Hi all, I'm so sorry I haven't updated this story for so long. I have just been feeling so uninspired and I've had so much work piled on me that its just been so hard to write anything. I hope everyone is doing good, what with all the craziness that is going on in the world at the moment!
Anyway, I'm back and updates should be coming more regularly now as I have a bit more free time. Also, thank you so much to all of the people who have left reviews and actually taken the time to give my story a chance, it means so much to me!
I hope you enjoy x
Chapter 2
Be yourself
The mountains surrounding the town of Idris were covered in thick blankets of snow as winter rolled in. The low winter sun peaking through the gaps between the hills, streaming down over the town and providing the villagers with the slightest bit of warmth.
Clary wrapped her cloak further around herself, pushing strands of her fiery hair behind her ears as her horse trotted onwards towards the castle. She loved riding her horse into the depths of the small town, supporting villagers and helping a few of them out with the chores she was unable to do at the castle. She loved the freedom of being able to buy and do whatever she wished, but no matter where she tried to hide within the city, the castle was always there, looming over and blocking out whatever sunlight was entering the town.
Her father had strict rules that had to be followed, and the most important one's were to be home before dark and to never,under no circumstances, ever leave the city walls. She was respectful of these wishes because she'd heard the stories from the outside world. She had heard of the creatures that lurked outside: the creatures that lurked in the dark, the ones that had taken her mother when she and Jonathan were just children. And quite frankly she didn't want to die just yet.
Her horse halted as they finally reached the gates to the castle and Clary dismounted, landing smoothly on the gravel beneath her. She pulled the hood of her emerald cloak down, revealing her face so that the guards would allow her entry as she handed her horse over to the stableboy, Alec.
The ginormous steel gates were heaved open by two of Valentine's slaves and she entered the grounds, deciding to go for a stroll through the gardens rather than having to face her father any sooner.
"Oi!" a males voice came out of the darkness so she quickly put her hand around the knife hidden against her thigh, readying herself to attack if necessary, but as she looked around for the source of the mysterious male's voice, she saw a flash of gold and the knife was tugged out of her hand as she tripped, falling to the ground. She was about to call for help but the culprit quickly appeared.
There he stood… the golden boy. A smug grin spread across his face as he ran a finger along her blade. "I don't believe we have been properly introduced, princess," his smirk caused an old cut to reopen on his lip causing blood to dribble out of it as he held out his hand out, "Jace."
She looked at his hand and then into his golden eyes before pulling herself up from the ground and brushing herself off. "No need to be rude, princess. It's only fair that you introduce yourself."
"My father doesn't like me speaking to slaves," she turned on her heel, blushing as Jace stared at her, his eyes bearing into her as though he was examining her… trying to get into the depths of her mind. "I'd better get going."
"Do you always obey your father's rules? Why don't you try and live a little, be yourself. I thought you were like that, you know after you shouted at him the other night."
Jace chuckled to himself, watching as she walked away from him slowly and then suddenly stopped. She turned back around, looking at him thoughtfully.
"Clary," she said, holding her hand out, causing him to hesitate before shaking it. She couldn't help but notice that his hands were rough, skin peeling of them and dirt buried under his nails, "it's nice to meet you."
"You too, Clary." Jace said, looking into her eyes as he continued to hold her hand.