A/N: Hey guys! I am excited to post this next chapter. All of y'all are amazing! I got the most reviews I have gotten in one chapter in almost over a year. I got 19, which made me super excited. I hope it keeps up!
Someone asked if Sebastian was going to come like in the last story, and I am going to say no because honestly I looked back on it and have Jonathan and Sebastian in this story together didn't make sense to me. One person said they like jealous men and want Jace to be jealous, and feel like that happens later on, but probably not to the extent that you are thinking. If that makes sense.
I am trying to have a posting schedule. I want to post every Wednesday, but sometimes I get excited and post sooner. I am back at college now though and I suddenly have like 20 friends, which is awesome, but it does prevent me from posting like a madman.
When she woke up, he was gone. The closeness she felt the night before had vanished overnight leaving her naked and alone in bed. She sniffed faintly, rubbing her nose with her arm before forcing herself off the pelts.
"Hey, you ready for training?" Isabelle poked her head in, and Clary breathed a sigh of relief. Izzy was her only true friend here. Jace claimed to be her confidant, but he had yet to take any action. She was glad to find such a good friend here because it made her time much more fun. She didn't think about Jace or her brother. She just got to be a girl for once in her life instead of some pawn.
"Yeah." She smiled, grabbing her knife.
"Sweet, I need to sweat a little, I was lazy this weekend." She laughed, adjusting her clothes. "We should do use staffs today." There was more of a bounce in her step in normal, which made Clary give her an odd look.
"Sure." She agreed, looking over her friend, who was smiling much more than normal. "Who was he?" She smirked, knowing that her nightly activities had to have been fairly interesting.
"No one." She tried to look innocent, but it just wasn't working.
"There was obviously someone." Clary teased, nudging her lightly.
"Ok, fine, I'll tell you." She giggled, flipping her black hair over her shoulder. "You know Merlion, right? He grows the few crops that can survive here and normally I'm not into farmers, but once he got that leather off. Yum." She squirmed, shaking her body out.
"You are disgusting." Clary teased, rolling her eyes mockingly.
"I think I'll keep him around a while." She winked, as they entered the training grounds.
"You do that." Clary picked up a staff, twirling it in her hands. They wondered into the center of a rink, circling around each other.
"How have you and Jace been? I've been avoiding the topic, but I'm so curious." She flipped the staff around, preparing to strike.
"There's nothing new." She shrugged, whipping her staff towards Izzy, which she blocked effortlessly.
"Seriously? I know Jace is kind of a prat, but he isn't that bad." Their staffs connected once again, and Clary was shoved to the ground. She huffed, kicking her leg out to knock Isabelle down.
"It isn't that he's bad. It's just he's... Jace." She murmured, running her hand through her hair. "He's just as distant as I am. I mean all we do is have sex and sleep next to each other." She pushed herself up, quickly defending herself from a kick.
"So?" Isabelle flipped to her feet, readying her staff.
"So, I feel like he's just using me for my body. I understand that he needs an heir, but I want to love the man I'm married to. He doesn't make an effort. He keeps promising me all these things after he screws me, but he has never once followed through on them. It's driving me crazy." She exclaimed, violently swinging the stick at Isabelle.
"Tell him that, tell him you want more, tell him you need actions not words." Isabelle panted before getting smacked in the gut. She groaned, flipping her stick around to smack Clary in the arm. She winced rubbing it, as they walked around each other.
"I tried to tell him, and he fell asleep. He told me he was always there for me, and he passed out." She growled, as their sticks hit each other's.
"So what? You still need to tell him what you want." Isabelle tripped her, pushing Clary to the ground. "You will never be happy if you aren't getting along with your husband. You'll be miserable because like it or not you are one cohesive being now, and when one half is not satisfied, it leaves feelings of emptiness in both halves." She pointed the staff at her throat. "Work things out with my cousin." She held her hand out, pulling Clary to her feet.
"Whatever." She dusted her legs off, picking up her staff.
OoOoO
Clary gulped her wine down at dinner, drinking more than normal. She could feel her head get fuzzy, as she sipped her goblet. Was Isabelle right? Is her disconnect with Jace causing this much unhappiness in her life? Her head was swimming by now. She closed her eyes, leaning against her fist.
"Are you alright?" Jace asked, placing his hand on her back.
"I'm a- I'm fine." Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth, as gulped thickly.
"How much have you drank?" He lifted the pitcher by her glass, seeing that it was almost empty. "Clary." He sighed, sinking back down to the ground.
"What?" She hiccupped deep from chest.
"I've seen you drink half of this and get plastered." He took her cup from her hand, making growl in frustration
"I feel like not remembering anything tomorrow, so I can drink what I want." She snapped, picking his glass up. "You aren't the boss of me." She stated, continuing to gulp down alcohol.
"Clary, you're going to get sick." He brushed hair away from her face and she pulled away from him.
"I'm fine." She hiccupped again, holding her chest. These hiccups were painful, making her stomach nauseous.
"You're not. Come on, let's go back to the tent." He got his feet, holding his hand out to her.
"No." She swatted his hand away, leaning against her fist.
"Clary, please, come lie down. You need to rest." He explained, urging her to her feet.
"Get off of me." She snapped, ripping away from him. In the process, she stumbled over into Stephen's lap.
"Little angel, nice to see you." He belly laughed, pushing her to her feet. "Listen to my boy. I know you're frustrated, but some rest will do you well." He patted her back, encouraging her kindly.
"Fine, I'll go back to my stupid hovel and sleep on rags." She bit out, stomping towards her home. She knew Jace was right on her tail, as she whipped the tent flap open.
"What's wrong?" He asked, crossing his arms, as she collapsed on their bedding.
"You know, I hate my life." She rolled onto her side, curling her legs to her chest.
"I- you seemed better." He stammered.
"I'm good at faking it." She sighed, running her hand through her hair. Jace sat next to her, making her cringe. "Don't touch me." She held her hand out, moving even further away from him.
"I wasn't going to." He murmured, looking over her strangely. "Do you really hate it here? I just I thought with Isabelle..." He trailed off, shaking his head.
"I wasn't built to live in this environment." She muttered, closing her eyes. "I'm going to sleep." She exhaled, rolling to her tummy.
OoOoO
Clary rubbed her eyes, feeling a hangover deep in her skull. Her gut wasn't too happy with her either. She glanced next to her, seeing Jace sitting at his desk. He never stays home this late in the day, which made her curious about why he was there. She pushed herself up, feeling uncomfortable in her leather clothes. She skulked out of bed, beginning to untie her leather clothing. She grabbed her silk robe, slipping it over her shoulders and tied it loosely around her waist. She looked up seeing Jace's eyes on her, and she felt the heat rush to her cheeks.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Like crap." She muttered, sitting on their bed.
"I'm not surprised. You drank a lot." He looked knowingly at her, heaving a small sigh.
"Yeah, I don't really remember anything." She rubbed her temple, running her fingers through her hair. Jace shifted uncomfortably, Clary looked at him oddly. "Did I do something?" She questioned, wondering what was wrong.
"No, you didn't do anything." He shook his head, scanning her with soft eyes. "Are you happy?" He asked, chewing on his lip.
"I'm fine." She responded, shaking her head.
"You said last night that you hated your life." He stated with a worried look across his face.
She flashed to bits and pieces of that night, but she could not remember that conversation in particular. Whenever it happened she must have been very far gone because she would never have admitted that otherwise.
"Jace, last night I was drunk and upset. I don't hate my life. It just isn't ideal." She assured him, playing with her robe. She felt a little ashamed that she hated her life here so much because these people had been nothing but welcoming to her. She was made to be a queen, not some female warrior in a clan.
"You said you are a good faker. You don't need to lie to me. I'm your husband, I should be trying to make you happy." He climbed to his feet, sitting next to her.
"You can't make me happy, Jace. I have to learn to be happy here on my own." She shrugged her shoulders, scratching her scalp. Jace didn't like her response, but she didn't know what else to tell him because that was the truth. She needed to be happy on her own, not because of a person. "Thank you for not taking advantage last night." She placed her hand over his, squeezing his hand.
"You were really out of it." He looked at their hands, tangling them together. "I know you don't really like sex all that much, which honestly makes me not enjoy it, but I figured we could take a break for a little while. Not for long because my father is on my back about us having a son, but a few days won't hurt." He kissed her temple, getting to his feet. "Get some rest. Hopefully your hangover will be worn off by dinner time." He grunted, as he pushed himself to his feet. "I suggest you don't drink tonight, but you do what you want." He chuckled, ruffling with her hair before heading out of the tent.
"Yeah, whatever." She grinned lightly, lying back down.
OoOoO
A couple of days went by, and she was glad that Jace decided to take a break. She could feel the stress of having to do that recede, which made her a lot happier. She didn't stress about going to bed at night, leading her to sleep a lot better. Clary was in her tent, changing after a long afternoon of training and working. She felt disgusting, but there wasn't much she could do about it. She braided her hair quickly, bounding it with leather before sitting on her bed. She inhaled a small breath, shaking her head. She still couldn't believe that this was her life, but she was learning, she was being challenged.
"Princess, someone is here for you." A soldier poked his head in quickly, retreating just as fast as he come in. Clary furrowed her brow in confusion, as she climbed out of the tent that's when she saw a familiar face. She smiled widely, running over to her oldest friend. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. He was like a piece of home, and she didn't want to let go.
"Clare-bear, I need air." He teased, trying to pry her away from him.
"Sorry, Simon." She released him, biting back her smile. "I just can't believe your here." She shook her head in disbelief, staring up at her best friend.
"I'm so sorry I was gone when you left." He hugged her again, but this time it was much tighter. "I couldn't believe that he sent you here. I just I couldn't believe it. Then he told me why, and I was shocked." He pulled away from her, holding her cheeks. Something shifted in her gut, and suddenly she felt like something was wrong. Simon always touched her like this, but it didn't feel right anymore. She drew away from him, chewing on her lip.
"What's wrong?" Simon looked at her oddly.
"Why are you here, Simon?" She questioned, not understanding what brought him to this place.
"Your brother sent me. He has a message for you and a gift. He also asked me stay here to look after you." He informed her, scanning his eyes over her. "What's wrong?" He stepped towards her, reaching out his hand, but she moved away from him.
"I just- I'm married now Simon. I don't think he would appreciate us being so close." She rubbed her neck, glancing around the place. He gave her the common curtesy of giving her space when she needed it, and she felt she owed him respect in return.
"He's not hurting you is he?" Simon asked, sounding overly concerned.
"No, he's not. Jace is good to me for the most part. I mean, he's an idiot most of the time, but he's been trying." She shrugged her shoulders, ruffling her hair. "I'll tell you about everything. We just can't do it out here." She grabbed his hand, quickly leading him to her tent. It was the only place that was private that she could go to. She crossed her arms over her stomach, feeling self-conscious about her clothes, as she turned around. She debated about covering up, but she decided not to because she thought it would make things more awkward. Simon obviously wasn't a fan of the place she had been living, and she didn't blame him. They slept on a pile of furs in a cluttered tent.
"Have you found any information?" Simon looked around the desk that was stashed on the side.
"No, and I'm not sure there is any to find. If there is, it's not anywhere near me." She rubbed her arms, sitting on her bed.
"You need to keep looking. You need to get out of this hellhole." Simon muttered, shaking his head at her surroundings.
"It isn't that bad once you get used to it." She defended the place, sighing quietly. "Where's the gift and message from my brother?"
"On my horse. I'll get it later." He shrugged, stretch his feet out.
"How has my brother been?" She murmured, not really wanting to know about him.
"Miserable. I think he regrets sending you away." Simon explained.
Clary froze when Jace walked into the tent. She quickly got to her feet, pursing her lips. She didn't know that he would come back. He never comes back in the middle of the day. She felt her face heat up, while Simon scrambled to his feet.
"What's going on?" He turned his eyes to his wife, and she could see anger building in his eyes.
"This is Simon. My brother sent him to protect me. We were just catching up." She walked closer to Jace, standing next to him.
"I'll get you a tent to sleep in." Jace peeled his eyes away from his wife, glaring at Simon.
"Thanks." Simon was trying to size Jace up, but she knew that Jace was the more dominate of the two.
"I don't want him in here again. I don't care that he stays, but I don't want you alone with him." Jace whispered in her ear, snatching up a weapon from the ground. "Understood?"
"Jace, you don't need to worry." She said quietly enough for Simon not to hear.
"Could you give me a minute with my wife?" He directed towards Simon, adjusting his stiff stance. Simon furrowed his brow at her, staying in place.
"Simon, go." She gestured towards the entrance. He went reluctantly, but it gave Jace the privacy he wanted. "What?" She asked, not meaning to snap. She knew it was harsh to talk like that, but a slice of home was so nice.
"You brought a man that I don't know into our home, alone." He exclaimed quietly, shoving not his hand into her hair.
"I know him. We grew up together." He continued to look at her like a naive child, which made her furious. "What? Do you not trust me?" She scoffed, shaking her head at the audacity of his silent indication. "I have been nothing but faithful and compliant to you ever since I arrived. I have not fought or ran away, but you still don't trust me." She exclaimed, crossing her arms at him.
"It's him I don't trust, not you." He pointed to the door, obviously meaning Simon. "I don't know him. I don't know what his intentions are with you and I honestly don't care if you grew up together because I can see the way his eyes were on you. He wants you. Men who don't get what they want willingly might take it regardless." He explained in a low voice, sending a chill down her spine.
"So, you're worried he will ruin your precious property?" She snarled, getting in his face. She knew she was taking it the wrong way, but he was implying a lot about her closest friend.
"I'm worried that he will hurt you." Jace's eyes softened at her words, as he put his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him. She turned away, feeling slightly disgusted at the moment. "Do you think I would forget about you if some man overpowered you? When you married me, I put you under my protection. If anyone, anyone, hurt you, I would blame myself. As much as you may disagree, I care about you. I don't know your friend, therefore I do not trust him. So, I will request that you don't spend any time entirely alone with him." His tone had shifted, and Clary sighed quietly, ruffling her hair. She drifted a little closer, letting his hands find her again.
"I trust him, which means you can too. I know Simon has a crush on me, but he has never acted on it." She assured him, resting her hands on his chest.
"Fine, but if he lays a finger on you, I will kill him myself." He muttered, pulling her into a hug. "I have to get back to the training grounds, I'll see you at dinner." He released her before he exited the tent. She exhaled an exasperated breath, shoving her hand into her locks. She walked out of the tent, walking over to Simon.
"Everything alright?" Simon threw Jace a suspicious look.
"Yeah, everything's fine." She assured him, clasping her hands together. "He just doesn't know you, so he doesn't trust you. I gave him my assurance that your trustworthy." She patted his arm, as they wandered around the camp.
"Well, as trustworthy as you are." He teased, nudging her lightly.
"Quiet." She shushed, glancing around the camp grounds. "We don't want anyone to overhear. They'll kill us." She whispered, chewing her lip.
"Right." Simon nodded, releasing a quiet breath. "I'm not used to secrecy." He grinned at her.
"You better get us to it because things could get dangerous very easily." She explained, sighing quietly. "I've scoured my whole tent, and I have started peeking into Stephen's. It's harder with him because I'm never alone in his tent." She said, as they reached the outskirts of the camp.
"I can see how that would be difficult." He agreed, pursing his lips together faintly. "We'll think of something." He assured her, as his gaze shifted.
"Is there something on my face?" She questioned, furrowing her brow.
"No, I just missed you." He blushed faintly, smiling at her. His eyes were on her the way Jace looked at her when he was attempting to be affectionate, which made her uncomfortable. Her face felt hot at his words because Simon never spoke to her like that. Clary walked to the training grounds seeing Isabelle on the outskirts, leaning against a man. She was giggling against the man's lips, as the two approached them.
"Iz," Clary cleared he throat, getting her friends attention.
"Hi, Clary," she chewed on her lip, looking up at man she assumed to be Meliorn. "Who's this?" She turned her head to Simon, as her hand ran across the guy's hip.
"This is Simon. He was a knight in my brothers castle." She grinned, remembering when they roamed around the halls together as children.
"You're a knight." She laughed, shooing her man away. "You look a little scrawny to be a warrior." She mocked, pinching his arm. Simon yelped, rubbing his skin, as Izzy circled around him.
"I'm more of a glorified messenger boy." His face turned red at her indication.
"That would make sense." Isabelle snickered, squeezing his butt. Simon yelped in surprise, widening his eyes at Clary. "It doesn't look like a lot, but it's pretty firm." She snickered, standing by her best girl friend. "I'm going to have fun with him." Isabelle whispered in her ear before she grabbed a sword.
"Be nice, Izzy." Clary laughed, picking up her own sword.
"Oh, I will be." She wiggled her eyes at him, continuing to shock Simon to his core. He's not used to promiscuous women, and Isabelle was one of the most wanton of them all. Clary loved her like a sister, but she did not approve of her habits in the least. She didn't know how Simon would react her after he got over the initial shock. "Come on let's practice."
"You sword fight now?" Simon's focus shifted over to Clary, who was now holding a weapon.
"Yeah, they like their women to be able to fight and defend themselves." Clary shrugged her shoulders, as she gripped the handle.
"We need to practice, so you can wait over there, and you can watch how it's done." She whipped her hair around, as she strode over to the sparing grounds.
The two girls circled around one another, throwing swings at one another with swords. Clary loved fighting. She didn't really know why, but it gave her a way to channel her anger and frustration. The metal clanged together viciously, as they dueled with one another. Clary almost never won, but when she did, it was exhilarating. She fell to the ground, coughing for breath. She landed heavily on her lungs, making her roll to her side.
"You alright?" Iz asked, holding her hand out.
"I will be. I just need to lie down for a minute." She draped her arm over her head, as she took a deep breath.
"Take your time." Isabelle laid next to her, sprawling out in the under the sun.
"You guys alright?" Simon yelled over to them.
"Yeah, we just need some sun." Iz responded loudly, making clary cringe. "Your friend is cute." She teased, chewing on her lip.
"Simon is a respectable man. I don't think you could get him in between your legs." Clary laughed, rolling onto her side.
"Is that challenge?" She grinned deviously, rolling her hips in the most improper way.
"That is in no way means this is a challenge." She snickered, climbing to her feet.
"Challenge accepted." Isabelle snickered, getting to her feet.
"It wasn't a challenge." She hit her friend playfully, as she pulled herself into a sitting position.
"I'm challenging myself then." She nudged her lightly. "I mean I was starting to get bored." She said over dramatically.
"You just started screwing around with Meliorn." Clary pointed out a matter of fact like.
"He's not a challenge. He will make me walk funny for weeks if I really wanted him to, at any time I wanted, but him..." She looked over at Simon, biting her lip. "He wants to keep his honor and respect mine, what he doesn't know is that honor doesn't really matter here unless your married." She explained, seeming like she was ready to pounce him now.
"Be gentle, I don't want my best friend to get hurt." Clary subtly threatened, climbing to her feet.
A/N: So instead of Sebastian coming I had it be Simon. I forgot that happened when I first started writing my first authors note. Like I knew it was coming, but I didn't know it was in this chapter. Lol. I am so tired this morning.
Simon is also staying, so he'll be around a little bit more now. There is a little jealousy between Jace and Simon, but I didn't make it very prevalent. They don't interact a lot, and if they did I feel like Clary wouldn't be around.
I have been waiting for chapter 9 to finally get posted, so next week, most likely, things between Jace and Clary start getting more interesting from then on. (:
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