I forgot to answer someone's questions on the last chapter, so to the guest who asked about update days and Jon's wife: I update most days Wednesday through Saturday, and sometimes Sunday. If this changes (Which it likely will, soon) I will let everyone know. As for Jon's wife, it's explained in this chapter. We'll probably meet her in the next chapter, or the one after it. Thanks for reviewing, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Also, forgot to say this on the last chapter: GreyGirl2358 is pretty much the greatest ever for saying Vally Boy/Valenslime and Sebastard all the time, and it's basically a religious obligation for me to include it in this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Mortal Instruments. I'm just dicking around.
Previously on Fatally Yours:
She flicks her hair over her shoulder. "I know. Clary's brother. That's probably why Valentine wants to see everyone. Sebastian broke a rule." She turns to Clary. "He says I get to dress you up, so come on." Clary groans, but follows her out the door. Just before it slams shut behind them, Isabelle calls "Be ready in an hour, you two. Wear something nice."
-Jace Wayland-
Isabelle and Clary rush out of the room, leaving Jonathan and I alone. He turns to me with an unreadable expression. "Don't hurt her." He says.
I blink. "I'm not going to hurt her."
He sets the guitar carefully on the nearest stand. His eyes glint with admiration. "She likes you."
"She tolerates me." I correct him.
He shakes his head, as if he can't believe what he's saying. "No. You make her feel safe." Jonathan sighs, cursing to himself. "Look, kid." I cringe internally at his use of the word kid. That's the only thing my father ever called me. Kid. Never Jace. He refused to even call me Jonathan. "This is fucking weird for me. She's never even liked a guy before you, and I get here to find out she's married. Well, kind of married. She's never been comfortable around anyone but me, and here you are. And she likes you." He's got his head in his hands, cursing under his breath. He looks like he's lost some vital part of him, but he's not losing Clary. I would never take her away from him. Even if I wanted to, she would never allow it. "Are you in love with her?" He asks. I open my mouth to say something - I don't know what, but he interrupts. "Don't lie. I saw the way you look at her."
The night opens like a hinge, for someone selling hope door to door. He's telling me that her feelings might one day match mine. I clutch to whatever shred of self control I have left and tell him "Yes. I love her."
His eyes fill to the brim with something I can only identify as fear. And loss. I imagine he feels like I'm about to remove the love she has for him. I don't think he knows that it can't be removed. "I have been teaching her love all of her life. All I ask is that you continue the lesson."
Later
Clary steps out of Isabelle's room wearing a shiny maroon dress that stops below her knees. It clings to her curves perfectly, showing her soft figure. It has thick straps, and a plunging neckline that shows off the top of her... Oh God. I tear my eyes away before something bad happens... If you know what I mean.
The guys all seem to have decided on the same thing, as usual. Dark jeans and black button up shirts. Magnus, of course, has bedazzled the pockets, and placed a neatly folded handkerchief inside his pocket.
I can feel Jonathan's gaze on me, probably imagining new ways to kill me. I can't take my eyes off Clary. She looks stunning. I offer her my arm, as I always do. Her black high heeled shoes look uncomfortable. Jonathan makes and 'ugh.' noise when she takes my arm. She smiles at him, and his expression softens. "Hey, Woogy. You look beautiful."
Clary glares at her brother. "I will destroy you, Squeezey."
I smirk. "Woogy? Squeezey?"
Valentine has sent one of his servants to escort us. We follow him down a flight of stairs, and Clary explains "Embarrassing childhood nicknames. He breaks out 'Woogy' any chance he gets."
Valentine stands in the dining hall, by the entry way, waiting to greet us. "Jonathan, my son. It's splendid to finally meet you." He offers his hand to him, and Jonathan stares at it in astonishment.
"Not your son." He says, simply. "Knock it off, Vally Boy." There's a chorus of laughter at the nickname.
Vally Boy frowns. "You may call me Valentine, or you may call me father. Dad, even, if you'd like."
Jon scrunches his nose up, just like Clary does. "I like Vally Boy."
"No." he barks.
"It's Vally Boy or Valenslime. You're running out of options here, pal." Jonathan challenges.
The room goes silent, the way it did after Clary kicked Val's ass. Something about this family. They've got a death with. Valentine shakes his head, picking his battles. "Sebastian will not be joining us tonight. He's recovering from his punishment. Jonathan, you may take his seat. I will purchase a larger table before we next meet." He directs Jonathan to sit at the end of the table. Clary sits beside him at the corner, and I sit on the other side of her. Alec and Magnus steal the two remaining seats on this side of the table.
"I like this new guy." Magnus says. Alec nods in agreement.
"It's time for introductions, Children. Jonathan has not had the time to properly meet each one of you. State your names and a fact about yourself." Valentine says. "My name is Valentine Morgenstern, and I've created the family we have here today."
He looks at Maia. "Maia Kyle." She mutters. "I hate it here." Valentine tsks.
"Jordan Kyle. I kick ass at avoiding all of you. Maia is my wife."
"Isabelle Lightwood-Lewis. I spend my days demolishing the hearts of young men." Izzy smirks. She's joking, of course. She hasn't even looked at another guy since the day she met Simon.
"Simon Lewis. Married to Izzy. I like Star Wars." He smiles kindly.
"No shit." I mutter.
Jonathan sighs. "Jonathan Fray." He says dryly. "In my free time I make music and bad decisions." He says this with a straight face.
Clary remains silent beside me. "Clarissa?" Valentine presses.
"He already knows me." She says.
Valentine smiles at her, the way a real father would smile at his daughter. It's deceiving. "Play along."
"Clary Fray."
"Wayland." Valentine corrects her.
She sighs, staring into the plate that's just been placed in front of her. "Clary Wayland." She says, defeated. "I'm not a violent person, but if you're a mosquito, I will crush you." Jonathan chuckles, smiling affectionately at his sister.
"Jace Wayland." I reach for the alcohol that's been placed in front of me. "Drinking doesn't solve your problems, but it's worth a shot." Clary frowns as I take a big drink. Gin. Gross. I hate gin.
"Alec Lightwood. Socially inept." Short and sweet. I take another drink of gin. Clary sighs, watching me with concern in her eyes.
"Magnus Bane. Married to Alec. Glitter enthusiast."
We lapse again into silence, eating our food. Max smiles sadly at Alec and Izzy. Isabelle gets up to hug him, and Valentine is about to protest when she shoots him a look that says 'Don't fuck with me right now.' Alec gets up and wraps both of them in his arms, whispering something. It's the first time they've done this. My heart pangs, and I think of Celine. She's 14 now, and I can barely remember her face.
When they return to their seats, we continue our meal in silence. I reach for the gin again, and Clary puts her hand on mine. "Jace..."
I shrug her off. "It's fine." It burns going down, and does nothing to lessen the ache I've felt since Jonathan got here. I miss my sister.
Once our plates are cleared from the table, Valentine speaks. "It's time for our announcement." He says. "We were waiting to mention her, because Jonathan wasn't expected for a while, but Sebastian's disobedience has moved things along faster than we planned. Jonathan's wife will be here tomorrow, after Sebastian has healed a little. Her name is Aspen Addison."
"No." Jonathan barks. "Leave the poor girl alone." Clary grips his hand. I put my hand on her back, and she smiles weakly at me.
"I assure you, you will like her. She's very beautiful." Says Valentine.
Jon grits his teeth. "I don't care, Valenslime." Everyone laughs at the nickname, besides Valentine, who's not amused in the slightest. "I don't want to get married."
Valentine sighs. "I think we're done here." I quickly finish my drink before following the others out of the room. That's gonna hit me hard in a few minutes.
-Sebastian Verlac-
Earlier.
My hands are strapped to the wall, my face and bare chest pressed into the cold cement. The first time the whip cracks against my skin, I hear rather than feel it. The pain doesn't come for several more seconds. Once it hits me, I have to bite down on my lip to keep from making any noise. Show no weakness. It's worse if you cry.
Valentine lashes me again, leaving a deep mark on my back, forming an X with the first one. I remain silent, accepting my punishment. I deserve it, for what I did to Clary. He lashes me a 3rd and final time. I grit my teeth, holding back a groan. If I make a sound, he will whip me again. This is my punishment for bringing Jonathan early, though it's not my real crime. I'd do it again.
She'll never see it this way, but I did it as an apology. I am all kinds of fucked up, but I know what I did to her in the hallway was wrong. Valentine has raised me to be exactly like him. I am what he made me, but I don't want to be this person anymore. I want to be like Jonathan.
This is not the person I want to be.
Anyone else feeling bad for Sebby? He's all guilty and shit. This boy needs counseling.
Drunk Jace has returned!
Jonathan's wife is just going to be an original character, because I like it better than Kaelie or Aline. Sorry.
I'll see you all on Wednesday, and review!
-IWriteNaked