Magnus's POV
Alec's dad stared Magnus down as he watched the gang, Clary maintaining control of the conversation while Jace drank. It looked a bit too serious for such an extravagant party though. He couldn't go near Alexander even he wanted to either.
"More wine, Sir?" A petite server made herself comfortable at his side, calmly slipping a note in his pocket before leaving, as if he had said no. There was no way to read it in there though. Magnus would have to go outside.
And, as luck would have it, Alexander and some common boy were headed towards one of the many exits. It all seemed too perfect. The eldest Lightwood set his sights on him as they left, almost daring him to follow. Well, damn, now he would need an excuse.
"Miss, do you know where I can find the medic? I seem to have an intense ache in my head." Finding the nearest staff member proved difficult, but Magnus had finally found one. She smiled, nodding, and pointed to the exit.
"Go down the hall and into the alcove on the left. She should still be awake."
He nodded his thanks before heading out the doors, weaving through the crowd of people just to get there in one piece. But as soon as Magnus was outside he saw them standing against the wall.
"Finally!" Alec groaned, wrapping a hand around his arm. "What took you so long?"
The boy beside him wore the same worried expression, looking towards the doors leading inside. What was so important, or who?
"I had to wait a few minutes. Your father seemed to keep an eye on me." Alec's reaction told Magnus he was right. "Did you send the note?"
"Note?" Alec had no clue what he was talking about? Okay. "What are you talking about?"
"This." He pulled the note from his pocket, opening it up so they could read it.
Get Clary and Jace, well all of them really, upstairs. We need to talk.
-anonymous
The common boy had disappeared before Magnus could say anything about the message. Minutes later the boy returned to them, Clary rubbing her wrist once they were out.
"Simon, really, there was no need to hold my wrist so tight." Jace looked predatory as she sighed, seeming more worn out than before. "Magnus, what are we dealing with?"
Not sure how to explain, he handed the note over. Her only reaction was to give Jace to note next and start for the stair case. They all followed without complaint.
Once on the second floor though, they were lead to Jace's bedroom suite. This was an area Magnus had never seen before.
"Let me go in first, just to make sure." Jace was many things, but his loyalty remained fierce no matter what, especially for the ones he loved.
Clary beat him to the door. "No, you are the future king. I can handle anything that comes at me. Trust me."
"Clarissa, you are a part of my future too. I do not underestimate you in the least, but right now let me take the lead."
In the end, they both entered the room at the same time, Clary squealing before all of us could rush in.
"Mom!" A woman with the same fiery locks had wrapped her arms around Clary. Her clothes were covered in dust, as well as the edges of her hair. The journey must have been rough.
"Clary, you're alive." Jace sat down behind them as Clary's mother rubbed her daughter's cheek. "That dress looks great on you. And, Jace, you look well." She scanned the room, smiling at us all. "I'm so glad you all are safe. But we need to find the assassin before she executes your father's orders."
"Jon sent you?" Simon, or was it Simeon, piped up from the group, making his way to the front.
"Yes." The queen in her was evident in that moment. "But only one of you can grab her. Alexander, I am trusting you to do this. The rest of you, I would rather you not go back to the celebration. But I understand that it is necessary."
She was right, our absence would have been noticed by now. Jace and Clary were the couple being honored after all.
"We'll go back first then. You all follow."
Jace silently led Clary out of the room, rubbing circles into her back. When they were gone her mom continued.
"Alec, you need to lure her out of the room. I can't imagine what would work, but I know you will think of something. The rest of you, be safe."
It all felt like business before they left, except, "Magnus, would you stay a moment?"
"Yes?" He warily sat down in front of her, swallowing hard.
"What can you tell me about Ragnor Fell?"
Alec's POV
No one seemed to notice their absence, which had been weird. But Alec had a bigger task ahead of him. The maid was no where to be seen though. And no one knew where she was either. It fit perfectly. The girl knew something was up.
"I can't find her." He found Clary by one of the tables, quietly surveying the room. "What should I do?"
She looked quite alarmed by the panic in his voice. "You mean the maid? I don't know either."
"But you aren't supposed to grab her. Why are you looking?" Clary hadn't heard her mom's orders had she?
"I knew one of you would have to find her and lure her away. Though, I thought Simon would be on the case, not you. No offense."
They stood there in silence, watching the others dance and talk before Clary tugged at his hand.
"Something moved behind the curtains over there. I think it's her, or someone trying to avoid another guest."
Alec just stared at the area the royals had blocked off, they clearly hadn't wanted anyone back there. How would her get back there unannounced then? An idea came to him when he saw a crack in the curtains where no one was gathered. If he could get that far, maybe he would be able to corner her.
"I'll be back. Stay in Jace's line of sight. If you don't he will freak out."
Clary nodded, popping another grape in her mouth. She practically shooed him away when he waited for a verbal answer. Hopefully he had been clear, but he didn't know for sure as he walked away.
When he slipped through the curtain though, she didn't look alarmed. The girl just glared, pissed.
"Finally, it took one of you long enough. I'm surprised the princess didn't come back here herself." She just picked at her nails, dropping the dagger that had been hidden on her thigh earlier.
"Why did you just drop that?" Disarming herself was a shock. If she wanted to kill him, why drop her weapon?
A sigh passed her lips, "because I'm here to protect her, not kill her. You all have the wrong maid. But I do know who it is. Do you want to protect Clary or not?"
Alec nodded, they needed to be protected. But what would she want in return?
Jace's POV
He couldn't have been more on edge, really, but having Clary by his side seemed to calm his nerves. Alec had been gone too long. Was his best friend hurt? It plagued him until he saw the archer again, the maid they had suspected accompanying him.
Clary sat up, rocking into his side as the duo got closer. Jace could feel her nerves radiating off of him.
"Alec?"
He slid in, the girl following his lead. Something was up.
"This is Greta, who is not here to harm us. But she can help, and will for nothing. Which is still suspicious- but we have an ally"
Greta nodded, laying both hands flat on the table. "I apologize for not saying anything sooner. I had orders to watch her while she remained here, and make sure that Clara doesn't touch her. The girl is sweet, yes. But her family is malicious and aims to kidnap you. They have been ordered to send you back to Rome."
"By," Clary calmly drank her wine, sipping between words. "Who?"
"Jonathon Morgenstern, your brother, has control over me. Your death-ridden father has control over her family though, unfortunately."
"This means that I was wrong?" It was a rare occasion for Jace to be wrong. And it always haunted him if someone got hurt because of it.
"You were half right, your highness. The enemy is a maid, you just accused the wrong one."
Nope, that had not boosted his ego at all. He still felt horrible for a possible mistake, and couldn't shake it.
"Where is she then?"
Greta looked down before speaking.
"Clara disappeared this morning, so I have no clue."
Jace filled with rage, the anger barely subdued by Clary's finger rubbing his knuckles. The girl could be anywhere in this place. And if they didn't find her tonight all hell could break loose.
Clary's POV
Her mother was hiding in Jace's suite, the enemy had not been seen all day, and who she suspected was Jace's grandmother had not stopped staring at them for a while. The old woman glared when Jace wrapped his arm around her. It seemed more than inappropriate by all of Clary's standards.
"Clary, you agree, right?"
Alec's voice brought her back into the conversation, when she noticed Jace watching her from the side with his mouth twisted.
"Sorry, I'm being set on fire by someone's grandma, or she's imagining my death. What were we talking about?"
Alec repeated himself, both eyebrows raised as he spoke.
"Jace suggested we set out on a man hunt with a few armed guards. I told him it would only raise suspicion."
"I agree with you actually. One or two would not make anyone the least bit suspicious, but more than that would. Any complaints?"
When she turned to Jace he looked constipated, but his expression quickly changed when he caught her gaze.
"No complaints here. But, Clary, were you talking about my grandmother? The one who is walking over here right now?"
"Maybe. Is she really walking over here?" A quick look to her left confirmed what he had said. "Oh, this will be fun."
Jace just rubbed her back, hissing in her ear to not be sarcastic, when the elderly woman graced them with her presence.
"Grandson, what a pleasure to see you. I assume this is the roman girl."
Clary straightened up, waiting for Jace to say something. She had no clue who this woman was really, or what power she held.
"Yes, grandmother, this is Clary, my intended. I'm glad you could make it this evening."
She watched Alec's eyes shift back and forth as the tension built between them. But all of her instincts told her to focus on the conversation between them rather than focusing on Alec's reactions. Though they were funny.
"I see. Can she not speak for herself? Do you intend to rule with such a quiet young woman, and a foreigner at that."
Jace sighed, pulling Clary closer to him. Under his breath, he breathed into her ear.
"I know she is harsh. Just introduce yourself."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I apologize, I just did not know what to say." The words came out more rehearsed than she intended, but it had a positive effect. Or so she thought.
"Ah. I see the rumors are true. Your father really did not respect your opinion did he? That will change before you marry I hope."
Seriously? Clary kept her fist clenched away from anyone's sight. She did not need rumors about her spreading, not right now.
"Grandmother, she is new here and has yet to fully settle in. Clary can talk for herself, and is one of the feistiest woman I have met. I believe you have miss interpreted her greeting of respect as something else."
Yes, she hated when men spoke up for her. But right now Clary was grateful because as much as she didn't like the woman, no hateful or sarcastic words would have made this any better.
"Much like your mother I suppose. Well, I didn't like her either, not at first. I expect much more lively conversations than this in the future then." After a brief pause, she finished her goodbye. "It was nice to meet you. Clarissa, do tame his ego. He is too much like his father." The lady strode away into the crowd, leaving them be.
For the first time in minutes, Clary took a full breath. Jace lounged once their guest had disappeared, relaxed.
"That should settle things for the next few months. Anyway," Jace looked over at her, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'm proud to someday call you my queen, please know that."
"Okay, love birds, let's focus. Should we gather the troops or not?"
"Yes."
"No."
Clary gave Jace a questioning look before chewing him out.
"What do you mean by 'no'? You just fueled the conversation with your grandmother. I think I should lead this, considering my life is one being targeted. Or was the original one at least."
He nodded, still relaxed. "But we do not need to act now. She's in the palm of our hands if we play this right."
"Jace, what are you talking about?" Alec hissed across the table. "We have no clue where to look for this girl."
"Or we just did." His smug attitude annoyed her, but she followed his gaze to his parents, where the girl waited behind the chairs. "Alec, alert Izzy to evacuate my parents over here. I'll create a diversion. You grab her."
She had never seen Alec get to Isabelle so quickly, but he did it in record time. Izzy could act also, considering the king and queen hurried over to them.
"Son, is it time, or is there another reason you needed us?"
Jace nodded his head towards their chairs, his discreetness amazing Clary.
"There was an assassin behind your chairs. And now there isn't."
Alec had the girl's arms pinned behind her back, the weapon yards away from the pair. When Clary locked eyes with the maid, Clara's mouth opened.
"You traitor! You don't deserve the title of princess, or queen. You are vermin, something to spit at. You deserve death."
More spilled out, but Clary figured that her father had brain washed the girl and brushed off the comments until she was done with her gibberish.
Standing up, and ignoring Jace's silent signal to sit down, Clary marched forward, facing the girl from a few yards away.
"No. None of that is true. I am a princess by birth, ruler by blood and love, and in no way do I mean nothing. The man you came here working for is a treacherous vermin, one who cheated his way into ultimate power, a tyrant that deserves to burn, and an unfit parent who only values wealth and power. I am nothing like my father and never will be. I care about everyone, would die for the people I love, and can break people without any physical weapon. Do not underestimate me, because you would be a fool to."
Clara started to tremble, not quite looking her in the eye anymore.
"What should we do with her?" Alec asked in the general direction of the royal family.
Jace answered, pride in his voice. "Let's let Clary decide. By the way, we do have torture devices in the dungeon."
"Imprison her for now. But, mark my words, I will suck you dry of any plans my father has. No secrets will be kept, or I will let the guards have their way. Am I clear?"
Clara nodded before slumping down onto her knees. The guards took her away a moment later, but the entire room still stared at Clary.
She hastily moved back across the room, into Jace's arms. He hugged her, nodding into her shoulder at some point. But she didn't question it.
"Just like a queen, you are more powerful than anyone could ever guess."
The queen and kind returned to their chairs, and the party started again. They had a good time though. Possible death set aside, most everyone looked pleased. All was well for now.
Jace's POV
They left the party when it started to die down. One hand held Clary's, the other held a box in his pocket. It was not traditional for a prince to propose in Egypt, but he wanted there to be something sentimental about it. And, with all the jewelry Clary would receive just for events, she should have something from him.
"That was fun." She remarked, bumping his shoulder with hers. "I could have done without the assassin though."
"Same. Though that may not be the last."
"True. So, my mom is staying here apparently. Are you okay with that? Your mom said it would be 'wonderful'."
"It's fine by me. As long as you are happy, I'm happy."
"But we don't really make the decisions do we?" Her laugh caught him off guard. It was so genuine.
"Not all of them. Not yet anyway."
They stopped by his doors, her leaning into his chest.
"I should probably go get some sleep."
He nodded, hesitant to let her go. It was now or never, and he needed to do this.
"Can you come in here before you do though?" He had to take a breath before opening the doors to his room. "Ladies first."
"That's just an excuse to look at my ass." She passed by, chuckling when he did exactly that. "What is it?"
Jace waited for her to sit down, his palms sweating.
"Well, I, I wanted to, geez." He had to collect himself, bringing back the confidence he knew he had. "Look, your last name really fits. But, I think you need to change it to mine."
Clary grinned, "are you doing what I think you are doing?"
"Let me finish, okay? I," He was pulled on top of her before he could say anything else. `
"Yes. You don't need to say anything else. Yes." Clary kissed him, slipping her hands in his hair. Jace gave in immediately, picking her up by her ass.
A knock at the door separated them a few minutes later, the king popping his head in, along with both of the queens.
"I assume she said yes." Both woman smirked, exchanging looks as the king sighed.
Clary, already flustered, let go of Jace as he let her down, dropping her on the bed.
"She did say yes. We just got preoccupied. I didn't have time to slip this on though." Pulling out the ring, he took her hand. It was amusing to see her eyes light up at the sight of it. Hopefully he would get to see this again, and so much more.
Hey! It is a little past four in the morning now, and I am extremely tired. But The chapter is done! Anyway...
I'm out of questions to ask because my brain needs some rest, but review please.
Also, yes, I got the idea for how he proposed from a tumblr post and a picture. Credit to whoever did those because I love seeing them on my feed.
Love y'all,
Writerbyheart