I know I said without interruption, but I just thought I ought to mention that a part of Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare will be here as well as a snippet from Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2). Like before, they will be written in italic.

Previously in Chapter 8

"Things are not always what they seem. Ithuriel said that you would stay until the Herondale and Fairchild bloodline is assured. I believe it to be in a long time. Have hope, Clary." Tessa replied.

A few hours later, having returned to the party, Clary spent some time alone with Jace after the slideshow of pictures of Simon and Izzy. And that's when what she dreaded happened.

The sounds of laughter and music from outside were blurring; she could hear Jace's quick breathing, remembered the boy he had been, in the grass with her in front of the Wayland Manor in Idris, when they had kissed and kissed and she had realized that love could cut you like the edge of a blade. She could feel his pulse. His hand slid up, caressed the strap of her dress. His lowered eyes glittered in the dark. "'Green to mend our broken hearts,'" he quoted. It was part of Nephilim children's rhyme, one Clary knew well. His eyelashes brushed her cheek; his voice was warm in her ear. "You mended my heart," he whispered. "You picked up the pieces of a broken, angry boy and you made him into a happy man, Clary."

"No," she said in a shaking voice. "You did that- I just cheered you on from the sidelines."

"I wouldn't be here without you," he said, soft as music against her lips. "Not just you- Alec, Isabelle, even Simon- but you're my heart."

"And you're mine," she said. "You know that." He raised his eyes to her. His were stark gold, hard and beautiful. She loved him so much her rib cage hurt when she breathed. "So will you?" he said.

"Will I what?" "Marry me," he said. "Marry me, Clary." The ground seemed to sweep out from under her. She hesitated, only for a second, but it felt like an eon; she could have sworn a fist was squeezing her heart. She saw the beginning of puzzlement cross his face, and then there was an explosion and the door of the room blew open in a shower of splinters. Magnus strode in, looking hectic, his black hair sticking up and his clothes rumpled.

After Magnus' quick explanation of what happened, Robert, Magnus, Jace and her left for Los Angeles through the portal. Clary felt a growing apprehension in her chest, both to what was going on in Los Angeles and Emma and the Blackthorns' safety, as well
as the answer she would have to give to Jace when the matter was resolved.

Three weeks later, and Clary still didn't get the chance to answer to Jace's proposal. The couple had been very busy with helping the Blackthorns and Emma at the Los Angeles Institute as well as leading their own Institute in New York. Magnus was by their
side too, looking into Malcom Fade's case. Everyone was shocked, in the Downworld, to hear about what he had done. Magnus had been especially shook, having been Malcom's trusting friend. The Clave was going nuts about what happened, and the Blackthorns
were questioned several times. None of them had seen this coming. Then there was also Kit, who turned out to be a certain Christopher Herondale. Jace was profoundly shook to hear that he had a lost sibling, and he seemed particularly anxious to meet
the latter. He was also pleased, and though he wouldn't quite admit it, excited to see Kit. He wanted to see him badly and talk to him. Tessa and Jem were also present, and the four of them, the three Herondales and the loyal Carstairs, had been spending
a lot of time together. Clary was spending most of her time with Emma and the Blackthorns, seeing into what happened. It's not as if Jace and Clary didn't see each other at all, Clary thought, but perhaps it was better for them to invest their energy
into the matter at hand. Jace was close as always, talking and mostly kissing Clary whenever he could. Each time he did so, Clary's heart seemed to expand, growing with her love for Jace. And every time she was alone, she would be a bit anxious about
what Kit's arrival meant. Was he the assurance of the Herondale bloodline?

Today, however, was a day that Emma, the Blackthorns and both Herondales decided to take a break from working. The advantage of the ocean's proximity was the perfect opportunity to have a day out at the beach. Emma and Clary were the only ones who didn't
go swimming. They stayed behind, laying down on a towel placed above the sand with a big beach umbrella blocking out the sun. They talked and talked, and they were having a good time until the subject of Simon's proposal to Isabelle came up.

"How does it feel like, with Simon marrying Isabelle?" Emma asked curiously, though there was something small underlaying it, like a darker tone. "I mean, he's your parabatai. Does it feel weird?" she added.

"No, mostly I feel great for them. They're so happy around each other, they deserve to be together. Besides, it's not like they're going anywhere. Simon is always going to be my parabatai, and it's great that Isabelle will kind of be my sister! We've
been through so much, I guess this just makes us closer." Clary replied, her eyes sparkling.

"What about Jace? Do you think he'll propose to you?" Emma asked with a grin.

Clary looked away, but not before Emma caught her look of pain.

"Clary, what are you not telling me?"

There was a long silence. Clary looked out toward the dark water, biting her lip. Finally, she spoke. "Jace asked me to marry him."

"Oh!" Emma had already begun opening her arms to hug the other girl when she caught sight of Clary's expression. She froze. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything. I can't explain it." she said. "I don't want to drag you into this problem. Don't mind me. It's fine." she added with a tentative smile.

"I don't believe you. This is more serious than you're letting on. Please, Clary. Tell me. You've done so much for me, it's my turn to help you." Emma said fiercely.

"Emma, do you swear on the Angel that you won't tell a soul?" Clary asked the younger girl.

"Yes. Of course, if that's what you want." she replied. "I swear on the Angel that I won't reveal to anyone what you're about to tell me." Emma added