Chapter 13- Valentine's Plan
"She might be out of it for the rest of the day but she should be fine. I stopped it before the venom reached her heart. That was a close one." A man's voice rang out through the fog in her head. "Thank you, Alec. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there." Another voice replied. This voice she would know anywhere. Jace, her handsome Jace. As if to confirm it Alec spoke. "Don't worry about it Jace. It is our fault that you are in this mess, to begin with. We owe you everything." Alec whispered. Silence fell for a moment before she heard them speak again. "I thought you would have brought her back to the wall by now. I was surprised to see her still here. When you sent that wolf with the note I had expected that you might need help but I didn't suspect it was with her. Seeing you with her now it is obvious why you haven't let her go." The older man whispered. Clary felt Jace's fingers running through her hair before softly brushing her lips. "That obvious huh?" Jace asked softly. "Ye,s but love isn't a bad thing Jace. Have you told her how you feel yet?" he asked. "Yes. We both have. Who would have thought I would find someone crazy enough to love me?That was actually why I sent you that note. Clary missed you guys so much that I wanted to surprise her by having you visit." he chuckled with no amusement. "You're a good man Jace and Clary is…special" Alec hesitated. Clary strained her ears struggling to hear what he would say next. "She is special but hard headed. What am I going to do with her Alec? I'm just trying to keep her safe and she runs off. She nearly got herself killed." The blonde sighed.
Clary's stomach sank. She had put her life at risk and worried her lover. What had she even gained from the entire experience? Some time, maybe a day or two? She was careless and stupid. "It is like she is the female version of you." Alec chuckled. She liked the sound of his laugh. She got the feeling Alec didn't laugh much. "Yes, I suppose she is and it is driving me crazy. Now I know how you felt worrying about me when we were growing up." Jace grunted bringing his hands up to his hair. Alec placed a comforting hand beside him. "You were always trying to be just like your father. King Valentine even took a liking to you. He had you sparing his son every day to better your swordsmanship." The blue-eyed man replied. Clary didn't know that the King favorited Jace. She knew his father was the Captain of his guard but the rest was news to her. "Yes, a fine addition to his little circle I was. Jonathan hated me and treated me like I was stealing his father away. Then after our parents planned the attack Valentine killed them, burned them to a crisp." Jace snorted. "But not you Jace. Valentine spared you and instead you ran. You came to warn us and saved our skins." Alec whispered. Clary's heart clenched. That was why Alec was so loyal to Jace. They were practically brothers after everything they had gone through together. A sob left Clary's lips as Jace's hand tightened in hers. "It's alright darling. You will be fine, I'm here now." She whispered kissing her lips lightly.
"You really are perfect for each other. I knew there was something different about her the moment I saw her that night you came to the village. She didn't hurt you and kept her word to a ten-year-old. There is a light in her and a kindness that makes her glow. Magnus said he could sense powerful magic within her. I don't even think she is even aware of it." Alec suggested standing up from his place by the bed. "She is aware of it now. Though it's source we are ignorant of. She is powerful Alec. She was able to heal me and destroy a pit of demons. She just needs to learn to control it. Do you think Magnus can assist her?" Jace asked. Clary's heart leaped at the thought. A chance to learn to control her power, she would jump at the chance. "Assuming you let us come and stop hogging her all to yourself, then yes. I suppose Magnus could help though I can't tell what extent his help will be. He must speak for himself on that matter." The man responded. Jace nodded and leaned down to kiss her forehead lightly. "I am still in awe. I never expected you to fall in love with her or with any women for that matter." Her friend chuckled.
"Neither did I and now that I have, things are even more complicated than they have ever been before. I can't keep her trapped in this forest forever. Us much as I want to. I also can't spend enough time with her now that the king's demons are attacking." He sighed. "What does the king want? He has never bothered with us before." Alec asked. Jace shook his head. "Her, they want her Alec. That is why I have been so paranoid." Jace argued. Clary's breath stalled. She had been right as she struggled to keep her eyes closed. Alec looked at his brother bewildered. "Why her? Clary told me herself that she was with a group of prisoners when she escaped. Why all the trouble for one girl?" he inquired. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I only know that when I killed the last few demons they were muttering something over and over again. 'forget the forest, take the girl' and then 'the king will reward' over and over again. I don't know why he wants her so badly. Clary told me that she had killed his pit of demons in Ignis but still this behavior seems obsessive. She has no idea; it is just as much as a mystery to her." He replied. "Agreed," Alec said as the room fell into silence. Deciding that they were not going to reveal any more information and unable to contain herself, Clary moved her body and slowly opened her eyes. She wasn't sure how long she was out for but she needed to tell him about the tunnel. Time was of the essence. "Jace?" she whispered. She looked up and saw his golden eyes and long blonde hair looking down at her lovingly.
"Hello, little red riding hood. It is about time you woke up." He smiled. She heard movement to her side and turned to see Alec. "Alec, I've missed you so much! How are Magnus and Max?" she asked weakly. The young man smiled before shrugging. "Same old, same old. Magnus is still working on his potions and Max has been pulling pranks around the village left and right. You should come and visit them sometime." Clary's face frowned as her eyes went back to Jace clearly asking permission. Alec frowned realizing the reaction his words invoked too late. Jace sighed. "Well looks like I am being ganged up on here. Clary can visit the village just please make sure that she is safe. The last thing I need is for her to get hurt. You know if there is any trouble to be found she would find it." He sighed. "Hey! I didn't go looking for trouble those guards came out of nowhere!" she protested. Both boys looked down at her curiously. "Guards?" Alec asked. Clary nodded. "Jace, they are coming. Valentine dug a tunnel under the wall. I went to walk and cool down when I saw them. Guards were walking through the forest. I followed them to that cave by where you found me. They had dug it out." She explained breathlessly. Jace caressed her face softly. "And I take it you went down there?" he asked. Clary looked away and nodded.
"Clary!" Jace scolded. Alec placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I had to Jace. They were going to bring an army of soldiers and demons through that tunnel during the new moon. They knew you would be powerless to stop them." She argued. Alec looked at Jace. "She knows?" he asked curiously. Jace nodded looking at her sweetly. "My fiancée knows everything." He whispered. Alec's eyes grew wide. "I love him, Alec." She whispered. Jace lowered his face and kissed her softly. "You shouldn't have gone down there alone. You should have come and gotten me, Clarissa." He stated firmly. "I'm not weak Jace. I can hold my own." she protested lightly. Jace's eyes blazed with golden fury. He opened his mouth to speak but Clary quickly placed a finger against his lips. "But you are right. I should have come to you. I was reckless and ended up way in over my head. I scared you and almost lost my life. I love you and I won't do it again." She whispered. The furry in her lover's eyes melted away, replaced with love and admiration. "I don't think you're weak. I just love you and want to protect you. I'm sorry for smothering you." He replied against her lips. She returned his kiss losing herself in the warmth of his embrace. Stupid blonde strappingly handsome man and the power he wielded over her. It wasn't bad enough that he had guardian powers. No, he had to also have the power to make her weak at the knees and to kiss her into a bumbling idiot. Men!
"Well, I am going to leave you to love birds alone now. Take care of her Jace and I expect a visit, Clary." Alec waved clearly uncomfortable. Clary broke off the kiss forgetting that Alec was even there. "Wait!" she called. The young man halted. "Jace please listen to me. We need help." She begged. Jace frowned but nodded. "Alec, will you and Magnus come tomorrow night. I'll examine the tunnel this afternoon. I'll try to block it up for now. Buy us some time before the new moon." Jace announced. Clary cleared her throat at the boys looked at her. "I kind of already did that." She stated. Jace looked down at her curiously. "I took down the fire demon general and collapsed the cave. Though I don't know how long that will hold them." She continued. Alec took a step forward appraising her curiously. "How did you accomplish that with just a bow and arrow?" The tall brunette asked. Clary hesitated before another voice called out. "You used your magic, didn't you biscuit?" Magnus chimed in. Clary's face lit up as the warlock walked into the open door followed by Max. "Clary!" the small boy called rushing towards her. "Max!" she smiled sitting up. Jace shot Magnus a quick glare not wishing for Clary to exert herself. Max threw his arms around her. "I missed you so much, Clary!" the young boy cried. "Oh Max, I missed you too." She replied wrapping her arms around him. Jace frowned noticing the tears that brimmed his true loves eyes. He really had been over protective and selfish, he couldn't help but fell guilty.
"Gentle, Max." Alec scolded. Max let go of her, smiling brightly. He then turned and jumped into Jace's arms. "Jace!" he yelled. Clary giggled as the blonde warrior jumped in surprise. "Max, I have missed you, little buddy." He grinned. Max smiled brightly. "I've missed you too. Last time I saw you, you were burning down the village. I'm glad you're in a better mood. Have you been taking care of Clary?" he asked. Jace nodded sneaking a glance at the redhead. "I've been taking really good care of her buddy. Well, when she doesn't go running off." He added. Max frowned. "Oh, Clary you can't go running off. Alec says that Jace is super overprotective and gets mad easily." Max explained. Alec looked away as Jace shot him a look. Clary just giggled. "That is a pretty accurate description." She replied. Jace just frowned folding his arms over his chest. "Oh honey, don't be upset," Clary smiled kissing him on the cheek. Max's eyes grew wide. "Clary? You love Jace?" he asked curiously. Magnus's eyes appraised them as the redhead blushed lightly. "Yes, Max. I love Jace very much." She replied. She couldn't tell if the young boy was happy or disappointed. Max crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Jace. "Okay, if it's Jace then I guess it's ok but if he does anything wrong I'll beat him up for you. Then you can marry me. If I'm still available." He replied. The three of them chuckled. "You got it Max!" she smiled.
The four of them sat down and discussed the logistics' of Valentine's attack. Magnus and Max were going to stay back with Clary while Alec and Jace went to investigate the tunnel. Jace leaned down and kissed her passionately before leaving. She wanted to strip his clothes off and make love to him right then and there. Remind him how much she loved him and apologize for running off. She now understood what Jace had meant by not wanting to invite guests. There was a charm to their secluded lifestyle and the freedom it provided. She resisted her urges and ended the heated kiss. "Okay, lovebirds," Alec called clearing his throat. "Thank you, Alec, for everything." She whispered. The man nodded before Jace and Alec left the cave. It was a short journey and they reached their destination within an hour. It made Jace nervous at how close the tunnel was to the tree. He had left Clary there many a night to fight demons, trusting that she would be safe. He couldn't have been more wrong. "Come Jace. We don't have much time." Alec called out from in front of him. Jace nodded and followed. "Take to the trees Alec. Your bow would do better there if we are ambushed." The golden guardian commanded. Alec leaped forward scaling the tree before quickly balancing himself on one of its many branches. Jace had forgotten how fast his friend was. It brought a smile to his face as the pair trucked on.
They found the cave easily enough but they were not alone. The pair could hear voices shouting and moving the boulders around. "They are trying to clear the tunnel," Alec whispered. Jace nodded in agreement. New moons had always brought him joy, content that he could remain human for one night. He would spend it going to the village, seeing his brothers, drinking to his merriment and often finding company in a random women for the night. Now that he had Clarissa those few nights meant something different entirely. They meant a night making love to her, holding him in his arms and talking for hours before finally falling asleep in each others embrace. His heart belonged to her as it always would. Just like his fathers and belonged to his first wife's before she died from a cursed sickness the demon army brought with them. Jace supposed that is why his father hated the king and acted against him in the end. His father cared for his mother Celene but she never had his heart. He tried to do what was best for her, Jace understood that now. The king insisted he remarry, set up the marriage himself. Jace's father's hands were tied and when he was born even more so. He pitied his father having to remarry and move on without being able to grieve for his true love. His father once told him the Herondale men wore their hearts on their sleeves. They loved without care and once they found their soulmate, they would never be complete without them. Clary was his soulmate. He knew it the moment he laid eyes on her. The guardian had been in a daze, going through the motions of life day after day until she came. He finally woke up from a horrid dream to find her standing there.
Jace concentrated on the blue flames in his palm. "Do you think that wise?" Alec asked. "Yes. We need more time. If they attack tonight, we will be powerless. Even a day will help greatly." Jace responded sending the flames shooting out of his hand and deep into the cave. There was a loud shout before the tunnel vibrated and more rocks came tumbling down. Jace took too fingers to his lips and whistled. Within moments a pack of wolves surrounded him. "Two of you keep guard here. Run and alert me immediately if you see anything stir from the tunnel. The rest I want you to scour the forests in search of any more tunnels the king might have constructed." Jace commanded. The wolves bowed their heads and were off, save the two who sat down looking at the cave intently. Alec jumped down from the trees and smiled. "Being the forest guardian does have its benefits." He teased. Jace smirked. "Yes, yes it does. Now let's return to the others. It will be nightfall soon." He replied.
Back at the center of the forest, Max had decided he wanted to try his hand at fishing. Magnus and Clary watched him fish in the lake shore from the cave entrance. The sun would be setting in a few hours and she looked at the sky worriedly. "It seems things have worked out well for you, my darling." The warlock spoke pouring a cup of tea. Clary smiled sweetly offering a polite thank you. "I've never seen Jace so happy and you are practically glowing yourself. The sex must be pretty good." He finished. Clary choked on the tea she had just begun sipping. Leave it to Magnus and make her blush and choke at the same time. "Magnus!" she scolded. He smirked at her relaxing back against the rock. "I'm sorry biscuit, I couldn't help myself." He smiled crossing his legs. She rolled her eyes. Thinking over the words she wished to speak next. She wasn't sure how to bring up the subject of magic.
"I sense you want to talk about something. I assume your powers?" he asked. Clary nodded. "I have this power and I don't know how to control it. There is this light in me that comes out randomly. It healed Jace was he was dying and it made that demon explode. I just wish I could control it." She explained. Magnus studied her glancing at the necklace around her neck. "It was a light you say?" he questioned. Clary nodded. She looked down at her necklace curiously. "Where did you get this?" he asked. "It was my mothers. She always wore it and when she died I took it to remember her by." She whispered. "Do you, do you think it means something?" she asked. Magnus tilted his head to the side. "Perhaps. It looks to be a key. It reminds me of the lost Fairchild kingdom. It was said that they possessed powers over light. Much like the Morgenstern royal family is said to possess dark powers. Perhaps your mother was a priestess or something? Many fled for their lives after the war. It would explain why the king is after you." He suggested. Clary played with her key curiously. "Maybe? My mother never mentioned magic before though. No tricks, incantations, nothing. She technically never even gave me this necklace. I took it off her body when she died." She whispered solemnly. Magnus looked away, lost in thought. "You might just be gifted then. Magic does manifest itself randomly sometimes. Though the amount of power you possess makes me think otherwise." He suggested.
"Light and magic manifest themselves in different ways. See." He gestured to the blue-green flames in his hands. "Green is very common relying on the elements. Red the color of fire is often linked with darkness. The King's magic appears in black and red flames. Blue flames as Jace uses are exceptionally rare and are spiritual in nature." He explained. Clary listened intently. "But my magic is white. There is no other color." She replied. Magnus looked at her with concern. "Yes and that is what worries me. White is pure angelic magic. Very, very few were able to wield it. Even in the days of the days of the Fairchild Reign." He replied. "What happened to the Fairchild kingdom?" she asked. "The books don't mention it very much besides stating that the King waged war against them and won." The redhead begged. Magnus sighed. "Valentine destroyed it, he did. He waged war against them, slaughtering the royal family and the entire priesthood. Many warlocks and witches died in that war. It is a big reason why the few warlocks and witches left hate the crown." The warlock explained. "Why did the king attack them?" she asked. The warlock looked away solemnly standing up. "Darkness is attracted to the light, just like a moth to a flame. Even monsters fall in love, Clarissa."