Jace flopped down on the grass, Clary next to him. She intertwined her fingers with his, and said softly, "That bad, huh?"

"It's even worse. They're going to marry me off to Isabelle next week unless I can find a 'suitable alternative," he said mimicking his mother's nasally tone. "Are you sure there's no one else?"

"Other than the Morgenstern girl? I'm afraid not."

Jace turned his head to look at her. Clary's dark red hair was spread out behind her, and her captivating green eyes were observing something in the sky. Then, as if sensing his staring, she turned to him with a small smile. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

"It's not. You know I'm not going to marry the Morgenstern princess because you know I don't trust your judgment and she could be a serial killer for all I know."

Clary pursed her lips, looking hurt. "Just agree to see her. I know she wants an audience with you more than anything else in the world, Jace." Then seeing his expression, she added, "Look, it'll give you a little more time before the marriage is finalized, if nothing else."

Jace raised his eyebrows. "I'm not convinced."

Clary tried again. "She's in an arranged marriage with the guy Isabelle is hooking up with right now. You'd be doing four people a favour at once."

"The girl who ran away at eleven years old wants an audience with Jace Herondale, Heir of the Brocelind Plains?" he said dryly.

Clary sat up. "Have it your way, then."

Jace sat up as well. "Clary, you know that isn't the problem. I just - I don't want to find this is one of your elaborate pranks again."

"I am very convincing," Clary agreed. "But this isn't a prank. You might even like her as much as you like me."

"Love," he corrected. "There's no one else for me, and you know that."

Clary rolled her eyes, but she was smiling and there was a bit of pink in her cheeks. "Fine. Love. But really, give her a chance."

"Why are you doing this? Is this some subtle way of getting rid of me? If it is, I hate to say it but it's not working - "

"It's quite the contrary, as you'll find out if you just agree," Clary said, cutting off his rambling.

Jace looked her in the eyes; her left eye twitched ever so slightly when she lied. But the eye remained still, and she was looking at him with such pleading in her gaze that he was forced to cave.

"Fine," he grumbled and Clary laughed, throwing her arms around him.

"I promise you won't regret this!"

Jace leaned to touch their noses together, her breath washing over his mouth. "I know I won't." He desperately wanted to kiss her now, knowing it could be one of the last times he was allowed to.

"I thought you didn't trust me," she murmured, leaning in slightly. She licked her lips, not once looking away from his eyes. Her own eyes were a fiery green.

"I can be easily persuaded," he said and closed the distance between their lips. Her mouth was soft against his and her fingers were curling into his hair. She parted her lips slightly and Jace took advantage of the fact, running his tongue over her lips first and then her teeth. She made a whimpering noise and pulled herself on to his lap, pressing their bodies together. Her tongue curled around his, pulling slightly, and it was his turn to whimper into her mouth. She kissed him harder, nails now digging into his neck.

He broke away, breathing hard, and put his mouth to her jawline; her skin tasted slightly salty. She threw her head back and let out a low moan; the sound spurred Jace on.

He sucked on her throat and her hands went to his hair, pulling slightly. He growled against her throat and sucked harder, knowing it would mark her tomorrow. (The idea filled him with an odd sense of satisfaction.) He circled his tongue on the spot and she purred, grinding down on him.

Jace kissed her again, gripping her hips tightly. She rolled her hips again, and Jace groaned into her mouth.

She pulled back, cheeks flushed and eyes glowing. Her lips were swollen, and there was a rapidly purpling mark just on the underside of her jaw. Her dress was rumpled and stained with grass, but she was smiling and the fact that it was because of him struck him stupid.

"I love you," Clary said. "I don't say it enough. I love you to the ends of the earth and back."

Jace grinned. "Of course you love me. I'm a fantastic kisser."

Clary groaned and dropped her head to his shoulder. "Why do we always end up here?"

"You know you love me."

"It hasn't even been a full minute since I told you. You're already being narcissistic."

Jace rested his chin on her shoulder, fingering the simple dress she wore. After a while, Clary spoke up. "Jace?"

He hummed in response. "Yes?"

"You have to promise me something."

Jace raised his head cautiously. Clary looked determined. "What is it?"

"You have to promise me," she repeated.

"What is it?"

Clary bit her lip. "She... if I tell her, she'll be ready to meet you tomorrow." They both knew who 'she' was. "If you end up liking her, and... want to marry her, you have to dismiss me from service."

Jace stiffened. "Why? Is she hurting you?"

Clary huffed out a laugh. "Please. She couldn't touch me. It's just... I can't serve here if you're going to be courting her." On seeing his expression, she added, "Like, I physically can't."

Jace furrowed his brow. "Please explain."

Clary sighed. "Tomorrow."

"Clary."

"Jace." She sighed again. "Just trust me. You know I love you, right?"

Jace nodded. She got up. "I have to go. Good luck with the Morgenstern girl, Jace."

Her words ripped a hole in his heart. Did she really not care for him anymore? But before he could ask, Clary was gone.


Clary scrambled into the living room by the way of the window. Thankfully, her parents had no guests. Jocelyn and Valentine lit up when they saw her. "What did he say, sweetheart?"

"He said yes!" she blurted out, unable to restrain her grin. Valentine got up and hugged her.

"Clary, dear, you have no idea how proud I am of you," he said into her hair. After a minute, Jocelyn joined them.

Clary pulled back. "Papa, can I eat early? I'd like to sleep a little more than usual for tomorrow."

Valentine kissed her forehead and said, "Of course, darling."

Jocelyn linked her arms with her daughter's. "I'll walk you there, sweetheart." She grinned wider, if that was somehow possible. "Oh! My daughter will be married in a few weeks."

Clary stopped suddenly. "Mama?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"What if he doesn't want to marry me? I tricked him. He looked hurt when I wished him good luck tomorrow."

"Oh, sweetheart," Jocelyn said, cupping Clary's face. "You are a wonderful woman, he's already in love with you from what I've heard, you're rescuing him from an unwanted marriage, and he has an excellent sense of humour. Nothing will go wrong."

"Really?"

"Of course. Now, go get ready for bed. I'll have dinner sent to your room."

"Good night, Mama."

"Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well."


The prince was pacing, apparently nervous to meet the princess. He seemed to be looking for someone, by the way his eyes darted to the crowd every two minutes.

He blinked and straightened when the herald announced the princess' arrival.

The princess entered the room, rendering it deathly quiet, and the prince's gasp was audible. He was gaping slightly.

She had dark red hair, bright green eyes, and a shy smile on her face. Murmurs rippled through the crowd - who would have ever known that the runaway princess was so beautiful?

She curtsied and spoke. "Your Highness." Even her voice was beautiful.

The prince blinked, then bowed and spoke, a smile dancing round the corners of his mouth. "Your messenger never mentioned your identity."

Her smile widened. "I hope you are not too disappointed, Prince Jonathan."

He rolled his eyes. "Please, call me Jace." Behind him, his parents smiled approvingly. "Speaking of which, where are the King and Queen Morgenstern? I was hoping to see them."

"They wait outside." She curtsied again and he bowed in return, much deeper than before.

"Shall we go see them, then?" He offered his arm to her, now grinning.

The princess smiled and took the offered arm. "We shall."


Once they were in the hallway leading to the main gates, where no one could see them, Clary relaxed. Her arm was still in Jace's, so that was a relief, but she hadn't worn this much makeup in a long, long time.

"Jace?" she said quietly. He hadn't said a word since they had strolled out of the throne room. His smile was gone.

He looked around, apparently making sure they were alone. Then his eyes dropped to hers. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Clary met his gaze. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

They both knew that wasn't the answer he was looking for. But Jace didn't seem to care one bit by the way he backed her against the wall and kissed her, being careful not to knock off the tiara on her head or rumple her dresses. His tongue roamed inside her mouth, twisting with hers; she tried not to whimper at the way he was so gentle and passionate at the same time, his fingers curling into her gown. She groaned, throwing her head back as he trailed his lips down her neck. "Jace," she said breathlessly, trying to see reason. "My parents - they are waiting for you. They want to meet you - oh," she gasped as he bit down softly on her neck, sending shivers rippling through her body and a rush of heat between her legs.

"Still want to go?" he said against her skin. She could feel him smiling.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and tried to push him away; he complied, stepping back. His eyes were slowly lightening, and there was a half-smile at the corners of his mouth. She remembered him saying something about the fact that she always made him happy, back when she had first come to the palace and started serving as Queen Herondale's handmaid.

God, that seemed like such a long time ago.

His eyes travelled up and down her body, finally coming to rest on her face. She knew her eyes were a vibrant, popping green - mostly because she had reapplied the kohl several times until it looked just right. Her arms had been aching with the effort of holding them steady.

"Clary," he said quietly. "You know I love you, right?"

Her heart clenched. Was he going to deny the alliance after all? "And I you."

He ran a hand through his hair. "So you might...you would be agreeable to the idea of our marriage?"

She blinked. "Are you choosing me because you don't want to marry Isabelle?"

"No." He shook his head. "I want to marry you anyway."

When she didn't reply, he continued, "Do you remember when I first proposed?"

"Yes," she murmured. She had overheard Queen Herondale discussing the idea of Jace and Isabelle's marriage. Then she had excused herself and gone to see Jace, who had promptly proposed to her. She had had to deny him, fearing the queen's wrath.

"I was determined to marry you. I would have run away with you if that was what it would have taken, Clary. Look at me." She made herself meet his burning gold eyes. "I love you. I would go to the ends of the earth for you. Will you marry me?"

The tenderness and sincerity in his gaze was overwhelming. "Yes," she managed to say.

His smile lit up his face, and he leaned down to kiss her lightly. Against her lips, he said, "Now shall we go see your parents?"

She pulled back and rolled her eyes, but smiled. "We shall."


And we all know what happened next... They lived happily ever after! I was thinking of writing the day he first proposed to her and the day they first met as separate one-shots; please let me know if you would like to see it. If one person - just one - wants it, I will write it for them. If no one wants it, I'm going to write it anyway because I am trash for Clace and need to get these ideas out of my head.

Love, Miss Math Dork