Jace POV

It was breathtaking. He didn't realize how much he had missed his home until then. They were hours out, yes. But the journey would be worth it. The ancient text, open markets, and comfortable humidity of the Egyptian nights called out to every part of him. Jace mostly missed his parents of course, but there were some things that stuck with him forever. Alec called over to Jace that it was safe to help Clary off the boat after she was okay. She stood beautifully near the exit, her hair in one hand as she emptied her stomach once more. He saw her wipe her mouth before walking over to him smiling.

"Glad to be getting off?" She took his hand as he asked, gently stepping on to the dock.

She nodded in his direction, repositioning herself so he could step up himself. "You have no idea." His eyes were stuck to her as she walked beside him, his hand on her back.

"I'm sorry you puked so much. At least I saved some of Simon's treats just in case."

"You did?! Thank you so much." Clary tried to grab the bag out of his bag because she had heard it was there but he caught her hand before she could. "Not yet?"

He shook his head, laughing. "No, we should get on our ride first." Clary caught sight of the giant boat, lavishly decorated in pillows and curtains, before he did. Her gasp was the cutest thing he had ever heard. "My family wanted you to be comfortable I guess. Word must have reached them I was bringing home a girl."

As it turned out, he was right. Red and gold pillows surrounded the most comfortable area on the boat. One of his personal guards from home even occupied the boat.

"Your highness." Geo addressed him as if he had never left. Clary, unlike him, was staring at Geo, captivated by him. Geo looked down at her, a genuine interest in his eyes. "You must be the future princess. Clarissa, correct?"

She nodded, rubbing his hand that was on her back, "It's nice to meet you. But I prefer Clary if that's ok."

"I'll take a mental note of it. Now, would you like to board? It is not near as bad as the trade ship you came in on." Geo's behavior made him smile. There was a reason that Jace enjoyed his company the most.

Remembering the task ahead, he ushered Clary gently to the back of the boat. She sat down and looked through the translucent curtains, tugging him with her. "You feel like you can eat something now?" The treats must have come back to her because she asked for them, firing the words off.

"Simon's tarts please!" Her face glowed when she took one out, only looking sad for a moment. Jace could see her satisfaction when she bit into the pastry. He only hoped he could see her make the same expression when she looked at the palace. It was his favorite place in the world. He wished he had been paying more attention to Clary when she tugged his tunic. Her eyes were wide as they passed different places along the river, the amazement showing just by her actions. Clary pulled him down with her, making him lay beside her. She seemed to enjoy the ride. The last time they were this close he was kissing her in her bedroom. At the moment he was tempted to do that again. But with so many invisible eyes on them he wasn't sure how he would be able to completely absorb her like he had. Ignoring his surroundings, Jace reached over and stroked her hair, the fiery strands flowing between his fingertips. She seemed to enjoy the motion as she nuzzled into his touch immediately. Impulsively, Jace drew her closer into his chest. Clary raised her hand into his hair, playing with the under hairs on his neck. He laughed as she did, the feeling refreshing on such a long ride. She amazed him. As strong as she was, her girly side was too adorable. Her big green eyes watching his expression really did it for him. Without warning, Jace kissed her. She grinned as she kissed him back, pulling him closer. The curtains made it possible for them to have a personal moment but he knew they would soon be in the public eye. Pulling back, he needed to think of something to tell her that would ease the pressure she would soon have. It came to him while she stroked the muscle under his tunic. He could almost fall asleep to it but it needed to come out.

"Clary, can you stop for a second?" She looked deflated but he kissed her forehead. "When we reach the point when everyone has to get out in the city you won't be ready. It's almost overwhelming for me as it is. Just be yourself and stick to me like glue. Judging by the boat, word somehow got to the city that you were coming. Some people will sneer, but I think most will cheer. Anyone who would leave a city like Rome when they were so closely related to the tyrant deserves all the praise in the world. Just stay by me tonight, okay? Everyone will help you adjust as soon as they can." It was longer than he meant it to be but it struck with her. He put a calming hand on her back, rubbing it slowly. Her breath eventually calmed and she was back to rubbing his chest. It didn't matter if his parents approved anymore, she would be his anyway. Losing her would crush him. Clary must have sensed he was tired because she kissed him lightly and curled up into his chest, continuing to lull him to sleep. The last thing he remembered was hearing Geo chuckle lightly with Izzy and Alec. Somehow it comforted him.

Clary POV

She woke up to the guard lightly shaking her. They were still on the boat, about an hour away apparently. Jace was asleep beside her, a small line of drool coming from the side of his mouth. He looked too handsome to wake up but she needed to wake him. Before she could, the guard introduced himself quietly.

"My name is Geo by the way. I'll leave you to wake him miss." Geo disappeared behind the curtain, smiling as he did. She favored him a little, he was nice.

Returning her attention to Jace, she placed her lips gently on his. He seemed to not wake up so she did the unthinkable. Using what little she knew about male anatomy, she found his dick and lightly squeezed. His eyes popped open immediately, startling her to the point of inching away from him. Jace started laughing, looking between her and his crown jewels.

"I see someone was eager. How far away are we?" He tangled his hand in hers, pulling her closer. She laughed lightly as he did, shaking her head while trying to forget what she had done.

"Geo said about an hour. Are you ready to be home?" His face changed into something purely sentimental. Clary let out a small scream when he wrapped his arm around her. Geo glanced inside and grinned before a quick shake of his head. Their laughter came out quietly.

Jace's answer was whispered in her ear. "Yes. But it's not my home, it's ours. Remember that." Clary wrapped her arms around his torso, just happy to be there. The gold in his eyes reflected their surroundings, bright and colorful. Clary had only seen Egypt through books, the words describing a wonderful place. But it was beyond what she expected. Yes, there was a lot of sand and desert. Clary still fell in love with it though. Thinking she would be fine, she left Jace's side and went onto the main deck to look around. Geo greeted her near the front, nodding in her direction. Everyone else seemed content around her. She decided that leaning on the side nearest Jace would be best so she could look over at him every now and then. He would smile and start messing with his tunic again when she did. Geo came up beside her later, clearing his throat.

"Miss Clarissa…Clary, would you mind joining Jonathon under the protective curtains? We are about to go through a sketchy area of the river and I would rather not lose the future princess."

She nodded and smiled at his request. "Of course. Thank you for informing me." Lifting her skirts, she walked back under the curtains. Jace seemed to not mind the danger they could be in because he lay down with her again, mumbling sweet things in her ear as they passed a village with wandering eyes. She could see them peeking from the windows, most looking like they could kill her. Clary instinctively snuggled into Jace's chest to hide from the glances. It seemed like forever for her until Geo announced they were a ten minute chariot ride away from the city. Jace lifted her up with him, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders.

"Almost there, huh?" He laughed, pulling her towards the dock. She shook off her nerves on the outside but they were still there. Maybe if she just made it through the first night it would be alright. Stepping out of the boat, they met someone Jace knew that would be driving them. The chariot in front of them was wide enough all three could stand on it but she wondered if she'd even be able to. Jace came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Remember to stick to me, okay? I'll be holding you the entire time." His breath tickled on her ear. "Because I'm not letting go of you for the next week."

Clary had to hold back a gasp as he picked her up and followed the man to the chariot. She caught a glimpse of the emblem on the side, possibly the family symbol. Glancing around in his arms, she saw more symbols. It would be a question for when they settled if she didn't forget. Jace gently climbed into the chariot, placing her in front of him. She was glad for the hold when they took off because she would have fell off otherwise. In fact, she somehow bumped into him the first few minutes of the ride. "How are you used to this?" Buildings rose up in front them, effectively silencing her. Jace, used to the scenery, answered as he gazed with her.

"It takes time. You'll be used to it eventually, trust me." She felt herself pulled even closer to him, his grip becoming almost possessive. "We'll be in the city soon. Just be yourself, okay?" It made sense he would hold her tighter but she was still worried there was more. Soon he was pointing out buildings and the palace. She would know the city before she even entered it. Then, before her eyes, the world transformed. People lined the streets, staring at them as they passed. He had been right when he said it would be overwhelming. There were continuous cheers and very few sneers towards them. Children sat on parents shoulders to see them over the crowd, some even sitting on window sills. Clary lifted her hand to them, causing the cheers to grow louder. By the time they reached the palace, she felt content to be alone with the original group. The introvert with in her smiled as well. As carefully as he could, Jace helped her down and to a set of stairs. "Go ahead," he urged. "I'll be with you in a second." She climbed the stairs reluctantly, wishing he was there. Beyond the doorway stood two girls, both bowing as she entered.

"You must be the new princess. Please follow us." Was it her red hair? She didn't know if it was… But she followed them down the corridor anyway, hopefully to somewhere she could be alone. In front of her they rambled on, quietly discussing something. The younger one would look back to check on her and turn to the older a second later. Most likely reporting her observations, or maybe Clary was wrong. Eventually they reached a set of double doors with a set of, ironically, red curtains behind it. Egyptians must have really liked their privacy. The girls led Clary on a tour of the room, explaining that she could use the curtains to cover the open windows since they were not quite as high as some rooms. As much as she loved the tour, Clary needed to at least know names for the moment. It wouldn't make her as anxious to be there.

She sat at the vanity in the room as the girls closed the curtains, trying to find a way to say her next sentence without being snotty. "If I could ask…"

"Yes?" the youngest questioned. She turned to face Clary respectfully.

"What are your names? It would be nice if I could actually call you something." The expression on the girls face didn't change but her stance did. Clary almost chewed her nails waiting for an answer.

The older one answered for them both. "My name is Sian and that is Mya. We are your hand-maids for the time being." Would they not be in her room for more than a few days? Before she could ask there was a knock at the door. Mya rushed to answer it, squeaking when she saw the person on the other side.

"Mya? Who is it?" She tried to stand but Sian running by her made her stumble a bit. Sian's shocked look made her even more nervous. "Sian?"

Sian finally spoke after a moment of silence. "Her royal highness is here to see you." The girls stepped aside to let her in and Clary lost her breath. Not only was Jace's mother beautiful, but she had the look of a warrior. Her sweet smile gave her a softer look though.

"Ah, you really are beautiful my dear. My son's ramblings don't do you justice." Clary blushed and didn't know how to respond. "Before I ask you anything I'd like to know something, what do you preferred to be called? Jonathon addresses you as Clary but I know from scouts you were named Clarissa at birth." The queen sat on the edge of the bed, casually twisting the end of her hair.

"Either is fine. I just am used to being called Clary." She shyly joined the queen, sitting relatively close to her. When she looked for the girls they were gone, most likely knowing it was a private conversation.

"My husband insisted on asking Jace about his trip so I figured I'd get some girl talk in before he came searching. Also, I'm curious. What would make you pick an entirely different culture over the one you grew up with?"

Clary knew the answer so well that she didn't even need to think about it. "I had gotten tired of living in a world where I had no say in my life. As far as my father was concerned, I was a prize identical to my mother. Jace made me feel like I wasn't, at least not to him. Then, when he told me about how nice you guys were here and of the beauty this place, my plan to run away changed to being somewhere I felt like I needed. Somewhere to be myself for one. Jace made me see more than I could about myself and I quickly realized that was what I couldn't lose. He knew me better than anyone and accepted me for me. I guess that's why."

The queen nodded, laughing quietly to herself. "My boy can make quite the impression can't he? I'm glad you came back with him, Clary, I really am. You are what he needed also." She looked at the door, hearing footsteps, and quickly whispered something into Clary's ear. "Or that's just my opinion."

As if on cue, Jace and his father stepped in the doorway. Jace resembled his father just as much as he did his mother. His grin was infectious as he looked at her, looking more amused than ever.

"Should we be worried that you two shared embarrassing stories or?" Jace elbowed the King, emitting a chuckle from him as he crossed the room to his wife.

"Dear, as much as I would like to meet the young lady myself, we need to head to the dinner party. I'm sorry to go away on your first night Clarissa, but I trust my son will behave himself. We will see the two of you at breakfast." They left without another word, smiling at Clary and Jace.

"So," Jace said, looking at her while leaning on the door frame. "You hungry?"

Clary nodded and hopped off the bed. First food, then she'd let the questions come out.

Author's Note:

Hey! I am alive! I had to take a short hiatus that wasn't school related because I cut my finger open. I'll keep it short and say I had to have it glued. Yeah, I'll have a scar... (PM me if there are any questions.) Anyway, I can type again and decided that, since I worked my butt off to exempt everything, I would try and update everything. TRY. So, on to questions...

1) Will Clary ever see Jon again?

2) Can Valentine really be killed? (Will be included next chapter)

3) Any comments?

Music Recommendations:

.The 1975

.American Authors

They are pretty much on my "must listen to" list. I'm addicted.

Enjoy, review, and all that good stuff.

Love y'all,

Writerbyheart