.

Previously:

I pressed my lips to his. Slowly I pulled back. Jace still had that dumbstruck look. Then it softened. He leaned forward to kiss me again. I smiled against his lips. It worked.

We leaned our foreheads against each other. "I love you, Clary," he whispered.

"I love you too."

Chapter 16

Sparks, Love and Surprises

(Jace's pov)

You know how people say when they kiss they true love that sparks fly? I always thought that was just a bunch of rubbish, but now I see it. Or feel it, more like.

All I remember when I was under the Queens spell was that I was in some sort of haze. Like I didn't realize what I was doing, or why I was doing it. All the sudden I awoke from my day dream and someone's lips were on mine. I opened my eyes slightly to see. . . Clary?

Then it all came pouring back to me. This is the girl who I thought about even after she beat me up and mugged me. The girl who helped me run away from my death. The girl with hair like fire that matched her personality. With her bright green eyes full of life.

After sitting there in shock for a second, she pulled back, disappointed about something. I couldn't let her get away. So I leaned forward and connected our lips again. She smiled against my lips as sparks flew and electricity sizzled between us.

Finally breaking the kiss, we leaned our foreheads against each others and enjoyed the silence. I broke it to speak the words that have been on the tip of my tongue. "I love you, Clary."

Afraid she wouldn't say it back, I avoided her eyes. But then she did. "I love you too." I finally looked into her eyes in surprise. Then sobered and smiled from ear to ear. Right then, the door slammed open. We whipped our heads towards the commotion. All of Clary's friends came pouring into the room. "Were you eavesdropping?" she yelled at them.

"Guilty as charged!" the tall girl with long black hair said- I forget her name.

I guess they deemed me not a threat anymore, because all the guys came to untie me from the chair. Which I was very grateful for. I rubbed at my wrist. Then the guy who looked a lot like the girl who just talked said to me in a menacing voice, "If you ever hurt her, I swear you'll never see the light of day again." I swallowed. I've seen what these people could do.

Beside me, Clary laughed. She hugged me tight, which I gladly returned. She groaned into my chest. "My life is officially a fairy tale."

I laughed and we released each other from our grips. "Okay, will someone please tell me what is happening?!"

"Well, the Queen gave you a love potion. You were about to be married to her today," Clary explains. My face turns into disgust. Marry her?

"So you came all the way to the castle to save me?"

"Er, sort of," she started slowly. "We had some, um, business to do there and thought it would be a good idea to bring you back with us. Then we found out you had that spell on you. Our last idea was for me to kiss you. And it worked! So, yeah."

After that, everyone started talking rapidly and loudly about the days events or something. Clary tugged on my hand. "Come on. Let's go somewhere more private." She led us to a door at the end of a hallway. She looked nervous about something. "Wait here for a sec." She disappeared through the door and came back out looking relieved. "Okay, come in."

We entered her room. The room was simple: a bed in the center of the room, night stand, dresser, and a vanity. She sat on the bed, I moved to sit in front of her. We smiled at each other and talked about random things. After an more than an hour, I knew so much more about her. Suddenly, I just couldn't take sitting here. I crashed my lips into hers.

She stumbled backward from the sudden force, but didn't fight the kiss. I let my hand rest on her waist. She jerked back in pain. "Are you okay?" I asked frantically.

"Fine. I kind of got stabbed earlier," she said casually.

"Goodness. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

She placed her index finger over my lips. "Jace, it's okay. Really." I breathed a sigh of relief. No longer wanting to hurt her any further, I laid back onto the bed pulling Clary with me. Also being careful that I didn't touch her injury. I wrapped my hand around her waist, as she buried her head into my neck and placed a hand over my chest.

A few minutes of silence and heavy breathing passed. Then Clary spoke, "aren't you tired?"

I looked down at her. "I've never been more awake."

But eventually, they both fell into a dreamless sleep, enjoying each others warmth.

(third person pov)

Back at the castle, the Queen was an enraged mess while Sebastian was better at hiding his anger. So the girl had figured out what he was up to. And she told her little friends about his plans also. That would have to change. Sebastian set off to the gate of the castle, to end some unfinished business.

The Queen was outraged that another man in her life had disappeared. Well, the first one was on purpose. But nevertheless, she was single once again. This reminded her of something.

"The beast," she whispered to herself before storming to the library to talk to a certain mirror.

(Clary's pov)

When I awoke there was still darkness spilling through the windows. I looked up to see Jace sleeping soundfully. I blushed when I felt that his hands were still around me. I could hear noise coming from outside, so it must not be late enough for everyone to be asleep. I removed myself from Jace's grip and quietly snuck out of the room.

In the kitchen, the others were, apparently, eating a late dinner. Everyone looked at me upon entering the room. We were all silent, no one knew what to say. Jocelyn finally spoke up, "how are you feeling, Clary?"

I looked over at her and smiled slightly. "Definitely better." And I meant it. The pain in my side has reduced to dull throb. I sat at the table awkwardly. I wondered what they thought of Jace and I? Did they still think of Jace as a criminal that needs to be locked up? If they don't approve, then I'll run off with Jace. There, a simple plan.

"Clary!" Alec said waving his hand in front of my face.

He must have been trying to talk to me. I looked down at the table. "Sorry."

"Look, were all just trying to adjust to you and him. It's definitely going to take some time for us to get use to it. But we were talking about it, and we one hundred percent approve of your choice of love," Alec said.

I breath out a sigh of relief. "Really?"

He nodded, but this time Max talked. "Really. We would never try to break apart two people who love each other."

"Besides," Izzy spoke. "If we did try to separate you two, you would probably just go run away together. I know how you think." She gave me a pointed look. I smiled, she does know me.

I grabbed Simon's hand that was laying on the table. "Thanks guys. It really means a lot." I stood up from the table. "I'm going to go get some fresh air."

They nodded and let me go. On my way outside, I grabbed the dagger and sword from my parents. I learned a long time ago to not go any where without your weapons. But I mostly just wanted to look at them. I sat with my back against a tree and examined my fathers dagger. The sharp thin blade was about a foot long. The hilt fit perfectly in my hands. It was covered in green intricate swirls that made me dizzy trying to follow one line.

My face reflected back at me in the blade. My eyes were bright and full of determination. I was no longer a little girl scared of the Queen, who wanted nothing but her father back. It has been two years since then. I was not going back.

"Hello Clarissa," a voice came. I whipped my head around. White hair and black eyes stood before me.

"Sebastian," I whispered. I placed my dagger in a protective manner. Wait, he had called me Clarissa. "How do you know my real name?"

"Well all have secrets, Princess. And I have a way of figuring them out." I swallowed. "Tell me. How are you recovering from that incident earlier? I feel bad, I really do. But-"

He never got to finish.

I screamed.

Cliffie! And there's finally some Clace fluff for you!

So I want to read Vampire Academy fanfics. But do you think it's a bad idea if I haven't read the Bloodlines series yet? Will there be too many spoilers? Please respond!

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