Mia with a quick bow. "May you get up so I may begin?"
"Sky Prisa?" Clarke asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You do not know of your title, my lady?" Mia asked in disbelief and Clarke shook her head.
"I don't get too many visitors," Clarke replied in a mixed sad and angry tone. The maid smiled softly and apologetically. Clarke was not upset with her, though, it wasn't Mia's fault for her predicament.
"Well, Sky Prisa,"Mia began, "your blonde hair and blue eyes are a sign from the spirits."
Clarke raised an eyebrow in disbelief but remained silent.
"It is believed that you are an angel who fell from the sky to the earth. It is also said that you are so beautiful that only worthy people can look upon you or be blinded forever.
Clarke tried her damn hardest not to snort for she heard the reverence in Mia's voice.
"The Sky Prisa had hair so gold and shining like the sun itself and eyes so blue shimmering like the sky and stars."
"Wow," Clarke said as nothing else could be said. She didn't want to disrespect the kind maid's beliefs but also didn't want to validate them either.
"Anyways, my lady, please, we must get ready."
"Of course," Clarke complied with standing and placing herself in front of the mirror. Clarke followed all of Mia's instructions during her being prepared for dinner.
When Clarke let the blanket wrapped around her body fall to the ground, the soft curves of her body and the pure physical beauty greatly contrasted the gloomy, dull, and lost look her eyes held.
Clarke was lost in the look of herself. Not in a vain manner but rather wishing she could be far from this room. Clarke was so lost in herself that she didn't notice Mia had started to wrap a tight corset around her torso. The air began to be missing from her lungs, yet she barely took note of the difference. Maybe because she was used to feeling trapped, angry, and scared.
Once Clarke was fully dressed she was led to the dining hall. She kept her back straight and chin, displaying strength and confidence that she knew was mostly false. She just couldn't let anyone else know that.
She reached the chipped golden handles and was grateful she didn't have to try and open them with her wet palms. Her escort pushed them open for her, and as she stepped into the room, her eyes zeroed in on the absolutely massive table that dominated the room.
The beautiful dark mahogany table stretched from one side of the room to the other. It practically sparkled in the candlelight. Fifty matching chairs adorned the sides of the table. On one end of the table stood a throne; Queen Nia's throne.
The Ice Queen had yet to appear though it seemed that everybody else had already arrived.
Clarke observed every person in the room, taking in everything, from the way they dressed to where they stood. She noticed that only three seats were unoccupied, and they were all very near to the Queen's throne.
The two seats on the immediate right and left of the throne must be for her generals. The last one must be for me, right?
Clarke was initially and very briefly surprised that she was to be seated so close to the Queen and her generals. But she realized that she had been invited as the Queen's personal guest, and so it made sense for her to be seated nearby.
Clarke took a moment to study the rest of the extravagant dining room. Clarke saw that guards were stationed at each corner and at every possible escape route. Clarke decided to make her way towards her chair, seeing as most people were standing behind theirs.
She stalked towards what she believes to be her seat and when she came to a stop behind her‘s, she was delighted to find Wells standing directly across from her. He too was equally confused but nevertheless pleased at the seating arrangements.
The two shared a smirk but their peaceful moment was broken by the sound of the doors slamming open. The room fell immediately silent. Clarke turned her gaze towards the Ice Queen and her generals' arrival. The Sky Prisa then noticed that everyone else's gaze was not locked on the Ice Queen but rather the floor.
The echo of the doors slamming against the walls was still ringing in Clarke's ears, and yet she still heard the sharp, fast steps of light feet crossing the stone floor.
The guards pulled back the Ice Queen's throne, allowing Nia to stand comfortably in front of it. Nia radiated an aura of power and confidence as she gazed around the table, pleased at the submission of the people, before stopping at Clarke.
Again, Clarke and the Queen locked eyes. Nia's seemed to stare straight through her. While her expression did not change much, Clarke could see the evil smile on Queen Nia's face as Clarke met Nia's stare defiantly.
The defiance did not seem to phase Nia. Instead, the evil grin remained present as ever.
Why is she smiling at me like that again?
Locked in a battle of wills, the two held each other's gaze for what felt like a lifetime for Clarke. Unable to hold it anymore, Clarke bowed her head in submission. The muscles in her neck were still tight and defiant, but her stomach felt sick from her surrender.
Clarke did not see Nia's slightly pleased look at the action.
Thankfully for the Sky Prisa, only a few moments passed before the Ice Queen took her seat, allowing Clarke and everyone else to lift their heads. Though Clarke avoided meeting Nia's eyes again.
Nia waved her hand dismissively, allowing everyone to take his or her seats around the table. Clarke felt some of the tension leave her muscles when she once again met Wells' gaze from across the table. His reassuring smile and slight nod to Clarke made her feel slightly more at ease in this new and quite uncomfortable setting. Clarke only managed a small smile back, curious and afraid why the Ice Queen had ordered her presence.
Clarke could see out of the corner of her eye that Nia had her gaze locked on her. It was only a matter of time before Nia would start to speak to her.
"You must be the Sky Prisa I've heard so much about," Nia said, and Clarke nearly rolled her eyes at the timing. "Your beauty is well known amongst the nations, and I must admit, the rumors do you no justice." The comments themselves weren't overtly inappropriate. But Nia leaned slightly to the side and raked her eyes up and down Clarke's body. Clarke could practically feel the leering, and when she subtly glanced at the Ice Queen, she could see the hungry smile on Nia's face.
Clarke certainly did not like the way Nia was admiring her or the way Nia seemed to see her as less than what she was.
"Ontari, change seats with Clarke. I want her to sit next to me," Nia commanded, never once leaving Clarke's eyes. Clarke couldn't hide her shock or fear. Wells looked equally concerned and hopelessly at Clarke. Ontari, on the other hand, stood up without hesitations and went to stand behind Clarke so she could take her chair.
Clarke could feel Nia staring at her as she slowly stood up and moved into Ontari's former seat. Nia again leaned closer, but this time touched Clarke's arm. She tensed and shivered at the contact. Clarke's full attention was on Nia as the Ice Queen's hand wandered from Clarke's arm to her face. Nia let her hand linger there as she said, "You are breathtaking, Clarke," Nia said lustfully.
Clarke gulped at the look of desire and dangerous sparkling in Nia's eyes.
"Th-Thank y-you, ma'am," Clarke replied, her voice shakier than she had hoped.
Nia withdrew her hand and began to eat as if nothing had just transpired. Clarke let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and began to eat as well. Clarke just wished that dinner would end quickly.
The Queen would talk with her generals and Jaha about a few things but every few minutes, Nia would look at Clarke with penetrating eyes, causing Clarke to feel exceedingly uneasy.
Dinner did not end quick enough for Clarke. It wasn't until two hours later that everyone was allowed to retire to their chambers. Only Nia, Echo and Ontari, Jaha, Wells, and Clarke remained.
Finally, Clarke thought as Jaha and Wells started to stand, indicating it was time for her to go as well. At least, that's what she had been hoping.
"Clarke," Nia called out, causing Clarke to stop dead in her tracks. Clarke's heart plummeted to her stomach when Nia said, "I will accompany you to your chamber. There is something I wish to discuss with you."
Unable to refuse, Clarke merely said, "Of course, your majesty." Though the words tasted sour in her mouth, Clarke couldn't care less about the foul taste but rather tried to control her shaky legs and uncontrollable shiver. Both of whom were attributed to the terror of being left alone with Queen Nia.
Clarke took a deep breath in an attempt to hide her nervous behavior. She didn't succeed.
The two walked to Clarke's bed chambers in silence.
For someone who wanted to talk to me, you seem not to be doing a lot of talking, Clarke thought. But even Clarke knew better than to speak out of turn in front of Nia.
Clarke instead thought about how little she knew about Nia other than she was quite cruel and always got what she wanted.
The rumors were endless about Nia. It was said that she killed her own son and husband because they didn't please her. Nia ruled on fear, and her own people believed she was a witch, sent by the evilest of spirits. The list of rumors continued, each more horrifying than the next.
The closer the two women came to Clarke's bedchamber, the more nervous Clarke became. Sweat was starting to run down her neck. When they arrived at Clarke's Chambers, Clarke stopped in front of the door and turned to Nia.
Either I ask now or risk her inviting herself in.
"Ma'am? What did you wish to discuss with me?" Clarke asked, hoping to sound confident and failing miserably. Clarke cursed herself for failing and saw Nia grin slightly. The grin was unnerving.
"Right to the point I see," Nia said with an evil chuckle.
Right to the point? We're at my bedchambers. It's not like I'm going to ask you how the weather is? Clarke thought sarcastically to herself. She realized that Nia had taken a step forward and was mere inches away from each other. Clarke took a step backward to gain her personal space back.
Instead, Nia simply took another step forward and Clarke moved back. Unfortunately, she moved straight into her door. Nia easily pinned Clarke to the door. While her body ensured Clarke would be going nowhere, Nia brought one hand to grasp the back of Clarke's neck, and the other to caress her face.
Nia let her forehead rest on Clarke's. Clarke could feel the breath of the other woman on her lips. Clarke desperately wanted to move away, but she was immobilized.
Nia parted her lips slightly, breathing heavily. Clarke felt sick and wanted to vomit. When Nia started to move closer, Clarke thought Nia was going to kiss her, and her eyes widened in fear her breath hitched.
But to Clarke's sheer relief, Nia moved to her ear instead. Clarke could feel Nia's hot breath on her ear and just prayed to the spirits that Nia would release her.
"I like how you react when I touch you," Nia whispered seductively. Clarke blanched at Nia's insinuation but held her tongue. Nia kissed Clarke's cheek before forcing Clarke to look her in the eye.
Nia captured Clarke's gaze and leaned until Nia's lips were inches from Clarke's. "We will meet again, Sky Prisa," Nia promised, her voice husky and threatening. She let go of Clarke's neck and stepped back. With one last smile on her face, Nia turned away and returned to her bedchambers.
When Nia turned the corner, Clarke collapsed to the ground. Fear still pumping through her as she tried to decipher what had just occurred.
"What just happened?" Clarke asked herself. Clarke's thoughts were running all over the place as the strange, creepy, and terrifying behavior Nia exhibited.
A few moments later, Clarke managed to stand on shaky legs and enter her bedchambers. Clarke doubted she'd be able to get any rest as long as Nia remained in the castle.