Chapter One: City Lights
We arrive at night and as the plane lands we can already see the city lights of Paris. Yep, it really is that time already. It's been an exciting year for all of us. We're still together, as if there was ever any doubt. Jace turned eighteen and came into his Herondale inheritance and we're officially moving to Idris next month! We'll be living in the Herondale manor house and we've already been over there twice getting things arranged. Jonathan gave Isabelle a budget to acquire anything we need for the house and she's been making purchases and decorating to her heart's content.
Speaking of Isabelle, she got a motorbike just like mine for her birthday from Jace too, so now we use the two bikes all the time and the four of us each take turns driving. In fact, I've been getting pretty good mileage out of all my birthday gifts. The concert was awesome! We all met up and made a day out of it and everyone had a blast. I got a t-shirt and a signed copy of the latest album, which totally rocks!
We've also been out to the commune as much as we can to see Jocelyn and our hippie friends. We definitely prefer it there. Ithaca is so radical and fun. And being out there helps us all get in tune with our creative sides. Jace has even been writing songs and they're really good! We have so much more freedom out there than at the Institute.
We've still been keeping up with our Shadowhunter duties though. It turns out that the four of us make an excellent hunting team. Every demon in New York lives in fear of us and we've destroyed so many of them, the Clave should give us some kind of medal. There is even peace with the New York Downworlders now.
Simon killed Raphael and took over the vampire clan because he didn't approve of the way things were running. Then the previous clan leader, a woman named Camille showed up and tried to challenge Simon, so he killed her too. He's become somewhat of a force to be reckoned with, although I may have helped a little. There are some older runes that Downworlders can wear and I've been experimenting with some of them. So, I gave him a bit of a boost before he took on Raphael and then Camille. It's better, with Simon in charge because the vampires are our allies now and they even help monitor the demon activity for us.
Also, Maia has worked her way up through the chain of command in the New York pack, so she's in charge of the werewolves now. She's had a hard time though. There was a terrible fire out at the Praetor Lupus compound and pretty much all of the Praetor died. Jordan was called in to help and was able to save a few of them. He got trapped in the blaze though and didn't make it out alive. Maia was a wreck. Thankfully, she had Simon to help her through it though and the two of them are together now. Which also means the werewolves and vampires have become allies for the first time in a very long time, contributing even more to peace within the city.
All things considered, between Simon and Maia (and Magnus as High Warlock of course) and with Dad and Maryse running the Institute, we're actually leaving New York in pretty good hands. So we don't even have to feel guilty about relocating to Idris. Plus they'll know where we are if they need us. Anyway, it's nice to have a break now from dealing with the move and I'm really excited about Paris. We have a lot planned and it's going to be a grand adventure.
The fasten seat belt light is off now and we're supposed to get ready to deplane. I suppose that means I have to un-entwine myself from cuddling Jonathan and find my carry-on. I have no idea what the next two weeks will be like, but I know they'll be spectacular and that I'm fortunate enough to be spending yet another birthday with the people I love. Oh and did I mention that Jace booked us the Penthouse floor of the Mandarin Oriental? Yeah, apparently the Herondale inheritance includes more than just the manor house; there is also a sizable cash fortune. Who knew?
So we're spending two weeks in the European lap of luxury before heading back stateside for one last hurrah with our friends and family and then we will be starting our new life in Idris. It's exciting to think that we'll be out on our own so soon. Here's hoping it's as wonderful as we expect it to be.
After the taxi from the airport, we arrive on the rue Saint-Honoré in the heart of the city and as we first lay eyes on our hotel, I am awestruck! It's breathtaking. The hotel, the street, I'm falling in love with all things Paris in this moment. Judging by the reactions of the others, I gather they're all thinking the same thing. We couldn't have picked a better place for our romantic getaway. This city really is the center of romance. We are going to have an awesome two weeks!
Once we're all checked in we head up to the penthouse suite. It is every bit as amazing as we'd hoped! It's quite late by the time we get settled in. Izzy decides she wants a bath and Jace joins her. Jonathan opens a bottle of wine for us and he and I go out on the terrace to enjoy the view. We sit together for a while gazing out at Paris.
I turn to face him "Jon, this is all happening because a year ago you decided to take me to Paris for my 18th birthday. So whatever awesome fun we have on this trip is because of you. I just want you to know how much I appreciate it. We all do. It's going to be nice to have two weeks here to de-stress before the big move. Thank you so, so much for this. You are a wonderful boyfriend and a wonderful brother and I love you, more than you'll ever know!" I throw my arms around Jonathan and kiss him passionately.
Pretty soon Jace and Isabelle come out to join us. They've found the wine and each have a glass in hand. "Clary, you have got to try out that tub, Baby its heavenly!" Izzy gushes. Jace nods in agreement.
"I imagine it is. I'll try it tomorrow for sure. We've been looking out at the city. It's so beautiful here! We're going to go up the Eiffel Tower aren't we?" I ask.
"Yep, tomorrow night we're going up. It'll be spectacular." Jonathan nods.
"Okay, looking forward to it." I exhale, enjoying this moment of peace in Paris.