*****Authors Note*****
::Slowly pokes head out from behind corner: hello there. So sorry for the long wait. Really, life has been hectic (Masters Classes, teaching, packing up classroom, tutoring, finals, report cards, etc.) I've been soooo stressed it's not healthy. As much as I love all of you, updating was not at the top of the to-do list. However, now that school will be officially over next week. I will have much more time to devote to writing and working out…I've gotten fat.
So here is something to tide you over until the last chapter which will include the wedding and whatever else you guys want to know. So if you want to know something specifically leave a review and let me know so I can include it in the epilogue. Again, thank you for sticking with the story. You're support means a lot.
Chapter 14- Your Wish is My Command Princess
Clary looked on in sorrow at the golden man who held her so gently in his arms, as if she was the very air he needed to breathe. She could see his love in his eyes, the fear racing through his beating heart and the tight tremble of his arms locked protectively around her. She was remembering things slowly though most of it remained in a mist. Running away, falling in love with Jace and then time seemed to blur before her brother's fire consumed the rest. Looking up at the throne he burned brightly even in sorrow. Love, what an exquisite form of self-destruction. Perhaps her father was right. "To love is to destroy and to be loved is to be the one who is destroyed." She whispered. Jonathan's dark eyes sparkled with fury. "An appropriate quote. Some good father did intend to do, despite himself." He replied curtly.
"I-I can't choose. I will not stand aside and let you kill Jace nor can I bear the thought of breaking your heart." Clary cried meeting his dark gaze. The kings lips formed a firm line. "I broke my own heart by choosing to love you." He spoke with infinite sorrow. Clary took in a quick breath before tears filled her eyes. "No, please Jonathan. Don't-" she pleaded trying to get out of Jace's hands and go to him. Jace wouldn't budge and kept her trapped in his arms. "Fly away, Little Dove. Go with him, leave, and don't come back. If I ever see either of you two again, I will kill you. Jace nodded rising from the floor but Clary refused to leave. She seized her opportunity and bolted forward. She ran to the throne and threw her arms around her brother. "No. No. Please, Jonathan. I'll stay. I'll be with you just please let Jace go. Let him leave safely and I'll be yours forever. Half of my heart is already yours." She cried. Jonathan looked at her before she rushed and brought her lips to his. Jace's heart shattered looking on at the scene before him. Ending the kiss the dark king wrapped his arms around the trembling redhead. "So be it Little Dove. You are free from the burden of choosing. He is free to go now rest your head. Clary nodded, closing her half drouped eyes and falling asleep instantly.
Jace grunted watching Jonathan lay the sleeping women down onto the giant throne carefully. "That was a clever trick." He snorted. The king turned and smiled at him, all traces of sorrow gone. "It was, wasn't it. I admit, had I know the trick the genie played I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of bringing you here. Father did always say that pride would lead to my ruin." Jace removed the Herrondale blade from its sheath. The dark king chuckled. "I was hoping you would stay and fight. Though running away with your tail between your legs would have been just as amusing." Jonathan replied drawing his blade. Jace grunted taking a sparring stance. "You should know that I would never give her up without a fight.I will fight for her till my last breath." He replied. "That seems like a fitting vow. One that will be the death of you. Clarissa was mine from the moment she was born. You were merely a stepping stone on her path back to me. When you are on the floor, dead I will erase you from her memory. She will never know you even existed." The king grinned lunging forward.
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"Report!" Luke whispered. Emma nodded and lowered herself down the vines. She had always been a nimble climber and it was times like this that it came in handy. "Two guards by the doors, Clary, Simon, Jace and Jonathan. From the sounds of it and this place it looks like he used his first wish to become the ruler." She reported. Luke and the others frowned with concern. "Just great! That means he has two more wishes." Alec replied. Magnus looked aged and tired. "I can only imagine what he has planned to do with Jace and Clary." He sighed. Emma looked down. "Yeah, about that. From what I could hear and read from their lips…" she hesitated. Jules put his hand on her shoulder in comfort. He always seemed to know what to do to calm her down.
"I am pretty sure Jonathan used another wish to make Clary fall in love with him." She breathed. Magnus's eyes went wide as a flurry of blue flames burned from his hands. "That piece of-" Luke stepped forward. "And Jace? What of Jace, Emma?" he asked. Emma nodded. "Jonathan was making Clary choose between him and Jace. I am pretty sure Simon twisted his words and worked it in a way that she still loved Jace. I saw Jonathan put her to sleep and then approach Jace. I believe they intended to duel for her." She finished. Alec spoke next. "Jace is a wonderful swordsman but he is no match for Jonathan when he has Simon backing him up."
Isabelle nodded. "We need to find a way to get the lamp away from Jonathan. Then we can undo this mess." She offered. The others looked away before talking amongst themselves. Emma stood quietly appraising them before turning to face Julian. He rose a surprised eyebrow trying to praise her thoughts. She clearly already made up her mind and was setting out on her course of action. He opened his mouth to ask when she pulled his forward and kissed him. He was surprised for a moment before wrapping his arms around her and returning the kiss. Emma broke the kiss off hurriedly looking up into his clouded eyes. "I love you. I have always loved you. You should know that in case things go south." She replied before turning on the heel of her boot and walking back towards the wall.
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Jonathan launched another blow that Jace just narrowly dodged. The Kings loud hackle resonated through the room. It wasn't a pleasant happy laugh. It was crazed, sinister and laced with malice. "You're pretty good. It's a shame you couldn't fall in love with someone else's sister. You would have made a good guard, now you're just going to be a corpse in the ground." He ranted. Jace snorted with disgust. "You talk too much." Jace hissed. They continued their fight unaware of the small blonde girl crawling in through the window. Simon upon seeing her glamored the guards. "Emma!" he whispered. "Get out of here before he sees you."
"Not a chance. I rather die before I let him destroy any more innocent lives. I am here to end things." She replied looking towards the lamp sitting on the throne next to the sleeping princess. Simon looked at her in horror. "Don't Emma. It is enchanted, no one but Jonathan can touch the throne." He warned. Emma looked on. "That is why he left the lamp there. Taunting asshole isn't he." She cursed. Simon bit his tongue but his eyes told her that he agreed with her. Gazing back to the lamp she was coming up with a plan. "No one can touch the throne but Jonathan?" she asked. Simon nodded. It would burn anyone else." He stated. Emma shook her head. "Not everyone…." She hinted looking at Clary.
Simon followed her train of thought and looked at the sleeping princess. "He is powerful Emma. You have to be-" he began but stopped at the sound of a short scream. Jonathan had cut Jace across the chest. He was wearing him down and Jace was growing tired. "Simon, wake her up. The princess, wake her up." Emma commanded. "You can wake her up, right?" Simon looked at her hesitantly before nodding. "I can do small magic freely. Any "big" magic would require a wish. He wiggled his fingers and Clary's bright green eyes opened. She looked around perplexed before her eyes fell on the two fighting. She opened her mouth to yell but a hand covered her mouth before she could make a sound.
Clary looked up to see Emma smiling down at her with one finger up over her lips indicating for her to be quiet. "Emma, what are you doing here?" Clary whispered. The blonde girl shook her head. "I am here to save you and Jace." She replied. Clary shook her head. "I don't need recusing. I love Jonathan and-" Jace's scream littered the room. The two girls looked over to see Jace on the floor with Jonathan's sword protruding through his shoulder. Clary looked on breathlessly.
"You love Jace too right," Emma whispered getting the redhead's attention. The princess was clearly in shock and she needed her to focus. Tears were welling up in the girls eyes. "Clary, you can stop this. Take the lamp and wish for this to stop. You can save him and Jonathan too. Please!" Emma pleaded. Clary looked to the lamp before looking back to her blonde lover dying beneath her brother's sword. Her heart hammered in her chest as she launched forward and grabbed the lamp. The sudden movement caught the king's gaze. Jonathan looked at her in shock. "Clarissa!" he bellowed. He was about to take a step forward when he stopped suddenly. Emma and Clary looked on in horror as an arrow shot through the air and buried itself in his chest.
Emma turned to see Jules standing in the window with a crossbow in his hand. Her heart soared with pride looking at him. She turned back to Clary who looked at her brother and Jace. She was losing it fast. Emma wasn't sure what effect the magic of the prince's last wish had on her but she needed to act fast before she lost the girl. "Clary! Look at me." She commanded. The small princess obeyed, her eyes crystal over. "Make your wish now, before it's too late," Emma commanded. "I, I can't-" she squeaked.
"Yes, you can Clary." Isabelle's voice called out. Magnus and Isabelle had climbed up after Julian and now walked toward Jonathan and Jace. "Listen to Emma Clary. You can do this." She called before learning down to the dark king. "Clary, he is bleeding badly. Act now or he won't make it." Isabelle called turning her back and lightly dabbing Jonathan's wound. "You would like that wouldn't you." He choked quietly. Isabelle glared down at him. "Nothing would give me more pleasure." She grunted too low for Clarissa to hear.
"I'm scared Emma." Clary cried. Emma smiled down at her sweetly. "Don't be scared. If you are scared it means you are about to do something very, very brave. Hold your head up high Clary, you are a Queen. Take back what is yours." She smiled holding the trembling princess's hand. Clary nodded and looked up to Simon. "I wish that my brother was never poisoned with demon blood. That…that things would be set right and…" she hesitated turning back to look at Isabelle. Hef minds finally clearing up. "and that you, Simon, were free from your eternal servitude." Clary commanded. Simon's jaw fell open wide. Jace and Jonathan looked on worriedly while Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus were still trying to cater to their wounds. Simon's eyes traveled up to see Isabelle smiling. With love and delight, he nodded. "As you wish." He commanded before the world went black.
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"Wake up Clary." A voice called out. It sounded so warm and familiar. "Clary darling, it's time to wake up. Don't make me send Jonathan in to wake you up." The voice teased. At the mention of her brother's name her memories came flooding back to her. She jumped out of the bed almost knocking the women beside her to the ground. A muse of laughter filled the room. "Apparently the mear mention of my names installs fear even into the most innocent of victims." Her brother laughed. Clary looked at him curiously. He was different. His face was softer and his laugh held no malice. This all failed in comparison to his bright green eyes. "Jonathan?" she asked breathlessly. He looked at her curiously. "Some princess I raised you to be. Sleeping in late, on your wedding day no less." The women beside her scolded. Clary turned and nearly fell over.
There standing in front of her was her mother. Jocelyn Fairchild's large green eyes and long red hair was just like hers. She really was the spitting image of her. Clary stood frozen in place as tears filled her eyes. Her mother looked at her curiously. "What is wrong Clarissa? You look like you've seen a ghost." She asked. Clary just nodded as sobs began filling her chest. The queen became alarmed and wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Oh, Clary. Don't fret my dear. It is just bridal nerves. Everything will be alright once you walk down that aisle. Clary didn't know what she was talking about nor did she care. This was her mother, the women she spent most of her life dreaming about it. She tightened her grip around her and cried into her chest. The queen merely chuckled rubbing her back soothingly.
When the sobbing finally subsided her mother pushed her forward and examined her face. "Now that is over we must fix you up. Puffy eyes will simply not due. You are a princess and have an appearance to uphold." She whispered. "Now, dry your tears. I had your bath drawn. Isabelle will be here shortly to do your make up and put you in your wedding dress. I have to go and feed your little brother but I will be back shortly." Her mother explained. Clary nodded her head. Jocelyn smiled and left the room. Clary turned to see her brother appraising her. "You remember everything, don't you?" he asked. She stared at him not knowing how to answer.
"Don't worry Clary, I am not a monster anymore. Simon granted your wish, I am finally free. I feel good, light and happy." He smiled. "I don't understand." She whispered gazing back towards the door her mother just departed out of. Jonathan took a seat on the bed next to her. "Well according to Simon and Magnus he had to go back in time to fulfill your wish. It changed some things and they changed time. It was complicated and I didn't understand all of it but suffice it to say that it turned out for the better. Simon is free, our mother is back, Luke is happy and so are the others." He explained. She shook her head trying to make sense of things. "I just- what about Valentine, the resistance, and Jace? Oh my, what about Jace!" she asked worriedly. Jonathan chuckled. "Same old Clary. He is fine. I spoke to him the morning though I suspect he is a bit nervous at the moment. You know for the wedding and all." He teased. "For what I understood from mother, Valentine was executed by the council after raping Queen Lillith. Your mother, I mean our mother and Luke have been ruling until you, the heir, became of age." He shrugged.
"But isn't Lilith your mother?" she asked. Jonathan nodded. "She died in childbirth. I guess without demon blood she wasn't strong enough to carry me. Jocelyn and Luke have been working to return the rule of the Edom kingdom to it's the only heir, me. Guess I'll end up a king anyway. They are under the impression they have raised me so I am trying to keep up with the façade." He frowned. Clary looked at him curiously. Jonathan sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You should get in the bath. You wouldn't want to be late for your own wedding." He teased. Clary sighed. "Am I …..are we?" she hesitated. Jonathan followed her train of thought shook his head. "We are not getting married. You will be happy to know that I see you as nothing more than my little sister, which is enough. Believe me, you are enough of a handful as a sister." He teased. Clary smiled and hit him playfully on the shoulder.
"Clarrissa, little dove, I am…" he stuttered his voice turning serious. "I guess the word is sorry, though it seems a mediocre word to describe the regret that I feel. The demon blood had poisoned me for so long. I-I just want you to know that I've changed. Honestly, please give me a chance to show you. Please let me be a real brother to you." He begged. Clary grinned and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I can tell you've changed. Of course, I will give you a chance." Jonathan smiled rising up from the bed. "So if not you, then who?" she asked. Jonathan was about to answer when the door opened widely.
"You haven't even bathed yet!?" An upset Isabelle cursed. Jonathan rose his hands in mock defeat. "Someone had to explain what was going on." He grinned. Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Jace can explain everything to her later, right now we have a wedding to prepare her for. I am going to get your dress. You better be in that bathtub when I get back or so help me, Clary." She replied shooting Jonathan a glare and storming out. Clary looked on blankly. "She still doesn't like me. Then again, I can't blame her." He sighed. Clary smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "She will get over it. You are a new person now and my brother. I love you." She whispered. Jonathan's eyes began to water before returning the embrace and kissing her on the head. "I love you too sis."
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Jace took in a deep breath. "Must feel nice doing that without a sword stuck in your chest," Jonathan replied stepping into the hallway. Jace frowned but quickly remembered their conversation that morning and plastered a smile onto his face. Jonathan sighed and shook his head. "You don't have to force yourself to act differently around me Jace. I remember the things I did and I will have to live with that. Even if they didn't happen, the few of us still remember. I don't expect your feelings to change overnight." He explained. Jace shrugged. "Yes, but that wasn't you and technically those things didn't happen. I told you I would give you a chance and I owe it to you to at least try. After all, you will be my brother in a few hours." Jace replied. Jonathan smiled at the thought.
"You know I am happy that you are Clarissa are getting married. She deserves someone who is strong and can put her in her place." Jonathan chuckled. Jace listened to his laugh and smiled. That in itself was completely different. This laugh was heartfelt, sincere and light lacking all the malice the last Jonathan's laugh held. "You know some memories are coming back to me. It's strange how my old memories and new memories seem to be blending into each other." The golden blonde sighed gazing back into the mirror. Jonathan nodded. "I hope that eventually all of these bad memories fade away. I've wished for so long to feel wanted and cared for that I can't help but fear this is some sort of dream I will wake up from at any minute. Waking up back to Valentine and being a monster." He whispered looking away.
Jace lifted and hand and put it on the prince's shoulder. "It's not a dream. We, all of us deserve this. Clary is happy, you have a mother and father who love you, I have my parents back, Isabelle has Simon and everyone seems content. It isn't a perfect ending. I mean your sister and I are marrying as war looms on the horizon. This life could all be over shortly anyway so let's live in the moment and enjoy it." He instructed. Jonathan nodded once again and replied with a short thank you before Alec and Magnus rushed into the room. "It's time boys." The warlock announced happily. Jace took in a deep breath as his parents approached. "I can't believe my handsome boy is getting married! It seems like just yesterday your father brought you to pair up with the princess in sparring. Now you are going to be our King." His mother spoke drying her tears with a handkerchief. His father patted him on the back proudly."Come son, it's time." Stephen whispered guiding him to the throne room.