It was when they got back to Paris that Cynthia faced one of her worst nightmares- being alone with Jace.
He couldn't hurt her, she knew that. Jonathan had told the girl that Jace was utterly under his control, and therefore unable to hurt her. She was banned from hurting him also. Jonathan didn't want to die.
Jace was in the training room alone, his shirt off and Cynthia could see the scratch marks on his back from the night before. Both ones Clary had no doubt put there, and the ones that had appeared from her night with Jonathan… which were more than eight.
"I can hear you, you know?" Jace went coolly, turning on his heels. Cynthia stepped out from her hiding spot behind the door and shrugged a little, "cookie for you" she just went, turning to leave, but a hand grabbed her arm and held her fast. Cynthia's jaw clenched at that and she growled under her breath, "Jace. Let. Me. Go."
He let her go and Cynthia turned, her eyes dark once more and narrowed. Jace had an eyebrow raised as he sighed out, "I've been wanting to talk to you."
"Well I don't want to talk, so good day." Cynthia yanked her arm from his grip, nostrils flared. Jace laughed at that, grinning as he went in amusement, "Sebastian told me what happened to you. The demon blood, changing, everything. And yet, you're still the same old Cynthia."
"Same old Cynthia," she echoed, shaking her head. "No. I'm not. Now, where is Jonathan?"
"I've no idea where Sebastian is."
"Bummer" she shot back in a bored voice, about to leave when she saw the Mark, as red as blood at his chest. A pang of guilt and sadness coursed through her. Suddenly, Cynthia felt guilty about trying to kill him a little while ago. She raised a hand and traced the tip of her finger around the harsh curves of the rune, muttering under her breath, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry what for?" Jace was frowning, and it hurt Cynthia so much. He was handsome, always had been. When he'd been a little boy, she knew he'd grow up to be a heartbreaker. She just had no idea that it was her own also that was going to be affected. Before Jace could react, Cynthia had thrown her arms around him, hugging him tight into her chest. With the haze of demon blood temporarily lifted, she felt such sorrow for her old friend and lover. He wasn't himself at the moment, Jonathan's slave… and it was partly her own fault. Jonathan hated Jace, Cynthia knew it. Just because of the relationship they'd shared, the demon boy had wanted revenge. Yes, Jace had told her to rot in the Silent City, but she didn't care. Unconditional love did that to you.
"For those things I said to you" Jace murmured out now into her hair, "I'm sorry. You were right. You said that I wouldn't believe you, and I didn't."
"I'm going to save you Jace," Cynthia just sighed into his shoulder. "Happy endings are rare, but you deserve one."
"What are you talking about? I'm happy. I have Clary here. I know you can't stand her, but I love her."
Cynthia laughed lightly at that, shaking her head- he was still Jace, but then, not Jace. He was so far up Jonathan's ass that she was beginning to wonder if he would ever reemerge. She knew better than to ask Jonathan to release him, because he wouldn't. Actually… could he? Was there a way to separate them?
I'm not a monster Cynthia reminded herself I'm not. And I'm going to save you, Jace. I have to. I love you. Maybe not the same way as I used to, but still. People don't change that much.
Her old list had been to destroy. Her new one was to save.
-LightInYourNightmare-
"Okay Jonathan, where are we going?"
"Well, I never got chance the last time we were in Paris, so… time to charm you."
Cynthia giggled as Jonathan dragged her through the Parisian streets, tugging his scarf more around her neck. He'd surprised her with a little red number and matching heels, asking her to accompany him into the night. She couldn't refuse, and it wasn't just because he was wearing black boots, matching jeans, a tight white t-shirt and leather jacket, his hair as soft as fresh snow, hanging in his midnight eyes. She wanted to.
Jonathan's warm hand was in her own as they walked through the dark streets, glad she had her short black and silver coat that fell to her hips on, for the night air was cool. He paused to press his lips to her fingers, and Cynthia heard him mutter out "Vous êtes parfait."
She smiled at that, retorting with "Vous êtes plus parfaite."
"Your French is rather good," Jonathan noted in amusement, tugging her forwards once again. As they walked over the Av de New York, Cynthia could see the Eiffel Tower. She smiled at the sight of the landmark all lit up. They strolled over the Pont d'lêna bridge, Jonathan reached inside his jacket and cleared his throat. Cynthia looked over and felt her eyes widen, a smile spreading across her face as she stared at what was in his hands; her old camera.
"You saved this for me?" Cynthia laughed, taking it, running a finger across the top. With a chuckle, Jonathan nodded. "I thought you'd like it back."
"I… did." Cynthia had never felt so normal. So… human. So normal. Excitement coursed through her body and with her free hand, she dragged him all the way over the bridge towards the Eiffel Tower, standing under one of the lights as she tugged him closer, saying with a loud laugh "I need to get these printed off. Now smile, I want a good picture."
It was like they were normal. Free of demon blood, free from the horrors that stalked the night. Like Jonathan wasn't tainted and Cynthia not dying.
After snapping some photos, Jonathan took Cynthia's hand once more and led her under the Eiffel Tower towards the streets once more, leading her down a back alley while saying "I happened across this place a few years back on a mission for dad. It's marvelous. The tagliatelle is amazing. So are the ice cream sundaes."
"Oh?" Cynthia asked in amusement, swinging their entwined hands, "did you bring a girl there on a date before?"
"Cynthia. I have never bought a girl on a date before."
She stopped dead at that, making him do the same. Her feet wobbled, so unused to heels. Jonathan caught her shoulders, steadying her. Cynthia blushed lightly, muttering out "are you just saying that?"
Jonathan tutted. "I assure you Father never gave me lessons on how to wine and dine a woman before. I just thought you'd like it out here. After all, Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. I wish you had been awake and well for when we were in Venice."
Cynthia's eyes were still wide as she leaned forwards, very nearly his height now on her tall heels, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, murmuring out, "Sometimes, you are so normal that I forget you're a demon boy."
"So do I my little love. So do I." Jonathan brushed his lips to her cheek before starting them forwards once more.
The restaurant was small like he said, hidden at the back down an alleyway. But inside, he led her up a flight of stairs and came up at the tables. They were sat on the roof and Cynthia shook her head a little, muttering out "you bastard."
"Like it?" Jonathan asked cheekily, leading her over to a spare table near the side. The Eiffel Tower loomed not too far away. As Cynthia stared at the scene, Jonathan ordered their main, not bothering with a starter. They sat in silence until it came and Cynthia bit into the tagliatelle, and he was right- it was divine. Melt in the mouth, beautiful food.
It was after her fifth bite that she realized he hadn't touched his own, she arched a brow and he just chuckled out "sorry. You're rather engrossing."
"Thank you?"
Jonathan smiled, one that actually reached his eyes and made them sparkle. Sparkle in a way she'd never seen before. Without a word he leaned over the table and caught her lips, kissing her softly for a moment. Cynthia giggled softly against his lips before pulling away, saying in amusement, "I'm hungry."
They ate in silence, Jonathan ordering a bottle of rich red wine that they soon got through. Before long, they were on the way back to the apartment, Cynthia giggling the whole way with her camera around her neck. Their first proper date and she'd loved it so very much.
All the way up the glass stairs they kissed, Jonathan shutting his bedroom door with a foot, pushing her onto his bed and swiftly straddling her hips, kissing heatedly at her lips with soft groans escaping them both. Cynthia's hands raked down the young mans body, kicking her heels off as he did with his boots. She was just about to pop open the front of his jeans when they both heard a yell, clear as day
"Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern!"
Cynthia just lay there on the bed growling lightly as he was gone, the bedroom door wide open. Fucking Clary. She got to her feet and stripped down to her bra and underwear, lying upon the bed with her ankles crossed. When Jonathan walked back in, looking distinctly moodier, he soon did a double take and stared for a moment before shutting the door once more.
"Right," Cynthia mused, uncrossing her ankles and arching a brow. "Where were we? Better get those clothes off fast demon boy."
She didn't have to ask twice.