Chapter 6

So, when I was writing this chapter I was done with the first little section and my computer crashed and I was stupid and didn't think to save it while I was typing like I normally do. Therefore I'm not completely please with it because I think it could have been a lot better, but I did try to get it as close as I could to the original. Hope you like it.

Clary was sitting at her desk looking at the stele she held delicately in her hands. It was so beautiful and it was all hers. She would never be able to thank Luke enough for the gift. Turning it over in her hand Clary hoped see would get the chance to use it since her father was so overprotective of her.

Besides the wedding ceremony anyways. Clary thought to herself as she sat the stele down on her desk and got up to finish packing. Tomorrow morning she would be leaving with her parents to go to the Verlac's estate to visit for a few days. The ball would also be the evening after and Clary was glad that the trip would only be a few hours.

Clary was careful as she packed her new gown for the ball last into her travel bag. Hoping, once again, that Sebastian would approve of it. The thought no longer surprised Clary. She had realized a while ago that she had grown use to the idea of her being betrothed to Sebastian and that she no longer resented the idea. Over the weeks that had passed since the announcement Clary had slowly grown quite fond of Sebastian and looked forward to the next time she would see him.

She no longer despised his very being and she had to admit he was quite handsome with his pale hair and dark eyes; even his build was pleasurable to the eyes. Clary smiled at the thought of him again and she stood and put her bag by the door. Walking out onto the balcony Clary breathed in the late summer air, it would soon be autumn. Looking at the trellis, still slightly cracked, Clary felt her stomach tighten slightly but ignored the feeling. She hadn't thought about Jace for a while now and she wasn't about to let herself now, knowing it would only ruin her happy mood. With a finally deep breath Clary went back into her room, closed the balcony door, and went to bed. Clary lay awake for a while before sleep finally claimed her.

Clary was glad that the ride to the Verlac's went by quickly, though that was partly due to the fact that she had finished reading one of the books Sebastian had given her. She couldn't wait to discuss it with him when she had the chance. They had arrived before noon and Sebastian had been off running errands with his father. Currently Clary was trying to do something to tame her wild mass of curls and was having no luck what so ever.

With a sigh Clary set the brush down just as her mother nocked and opened her door.

"Want some help," Jocelyn asked with a slight smile as she walked over to her daughter.

Clary smiled and said, "Yes, please."

Jocelyn picked up the brush and ran it through Clary's hair a few times and then put it up into a not on top of Clary's head, leaving a few strand down.

"Thanks," Clary said looking up at her mother. Jocelyn smiled, her hand resting on Clary's shoulder.

There was another knock and Clary turned around to see her father standing in the open doorway, her mother must have left the door open. "You look lovely," Valentine said with a pleased look in his face. "Sebastian is downstairs; he's waiting to have tea with you."

Clary nodded and stood up quickly. As she started to walk past her father he grabbed her elbow and Clary looked up at him. Valentine had a somewhat intense look on his face and before he could say anything Clary got on her tip toes, kiss him on the cheek and continued on her way as his grip loosened. She heard him say something to her mother, but she was too far away now to make out the words.

Once down stairs, Clary made her way to the sunroom, remembering Sebastian saying that was one of his favorite rooms in the house. Hesitating a little bit, Clary walked into the sunroom and felt relieved that she had been right when she saw his pale blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight as he stood by a bay window door with his back to her.

"Sebastian," Clary said, smoothing her skirts a little and smiling.

Sebastian turned around and smiled back. His dark eyes seemed to lighten a little as he looked me up and down.

"You look very lovely," He said as he walked towards her. Clary's smile grew at the compliment and her cheeks flushed a little. When Sebastian reached her he took her hand and bent down to kiss it gently. Looking up he smiled at her almost mischievously and Clary's cheeks reddened even more.

"I missed you," Sebastian said standing up and looking pleased with himself.

"I missed you too," Clary said a bit quietly. She would have written off his air as being arrogant, but really it was just who he was.

"So, would you like to sit down? I had tea and cookies served." Sebastian said, offering her his arm. Clary allowed him to escort her to the table and smiled as he pulled her chair out for her before taking his own across from her. Clary poured her and Sebastian a cup of tea and kept looking down even after she had set the tea pot down.

"You seem nervous," Sebastian said and Clary looked up to see he had his head tilted to the side as he looked at her.

"I suppose I am anxious for tomorrow." Clary responded and Sebastian nodded in understanding.

"It's not until tomorrow, for now let's just relax."

"You're right, of course," Clary relaxed.

"Good."

Clary took a sip of her tea. "Do you suppose we could go for a walk after this? I would love to see the grounds." Clary said, a little tentatively.

Sebastian laughed, Clary liked the sound of it, "Of course," he said. "You needn't sound so shy. Would you like to go now, there is much to see and I'm not sure we will have enough daylight." Clary nodded and Sebastian took her hand as the left the room.

They explored the stables first, then a small garden to the left of the house, a small green house, and were now walking through a much larger garden in the back of the house that reminded Clary of the one in her back yard. At the moment they were walking by a little stream that went through the garden and her eyes caught a little bridge that went over the stream and on the other side was a tunnel like path and Clary could just make out what looked like a fountain.

Forgetting herself she started walking right towards it, dragging Sebastian along with her. Behind her she heard Sebastian chuckle as she started to walk faster. The crossed the bridge and Clary continued on her beeline. On closer examination Clary could see that the tunnel was made of several arched trellises and vines with delicate pink flowers covered the. The tunnel was only about ten feet long; once they exited it Clary saw that it opened up into a small rectangular opening that was enclosed by tall hedges. In the center was a three layered fountain in the middle of a shallow pool of water. There were several rose bushes and many different kinds of flowers that surrounded the area. What caught Clary's attention was the wooden garden swing that was to the right of the tunnel's opening. Clary glanced back at Sebastian for a second and then made her way towards it, still pulling him behind her.

"It's so beautiful here," Clary said as she sat down and Sebastian sat down beside her.

Sebastian laughed a little before saying, "I'm glad you like it, I was hoping you would notice this place."

Clary looked at him. "How come?" she asked hopefully.

"Because this is my favorite place in that garden. It's a very peaceful place to come and read on a nice sunny day, or just to think."

Sebastian put his arm around Clary and she leaned into him a little. "I didn't peg you as a garden person," She said looking up at him.

"I also like puppies, long walks in the moonlight, and gossiping shamelessly." Sebastian said in a perfectly serious tone of voice.

Clary feigned a look of shock. "Your father must be so proud of having such a manly son," Clary replied in an equally serious tone.

"Oh he is indeed. He wishes to open his own Institute and have me be a teacher. Says I'll be a perfect inspiration to other young Shadowhunters." Sebastian said still serious, his lip twitching a little.

Clary couldn't help but laugh and Sebastian was soon to follow. By the time she stopped laughing, Clary's sides and stomach ached.

"I'm glad you like this place." Sebastian said softly, looking into her eyes. Once again his dark eyes seemed to be a shade lighter, a little less black.

Clary smiled up at him happily. She realized briefly she had been smiling a lot lately; especially since she had come down to see him. The thought didn't last long in her mind though because as she had been thinking this she had looked down for a second, now looking back up she was surprised to see that Sebastian had brought his head closer to her. Clary's heart rate picked up a little at his face being only inches from hers.

"You are beautiful." Sebastian said his breath hot against my skin and his voice a little husky. His eyes darted all over my face and when they finally met my gaze again she could tell he was contemplating something. Suddenly Sebastian's fingers were running down the side of her face lightly and her breath hitched a little.

Clary heard him mutter something under his breath and then his lips were on hers, at first Clary froze in shock, but then she found she was kissing him back. His kisses were gentle at first, then hungry, and then gentle again. When they broke away they were both breathless and Clary found herself blushing profusely. Clary looked at Sebastian and saw that he looked stunned, but as her cheeks got redder he started to look less stunned and his lips twitched up into one of his irritating smirks. Clary turned her head away and looked down at her hands.

She heard Sebastian call her name softly, so softly that she thought at first that she thought she was hearing things, until she felt his fingers under her chin. He turned her head gently and she continued to look down at her lap. She suddenly felt mad, both at herself and at Sebastian.

"Clary, look at me." Sebastian said, almost pleadingly. This startled Clary enough that she did indeed look up at him. His face had softened and his eyes held a look of worry.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Sebastian said, with a week smile.

Clary couldn't stay mad at him. "It's alright," she said very quietly.

"Perhaps we should head back to the house, I'm sure it will be time to eat soon." Sebastian looked a little relieved.

"Perhaps we should."

Sebastian nodded and stood up, offering Clary his hand as he did. Clary took it and let him lead her back through the garden towards the house.

"Sebastian," Clary said a little hesitantly.

Sebastian looked at her quickly. "Yes."

"Thank you for showing me the garden." Clary kept her eyes on his, hoping he would understand what she really meant but was too embarrassed to actually say out loud. Sebastian's eyes widened a little and his lips twitched up a little.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it."

With that they continued on their way.

Hope you liked it. Also hope you feel loved because I have been working very diligently on this story and Curse of Immortality (well maybe not so diligently on that one) when I should be finishing my own original story. Let me know your opinions, they are greatly appreciated.