Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series.
C POV
I woke up the next morning feeling drained of everything. Yesterday, I couldn't stop myself from telling Jace my past and I hope that I didn't scare him off. I felt like I could tell him everything and I don't know why.
A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Yes."
"Clarissa, the king requests you for breakfast," Maggie said.
"Okay, thank you. Could you come and help me?"
"Of course," she said coming in and closing the door behind her.
"I want to wear my purple dress today, Maggie. I'm feeling drained and that dress always seems to recharge me."
"Of course, Clarissa."
Maggie walked over to my wardrobe and pulled out the dress that I asked for. The dress was a cross-over one strap that only reached my ankles. It contained silver jewels and swirls on the bodice that was tight to my skin. The bottom was sprinkled with silver glitter that flowed out in all directions. When I put it on and put on my purple heels, Maggie took my hair and made sure that my natural curls were tame enough when she took two pieces of my hair and clipped them behind my head. Around my neck she placed my grandmother's amulet that she gave me the day she died when I was eight.
"Thank you, Maggie. As always you never seize to amaze me."
"Oh thank you. Now let's hurry before you are late."
We hurried out the door and towards the dining hall where I was the first one there for a change. As I waited for the others I thought of Jace. I wonder what he thinks of me now that I told him so much about me yesterday.
It was as if he could read my mind because when I looked up again I saw Jace walking into the hall and when he saw me he smiled. I smiled back and as he sat down across from me, the others entered quietly. When everyone was seated, we waited for my parents to bless us with their presence.
It wasn't long before we heard footsteps coming this way. Jonathan and I stood up from our chairs knowing full well that is what was expected of us. Everyone else looked at us in confusion before they too stood up.
"Good morning, everyone. Aw it seems that you have learned your lesson Clarissa. As it is that you are actually on time," my father said while he and my mother sat down.
"Yes, father," I said as I sat back down.
"Good. Now the plan for today is that Clarissa will be spending time with Prince Alec and Jonathan will spend time with Lady Maia. Prince Jace and Princess Isabelle will spend time with the queen and I. This way we can all get to know one another. Tomorrow we will switch it up. Does that sound okay?"
"Yes, father," Jonathan and I said at the same time.
"Yes, sire," our guests replied after.
"Okay then."
The rest of breakfast was spent in silence as we ate and then waited to be dismissed to go and do what was needed to be done. When we were finally dismissed, I took Alec by the hand and took him out of the castle towards the stables.
"I thought we could go riding today since it seems to be so nice out," I said to him as I went over to my horse Sparky. She was a beautiful Clydesdale horse with a beautiful mane. I named her Sparky because the first time I rode her I felt sparks roll down my arms in waves of pleasure because I love the feeling.
"That would be delightful, Princess Clarissa," Prince Alec stated.
"Please call me Clary and please be yourself and loosen up. You seem so stiff."
"My apologies and please call me Alec."
"Okay, now did you bring your own horse or did you want to use one of ours?"
"I brought my own horse," Alec said as he made his way over to a beautiful Lipizzan horse. "This is Crystal and I brought her in hopes that she would calm me down if something was stressing me out."
"Well hello Crystal. This is Sparky, now why don't we head out?"
Alec nodded so we both mounted our horses and made our way towards the gates. When the guards opened them I let Sparky go as fast as she wanted to, to see if I could get Alec to loosen up some more. We made it all the way to the lake before we heard Alec and his horse pounding behind us. I brought Sparky to a halt to wait for Alec to catch up. When finally did, I could see his face lit up like the sun.
"I haven't gone that fast in a very long time and I missed it so thank you allowing me to ride like I used to," he said to me.
"It was my pleasure, Alec. Now why don't we go for a swim?" I asked.
"Sure."
We both dismounted our horses and made our way to the lake's edge. I began to take off my dress and shoes, leaving me only in my undergarments. Alec looked at me increduously before he took everything off, leaving him in only his trousers. I walked into the lake and when I was deep enough, I dived. As I swam around underneath the water I decided that I was under long enough to freak him out so I swam back to the top.
When I resurfaced I looked to see Alec's face was one of concern and then relief when he saw me.
"Come on, Alec. Don't be scared. The water doesn't bite," I teased.
"I'm not scared; I was just worried when you didn't come up after a while."
"Then come in."
With that, Alec walked into the lake and swam out to me. We met half way and he grabbed hold of my hands and pulled me under with him. I swam deeper than so that I could swim circles around than him. After my fifth time around, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the surface.
As we broke the surface and looked around, I noticed that the horses were looking around frantically.
"Sparky? What's wrong?" I said swimming towards shore pulling Alec along with me.
After I said it I heard what was wrong. In the distance I could hear the sound of hooves pounding fast in this direction.
"Alec, we need to go now!" I said frightened.
He simply nodded so we grabbed our clothes and hurried to put them on. When we finished, we mounted our horses and raced back towards the castle. I could hear other horses behind us closing in so I pushed Sparky to ride as fast as she could.
"Hurry, Alec!"
"I'm right behind you! Just keep going!"
As we neared the gates I began to yell at them to get their attention. When they finally noticed us, I could see them hurrying to get their bow and arrows. Alec and I rode as fast as we could as we heard the other horses directly behind us. When the gates opened I pushed Sparky for one last spurt to get her through them.
We made it through just in time and I turned to see Alec made it too. I hopped off Sparky to see the gates closing and the retreating figures on horses. Alec rushed over to me and pulled me to him in a hug. I could hear guards running around us putting our horses in the stables and trying to figure out who the figures were.
"Clarissa!" I heard from behind me.
I pulled away from Alec to see Jonathan running in my direction. He ran to me and pulled me into tight hug as I finally let my tears fall.
"Jon, I was so scared. I have never been that scared in my life!" I cried.
"Shush, it's okay. You're safe now, I promise," he promised me.
"Clarissa!" I heard from behind Jonathan.
I knew who it was right away and I felt Jonathan go rigid. I pulled away from him to look at my father who looked very angry at the moment.
"Yes, father," I whispered as I could still feel the tears falling.
"Why do you insist on creating trouble for yourself and for me?" he asked me before he turned to Alec and said, "I'm so sorry Prince Alec for my daughter's behavior. She should not have frightened you like that and instead she should have been calm enough to make sure that you made it here safely." He turned to look at me pointedly.
Behind him stood my mother, Izzy and Jace who look very worried at my expense. I turned back to my father and said, "I'm very sorry, father. I will get out of your way so that you won't have to see my face."
"As you should."
I stared at him in disbelief before I turned and walked in the direction of the castle. Once inside, I ran to the garden, the only place I go to at times like this. I opened the door as walked slowly to the tree that Jace and I stood under the night before. At this point I could no longer hold in my tears so I sunk to the ground wrapping my arms around myself letting my tears fall.