Hi everyone! I hope everyone's new year is going well. Thank you for the kind words in the reviews. I greatly appreciate your understanding as I work through some personal issues. With that being said, it turns out I have mono. I am so exhausted that it really makes it difficult to do anything at all. I really just had to get this updated!

Since we have a long weekend, I'm going to try to update again this weekend. Now this chapter, it's not the longest, and it certainly isn't pretty. Just know the next one is coming soon!

Please continue to review this story! They truly motivate me to update this story faster, and I really love hearing what you guys think! They truly make my day.

So, finally, onto the chapter!

As always, Read, enjoy, and (pleaseeeee) REVIEW!

Disclaimer: All the characters in this belong to Cassandra Clare and all the songs listed belong to their respective artists, producers, writers, etc.

Songs in the Chapter:

Laying in bed: "From Eden" By Hozier

Clary in the mirror at her fitting/talk with Celine: "Lost" By Emilt Afton

Jace's office: "FAME" By Mikky Ekko

Chapter 13.

When Clary woke up, for the second time that day, it was much lighter outside. She looked at the clock, which read 10:00am. That might have been the latest she slept since arriving in Idris. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she noticed the beautiful day outside. There wasn't a cloud in sight. Just a beautiful, bright, blue sky.

Clary closed her eyes and felt a light breeze blow in through the slightly open window. She heard the birds chirping a melodious late morning song. She took a deep breath and smiled to herself. Wow, I love my life, she thought to herself.

As she rolled over, she opened her eyes. They immediately landed on a pair of shining, tawny-gold eyes, staring right back at her.

"Good morning, Angel." Jace said softly, as he ran his fingers through her hair. Clary smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

"Good morning." She said with her eyes still closed from their kiss. Jace's hand fell from her hair to her arm, tracing soft shapes under the strap of the tank top she put on earlier that morning.

"Sleep well?" He grinned, and Clary, as usual, blushed.

"Like a sack of potatoes, actually. Thanks for asking." She playfully pushed his shoulder, and Jace snickered. "So," Clary continued, "Do I have you all to myself today? Or do I have to find someone else to entertain me?" She asked him mischievously.

Jace paled, and replied, "Geez woman. The things your innuendos do to me." He shook his head jokingly. "Anyways, I'm yours today. Except… a little teensy tiny thing. We have to get fitted for our charity gala attire. Which will be our first official royal debut as a couple." He lifted her hand and kissed it softly, again, making her blush.

"Oh right. Another one of your tedious duties… Getting tailor-made luxury suits and ballgowns for fancy events." She giggled softly. "I'm just kidding. That sounds like fun. I'm excited to see what we're wearing. Thank you for inviting me to be your date."

"Oh please. You know you're more than a 'date.'" He replied. Clary smiled softly and pushed the hair out of his face.

"I love you, Jace Herondale."

"And I, you, Clary Fray. Now, go get in the shower while I make my beautiful girlfriend breakfast." He softly grabbed the side of her face and kissed the top of her head, before he threw the soft, white covers off of him and padded out of the bedroom.

Clary bit her lip as he walked away, admiring how the simple red plaid pajama pants rested on his butt, and how his golden, shirtless back muscles looked as he walked.

Just as she heard him reach the kitchen, she called out in a sultry voice, "You're going to let your beautiful girlfriend shower by herself?"

She smiled to herself as she got up wearing just a tank top and underwear. She paused after her feet touched the soft, white carpet, when she heard a plastic bowl drop in the kitchen. She giggled to herself before walking into the modern stone and glass bathroom and turning on the hot water.

Immediately after she turned the water on, she noticed Jace leaning against the bathroom doorway with his arms crossed, with a genuine smile on his face as he watched her take two towels off of the towel shelf.

"God, I love you," Jace said, more to himself than out loud to Clary. Clary smiled, looping her arms around his waist after she walked over to him.

"Hurry up before the water gets cold, babe." Jace opened his mouth to reply, and Clary quickly cut him off, saying "If you make a joke about how you'll 'keep it hot,' you will be showering by yourself."

Jace laughed, and did the "zipper on the lips" motion, as they undressed and stepped into the steamy shower.

He might have been about to make a bad joke about hot water, but suffice it to say Clary wasn't the least bit cold in this shower.

"Ready… andddddd… Open!" Clary opened her eyes and gasped as she looked in the mirror.

"Magnus… You… I-" Clary fumbled for words. Magnus smiled softly to himself.

"You don't have to say anything at all, dear. You look beautiful, Biscuit."

Clary was speechless looking at herself in the mirror. Her and Jace were in separate rooms, getting fitted for their charity gala formalwear. She was wearing a deep black dress, with a halter neckline, leaving her smooth shoulders visible. The back was entirely open, showing her flawless, porcelain, freckled skin. The dress was long, perfectly hemmed to show just a glimmer of her gold strappy heels. She wore dangling gold earrings, with little emerald gems where the stud was. She had gold bangles for bracelets, and her hair was piled on her head in a messy bun.

Her green eyes glimmered as she admired Magnus's handiwork. There was no question why he ran a global fashion empire. This man had magic.

"Thank you, Magnus. You did an amazing job, as always." Magnus laughed, and replied,

"Of course, my darling. You're too kind. Now," and he snapped his fingers impatiently, "Let's get you out of that dress. I need it to be steamed and perfected for this week." Clary nodded obediently and allowed Magnus's assistants to begin removing the pieces of the outfit.

After she was dressed back in her dark jeans and green t-shirt, there was a knock on her dressing room.

"Come in!" She yelled, as she finished tying her brown boots. She looked up to see Celine Herondale peek in. Clary immediately flushed, and stood up.

"Oh my- Hello, your Majesty." Celine waved her hand, dismissing the gesture.

"Please, Clary. Call me Celine. No need for formalities, dear." Clary nodded, as Celine walked over and sat down next to her on the bench. Clary's heart was pounding against her rib cage, thinking of reasons she might be in trouble with the Queen.

In Clary's month at the palace, she and Celine had gotten to know each other rather well. She ate dinner with the King and Queen almost ever night, and spent a decent amount of time with them, and Jace. But, she was still quite intimidated by the Queen in all her regal beauty.

"So, Clary, dear. I'm sure you looked beautiful in your ballgown for Wednesday. I'm so excited you'll be accompanying us this year." Celine smiled softly at Clary, which calmed Clary's nerves.

"I'm so excited, too. I really cannot thank you enough for all your hospitality. I never imagined a place as beautiful as Idris actually existed."

"Ah, I certainly agree with you. This country is indeed spectacular. I don't mean to intrude on your plans today. Jace mentioned to me that he wanted the day to spend with you. I just wanted to check in on you. You're doing alright here? I know it's been a month, and a lovely month having you here. But, as a daughter who left her family's home when I was your age to move into the castle, I understand it might be difficult sometimes."

"You left your family?" Clary asked the Queen, who nodded and explained,

"Yes. When I was 20 years old, I met Stephen at a charity ball. Sounds like Cinderella, I know. But anyways, after about 6 months of courting me at public events and doing press tours, he asked me to marry him and move into the palace. I knew I would say yes, and I never had any doubts about our love. But, that doesn't mean that I didn't greatly miss my family and friends at home. I grew up in Idris, but in the countryside. My mother and father were both well-respected members of the community. They are leaders of the agricultural department of Idris, but they never saw the appeal of living in the downtown city. So, I grew up at our manor in the countryside. I had the most wonderful childhood, for which I'm so grateful for. However, it just made the transition to the royal palace a little… trying."

"Wow, Your Maj- I mean, Celine. I never knew any of that."

"And most people don't. Most people don't remember any of us before the titles were bestowed upon us. But, enough about me. You're doing okay? You must know, I am always here for you, my dear. I already consider you a daughter."

Clary saw the honesty and warmth in Celine's golden eyes. Clary smiled to herself, saying,

"That means so much to me, Celine. It really does. But yes, I'm doing more than fine. Honestly, it was difficult at first, adjusting to being away from home. But everyone here has been incredibly welcoming. I already feel like this is my home. I absolutely adore Idris University. It's really offering me such a unique experience to develop my artistic style. And well, is it weird if I talk about Jace?"

"No, not at all, dear. I'm ecstatic to hear about your art, as well." Clary smiled, and continued,

"Thank you. Well, I guess I don't exactly know how to articulate what I feel about him but, suffice it to say I'm completely in love with him. He is everything I wanted and more. He makes me feel so… so special, you know? It feels like we were made for each other. I know I probably sound so silly, such typical puppy-love-"

"Not at all, dear." Celine interjected softly.

"But this just feels so REAL. Realer than anything I've ever known." Clary smiled wistfully, and a few seconds later, noticed Celine was holding her hand.

"You're such a beautiful person, Clary. I'm so grateful Jace has someone like you in his life. I couldn't have wished for a more perfect lady for him." Clary blushed, and thanked her.

After Clary's conversation with Celine, she went back to her room to grab her sketchbook before heading to Jace's room. Their plan was to lay in the family room all day watching Star Wars movies and reading. Clary was a major bookworm, and she quickly learned that Jace was, too. That made her fall even more in love with him. He was very intelligent and book smart, but he also was well-versed in classic literature and often enjoyed the same books as Clary. When they weren't doing schoolwork in the family room, they liked to read their own books in the library, sitting on the soft, red couches by the grand fireplace.

Clary was on her way to Jace's room around noon, when she heard yelling come from inside. She didn't want to disturb him, so she simply just listened to the voice behind the door.

She couldn't make out the words, but she recognized it was just Jace's voice. He must be on the phone, she thought. She get make out the clear rage in his voice. She'd never heard him that angry before. And she believed she was mistaken, but Clary could've sworn she heard a tinge of fear in his voice. Her stomach did a flip-flop, and she felt her heart squeeze at hearing him so distressed. She raised her hand to knock, but before she could, the door open and Jace stood on the other side.

As she opened her mouth to speak, she looked at his face. He was as pale, sickly green shade of white. He wore an expression of someone who just witnessed their entire world collapse in front of them. She looked at the hand that was not holding the doorknob, and she noticed he was shaking.

"Jace-" Clary reached out to touch his hand, but he violently jerked his hand back, as if she was a poisonous spider. She felt as if he'd slapped her.

"Sorry, Clary. I can't talk right now. I- I'll be back." And with that, with not another confusing glance at her, he pulled the door shut behind him and hurriedly walked to the elevator at the end of the hallway, leaving Clary alone, gaping after him in front of his door. She knew better than to follow him.

"Clary? What are you doing out here?" Said a voice from the entry way to the garden in the courtyard of the castle. After Jace had stormed out, she needed some fresh air. But for some reason, she couldn't shake the gut-wrenching feeling of dread.

She looked up to see Isabelle, who sat down next to her on the stone bench. Clary sighed, saying,

"I needed some air. I think- Well, something is wrong with Jace." Isabelle frowned at this.

"What do you mean? I saw him this morning. He seemed happy as a clam when I talked to him. Ew, I can't believe I just used that cliche in an actual conversation." Clary couldn't bring herself to laugh.

"He was fine this morning. But, just now, I heard him yelling at someone on the phone in his room. And then, when he opened the door, he looked ill. And then he just told me he couldn't talk, and walked away." Clary purposely left out the part where he rejected her touch. That piece hurt too much to say out loud.

Isabelle crossed her arms, with a puzzled look on her face. "Hmm. I don't know. I haven't heard anything from Alec, and Alec is his best friend, so he'll be the first to know. But I'm sure it's just a political meeting gone awry. He gets easily frustrated with Kingdom-business." When Isabelle looked at Clary, and saw how little her words had done to comfort the smaller red-haired girl, she continued, "Try not to worry, Clary. Jace loves you and I'm sure he'll tell you whatever it is soon. He's been so different with you here. It's like you brought out a side of him that's been dormant for his entire life. He's always been very charming and kind, but, now, it's like he's opened up. He has less to carry on his own, and he doesn't close his true self off from others anymore. You're so good for him, Clary. He knows that. Trust me."

At Isabelle's words, Clary's eyes filled up. She loved him so much that she couldn't breathe without him. She just didn't know a world without him anymore. And she didn't want to.

As Clary sat sketching in the library window, she got a text.

Hey. I'm sorry for earlier. Can u meet me in my office? Michael will let you in.

Clary had never been in the Prince's office before. She'd been in the throne room for a few public interviews and had seen the ballroom, but she stayed out of the Council room and the Royal Family's offices. It was restricted access required to get into that wing of the castle, anyways.

Are u sure I'm allowed in there?

Of course. Michael will let u in.

Kk. I'll head down now.

Ok.

Clary had her heart in her throat as she locked her phone and made her way to the elevator. If she thought she had a feeling of dread earlier, that feeling multiplied one-hundred fold on her way down.

"Jace?" Clary knocked softly on the cherry wood door before peeking into the office. It was regal, entirely fit for a prince. With wooden walls and an intricate design on the ceiling, the shadows of the grand fireplace danced on the walls. There were brown leather couches around the fireplace. Clary looked to her right, and saw his grand wooden desk, with a brown leather chair in which Jace was sitting. Her fingers itched to sketch him behind his desk. He looked so… Royal.

She admired the great portrait on the walls. It was of Jace and his parents, all in their Royal Wear in the throne room. Her heart squeezed at the mischievous glint in Jace's eyes that the artist had managed to capture.

"Hey Clary, come in." Because she knew him better than she knew herself, she could hear the almost imperceptible weariness and pain at the edge of his voice.

She entered and leaned against the back of the couch, facing Jace, who had come around the desk and was resting his hands on the front of it. She just stared at him, not saying a word. They both knew he had some explaining to do.

He took a deep breath, and began. "I'm sorry for running out earlier. I was… stressed. About a particular meeting with a foreign royal. But it's handled now." He looked up at her, for the first time since he'd started talking. He quickly looked away, almost as if he was afraid to let Clary see his eyes. Or that he couldn't bring himself to look at her. She ached to reach for him, to touch him, to tell him she loved him.

"Jace, what is it? What's wrong? I'm here for you, whatever you need." He took a deep breath, and brought his dark golden eyes to hers. For the first time since she met him, there was absolutely no light in them. In fact, there was nothing.

"Clary. I think you should go home."

And when he spoke, his words cut into Clary like a million little knives. Her blood ran cold simply at the tone of his voice.

"What?" She choked out.

"I think you should go home. Things between us… aren't working for me anymore. I don't want to be in a relationship."

"Jace, I don't understand. What is going on?"

He ran his hands through his hair, exasperated. "God, Clary! Why do you have to be so difficult! What's going on is that I don't love you anymore." With one simple sentence, Jace had ripped her heart out and threw it on the floor.

As she looked at him, she saw the moonlight reflect off his golden hair. She saw his golden skin, as perfect as ever, lead into his white collared shirt. She watched his chest rise and fall, while her own lungs felt on fire. She gripped into the back of the couch so tightly that her knuckles were white. She tried to ground herself in the feeling of her feet on the floor, but it wouldn't work.

"I don't believe you." She said to him, surprising herself with how steady her voice was.

"Clary, it's true. I'm sorry, but it's over. I'll pay for your flight home and make sure Michael gathers all your belongings."

Fumbling for her next words, she said, "J-Jace, can't we just talk about this? Please?" The last word came out absolutely raw. She was begging. She never begged.

He gave no reply. He just sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. She saw absolutely no remorse in his face. Just exasperation. And Clary could've sworn she saw pain or anger.

"That's it? Are you freaking KIDDING ME Jace? You're just going stand there, after ripping my heart out? Are you that much of a coward?!"

"I'm sorry." He said, his voice completely devoid of emotion.

"You're 'sorry'? Just 'sorry'? WHY?" She practically begged him with the one word for an explanation. So many questions in one word. What went wrong? Was it me? Why now? Is there someone else? Did you ever love me?

"Shit, Clary, don't make this harder than it has to be. I don't love you. Please, just go home. A car can take you to the airport now."

Clary gave a snort. "How considerate of you." She said, her voice dripping in sarcasm. After a second, she finally dawned upon the worst possible conclusion.

"I'll leave. Just- Just answer one question first."

Jace agreed with a slight nod and making eye contact.

"Is this-" Her voice was shaking. She already tasted the vomit in the back of her throat as she started the question. "Is this because we had sex? You got-You got what you wanted, so now it's over?" She forced herself to look through her own glassy eyes to Jace's blank ones.

He looked as if he was pained, as if he wanted to say something, to deny it. But maybe that was just Clary being wishful. He said 1,000 words by simply looking at the floor and saying nothing at all.

With that, Clary quickly walked out the room. She half expected him to call after her, but he never did.

She quickly ran up the back staircase to her room, and started grabbing her essentials into her familiar black backpack. Once she had her bag packed, she put on her green jacket and boots and shut the bedroom door behind her.

Unable to face anyone else, she went into the kitchen to use the kitchen exit. When she felt the cool autumn air on her face, and the unforgiving concrete under her feet as she walked, she finally allowed the tears to fall.

She didn't know where she was going. She didn't know how she was getting home. She had her credit cards, but she knew she couldn't walk to the airport by herself.

All she knew in that moment is that she was walking. She couldn't bear to think of anything else.

Back in the palace, there was a great commotion coming from the Prince's office. Michael Wayland came running,

"Your Highness! What is going on in here?" Michael Wayland never got an answer. He looked on, with great sadness, as Jace threw every breakable object at the fireplace wall.

Michael walked in and shut the door behind him.

"Jace. Stop Stop!." Jace paused mid-throw, and looked and Michael. Jace's cheeks were stained with tears, his eyes were agonized, as he was trembling all over.

"Oh poor child." Michael walked over and embraced him. Michael was significantly taller than Jace, so much so that he only came up to his nose. Jace looked like a small child. As Michael enveloped him in his arms, Jace dropped the small glass figurine he was about to throw, and hugged him back, sobbing into his arms.

Clary finally made it down the pathway to the edge of the downtown area of the glass city. It was still so beautiful, she thought. That was the last thing she thought of before she felt a searing pain in the back of the head, and everything went black.