****Clary POV****
Sebastian has been gone for three days. Ever since the horses got sick he decided to go out. All he said before he left was the he was going to look for someone. Lilith didn't seem that worried. She almost look like she was waiting for something to happen. Seelie has remained quiet for the majority of the time. Lilith talked most of the time, but it was orders for me to do for her, like make sure her dress isn't dirty or make a fire or catch some food. At first I was just going to ignore her and make her do it, but she literally just sat there and made sure her nails and hair was pretty and it was starting rapidly get cold so I just decided to give in and do it.
On the second day I woke up to a terrible odor. It was like this hot, rancid, putrid odor that penetrated my senses and made me want to throw up. Soon after I woke up Seelie and Lilith did as well.
"Ewww! What Is that smell?!" That was one of the first times Seelie spoke and its just like I remembered it. Squeaky, high and annoying. She put her hand over her nose and breathed through her mouth, but even then she looked green. Lilith looked exactly the same.
My eyes went to the horses. At first I thought it was just their vomit. Their was a lot of it. But something was wrong with one of the horses. Its stomach was probably swollen but now it looked like it burst open. Blood, guts, bones, and this green red pus was spilling and oozing out everywhere. The sight was so revolting that I covered my mouth and threw up behind a bush.
"Oh by the ANGELS!" Lilith shrieked, "Clarissa, do something with it!"
""What do you want me to do!" I said hotly.
"Take care of it, peasant! Get it away from here!" Lilith screeched.
"Do not call me a peasant." I said dangerously. My fist shaking and so does a few bushes nearby started rustling and moving like it was caught by the wind. The only problem was there was no wind.
"Don't you talk to me like that! I am going to be your Queen once Sebastian asks me to marry him and puts a ring on my finger. Now I will not tell you again. Get over there and move that disgusting thing!" She screamed.
"No!" I growled, "Do it yourself."
Her face was splotchy red. Her eyes getting wide and dark, with her long fingers and nails curling in an out. She looked vicious. She kinda reminds me of the legend kids would learn when they're young to never do anything bad. It was the legend of the Queen of Hell. The Queen of Hell was actually named Lilith. Lilith isn't an uncommon name, but a lot of people don't like to use it because they think of it as a bad omen or because of the story.
The story went like this: The lovely and beautiful Lilith was once loved by the angel Raziel. He gave her everything she wanted. Clothes, jewelry, love, and power. Lilith loved power. She loved to rule over other, but being the Queen of the angels no she wanted more. One night when Raziel and Lilith had made love under the stars. Lilith went walking that night and a demon came to Lilith in the night but not just any demon. The prince of Hell. Asmodeus. He swept from the dark to carcass Lilith's cheek. She woke up with start.
"Do not fear me, my lady. I have come because you called to me." Asmodeus silky voice washed over Lilith.
"W-w-who are you?" Lilith stuttered, "I didn't call you."
"Your heart called to me. My lady Lilith, I am Asmodeus." His green-gold cat like eyes held Lilith's blue ones.
Lilith gasped, "The prince of Hell."
"Yes, lady. I am Ruler of Edom." He smiled, "I have come to you because your heart called called me. It called to me cause you are unhappy. But I. I can make you happy and give you everything you desire."
Lilith gasped, but this time it was because of excitement. Her eyes shined like the sun, "Oh can you really?!"
"Yes, lady." He said confidently.
"What shall I do?" She said eagerly.
He took her hands in his and looked at her with longing, "Marry me, my lady. Marry me and you will rule Edom and demons. Greater demons, and lesser demons alike. I can tell there is a longing inside of you to rule. And besides I can give you more than Raziel." He spit his name out like poison.
"Raziel has been very good to me." She concluded.
"But Raziel is not who you want. You have a darkness inside of you waiting you come out. All you have to do is marry me, lady Lilith." He said.
After a minute she nodded, "Yes, Asmodeus. I will marry you."
He smiled viciously, "Excellent. We have to seal the deal."
"With what?" She looked around.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Love."
She gasp and that night she gave herself to Asmodeus and as the deal was sealed she went to Edom with him and they ruled with evil.
That's exactly what I saw in Lilith now. Looking at her cold calculating eyes. Sebastian is making her Queen? Well it wouldn't be shocking. They are exactly the same. Lilith is like a Sebastian but only in girl form.
She growled in anger, "Once Sebastian comes back with his forces. I'm going to make him put you in chains. Your rotten little freak!"
I was about to retaliate when her words caught me. Forces? What Is she talking about!
"What? Forces! What do you mean?" I asked.
"Forces. Men. Soldiers. Do you know anything!?" She roles her eyes.
I looked Seelie, "Did you know about this!"
She nodded reluctantly, "Yes I knew."
"Why didn't you tell me!" I yelled.
Seelie's eyes held defiance, "I didn't have to tell you anything. You don't own me."
"I guess they do now." I sheered.
Seelie glared at me. There's the old Seelie I'm so used too.
"Well why is he getting reinforcements?" I put my hands on my hips.
"Because the horses. We can't got anywhere with them so Sebastian went to get some of his soldiers to bring horses and help us get to the Palace." Seelie said.
"How does he have reinforcements here? In the forest?" I asked.
Lilith laughed, "You naive girl. He has reinforcements everywhere." Lilith said.
That made me nervous. All this time I'm waiting for Jace and them to save me. Ever since that night I have realized how stupid it was of me to be so rash. I thought that that was the answer to it. Angels, my stupid self. That's why I'm scared to do almost ANYTHING like in those heroic movies when the person being rescued gets all brave and finds a way to leave at the exact same time the rescuer comes in the save them. But I don't want to be some stupid damsel in distress waiting for her knight and shining armor. But for now I have to do exactly that!
****Jace POV*****
I sigh loudly as I laid down. The stars looked so calm yet it feels like their racing across the sky. That's probably just my nerves. We're starting to more and more pieces of dress. I've kept all of them in my pocket. Now I have two pocket fulls. Its been at least two weeks, maybe more. I've lost count of the days since we started the search. I feel closer to getting her at any minute now. If it was just me I would have walked day and night but since the group forces me to have breaks I can't.
"Are you still awake?" Alec mumbled next to me.
"Yeah. I-i just can't sleep." I said honestly.
"Don't worry, man. We'll find her and when we find her you can kiss her and whatnot." Alec mumbled incoherently.
I chuckled. He has no idea what he's talking about, but its true. I would wrap her in a hug and never let her go. I can see it now. Her beautiful hair shining brighter than the sun. He eyes twinkling as her eyes meet mine. She runs to me in slow motion. I wrap my arms around her feeling her tiny body melding with mine. She smelled like strawberries. I sighed again.
"Jace, go to sleep. I can't dream about my precious Alexander with you sighing every minute. If you don't go to sleep I'll make you." Magnus threatened.
"Fine fine." I muttered and rolled over and went to sleep and hour later.
****TIME JUMP***
"We're about to run out of food." Simon said looking at our rations.
"We'll have to catch some food or if there's a small town nearby." Luke suggested.
"We haven't seen an animal running. Not even a bunny." Jon spoke up. He's been strangely quiet ever since we left. Maybe being away from his sister again has been getting to him.
"So we go into a town then?" Simon asked.
"I don't even if there's a town nearby." Alec said.
We were silent after that. All of us in our own thoughts. Like always my thoughts were surrounded by Clary. I have to concentrate.
About an hour of rigorous walking we came across a tiny village. It was smaller than Alicante and Alicante wasn't that big to begin with, but at least we'll have food.
"Finally. Let's go. I'm starving." Izzy said.
"You okay, Jocie?" I heard Luke say to Jocelyn.
"Just a little tired that's all." Jocelyn said.
I looked back at them. Jocelyn had her hand on Luke's shoulder. They were looking at each with so much opened love and trust. It made me feel ashamed for looking and intruding on their private time. Ever since I have known both Luke and Jocelyn they've always been professional together. Never showing much emotion, but now it feels almost alien for them to show this much all at once.
We walked in the village. Just like Alicante there were vendors trying to sell their products for a lesser price than the others. We went straight to the vendors that were selling food. Since we didn't have much money we started bargaining. Turns out Jocelyn was a good negotiator. I guess being Queen and having a pretty face does have its perks.
We were at out last vendor that was selling vegetables. Jocelyn was bargaining with him while the vendor, a balding stocky man, was certainly infatuated with her. Staring at with lovestruck eyes with Luke was glaring at the man behind his crooked glasses. It was actually kinda funny to see him like this. Izzy, Jon, and Magnus surely thought I was funny. They were hiding their laughter behind their hands.
Out of the bargaining we got ample amounts of corn, carrots, lettuce, tomatos, peas, greens, and squash. It was kinda hard to carry all of the stuff. Out of all the vendors we went to we got meats, vegetables, fruits, grains like bread, and dairy like cheese and milk.
"Are we done yet." Simon said exhausted.
"Yeah, we're done." Like grumbled. I have a feeling he's still mad at the vendors.
I heard Jocelyn giggling. Her sounds just like Clary's.
We walked out of the village and that's when it happened. We were ambushed. They came out of nowhere. Two big battling men grabbed me. I heard a scream. I dropped the food and started fighting. Throwing random punches, and one of them actually connected with a jaw. I heard a growl and felt punches come at me in my stomach, face, almost everywhere my body started aching. I feel to the ground with a umph. I looked around. Jon was still trying to fight but was rapidly losing.
"Get off of me!" Izzy struggled.
"That won't be necessary." The voice. It haunts my dreams.
Sebastian stood in front of me, a violent smile pierced his face that made him look like Lucifer himself.
"I thought you'd be dead." He tsks and shakes his head.
"Scared of a competition." I growled.
He cocked his head at one of the men holding. I felt a sudden flare of pain on my left eye.
"Leave him alone." Alec growled.
"What exactly are you going to do?" Sebastian's dark eyes narrowed at Alec.
"What's going on." Simon questioned.
He's eyes skirted to Simon, amusement in his eyes, "Rat boy. It's been a while since we've formally talked."
Simon growled, his face red, "I'd never talked to you."
"No, you we're all around my sister. You know for while I thought you two were courting." He chuckled at the thought.
Where is Clary?
"Where is Clary?" I asked.
"You will know in due time." He said.
Then his eyes saw Jocelyn. His face contorts in a mixture of feelings, but mostly anger, confusion, and disbelief. He walked slowly to her and leaned down where the men were holding her.
"Mother?" His voice sounds alien as he said such a word.
Jocelyn's face looked terrified but in her eyes I saw fear and a little but of love.
"Hello Sebastian." She choked.
His dark eyes held bitterness when he stood up, "My father told me you were dead. He also said you were a lying cow. I guess he was right in the last one." His cold voice washed over me.
Jon growled and tried to break free. No hope.
"Shit." He spat.
"Ahh you've been hiding something else from me haven't you, Mother." He walked over to Jon, "My own brother, my own twin."
"H-h-how did you know." Jocelyn stuttered.
"I know my brother when I see him. My father also told me he was a stillborn. I guess you hid that from me too." He almost sounded hurt.
"If I told Valentine he was still alive he wouldn't have wanted him." Jocelyn whimpered.
"You always lie, Mother." He sighs, "Come on boys. We're going to have to use the horses to get them back to camp."
The men roughly pulled us up, handcuffed us and put us on their trusty steeds. None of us fought them much this time. By the time it was ready for us my left eye was almost completely swollen. They rode us fast out of the village, taking our food with them. They rode the horse vigorously that I rarely got to see my surrounding. All I saw was green blurred trees and overgrowth. It would take us days to walk the miles they rode. It only took them a few hours tops.
When we got to their camp it was almost sundown. Can you believe that when we came to the camp the first thing I saw and heard was arguing. There she was. Clary. She looked fierce, her once beautiful dress torn as she yelled at Sebastian's lover and Seelie.
The second thing the caught my eyes was a smell. It was a putrid rotten smell. I looked around and saw horses. Their guts busted and reeking with puss and blood.
I heard Sebastian sigh as he looked at the scene.
"That's what you are! A filthy slimy peasant! No wonder Seelie chose you over me." Sebastian's lover laughed hideously.
"I chose you because she stole my soon to be husband, Jace." Seelie glared at Clary.
"Jace doesn't even want you. Get that through your tiny miniscule brain, Ohh, my bad, you brain probably can't handle that much information." Clary stared menacingly at both of them.
Seelie was about to open her mouth when Sebastian spoke up, " I hate to intrude on this picture, but your fights are beyond pointless."
All three looked at of them looked towards us. Sebastian's lover looked irritated. Seelie put on a smile and stared at with lustful eyes. Clary. Clary looked at all of us in turn, her mouth open in awe and in fear, and her eyes watering as she saw me. She stood frozen as Sebastian's soldiers started pulling us off of the horses. The minute my feet hit the ground Clary came running to me, and she slammed into me with more power then I would think a little person would have. That much power also aggravated my bruises, but I could care less. All I cared about was Clary hugging me in this moment.
"Ohh, by the angels, Jace! What happened to you!? Oh, your eye is swollen! How did it get like that?! Are you hurt anywhere else? Why are all you guys here! Oh, Raziel!" She spoke in a rush.
"Do not worry dear sister." Sebastian put her hand on her shoulder, but she roughly pushed it away.
"What did you DO! I thought we made a deal that night." She went from crying to angry. Her face red with anger.
"I did what I had to do. Once we get to the Palace, they will go to jail and will be tried for their crimes against the late King Valentine and the present King me." He chuckled darkly.
"You monster! You should be tried for YOUR crimes." She screamed.
Sebastian instantly raised his hand in the air, ready to strike. I tried to break free of my restraints. Again, no luck. Sebastian composed himself and lowered his hands. Clary was still the whole time, just waiting for it, expecting it.
He turned towards his soldiers, "Take those dead animals and put them somewhere else. I don't want to see or smell them. Got it?"
"Yes, your highness!" They exclaimed.
Three soldiers took each horse and started luging the dead horses away. The soldiers that were holding us sat us by a fire, keeping the handcuffs on us.
"Are you okay, Jace?" Seelie sat down next to me and put a hand on my swollen eye.
I moved away from her hand before it could even touch me. She lost my trust and my respect.
She sigh, "I know your mad at me, but I did it for us."
I scoffed, "You did it for yourself, because you couldn't take the face that someone is better than you."
She glared at Clary, "She isn't nothing but a castle whore."
My anger spiked. I opened my mouth to speak but Izzy beat me to it, "How can you say that! You were as much a whore as I was the best chef in the world."
"Your food is terrible, Izzy." Alec smiled apologetically.
"I know, stupid. I'm trying to say that what you did was stupid, immature, and selfish."
Seelie held up her chin, "I know what I did and I don't feel sorry for doing it!" She exclaimed.
"You don't owe them anything, Seelie." The other girl, Sebastian's lover said.
"Uhh who exactly are you." Izzy narrowed her eyes.
"I am Lilith, soon to be Queen of Idris." She announced.
"Great, another wackado on the throne." Simon muttered.
Lilith snapped her finger and a soldier came and hit Simon on the head. He grunted loudly.
"Simon!" Izzy cried.
"Don't cross me, little boy. I can have you dead in a instant." She threatened.
Sebastian came with Clary in tow, his hand wrapped tightly around her upper arm. That's when he saw Malachi.
"Malachi, what a surprise." Sebastian sneered.
"Your highness." He nodded.
"So you changed sides. The losing sides. You do know what this means for you." He glared.
"I had to protect Clarissa. She's like the daughter I lost." He lowered his head. In sadness or shame I didn't know at the time.
Sebastian ignored him and started calling out instructions to the soldiers. Two of them went through the food and started cooking it. It looked like some meat, tomato's, and some potatoes. I have a feeling it wasn't going to be good.
"You had a daughter, Malachi?" Luke asked.
He nodded sadly, "Yes I did. She was a beautiful little child."
"What was her name?" Asked Jon.
"Her name was Maureen, after her mother." He smiled sadly at the thought.
There was a deep silence as everyone looked at Jon. He was ashen white.
"Your daughter was Maureen?" He said silently.
"Yes." He looked at everyone, then back at Jon, a spark in his eyes, "Do you know her? Where is she!? Where is my daughter!?" He said frantically that the guards took notice.
"Y-yes I did know her. I am sorry, Malachi, but i-i lost her. I tried my best to save her." He said quietly.
Malachi's face showed sorrow that no one could fake, and after that he didn't talk for the rest of the night.
****TIME JUMP****
"This is all my fault!" Clary thought.
It's all my fault they're here suffering. Simon has a nasty knot on his head, Jace ha a swollen eye and probably more under his clothes. They all probably has some sort of bruise. Either emotionally, physically, or mentally, it's my fault.
Since we have the horses we made it to the Idris in a day and a half, but SebastianH didn't want any of the civilians to know so we took a sneak entrance to the Palace.
I haven't seen the Palace in over a year. Back then it always looked cold and gloomy to me. It still does, but it also had beauty to it as well. With its bleach white walls stretching to the sky as if reaching to the heavens above.
We made it inside of the Castle with little trouble. It looked the same as when I left except more colder. I heard a gasp from behind me.
"Take them to the dungeons. I will see to them in a few days." Sebastian ordered.
"Wait! No! You can't do that!" I screamed.
His cold eyes searched mine, "I can and I will."
"No! You can't!"
"Guards, take her to her room." He said.
Three guards grabbed me and picked me up.
"Let go of her!" Jace roared.
It was chaos as the guys try to break free. More soldiers came to contain them as they took me away and locked me in my room.
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