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Previously:

I pulled on it. The book didn't come out. I watched in wonder as the wall slipped away to reveal a dark staircase. So this is what she was hiding.

Out of curiosity, I began the descent.

Chapter 19

Stairs, Secrets and Fantasies

(Clary's pov)

The walls of the staircase were damp and the air was humid. The torches lined on the wall seemed to burn forever with no help of wax or anything, just fire. They barely helped show my way down the steps. Why does the Queen have a scary dark staircase behind a bunch of books? I wondered.

Each step I took created a loud echoing sound that brought chills throughout my body. I kept my hand on the wall to keep me steady. There was no other sound than my feet on the steps and my heart pounding in my chest. What could be down there? I thought. Will I find people chained to the walls, like my father? Will there be another beast? I refused to think about it to deeply.

I finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Seeing nothing in particular, I frowned. It lead to a big dark room, made of brick walls. It was completely empty, save for an oval shape mirror on the far wall. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the glass was grimy and the mirror had a silver border with swirly designs. Green eyes stared back at me as I wondered why the Queen would have this.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" my mouth moved on its own. I shrieked and fell right on my bottom. My reflection had talked. By its self. As if things could get even more weird, my face changed into the Queens.

"W-what's beautiful?" I choked out.

"You're eyes, my dear," replied the replica of the queen, drawing out every few words. "So beautiful and full of life. Yet . . . so much despair. It must have been awful to lose your father as such a young age."

I couldn't reply. Not only because I was totally freaked out, I had no idea how to respond. "How do you know about that?" I finally managed to squeak out.

"Oh, I know a lot, Clarissa. See for yourself." The Queen rippled away in the mirror as parts of my life played out in front of me. Me running through the woods, me training to become the bandit I am- or used to be. Me chasing after a carriage to take its riches.

Me falling in love with Jace.

The flashbacks went away as the Queen resurfaced. "See? You know everyday, the Queen- the real one- would come down here to ask me who the 'fairest of them all' was. I always said it was her and for a while I let myself agree. But watching you, I found myself changing opinions. Nevertheless, I kept telling the Queen what she wanted. But I knew. I knew. She let her stubbornness drive her away."

I listened to every word as if my life depended on it. "Me? Why am I so special?"

"You stayed alive no matter the cost. You were about to be killed, but you ran off to survive. You met your friends and together you made a living. Even if it wasn't the most stable profession." I think she was trying to make a joke, but I didn't feel like laughing. "And your not special. Your the fairest of them all, my dear."

The mirror lady and I continued to talk about the Queen. Apparently, the Queen tells her everything.

I know all your secrets.

One week later

Today is the day I finally get to become Mrs. Jace Herondale. Noise came from all directions as guests arrived, cooks cooked, maids cleaned and from me. Freaking out.

I was talking like rapid fire to Izzy, who was doing my hair into an elegant bun. "Goodness, Izzy! I'm going to get married today. Can you believe it? I never thought I would get married, since I was kicked out and had to hide." I was shaking as I attempted to take a sip of water. I almost spilled it on my dress.

Ah, my dress. It was perfect. I had often dreamt of how my wedding would be like. Back then they were merely dreams. Now they had come true. Izzy took the glass of water from my hands and placed me in front of the mirror. I smiled at my reflection. "I know. Everything has been so perfect lately. Like a fantasy."

She smiled at me. "Let's go get you married."

My father walked me down the isle, in between rows of guests. I smiled towards Jace as I approached him. "You look beautiful," he whispered to me.

"We are here today to bring together Jace and Clarissa in marriage . . ." I turned my attention to Jace, who was already looking at me. We continued to stare at each other until something brought me back to attention. "Jace, do you take Clarissa to be your lovely wedded wife?"

"I do," he said immediately.

"Clarissa, do you take Jace to be your husband?"

"I do." I breathed a sigh of relief. The wedding is pretty much over. I'm married.

"Are there any objections?" I knew there wasn't going to be any. Nobody disapproved of our relationship.

"Stop the wedding!" an all to familiar angry voice called out from the back. Everyone whipped their heads around to see the source. I didn't have to look, I knew who it was.

Sebastian.

Oh snap! Cliffhanger! Did any of you think it was the Queen ;)? Sorry if the wedding scene was bad. I've never been to a wedding so yeah.

So . . . sorry for disappearing for almost three weeks. School has been really crazy because I had this presentation, a bunch of tests, an essay that's due on Friday, blah blah blah. But I'm back!

OKAY WHO HAS SEEN THE DIVERGENT MOVIE? I saw it on the opening night! I thought it was awesome. I think Shailene and Theo were perfect for Tris and Four. They missed and changed a couple things but overall I still think it was amazing. I might see it again this weekend ;).