So here's the 7th chapter, I hoped you enjoyed the last. Thanks to all who have been reviewing. Dear guest, Yes of course it's a Clace ending. I think they're my OTP. Everything will work out eventually...mostly in the last chapter. Huge plot twist that you all will freak out over, I think. So here it is.

-L

Chapter 7

Clary sat alone in the carriage. She had reached a change in the road, instead of a dirt path, it was now paved with cobblestones like the streets in Idris. A cool wind blew through the open window, making her shiver. It was cold for a day in late Summer. They pulled up in front of a beautiful, large mansion. It had at least five stories, if not seven, with large, French doors on the sides of the house. Two balconies jutted out on both the left and right wing of the manor. The lawn was well trimmed, flowers blossoming everywhere and a grove of trees in the backyard. It was breathtaking.

The coachman helped her out and she thanked him. In a daze, she wondered how rich Jaces' parents had been. His mother and father were apparently desperately in love, but when his mother's parents both died in a demon fight, she went half insane from grief and went terribly sick. At least that's what her mom had told her. Jace's mother had died just a year later after her parents death.

Jace didn't say much about his father, because he had died when he was just barely 10. So he had lived with the Lightwoods for the rest of his teenage years. Clary felt slightly haunted when she walked in the house. Everything was covered in white sheets. The first room was grand, old-fashioned like everything else about Alicante.

It was the entire bottom floor. Beautiful woven rugs covered the dark wood floor, with tons of coaches and chairs with velvet cushions that surrounded glass coffee tables. A grand fireplace was at the back of the room, a small fire was burning in it. Both east and west walls curved outward to make a large, sectioned off area. Over both these areas were huge chandeliers and both had the two white pillars that supported a large inside balcony and led to a spiral staircase. The railings along the balcony wove and spun together were made of iron. The curtains were a goldish color, matching the gold the chandelier and the lining of ceiling. Everything was bright and airy, despite how the sun was near the horizon. The night brought the house a spell of enchantment.

Clary stared in awe, her hand brushing the edges of the furniture to make sure nothing was a figment of her imagination. She walked toward the French doors on the west side of the room and flung them open. She sighed as the cool summer breeze brushed over her, her hair tickling Clary's cheeks and neck. The wind moved the white sheets with a ghostly quality to it.

"Are you enjoying it?" a smooth voice sounded from behind her, making Clary jump and turn around. Jace stood gazing at her, his eyes raking her body in a predatory way that he sometimes did when she wore something flashy. her heart stuttered quickly. His hair was everywhere, like someone and been fisting it and tangling it. The thought made her feel empty; did he leave her just to go see his mistress for the last time and say, "Sorry, my awful wife found out about you, we have to break it off, but only after we passionately make out for a while." Clary pushed the thought out of her mind; since when had she become so insecure about herself? "Yes, it's really beautiful." she said, turning to face outside again.

He stepped toward her and put his arms around her waist, leaning against her and putting his face in her neck. Right then, Clary could've imagined them together, with perfect lives, perfect relationship, nothing wrong surrounding her and Jace...but it wasn't. In reality, everything about this was wrong. He was cheating on her, and he hadn't even said he was sorry...or anything. her body stiffened. Jace must have felt the change, because he moved his face against the back of her neck, his lips against her skin. "What's wrong?" he whispered. He started to plant soft, butterfly kisses against her neck and moving to her collarbone.

Clary unsuccessfully suppressed a shudder and turned to face him. She took his hands off her with difficulty, any touch from Jace could melt her to his will. She still held his wrists as she replied, "Everything is wrong, so much is, I don't know what's right anymore."

Jace's eyes were dark, nearly black; she could see the moon reflected in them. "We're right. I know we are-"

"Are we Jonathon? Because I'm not so sure." Clary looked down at her feet, so nervous with the tension he was making her feel.

"Of course we are." his voice was low and fierce. His right hand twisted from her circle of fingers and tilted CLary's chin upwards with one finger, her eyes meeting his. He was so close to her, his breath pushed small hairs back. "How can I make you see that I do-"

She desperately wanted to let him kiss her; she knew he did. But that wouldn't resolve anything, just leave her hopeful and then empty from his refusal of her again. So instead, "Tell me..." she said breathlessly, "what are you keeping from me? Admit what you did was wrong. We can work through it, I know we can. I still love-"

"But I can't admit it, because I didn't do anything wrong. If anything you did the wrong thing."

"What are you talking about?" she exclaimed. "Are you saying that this is all my fault?" she ripped his hand away from her, any feeling of breathlessness left her, rage replacing it.

Jace clenched his jaw, the little bone popping out. "Yes it is." his eyes stayed dark, not from passion, but the same rage Clary was feeling. How dare he, was all she could think. She wasn't being unfaithful to him like he was to her.

"You're right, everything is my fault." she replied coldly.

"Not all things," he sounded sarcastic now, "but most of the time, yes."

"You know, you are such an-"

"Language, Clarissa."

"I don't even know why I'm bothering to talk to you, you'll just show me where I'll be staying-separate from you of course-and I'll pretend that I'm fine with that-" Clary threw up her arms and stumbled backwards, away from him before he caught her arm, pulling her flush against him.

"Do you want to?"

"What?" she asked, her heart speeding up crazily.

"Do you want to share a room?" he asked with a low, bated breath.

She looked into his eyes that were so close hers, she almost felt like she was being swallowed up by them. "No."

She felt satisfaction at Jace's surprised look, evident on his face. He blinked several times, probably experiencing his first rejection when it came to the bedroom, specifically his wife of all people. "Alright then..." he scratched the back of his neck stepping away from her again. "You have the West Wing, I have the East. You aren't allowed to enter my study at any point in time. You can explore the rest. I'm sure that the Library you'll enjoy the most. There's also a training room on the top floor if you're ever interested."

"Thanks." she said distantly, her mind already wondering what lied ahead upstairs, and tomorrow the whole day to explore. Jace chuckled quietly and left for across the room for the staircase that led to his area. She started up the stairs just as Jace did, and she felt like this had come out of a movie. Both balconies faced each other and they both paused across the room to look at their spouse. Jace nodded, but she just turned around sharply and left.

Why had she let her guard down? Most of all, why had he? He didn't deserve any kind word from her, and apparently- according to Jace-neither did she. There was something else that he wasn't telling her. She could feel it. Of course, she wasn't being entirely truthful with him, either. Then again, she would've told him everything if he hadn't gone and yelled at her in the Inn.

Clary crossed through beautiful hallways, pulling off the sheets and finding that the design was basically the same as downstairs: gold lining everything, smaller chandeliers, comfortable sitting rooms that were filled with chairs, and when she reached her bedroom, she stood staring at it for a long time.

Chairs were stationed everywhere, in sitting arrangements facing each other. A large writing desk faced the wall. At one end was a dormant fireplace, and in the other room was a huge, four-poster bed. The sheets and bed-spread were also in a golden design. Several ottomans surrounded the bed, which gave Clary the image of Jace's mother dying, and her family hovering over her, hoping that the next breath wouldn't be her last. She quickly pushed the thought away; she'd be sleeping in that bed.

There were two bedside tables with lamps on them. But what really caught her attention was the large French doors that led to the balcony outside. She walked outside, feeling like a princess as she leaned forward over the railing. At the edge of the lawn, a great expanse of trees, and somewhere beyond that, she knew was the crystal city.

Simon and Jordan cautiously climbed down the stairs and immediately bolted toward the mantel piece. On it, was a slip of paper, just like the Midnight Flower had promised. It read:

Friends,

I'm not able to fulfill the current plan of rescuing Luke Graymark due to issues. You must see through it to the end for me. Jocelyn Fairchild has received notice of this change, and is ready to fulfill her part. I bid you good luck with it,

-M

"I saw him just before he left after dropping off Maia. He gave me instructions to tell you that you will be taking his place." Simon informed Jodan, who paled considerably.

"He trusted me with it?" he asked, completely bewildered.

"All in good faith of you, of course." Simon replied solemnly. "He's going to be at the Warlock's party for further instructions if you need it. He'll get a note to you as soon as possible at the-" Several large figures that were clothed all in black stood over a now crumpled form of Simon, a lump slowly growing on the back of his head. Jordan sprang up, claws raking at two of the attackers, one reeling away just in time, but the other not so lucky. Jordon spun around to face the other attacker; he was definitely a shadowhunter. The way he moved with grace and speed gave him away. All three wore black masks, with three large circles splayed;one in each eye socket, and the third between where his eyebrows should be. Masks had always creeped out Jordan, but this unnerved him. He faltered for barely a second before leaping at the man. But he had been too late. The man saw the pause and his whole body tensed, sidestepping him easily and going in for a blow in the stomach repeatedly. The man dropped Jordan on the ground; he was obviously unconsious.

"So I have nearly caught up with you, Midnight Flower. I'll certainly catch you at this party of yours." the shadowhunter laughed evilly upon seeing the note. He tore off the mask to read it.

Bum Bum Bum! So the Midnight Flower has some of his plans revealed, and there's a party at Magnus' place that I'm looking forward to writing very much. Not the next chapter, but after that is I think when it starts. So far, I think this has been my favorite chapter so far. Some Clace frustration again, but I think that's going to happen for the rest of the story, so sorry...kind of...HAHAHA Who am I kidding, of course I'm not!

-L