"Bloody Lace"
Takes place at the end of "Clockwork Angel" just after Will's mysterious visit with Magnus Bane.
Tessa woke from a frightened dream to find Will perched on a chair in the corner of her room; his face highlighted by the soft light of an oil lamp. The sight was startling. She moved to retract to the opposite corner, questioning whether he was real or some conjured vision. Will seemed unaffected as he thumbed absently through the Codex book that had been left lying on the desk.
"Will, is that you?" Tessa's heart drummed deep in her chest, threatening to explode if he didn't look up and respond. He said nothing. Although his eyes lifted to meet hers they held no sign of explanation or emotion. They were their usual dazzling blue, deemed deeper though somehow. As she held his gaze she felt she could dive into those deep pools of blue causing ripples to erupt. Wishing to purge his soul and unleash the demons that lie just beneath the surface.
He rose moving toward her with vengeful satisfaction splayed upon his lips, as they curled to form a grin. Frozen in time she could do nothing but wait for him, fearing what might come next. Remembering their last meeting and Will's unfounded cruelty, she was hopeful that this visit was of a different nature.
Her hair was tousled from sleep hanging loose in her eyes. Her white cotton nightgown exposing the long lean lines of her neck, as it swayed presumptively round her bare feet. His expression seemed approving of her inappropriate attire as he leered at the suggestive outline of her silhouette. As his presence neared, she could find no air to breath, nor voice to speak. Unable to fear him, instead she felt her longing desire for him well up inside.
His face was fully healed of the purple bruises and battle wounds that had been present just earlier that day. Now his flawless features carried with them a beautiful determination. Tessa couldn't help but wonder if this was the sensuous face that might have approached a barmaid wishing to bed her. The implication made her warm from head to toe, flushing her cheeks with color.
Will halted, only to reach across the remaining distance with his hand as he brushed the stray strands of her curling hair aside. "Tess", his voice was thick and hollow, resonating from some distant undecipherable place. Captivated by him she succumbed to his arms, as he closed the empty space between them, sealing it with his lips. Supple and subservient they wordlessly begged her for forgiveness.
Tessa was stricken, fighting internally with her own pride. She struggled to find meaning in his kiss, desperate to understand. Loosing the battle quickly she gave in, allowing the possibility that this was real; wanting it desperately.
Moving her lips against his, she could feel his relief give way. Transforming a timid embrace into a passionate display neither did little to tame. His fingers ran deep into the caverns of her hair, pulling it back to reveal the curve of her shoulder leading up to the bare skin along her neck. Guiding her head back he pulled away from her lips to run his mouth along her neckline. Continuing the path to the clockwork angel pendant marking the entrance to her chest he placed a soft kiss on its metallic surface; requesting permission to go further. Its wings gave a slight flutter upon impact, slicing Will's lip with the response they both knew to be true. This was wrong, for some unknown reason it shouldn't be, but yet it was.
Her head swam with the heat of him, the smell of him: earth, salt, and blood. A Shadowhunter's legacy carved into him. Running her hands along his arms she could feel the runes still fresh on his skin. Wanting to follow their path, see where they lead, give them meaning. She found her hands traveling the lines of his body seeking understanding.
Will followed suit, accepting the premise that he could have her, that she was his already.
Sweat soaked sheets permeate Tessa's delicate skin. Her elevated heart rate still present as her trembling hands worked to secure her mind in reality. She had awoken alone in her room, the first rays of sunlight peeking through to highlight her surroundings. The room looked different, less dangerous now having returned to its boring practical usefulness.
It had been a dream…only a dream.
Tessa told herself this again and again, but could not find it within herself to believe it. It had seemed so real. Will's scent still lingered in the stale air. Running to confront the antique mirror on her dresser, Tessa's mind desperately searched for confirmation. There beside her bosom at the neckline of her gown…blood soaked lace, it had been the clockwork angel's warning.
So there you have it. This is not everything I had intended to write, but I have been caught up with lots of distractions recently. So, I thought I would go ahead and post this as a possible intro to a bigger story. I'm only going to continue the story if enough people request it. I'm a busy girl lately and I don't want to start a project I can't finish, or that might disappoint. Ha ha! Anyway if you like the story so far and you really want me to carve out time to work on it, send me a review!