So I decided to post the second chapter because this story has been so easy for me to write and I think I will be able to have most of the chapters written soon, but I'm making no promises
A year later
Clary brushes through Maia's hair with a pinecone. "I'm sorry, I know this isn't how you wanted to get married, but I hope Jordan doesn't treat you like dirt," Clary said with a small smile.
"Hey, Clary, I have full faith that Jordan will treat me right. It's you I'm worried about. They are giving you to your husband next week. Do you even know what his name is?" Maia asked Clary.
Clary sighed, she and Maia had survived a year of being forced to grow and harvest crops. Maia got lucky and captured the heart of a boy her age named Jordan. Clary, on the other hand, had to handle being fed disgusting herbs and roots to make her body ready for her new husband. Lily, a girl who was given the duty to make sure Clary was eating the herbs, had said, "You are the most important thing to happen to us for a while. The French are moving closer and closer to us and some of them are not friendly. If we are able to establish a good relationship with them by trading you to someone with high ranking, we will be sure to thrive." Clary knew how important she was to these people, some of them she had even managed to become friends with, but she hated how her life secured their future. Sometimes she longed to see her mother and father again, even to just let them know she is okay and happy, even if she wasn't happy.
"I think his name is Jonathan something," Clary replied to her friend, "So where is Jordan taking after the wedding?"
"He's taking me back to our home, Clary," Maia said with a big smile.
Clary dropped the pinecone she was holding and took in a sharp breath. "Y-you're going h-home?"
"Yeah, but only for a visit, I can deliver a message to your mom and Luke, if you want me to," Maia said, turning toward Clary.
Clary nodded and picked up the pinecone. "Tell them that I miss them, that I'm really happy, and that I wish I could go see them. Also, tell them that I love them."
"I will, but are you sure you want me to tell them that you are happy? Clary, your life is being bargained off."
"My life doesn't matter. I have to do it or else everyone from home will die. I'm sure I will find a way to be happy. I'm going to have to birth him children. I'll be happy with them," Clary said sharply, like if she kept telling herself that it will eventually come true. "But enough about me, it's your wedding day."
Maia smiled and turned back around so Clary could finish her hair.
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Clary stood beside Maia while she got married to Jordan and smiled as they got married. She knew Maia had no choice in her marriage, but she could tell Maia really loved Jordan. When they kissed passionately, Clary felt tears in her eyes, knowing she will never get the chance to marry for love. She wiped away her tears and put of a fake happy face for Maia's sake. When Jordan and Maia pulled apart, Clary walked over and hugged Maia, and with a smile, she walked over and kissed Jordan on the cheek. She giggled at Jordan's surprised face. "From where we're from, the bride's family kisses the groom on the cheek in acceptance. I know I'm not really Maia's family, but I'm the closest thing she's got right now. And I swear, if you hurt a hair on her pretty little head, I'll kill you myself," Clary said with a smile.
"I'd kill myself before you'd be able to find me," Jordan returned the joke with a big grin.
"Good," Clary replied with a giggle.
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Meanwhile, a hundred miles away, Jace Herondale ate his lunch with his cousins, the Lightwoods.
"Jace, you need to tell me everything about your soon-to-be wife. Is she pretty? Does she look like a Native American? What's her name?" His cousin Isabelle asked him.
Jace sighed, "Isabelle, all I know is her name is Clarissa Garroway, she's 17, and they said she's 'not like your average savage' and that I'll be 'satisfied.'"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Isabelle's brother, Alec, asked with a smirk.
"How the hell am I supposed to know? The only reason I'm doing this is because the king wants us to be friendly with the natives," Jace replied.
"Well, I hope she's nice. I don't have many friends that are women here in the new world." Isabelle said with a smile.
Jace shrugged, "As long as she's pretty and good in bed, I don't care if she's a total bitch."
Alec laughed and Isabelle slapped his shoulder, "You are an ass Jonathan Christopher Herondale."
"Isabelle!" Alec screeched, "You can't use foul language! You're a lady, one of high class at that!"
Isabelle sighed, "I'm sorry."
Jace snorted, "I'm not."
Alec glared at him, "Jace, I know you are bitter about having to marry, but do not take it out on Isabelle. Go pack your bags; we need to leave soon to pick up Clarissa."
Jace groaned at the sound of his soon-to-be wife's name, "She's probably going to be ugly. They all are."
"Jace, I mean it, go pack your bags," Alec yelled at him.
"Fine, I'm going, I'm going," Jace grumbled.
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A week later, Clary woke up to her best friend shaking her awake.
"Clary! I'm back!" Maia said with a smile.
"Maia! How was everyone back home?" Clary asked while hugging her friend.
"They're great! Luke and Jocelyn were relieved that you were okay and 'happy', they wanted me to tell you that they miss you and they love you too." Maia answered with a grin.
Clary smiled, "That's great. It really is. I'm so happy you're back."
"I'm happy to be back. Do you know what today is?" Maia asked Clary with a smirk.
"Um, it's Tuesday?" Clary replied.
"No, you idiot! It's your wedding day!" Maia said with a snicker.
Clary's eyes widened, "I'm getting married today."
"Yes you are," Maia added.
"To a guy I've never met." Clary responded sadly.
Maia sighed, "Come on, they want me to get you ready. They taught me how to lace up a corset for you."
Clary choked on her own spit, "A Corset, as in a death trap European people where that crushes their insides?"
"Yep," Maia answered with a grin.
Clary sighed, "Let the torture begin."