A/N: Hey guys! Surprise another chapter this week. I have no control. It really can be a problem.
Please enjoy!
Clary stood in front of the mirror, while Dot hemmed her mother's old gown. It felt wrong wearing her old clothes, but her brother didn't care but then again, he never cared about anything. Nothing was sacred to him. Jace was lounging on the king bed in her old bedroom. He had never slept on a real mattress before just as she had never had a man on her bed before. This day was a day of firsts that she wasn't entirely comfortable with. It felt odd to have him in here. The only men that had ever been in her bedroom was her brother and father, but now her husband was here. They were going to make love in that bed.
"I'm so glad that you are home." Dot mused, looking up at her from the ground where she was working.
"Thank you." She blushed, running her fingers over the billowing fabric. She never realized how heavy all this cloth was, she found herself missing the leathers she wore in the desert. She could see Jace watching her in the mirror, making her cheeks flush even more. She could see the arousal in his eyes, which made her extremely uncomfortable due to Dot's presence.
"I have been working in your brother's room the past year. I think I remind him of you." She explained, sticking the needle in the hem of the gown.
Clary silently looked over at her husband with her eyes slightly widened. Jace gave her a faint gesture, telling her to push for information, as he slipped out of the door. Clary stood stiffly, trying to figure out what to ask that didn't sound suspicious. She missed Dot. Dot was her rock for so many years and yet she needed to use her to better the kingdom. She wanted to tell her about the rebellion, but she didn't know if Dot would choose her over her brother. She had worked for her father for years, and Clary was unsure of which side she would choose.
"How has my brother been?" She questioned, looking at Dot through the mirror.
"He's been irritated lately, but he's been more chipper since preparing for your arrival." She explained, shaking her head with a faint smile.
"How has he been irritated?" Clary asked, pulling her hair to one side.
"He's been short with the staff. I am the only one he lets clean his room." She shrugged her shoulders, standing back to full height. She admired the hem of the gown, making sure it was even.
"He hasn't touched you has he?" She found herself saying before her mind was able to catch up. She would murder her brother on the spot if he had raped Dot.
"No, he has been the perfect gentleman." Her handmaiden assured her.
"Alright, good." She whispered, inhaled a relieved breath.
"I have missed you." She breathed, hugging Clary tightly. She felt her eyes well-up, as she returned the embrace.
"I've missed you too." Clary tightened her grip on her handmaiden, squeezing her tightly.
"Is he good to you?" Dot drew away from her, seeming overly concerned for her.
"Much to my surprise, Jace is very good to me. He worships the very ground I walk on." She assured her, pulling her into another strong hug.
"That's so great." The woman smiled at her, holding her cheeks. "I have been so worried about you." She breathed, shaking her head. "The idea of you getting hurt broke my heart." She cupped her cheek, looking down at the woman that she raised.
"I should have sent word to you that I was alright. It was selfish of me just to wallow in my own self-pity those first few months instead of reaching out to you." She realized that she neglected a woman, who stood in as her mother figure for most of her life.
"I understand you were adjusting." Dot adjusted her hair, gazing down at her. Dot's stature adjusted quickly, shifting into something more awkward. "Now, this is a little awkward, but I assume that I'll need to change the sheets daily?"
"Oh," she widened her eyes slightly, feeling overwhelmingly embarrassed. "Yes, please." She stammered slightly, running her fingers through her hair.
"Clary?" Jace's head poked into the door. "It's time for dinner." He said, opening the door completely.
"Go ahead. I'll be there in a little bit." She informed him, releasing her friend.
"Alright." He agreed, slipping out of the room.
Clary shifted in front of the mirror, inhaling a deep breath. She never imagined looking like this. She was overly tan and very pregnant, which felt like an odd combination, but she thought that it did symbolize how she had changed. She had left a porcelain doll, and she had returned a living breathing person.
"Thank you for helping me get ready." Clary hugged dot again before she headed out the door.
She took a deep breathed, hurrying down the hall. She gave herself a mental prep speech, as she placed her hand on the door to the dining room. She plastered her fake smile on her face, feeling her muscle memory go into place. She pushed the doors open, striding into the hall. The room when silent, while her shoes clacked against the ground.
She quickly noticed that the only seat that was left was next to her brother. Her husband was on the other side of the table, and she had to make a quick decision. Sit next to her brother or figure something else out. She grabbed the chair next her brother, tipping it back to drag it down the room. It squealed against the floor, making the most uncomfortable sound known to man.
"Would you all mind scooting down?" She asked the row of people with a sickeningly sweet smile.
They all glanced between each other before they started scooting. Jace smothered a smile, leaning back in his seat. She moved the chair into the spot next to her husband, taking a seat. Her husband pushed himself up, sticking his tongue into her mouth. She moaned softly, placing her hand on his chest. She pushed on him slightly, telling him to sit back down.
The room around them erupted into conversation, and food was brought into the room. Clary picked up her fork and knife, smiling over at Jace, who seemed overly smug. She took a bite of her food, waving down at her brother. He seemed furious at her actions, but he won't do anything about it. She sat next to her husband instead of him, which is something that he encouraged her to do. He wanted her to cozy up to Jace, and that was exactly what she was doing.
OoOoO
The rest of dinner was uneventful, and the couple decided to leave early. Clary was exhausted from the travel along with her pregnancy, so Jace encouraged her to leave. He escorted her out of the dining hall, smiling down at her. "You are a genius. Your brother was so frustrated about the whole chair situation." Her husband chuckled, putting his arm around her waist.
"He was." She snickered, looking up at him.
Clary's giggled subsided when she heard footsteps behind them. She sucked in a breath, feeling panic seize her. Because of her fretfulness, she for some reason shoved Jace behind a nearby curtain. "Clary, what are you doing?" He asked, trying to get out.
"Shut up." She shoved him, taking a few steps away from the curtain.
Her brother rounded the corner, hesitating in his steps when he saw his sister alone. "Where is your brute of a husband?" He asked, clasping his hands behind his back.
"I told him to go ahead and go to bed." She shrugged, pausing in front of painting.
"And you didn't?" Jonathan stood next to her, glancing her up and down.
"I needed a minute alone, I missed my home." She lied, taking a deep breath.
"You've hardly spoken to me since your return, as a matter of fact you haven't sent word to me in months." He harshly commented, crossing his arms.
"You've kept me busy, brother. I've barely had a minute between dress fittings and getting settled." She snapped back, walking around him. "Since I hadn't heard from you in months, I decided to settle in at my new home." She explained, feeling her nerves grip at her stomach.
"And by settle in you mean carrying that barbarian's child. I would never abandon you, Clary." His voice strained, as he shifted in frustration.
"I was an outsider. They weren't going to tell me anything until I got pregnant and besides I haven't witnessed any actions that would point to a rebellion." She huffed, running her hand through her locks.
"Well we won't have to worry about it for long." He muttered, looking over her. Her eyes flicked over to the curtain, seeing that it stirred. She knew Jace wouldn't move, but he didn't take coercions lightly.
"Wait? Worry about what?" She felt her heart jump in her chest because she didn't understand what he meant.
"You know the baby." His face made it sound like it was obvious, but she didn't know what he meant at all.
"Are you threatening my child?!" She explained, instinctively putting her hand to belly. Her brother opened her mouth, but she put her hand up, keeping him from speaking. "My son is not your play thing. He will be by my side until he is of age. If you say anything remotely threatening involving my baby again, I will slit your throat in your sleep and get rid of your body before anyone notices." She growled, as she stepped closer to him.
"Alright." He held his hands up in defeat, talking a step back from her. "We need to talk. Come with me to the library. Your husband can wait an hour."
"I'm exhausted. I'm not talking tonight." She began walking to her door, feeling a little panicked because she was leaving Jace behind a curtain.
"No, you are going to talk to me now." He ordered, making her freeze in her steps. She felt her blood begin to boil under her skin, as she pivoted to face her brother. Her stomach coiled with anger, as she clinched her fist. She did not take commands from him. She did not accept threats from him. She was her own person, and she was going to show her strength.
"You forced me to marry a man that you considered a savage on a fool's errand. I had sex with a man who I didn't want to be with, I got pregnant, and I lived in the desert because you forced me too. You married me to Jace, so I am no longer your property, I am his. So, I am going to go to my room, and fuck my husband because that's what you told me to do before I left." She snapped, staring daggers at him.
"Breakfast then." He clicked his tongue, taking a step back.
"Fine." She huffed, knowing that she won a battle against him.
Her brother left her in the hallway, and she leaned against the wall. She put her hand to her stomach, feeling like her entire body was shaking from rage and fear. She had never yelled at him like that before, and she was shocked that she walked out of that encounter unscathed.
"Wow, I'm so proud of you." Jace spoke up, slipping out from behind the curtain. He took her hand, leading her into their room. His smile was genuine, making her feel proud about her actions. For the first time in this castle she felt strong and powerful.
His lips locked with hers the second the door was closed. He pressed her up against the wood, cupping her cheeks, as he started tearing at her dress. "Don't you dare, this is the only dress I have." She exclaimed, putting her hands over his before giggles escaped from her mouth.
"I want to rip it so bad." He groaned, rolling his hips against hers.
"You can rip my underdress after Dot gets the gown off." She pushed him away from her, as she cracked the door open.
"Fine." He pushed away from her, sprawling seductively against their bed.
She moaned softly, biting her lip, as she leaned against the door frame. "Dot, hurry." She called out, walking towards the mirror. It took every ounce of will power to not pounce her husband.
"Yes?" Dot entered the room.
"Can you get my dress off, quickly?" She gathered her hair over a shoulder, seeing Jace lustfully staring at her.
"Of course," she looked uncomfortably at her husband, pulling at the strings holding her dress together. Clary felt overly impatient, as her dress finally fell around her ankles. Before Dot could leave the room Jace's mouth had attacked Clary's, as he ripped the rest of the cloth from her skin. Dot squeaked in surprise, fleeing the room as quickly as she could.
"You just scarred Dot for life." Her words were muffled as she spoke because of the tongue thoroughly exploring his mouth.
"I couldn't care less." He moaned, lifting her off the ground to wrap her legs around his hips.
OoOoO
Clary panted heavily, feeling overwhelmingly content. Not only she was having sex in an actual bed for once, but she knew that sound carried in the castle. Her brother could hear exactly what Jace was doing to her, which made her more satisfied than it should have. She sighed happily, sliding her hand over her bare belly.
"You were very vocal." Jace grunted softly, as he rolled onto his side. "Trying to prove something?" He kissed her ear lightly, running her hand over pregnant stomach.
"That you own me." She breathed, drawing his lips to hers. "Not him." She whispered, running his finger along his cheek. She loved him so much. She could feel butterflies fill her stomach, as he gazed down at her.
"He needs to think that he does." He breathed, nuzzling her nose.
"It just makes me so sick to be nice to him." She shuttered, resting her head against his shoulder.
"I know it does." He whispered, sliding over her.
She inhaled a deep breath sighing heavily, as she slid her hands over his shoulders, loving the muscles that coiled under her fingers. She gazed up at him, seeing the canopy around them. "Is it weird having sex in here?" She breathed, running her fingers through his locks.
"Why do you ask?" he peppered kisses along her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She scratched the back of his neck lightly, drawing him into a gentle kiss.
"I grew up in this bed. I don't think I have ever slept naked in here before." She laughed, sliding her hand to his waist.
"Really? Sleeping naked is so comfortable." He chuckled, trailing his lips down her chest.
"I mean I know that now." She giggled, as his fingers slid over his hips.
"You are so sexy." He breathed, slipping her leg over his shoulder, as he slid back to her lips. "And I know you are nervous about being here, but you have nothing to prove. I love you, you are my wife, and your brother has and will never owned you." He whispered, tangling their lips together passionately. She moaned heavily, squeezing his behind tightly.
OoOoO
Clary hummed, blinking her eyes open. The sun streamed through her window, lighting up the canopy around her. She rubbed her eyes, feeling more comfortable than she has in months. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. She rolled onto her side, seeing Jace sleeping next to her. His blonde hair was spread like a halo around him.
Her body was held in a state of serenity that made it feel as though she was trapped in a dream. She wanted to wake up like this every day for the rest of her life. She started to curl against his side, but she stopped when there was a knock on the door.
Jace flinched heavily, sitting up quickly. "Lie back down. I'll get it." She mused, lowering him back down to the bed.
"Alright." He nodded, seeming very disoriented, as he closed his eyes.
She climbed out of bed, slipping her evening gown over her shoulders. She opened the door, and her morning was sufficiently ruined. "I thought we were eating breakfast this morning." Jonathan asked, speaking in a hushed tone.
"Right, my sleep schedule is all off from the forest." She shook her head, running her fingers through her locks. "How about lunch in thirty?" She muttered, holding her evening gown tighter together.
"Fine." He huffed, striding down the hall.
"Dot!" She yelled down the hall to her room, where she emerged. "Can you help me get ready?" She asked with a soft voice, trying to not wake up her husband.
"Of course," She nodded, heading down the hall.
Clary slipped back inside, seeing that her husband was still out cold. She smiled at him, pushing the hair off of his face as Dot slipped into their room. Clary made sure that Jace was covered up before she walked in front of the mirror. Dot had spent most of yesterday making her a new gown because she did not want to wear her mother's old clothes.
"What do you think?" She held the green gown out for her to see. She couldn't image how much work she had to have put into it over the last day.
"It's beautiful." Clary smiled, slipping her evening gown off before pulling on her underdress.
"Thank you." She grinned, preparing for Clary to wear. Clary's mind flashed back to the night before when poor Dot witnessed her husband ripping her clothes off.
"I wanted to apologize for last night. Jace doesn't typically get over excited like that." She winced, remembering the way that Jace practically assaulted her in front of the poor woman.
"It's alright. I have walked in on much worse." Dot assured her with a soft hand to her wrist.
She stepped in front of the mirror, letting Dot help her into the gown. Dot always knew what looked exactly right on her. She smiled at the cloth, twisting her hips around to sway the fabric around her feet.
She sat next to her husband, rubbing her fingers over her husband's hand. "What? What?" He stirred, beginning to sit up.
"Shhhh…" she smiled down at him, kissing his forehead lightly. "I'm going to get lunch with my brother."
"I can go with you." He grunted, sitting up.
"You are obviously really enjoying sleeping, so you can sleep. I'll wake you for dinner." She grinned, squeezing his hand.
"Are you sure?" He muttered, snuggling back against the blankets. "This bed is so comfortable." He murmured, pulling the blankets up to his shoulders.
"I know." She snickered, getting to her feet.
She inhaled a deep breath, as she smoothed out her skirts. She made her way down the hall to his room. She paused at the door, pushing back any nerves before opening his bedroom door. Her brother stood up from his chair, pulling the chair across the table out for her. She sat down, letting him push it in for her.
She didn't like being in his room. It made her feel stiff and anxious, but she knew that she would have to be with him alone at some point in an area where she was uncomfortable. A servant scurried in setting two plates of food in front of them before practically running out of the room. Jonathan started eating, while he remained quiet.
"Is there any reason you wanted to wanted to speak to me?" She cleared her throat after a few minutes of tense silence.
"Why haven't you written me back?" He groaned, leaning back in her chair.
"Your dumb hawk never came back." She shrugged her shoulders, as she brought some food to her mouth. "Besides, I haven't learned anything new. There isn't a rebellion, Jonathan. I looked everywhere, I talked to soldiers, I spied in on meetings and there was nothing." She explained, sighing heavily.
"I don't believe you!" He pounded his fist on the table, making her flinch heavily. "They are animals."
"I mean maybe in bed." Clary widened her eyes slightly at her words, gulping thickly.
Clary squeezed her eyes shut when the table flew across the room. She could feel her brother's presence less than a breath away from her, which made her scared to open her eyes. She didn't think he would pounce on her this quickly, and it made her want to vomit.
She looked up at him, seeing the pure rage across his face. "You don't get to talk like that." He growled, gripping her arm rest tightly.
"Why not?" She forced the stammer out of her voice, as she reinforced herself in her chair. "It's true. What did you think was going to happen after I got married?" She asked, keeping her voice soft. She wanted to explode at him, but she knew that it would only make matters worse. She also needed to coax him into a false sense of security, and fighting him at every turn wouldn't help that.
"I didn't think you would actually like it." He snarled, moving even closer to her.
"So, you forced me into a situation that you hoped I would despise? Why would you want that for me? Did you think I would come home and fall into your bed for comfort?" She knew that last question was dangerous, but she had to acknowledge his feelings. She had to acknowledge the fact that she could see that he was aroused. She saw him falter, pushing back from her ever so slightly, as he looked over her. "I'm not blind." She stated, biting her lower lip.
"You don't get to talk to me about that." He snapped, furrowing his brow at her.
"It's about me! Why can't I talk about my own life?" She exclaimed softly, shaking her head at him. "You will never have me. I am married to Jace and there is nothing that you can legally do to change that." She touched his chest lightly, feeling her skin crawl.
"I was never going to leave you with them." He huffed, striding away from her.
"They aren't rebels. You have zero proof." She could see his wheels turning in his head, but she had no idea what he was thinking. "Why do you hate them so much?" She asked.
"They are a plague on this world. They are disgusting parasites who feed off of us to live." He paced, running his hand through his hair.
"They are very self-sustainable. They really just need medicine." She explained, taking a step closer to him.
"Get out." He snapped, keeping his eyes averted from her.
"What? You wanted to talk. This is the first real conversation we've had in years and now you're throwing me out?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. He was not amused at her statement, so she took that as her queue to leave. She leaned against the door, feeling her lungs fill back up with air, as the muscles in her shoulders uncoiled.
She strode quickly down the hall to her room, pulling at the laces on her gown. Her eyes scanned over her husband, who was still fast asleep in her childhood bed. She crawled into bed, brushing their lips together faintly. She wanted him to wake up and hold her.
"Jace," She whispered, moving to straddle his hips. "Wake up." She let her hair curtain around them.
"Oh, hey there." He smirked faintly, sliding his hands over her hips.
"My brother is crazy." She breathed, propping her forehead against his.
"I know. Are you alright?" He cradled her head, as she nuzzled her face into his neck. He rubbed her back, kissing her head lightly.
"I'm fine. I just-" She inhaled a sharp breath, propping herself back up. "He doesn't think things through and it's dangerous." She explained, moving to lie next him. He tangled their limbs together, brushing their lips together lightly. He rubbed her back lightly, comforting her.
A/N: I hope you guys liked it! I will be writing an epilogue! What do you guys want to know about Jace and Clary's kids?
What has been your favorite part about this story so far?
I have also determined that this is my last story for Mortal Instruments. I have been obsessed with these books for years, and I find myself becoming more in love with another book. I will also hold a special place for mortal instruments in my heart, but I will be writing for strictly another fandom soon. I have ran out of things to write about for these characters and I want to explore other ones.
I will be writing for A Court of Thorns and Roses fandom once I finish this story.
You all have been a wonderful group of readers. Thanks for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing. I love hearing from you guys!
Please review!