Author's Note:
Ok, y'all I know I am SO far beyond late, and I really don't have a good excuse for it. School just got too crazy. But, in good news. I have recently graduated college and have no intention of going back anytime soon, so I have much more free time to write again!
I appreciate all of the kind reviews this story has gotten so far and I am so excited to pick back up with this story!
Now because I started this when I was in high school, I definitely see some changes that need to happen to the existing chapters. My writing has improved dramatically and my ideas for this story have shifted a bit so I will be revising the existing chapters then going on from there. My goal is to have a chapter up either once a week or once every other week.
If anyone is also following my other ongoing stories. I have plans to finish them as well, but I want to work on 1 story at a time, so once I finish this, I will be working on one of them next.
Once again, thank you so much guys for putting up with me going AWOL. I appreciate all the support you have given me and I look forward to going on this ride with you!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mortal Instruments, it's characters or anything else. I just like to mess with them.
The clouds were an ominous gray that smothered out any light for miles in the large city of Erdö. The trees have changed from a vibrant emerald green to the color of soggy moss. The urgency was palpable in the air as people hurried through the streets to reach their houses before the storm arrived.
However, there was one woman who strolled leisurely through the streets as if oblivious to the dark clouds above. Her expression was aloof, stoic, and it did not change even when the rain began and instantly soaked her to the bone. She was now alone on the normally bustling streets and she loved it.
Being the heir to the Faerie throne was no small ordeal and she was constantly reminded of that when she stepped outside to be bombarded by the villagers and their constant interrogations. She breathed in the scent of pine that seemed ever connected to the rain. Rain always had a calming quality to her; after a trying day she would wander to the outskirts of the city and sit in the forest, waiting for the rain to fall. It always reminded her of how small her problems were in the grand scheme of things. Her calm expression tensed as she walked closer to the castle.
Her Aunt immediately ran to her once she crossed the gates. "Clarissa, where have you been? You're soaking wet! You'll catch your death!"
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her aunt has always been a high-strung person, and a hypochondriac to boot. She'd be worried if Clary had left in a hazmat suit and an antibacterial forcefield.
She quickly replied, "I'm alright Aunt Naida; I just got caught in the storm."
Clary always hated that everyone refused to address her by her preferred nickname. Clarissa sounded like another identity to her, more formal, more like a proper princess. Clary was neither of those things, not even close.
As she dismissed Naida and made her way to her room, she felt rather than saw her aunt following her. She was hard to miss with her dark blue hair and slightly blue tinted skin, her appearance every bit the sea nymph her name implies.
Just when Clary settled into the silence, Naida interrupts, "Clarissa, please allow me to help you prepare for dinner this evening."
Clary clenched her hands before she could say something she'd regret. Naida was a nice enough person, but everyone knew she was only interested in Clary because she wanted to be her royal advisor once she became queen. It never ceased to sicken her how shallow and transparent her aunt was.
After she calmed down, she turned around and sent a nauseatingly sweet smile Naida's way. "That will not be necessary Aunt Naida." Thankfully, Naida got the hint and turned the other way. Clary relaxed slightly and continued the walk to her room.
Once she walked through the doors, she locked them and padded toward her bathroom. She peeled off her wet clothes and headed straight to the shower. The water was so hot it was almost painful, and Clary fought the moan that worked its way up her throat. Every tense muscle relaxed as she lathered her long copper hair with her favorite rain-scented shampoo.
She knew that she was required to eat dinner with her parents today due to an announcement they needed to make, but she most definitely was not looking forward to it. She detested getting dolled up for the several hours she would spend listening to worthless conversation about politics and tactics.
Once the water grew cold, she wrapped a towel around herself and made her way to her bedroom where Simon, her best friend and sun tolerant vampire, was sitting on her bed.
He smiled wryly, "Hey, I hear you have to go to dinner and I took it upon myself to comfort you."
She smiled as she looked for a dress to wear tonight. "Thanks, I need all the support I can get." She found something that was suitable to her taste and walked back to her bed.
Simon seemed a bit uncomfortable "You're not going to change in front of me, are you?" He asked with a voice a few octaves higher than normal.
Clary smirked, "What's the problem; it's not like you haven't seen me naked before."
She and Simon had dated for almost a year before they agreed it was just too awkward. However, during that time they did a lot more than hand holding and pecks on the cheek. The break up was mutual and their friendship was bit affected in the least.
Simon frowned, "I don't think Maia would appreciate you being nude in front of me."
Her smile only grew. Maia was Simon's current girlfriend who, ironically, just so happened to be a werewolf.
"Nice try prude. Maia knows that nothing would ever happen between us and I know that she has no problem whatsoever. Don't you remember that time I kissed you in the club to make that stripper stop trying to pull you into a broom closer with her?"
She couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Simon had been terrified to tell Maia, but when he did she just laughed and thanked Clary for keeping the slut's paws off 'her man'.
Clary just wanted Simon to be there for as long as possible before she was subjected to hours of torture, but she would gouge her left eye before saying it aloud. She dropped her towel and picked up the dark green dress.
She glanced over her shoulder as she slipped into the dress. "Are your parents forcing you to come Sy?"
Sy was her nickname for him. No one else could call him that and if they did, he raised hell. Simon was royalty, like her, and usually had to attend the same dinners she did. He was adopted by Raphael and his mate once his parents disowned him for being a vampire. Apparently, Jews were stricter than Clary thought. Because Raphael is the ruler of the vampires, Simon became the next heir to the vampire throne. His parents made frequent visits to the faerie court to discuss diplomatic issues with her parents.
Simon snorted, "As if, they don't dare ask me to go to that diplomatic shit. Besides, they have no plans to come to faerie court today. But, if you want me there, I will be."
Clary couldn't help but smile. Simon has had her back since they met.
"No, I'm sure I can manage. Promise you'll bring me some potato chips though?"
He snickered, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Of course."
Once Clary had the dress on, she walked toward the body length mirror to do her hair. She brushed through her ringlets, but they refused to be tamed.
"Honey, you know you are supposed to wait until I get here before you get ready."
Clary beamed as her best girlfriend pulled her into a tight hug.
"Hey Hal, sorry, I didn't know if you were coming or not."
Halory pulled back and glared at her, but there was no heat behind it. "Sweetie, have I ever left you high and dry?"
Both knew the answer and after a pause, Clary sat down in the chair as Halory began brushing her hair. Halory was the only person that, besides Simon, Clary could trust completely. Halory was her personal maid, but Clary refused to treat her that way. Halory had her own rooms and she did not work at all unless she wanted to. She insisted on preparing Clary for formal events and helping her behave 'like a proper princess'.
Hal interrupted her musings, "Alright Clary, I'm finished."
Clary looked in the mirror and gasped. Halory never ceased to amaze her. She transformed her unruly mane into a beautiful up do that framed her face perfectly.
Clary pulled her into another hug and kissed her cheek, "Thank you Hal, you always do such an amazing job. What would I do without you?"
Hal, brushed her compliments away, she really was way too modest.
She kissed Clary's forehead, "Don't kill anyone at dinner sweetie." Although she smiled as she said it, Clary could hear the serious warning in her tone. Last time she went to dinner, Valentine said something particularly annoying and she lost control and flipped over the table and its contents on the floor. Immediately after, she lunged at him and began choking him as he clawed at her back. He increased her training hours after that night.
Clary smirked at the memory, while Simon cackled behind her, "Well let's hope he doesn't underestimate me again."
Hal tried to dampen her concern, but Clary could see it. "You know as well as I that you are a glorious fighter. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone."
With another kiss to her forehead, she left.
Clary looked at herself in the mirror again and smoothed out the skirt of her dress. It really was beautiful. The bodice was form fitting with long delicate lace sleeves and beads in designs of ancient faerie symbols. The skirt flared out and dragged along the floor. The entire dress was the color of the finest emerald and made Clary's naturally flushed skin and copper hair stand out. She looked like a proper princess, even if it was a lie.
She took a deep breath and walked toward the formal dining hall. With each step she slipped further into her formal persona, Clarissa. Her back straightened, her steps became more graceful, more like a dancer instead of a fighter. She even forced her lips into a neutral smile.
Once seated, Clary took notice of who the guests were tonight, the angels. She hated them because they killed thousands of her people in the war a few years after she was born. She didn't recognize them, but their glowing skin and ethereal appearance gave their race away immediately. Clary's mother, Dulcina, smiled as she stared at Clary. To an outsider it would appear to be a loving stare; like she was happy to see her daughter, but Clary knew better. Dulcina was an amazing actress, but Clary saw through the façade now. Dulcina was making sure that she was dressed appropriately and if she didn't meet her expectations, she would come up with an excuse to get her alone and berate her.
Evidently, she pleased her enough, Dulcina smiled brightly and gestured to the angels. "Clarissa, dear, this is the royal family of the angels, King Raziel, Queen Seraphiel, and Prince Luciel."
King Raziel was a striking man. His hair was so blonde it appeared almost white. His skin, though paler than anything she had ever seen, glowed like is was made of gold thread and his eyes were a light gold bordering on yellow. He was of average build, but his presence filled the room.
Where King Raziel was light, Queen Seraphiel was darkness. She had long flowing dark hair, that was pin straight and tan skin that was covered with scars that only a swordswoman could have. Her eyes were a dark blue, so dark they appeared black from a distance.
Luciel looked like his father almost to an uncanny degree. However, his skin was tanned, and his eyes were darker, more like bronze.
As Clary surveyed each of them, she fought her snort of displeasure. "Hello to you all. I hope you have had a warm welcome here. I am Princess Clarissa Rhyannon." Her voice was cool and collected as always.
Queen Seraphiel was the first to speak. "Yes Dulcina, we have felt very welcome here. You have a beautiful home here and I must say your daughter is even more beautiful than the rumors in Divinus."
Clary's eye twitched when Seraphiel blatantly spoke about her as if she didn't exist. She lowered her head to stare at her food. Valentine would kill her if he saw her reaction.
Dulcina, the epitome of a proper host, was quick to reply, "Thank you Seraphiel, your son is the picture of beauty."
The two queens quickly fell into a conversation about beauty. Clary lowered her head and poked at her food to prevent anyone from engaging her in conversation when she felt someone staring from across the table. She looked up and caught the eyes of Luciel. Instead of turning away, embarrassed at having been caught, he held her gaze and smirked. This just pissed Clary off. Angels were known for being cocky and self-righteous and it seemed their prince was no different.
Clary loved giving people like that a reality check. Without thinking, she stared into his eyes and pulled him into an illusion, a skill that faeries were known for and Clary happened to be quite gifted in. She watched his eyes glaze over as he muttered to himself. Several moments later, he shook his head and glared at her. She retaliated with a glare of her own. No one seemed to notice their sudden animosity as they continued their conversation.
Luciel held his ground and intensified his glare, slighting taken aback when Clary did the same. He had always thought faerie women were docile, gentle creatures. This girl was the complete opposite. He would admit she was beautiful. Her hair was the essence of fire itself and it worked perfectly against her pale pink tinted skin. Her eyes were breathtaking, a myriad of greens framed by long eyelashes. Her mouth, now curled to bare her slightly pointed teeth, was small, but full and red. She looked like an elf because her delicate features.
He kept his glare trained on her eyes and smirked when she gave in and looked down at her full plate of food. It seems she wasn't as fiery as he thought. He was satisfied he won their battle of wills, but he noticed that she seemed to be unnaturally tense, a coil waiting to sprint at any given moment. He smiled sadly; he knew the strain of being an heir as well. It was a hard life to live. He inconspicuously watched her the rest of the night, curious as to why this beautiful, yet infuriating girl seemed so uncomfortable in a place where she is present so often. This went deeper than the pressure of being an heir, and he wanted to know the cause.
After dinner, Clary stood and bowed as she said goodbye to everyone. She didn't fail to notice how Luciel never lifted his gaze from her as she did so. She quickly walked to the palace gardens, the place she went to after every dinner with her parents. Her tense muscles relaxed the moment the smell of flowers filled her nose.
Clary always felt an affinity to flowers. She always felt like they were alive, with personalities and emotions. As a child she would sit among the flowers and talk about her day and how she was feeling. These flowers knew more about her than most people. They made her feel calm and accepted; they were her sanctuary and confidants.
Which is why she immediately tensed and spun around when she felt a presence following her.
"I know you're there. Why are you following me?" Her voice was calm and flat.
He met her eyes with ease. "Why were you so tense back there?"
She wasn't prepared for that response. Why the hell did he care? She turned away from him and kept walking, but he quickly met her pace.
"You're tense right now too, why? Do I make you nervous?"
Clary scowled as she turned to face him again. "I'm not tense, you don't make me nervous, and I am not in the mood to talk to you right now. Just leave me alone."
He grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away. She had a unique scent of rain and flowers that seemed out of place with what he's learned about her so far.
"You're always alone. I know what that's like. I just want to help you."
Clary growled low in her throat, "I don't need your help or anyone else's. I will be find on my own."
She managed to break free of his hold, but he caught up to her again and grabbed her forearm. "You're a stubborn one Clarissa; I know you don't want to be alone. Anyone with half a brain can see that. You seek these flowers for company you can't seem to find in people because you don't know how to relate to them."
It was unsettling how right he was, and he'd only just met her. Clary didn't like that he could read her so easily.
She hissed, "You have no right talking about me like you know me. I do not want to deal with you now let go!" She yanked her arm away from him and quickly dashed into the thick of the garden. It was a maze, but she knew it like the back of her hand. If he dared to follow her, he would be lost in seconds.
She heard him yell into the night air "I prefer the name Jace. None of that Luciel stuff." Clary turned around to watch him through the bushes. He paused for a short while, then retreated back to the castle. She stomped out the small part of her that was sad he didn't come looking for her.
Jace honored her wishes and watched as she ran away. This girl was so different from anyone he had ever met, especially royals. He didn't know why, but he wanted to get to know her more. He wanted to find all the chinks in her armor. Clary may not have realized it, but she sealed her fate that night.
He smiled to himself and slowly walked back to the dining room. He would let her retreat this time, but he wasn't giving up. Once something interested him, it was like an itch. He had to get to the bottom of it whether she wanted him to or not.
On the other side of the castle, Clary entered her room, still fuming. Hal was sitting on her bed, "How was it dear, you look tense."
As Clary explained, Hal listened quietly, adding her input when necessary. When she told her about what happened in the garden, Hal interrupted her.
"Honey, it's obvious that Luciel knows you more than you realize. Have you two met before?" Clary shook her head. She had never met the royal angel family, or any angel for that matter before today.
Hal frowned. "Sweetie, don't write him off just yet. You should try to talk to him. If for nothing else, do it to figure out what his intentions are."
Clary knew that she would do anything Hal asked of her. She sighed, "Alright, but why would he care so much about me if we haven't met before?"
Hal smiled with a knowing look in her eyes. "You'll have to figure that out on your own."
No shit, Clary though to herself.
Aislinn Silver out
Shit it feels good to write that again!