1 year after Costia’s death

Lexa had never felt so alone. She stared at the numerous candles in her room. She had added more. So many regrets. She always heard it said that time heals all wounds, but she didn't think that was true. It had been a year since Costia was tortured and murdered, and Lexa still missed her. She only survived by focusing on her duties as commander. And, over time, she truly came to believe that love was weakness. She was careful to protect herself from falling into its trap again. She was feared, respected, and followed. Maybe that was all she needed. Gustus was still with her. At first, Lexa worried he may leave. She knew he grieved for Costia, too. But he had reassured her. "No Heda," he had said, "Serving you helps me keep her memory alive. She loved you more than anything, so I honor her by protecting you." It was the closest Lexa had come to feeling moved by anything since Costia's death. Lexa continued to go through the motions of her daily routine. One day, she received a report of a lightening strike on a Trikru village. She decided to personally accompany the search party to look for survivors. She needed a change of scenery, and it would give the people strength to see their Heda. The village was a half a day's ride from Polis. Once there, the scene was all too familiar to Lexa. An entire village almost completed burned to the ground. Thankfully, there were survivors. Many of them were walking around in a daze. Lexa dismounted and began to walk through the village. She stopped cold in her tracks when she saw a small boy crying over the bodies of his parents. No one was helping him. Lexa shuddered to think how many people had walked by him and not stopped to check on him. She kneeled down in the mud next to him and lightly touched his shoulder. "What's your name?" Lexa asked as gently as should could. The blonde haired boy looked up at her, noticing her for the first time. He knew who she was by the commander's symbol on her forehead. His eyes widened in awe. "Aiden," he replied. As Lexa looked him over, she noticed he was bleeding from a cut on his leg. His blood was black. She gave him her most reassuring smile. "I'm going to get you fixed up by one of our healers, and then my little natblida, you will come with me to Polis. You're going to be okay." Young Aiden mustered all of his courage. "Thank you, Heda," he replied. Once their healer had bandaged his wound, Lexa scooped Aiden up and put him on her own horse with her. He clung to her tightly the whole way back to Polis. Aiden joined Lexa's other Nightbloods and quickly became her favorite. He was smart, kind, and brave. Lexa felt strongly that, when the time came, her spirit would choose him to be the next commander. The thought gave her peace.