The Aftermath
Clary wanted to go look for Jace, but she had something else she needed to do first. She contained herself enough on the way to Amatis's to refrain from running, but barely. Her heart was beating wildly and her legs itched to run. Not being a terribly active sort, she wasn't really accustomed to the feeling.
She reached the house a little out of breath, her heart still pounding in her chest; her pulse seemed to be right behind her ears. She went through the front door, startling Amatis from her perch in the kitchen.
"Clary?" Amatis exclaimed as she jumped up from the chair she was in.
"Sorry Amatis, I just came to get something. I'll be gone in a minute."
"What's going on Clary? Is anything the matter?"
"No, no," she called as she ran up the stairs to the room she'd been staying in. "It's fine. I just have to change," she spoke louder as she shut the door to her room, stripping off the hoodie and pulling on a clean shirt, and her green jacket. "I have to go find the Lightwoods, Simon, Jace I have to talk to them about something." She pulled open the door and raced downstairs. She stopped abruptly at the bottom, remembering the intricate role Amatis was playing in her ability to stay in Idris, should she decide she wanted to.
"Amatis." Clary drew in a deep breath. "Thank you." Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around the older woman in a tight hug.
"Oh," Amatis exclaimed before she accepted the embrace, hugging Clary as well. "Well, I haven't done anything as of yet."
Clary laughed.
"Yes, you have. You've at least given me the choice." Clary smiled, then remembered her quest. "I've got to go." She waved briefly and left. Amatis shook her head smiling, and closed the door behind Clary.
Now, Clary had a decision to make. She could go straight for the hill, where she thought Jace was, or head toward the edge of the forest where she knew she'd probably find Simon, Magnus, and the Lightwood's. Who was she kidding? That really wasn't much of a decision at that moment. She started toward the hill.
Jace looked down at the small clearing from high above. It was the place he'd watched his brother burn, and his father burn, days apart. Neither, of course were actually related to him. Hell, he didn't even have a name anymore. But, he did. He was Jace Lightwood. And he always had been.
Alec and Isabelle were his siblings, in most senses of the word. He knew he was lucky to have them, though he couldn't see him telling them that any time soon. They probably knew. He was glad Alec had found Magnus as well, because now he wouldn't feel bad being around him anymore.
Isabelle, well she was facing a bit of a hard time now. The vampire was headed back to New York. Probably sooner rather than later. And Izzy definitely had a crush on that vampire.
But wasn't he about to have the same problem? Clary was going to leave with Jocelyn and Luke. And Simon. He grit his teeth at that, even knowing there was nothing there. She should go. He knew that. He wanted her to go where it was safe. Safer, anyway. That didn't mean he wanted to see her go.
He heard the approach before he saw her. She was a few feet from the bottom of the hill, walking up toward his back. Clary. He grinned to himself, remembering how she'd looked last night. He said nothing, just continued to stare forward as she sat next to him.
"Hi," Clary said quietly. His hand was resting on his knee. She took it confidently, sliding her fingers between his. The gesture caught him off guard, the sweetness of it.
"Hey," he grinned at her. She held his eye for a moment, and he turned and leaned in. The kiss was short and sweet, but they each knew the importance of it.
"So, you stayed here last night?" she asked, trying to understand.
"Yeah. I didn't mean to at first. It just sort of happened. I fell asleep."
"Is this where you came when you left the party, then?"
"No," he shook his head. "I went up to the hall. I was going to meet someone there, but they never showed." She looked away. He left her to meet 'someone'? She didn't want to pry so she just nodded.
"Hey," he laughed. He knew that look, one of repressed jealousy, with an interesting blend of uncertainty. "It was a girl. But I don't think the queen of the seelie court is interested in me. At least, not the way you are." He leaned against her with his shoulder, giving her a bump. She laughed, rolling her eyes.
"Such confidence. What were you meeting her for?"
"She wanted a favor. I probably wouldn't have done it anyways, but I figured I'd at least see what it was." Clary thought back to the night before.
"She asked me for a favor last night. Well, she made it sound like an offering."
"They usually do. What did she want?"
"She wanted me to ask to have Meliorn taken on as the representative in the clave. She told me I could have one wish, if I did it. Then got all huffy when I said no."
"All 'Huffy?'"
"Yeah."
"I see," he laughed. They fell silent for a minute, looking over the city.
"So, My mom and Luke were at the house when I woke this morning. They were talking to Robert and Maryse. About next week."
"When you go back," he said.
"Maybe."
He frowned at her. "What do you mean 'maybe?'"
"You're staying. Alec and Isabelle are staying. I should stay too."
"Clary it's different. We've been trained, we're-" She silenced him with a look.
"You can't possibly be serious." Her hand felt cold in his now. "I think I've proven myself by now, Jace. I can stay here. I won't be a bother to you, really." She pulled her hand from his, and began to stand.
"No, wait." Jace grabbed her hand again, keeping her to the ground. "I didn't mean that. I did, actually. But I know you can stay."
"You just don't want me too," she finished, sighing.
"It's not that I don't want you to, no. I really want you to stay. Selfishly, I do. But, I'd be less worried if you went home with your mother."
"Jace, do you remember where all this started? In New York. There are as may demons there as here. Now that Valentine is gone, and the wards are back up…here is safer."
"Okay," he said. "I get where that's coming from. Makes sense. But what you'll face here is…it's tough Clary."
"I'll manage. I want to be with the Lightwoods, and with you," she confessed quietly, as if she said it loudly then it would be gone.
"Without Simon though?" Jace asked. Clary's eyes widened. Simon. Of course he couldn't stay. She hadn't even though of it. "Magnus will be going back too. Maia, will."
"I…I never thought about it. I have to talk him, before I decide for sure but…he'll want me to do what's best for me. I need to stay." Jace nodded. He was pleased in a way. Not pleased, in another way.
"You should talk to him soon. He'll probably go back with your mother so…"
"She's going back at the end of the week. I have some time."
He grinned at her, and looked down over Alicante again.
"I understand why you missed it. Its beautiful," Clary smiled. Jace yawned. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night?"
"Not the greatest night in the world. But you weren't here, so it couldn't have been," he smiled playfully.
"Charmer," she accused playfully.
"It's a gift," he sighed. She laughed, but fell serious again as he caught her eye. "I am sorry I left you alone last night though."
"I had Isabelle," Clary said. Jace raised an eyebrow at her.
"Isabelle isn't always great company. Especially when love struck." Clary laughed.
"You're here now," she smiled. He grinned.
"I am." He lay back on the grass, feeling it prickle against his neck. He pulled her down against him, smiling up at her. She bent her head, then relaxed against him, her mouth lowering to his. Their first real kiss since the night they freed Ithuriel, was so slow and unrushed. His tongue flicked lazily against hers, slipping silently between her mouth and his, until neither knew where they stopped and the other started. His hands crept over her back hugging her to him. Even as there mouths separated, he held her tight. They'd only kissed like that once before, once without the guilt they'd become so accustomed to. She lay against him, her head pressed against his chest.
"We should go find the others," Jace suggested quietly after a while. Clary nodded against his chest.
"In a little while."
There we are, Chapter two complete. Thanks for the revews, you guys are awesome! New chapter soon, maybe even today.
