Chapter 64: So. A bit of time has passed. I've decided I want to end this story in Idris. So, I'm building up to that… This chapter was originally a lot longer. I've split it into the next chapter. I'll probably have the next one finished tomorrow - Coming up: Clace, Idris, Angst… duh.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: mansplaining, non-con elements, mention of abuse, mention of rape and imprisonment.
I do not own any of the characters, only the illustrious Cassandra Clare owns them. I do, however, own this particular story, so please don't be lame and copy/paste it elsewhere.
Thank you for the follows, likes, and reviews! It really means a lot!
Previously: "He's untouchable and I'm so exposed! It's not fair!... he's so excited about the baby, which makes me feel guilty. He raped me and I feel guilty. How fucked up is that? I'm sorry. I'm just so afraid he's going to win… again."
Jace and Alec walked into the dark bar and straight to a large corner booth. Will Herondale looked up from the table, where he sat with his partner Jem, and grinned. Standing, he nodded at Alec and looked Jace up and down. "Well, little cousin. It looks like you've packed on a few pounds. Are you getting lazy behind your NYPD desk? Too many biscuits?" Jace scoffed and embraced his cousin, slapping him hard on the back. "I think you mean donuts, you dumb Brit. The only weight I may have put on is another row to my rock hard abs. Jealous much?" Alec and Jem looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Alec sat down and waved for a waitress. "Okay Herondales, if you're done adoring each other, let's talk shop." Jem laughed and shook their hands. "It's good to see you again Jace. Alec, I've heard a lot about you. Welcome to the Fuck Jonathan Morgenstern Club." The waitress came and they ordered beers and food. The men chatted, catching up, while waiting for their meals.
Jace took a long drink from his beer. "So, how much has Tessa told you two? I assume you both are aware that my beautiful, pregnant fiance has it in her head that she is flying to Idris in a few weeks to plead for a legal annulment from Morgenstern. She's still legally his wife there and Clary wants to sever all ties with him, so he can't hold any claim over her, her Fairchild lands and holdings, or her baby. She wants to secure her legacy for her daughter. She also thinks she can help the women of Idris overcome the archaic patriarchy or whatever… We'll need solid security for her while we're there. If only I could have shot a little more to the left the night we rescued Clary."
Will hummed and nodded. "Indeed. You're a shit shot after getting popped in the chest, thank god for Kevlar. Nana would have my arse if I got you killed. Anyway, Tessa shared everything with us, I think. We know Clary wants Maia and her Idrian counterpart to present the annulment case to The Clave, on the same criminal grounds as her US annulment. She said they hope to get them to annul the marriage, as well as get his ambassador status revoked. That way, he can be prosecuted in the US or deported. So, you need help with security in Idris… because Idris requires Clary to be present for the hearing? By the way, you know this isn't going to work, right? Did I hit everything?" Will combed his hand through his thick black hair and sighed, as Jace sighed and combed his hand through his golden curls at the same time. Jem and Alec locked eyes and laughed.
Jace glared at them and turned back to Will. "Exactly. He should be getting served a notice to appear before the Clave any time, if his fancy lawyers haven't already found out. I know he'll try to come after her while there and she won't listen to me. She says he'll come after her no matter where she is after he finds out about the annulment case. She's not wrong. He's going to blow. I know he's been hanging his psycho hat on getting her back to Idris, as his wife, raising their baby." Jem and Will sipped their beers and shook their heads in disgust.
Jace nodded at them angrily. "Right?! Dammit, Will. That motherfucker has been insinuating himself into our lives ever since he found out about the baby. He has Clary so twisted up, I don't even know what to do. Oh! Get this– She's so afraid of triggering him, she's in fucking therapy with him, trying to help him. She's even let him come to a few prenatal appointments. You know how goddamn stubborn she is… and I swear she's keeping shit from me. So, long story short, she's going to Idris and I'm going with her." Jace picked up his beer and took a drink. Alec laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "And I'm going with you, brother. I talked to Chief Lightwood and Commissioner Trueblood today. We're both cleared to collaborate with Will's team, off the record of course." Jace turned to Alec and smiled, clapping his hand over his. "Thanks Alec, that means a lot. Having you there will be helpful. Damn… so much badassery in Idris, I'm sure she'll be safe."
Will and Jem looked at each other and nodded. "Okay cousin, you have my team too. This mission will be an independent one, no MI6 this time. I've called in some favors, though and have plenty of backup. Andrew actually volunteered. We'll start with keeping you both at a safe house, like before. The team will stay nearby, so you can have privacy. She'll have a full security detail everywhere she goes, just like our Idrian princess deserves." He winked at his cousin. Jace raised his eyebrows at him and scoffed. "Don't say that around Clary. She gets pretty salty about the whole High Idrian blood shit… that Valentine was a real piece of work. May he rot in hell." Jem cleared his throat. "Just a reminder that Idris is an open carry country, I will secure us temporary licenses, as part of Clary's security detail. So, we'll all be armed if anything goes awry, like it did last time." Jace looked around the table and held up his beer. "I can't thank you all enough for coming together to help me with this." The four men toasted to the company and continued planning.
Clary stepped back and looked over her sketch of The Wild Hunt of faerie lore. Faeries warriors and other mythical creatures atop winged horses and beasts stampeded across a moonlit sky, hunting their enemies. It was dark, fierce, and bloody. Cathartic. Her portfolio for Magnus' redecorating of Pandemonium was nearly complete. She jumped when she heard a low whistle behind her. "Damn, ClareBear, that is some dark shit…" Simon. Clary smiled and whirled around, throwing her arms around her best friend. "Simon! What a nice surprise. What are you doing here?" She pulled back and looked him over. He wore his typical horn rimmed glasses, a black Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt and his favorite cargo pants.
He grinned and smoothed back his wild brown hair. He's so cute. "Oh, Just dropping off Max for the afternoon. He wanted to join the Xbox club. Izzy's downstairs, signing him in. I also wanted to see how you've been…" He looked down at her, his eyes running over her belly, then back to her face. "You look beautiful, Fray. You're what… 30 weeks along now?" Clary pulled her smock off and hung it on the hook and looked into the large mirror on the wall. He's the sweetest. "Beautiful? Thanks, Simon. You're sweet. Yes, almost 30 weeks. I don't feel beautiful… I feel enormous…" Aaron was picking her up soon for her weekly therapy with Jonathan. Afterwards, he would drop her off at the precinct to see Jace and she wanted to look pretty. She took her hair down from her bun and shook her curls down.
She turned to face Simon and grimaced, looking down at herself. Clary wore a plum colored scoop neck top which accentuated her figure, showcasing her chest and pregnant belly, a matching skirt, and strappy sandals. "You're not enormous– whoa…" Simon's eyes flicked down to her cleavage and his eyes grew wide, blushing. She rolled her eyes at him and slipped a coordinating silk scarf with hues of purple and green around her neck, somewhat concealing her bosom. "What is it with the men in my life freaking out over my chest? It's almost August. I'm not wearing turtlenecks. It's hot and I need to keep cool. They're boobs and I'm pregnant. Deal with a little cleavage… I'm fucking hot all the time." A familiar giggle at the door to her studio made Simon jump. Isabelle Lightwood sauntered in looking gorgeous, as always, in a black and white striped tank dress and stiletto heels. God, I love her.
"You're damn right you're hot, ClareBear. Look at that fucking rack and baby bump. You look like a pinup girl with an accent pillow strapped on your stomach. I thought you said you'd get fat! Liar! You're sexy as hell… show me that ass." Isabelle laughed and threw her arms around Clary, then rubbed her baby bump. "Oh, honey. How are you doing? I miss you and my little girl belly rubs." Clary laughed and hugged Izzy. "I'm doing okay. I'm hungry all the time and pee more than I ever thought possible, but I feel good. I'm leaving soon for my session with Camille and– Jon today… I think it may be our last. I just– don't want to do it anymore. It's not really helping. I think he's just using it as an excuse to be near me…" Simon put his arm around her and Izzy. "I think that's probably true, Fray. With everything else coming up– you know, in Idris. You should probably distance yourself from him. Of course, I've thought that all along. He should be in fucking prison, not enjoying your presence, off scott-free…" Izzy hummed her agreement. "Truth, Clary. You should cut it off, go annul his ass in Idris, then press charges for his crimes, have that baby, and marry Jace…" Clary smiled at them and nodded. If only they understood how difficult it would be to beat Jonathan. The three friends talked and planned to meet for dinner soon. Clary hugged them both before they left. She cleaned up her studio, waiting for Aaron, thinking of all the ways she wanted to give herself to Jace later. Clary had been exceptionally horny lately and quite demanding with Jace in the bedroom. He had absolutely no complaints, as far as she knew. Today, After her session with Jonathan, they planned to stroll through Central Park, get ice cream, then spend the rest of the day in bed.
Clary walked into the lobby of Camille's building and felt a nervous thrill run through her. She had talked to Maia on the ride over. Today, Jonathan's lawyers in Idris were served the notice for him to present to The Clave. She was no fool. Clary knew he had to suspect she would try something like this, if only to be able to have him deported from the US. She wasn't sure if he knew it involved a legal annulment of their marriage in Idris, however. That meant she would have to leave to go to Idris, as well. Maia and her Idrian counterpart indicated The Clave would insist on meeting with her and Jonathan in private court, due to the names involved. Fairchild and Morgenstern. Jace was meeting with his cousin Will today to plan security for the visit. Clary was glad Jace was coming with her. He had begrudgingly decided to support her decision, if she allowed him to handle security. I love him so much.
Until a few weeks ago, she had been feeling better and more positive, making great strides with Camille in private therapy. Her panic attacks and nightmares had diminished greatly. Camille had assured her that Jonathan had made no other requests or threats. Clary had continued seeing Jonathan every week with Camille. Their sessions had stayed difficult for Clary, but uneventful. He behaved of course, acting the perfect gentleman, keeping his distance, no inappropriate touches, and seemed to cooperate with the boundaries they discussed after the ultrasound appointment. That was until about a month ago, coincidentally when her engagement announcement was in the paper. Ever since, he would stare at her longingly, pay her compliments, and try to steer their discussions to their happier times. After their first session, when he begged forgiveness and conceded everything, she thought that progress would continue. It hadn't. It was such a turnaround from his original behavior that she knew he was planning something. A quiet Jonathan is a dangerous one.
Clary had decided after their session last week, to test her theory by pushing his buttons. She now wished she hadn't been so impetuous. He had been acting strangely, preoccupied, and inattentive today. Anxious. As if he were merely giving lip service, to get the session over quickly. He openly stared at her hungrily, lustfully. He mentioned how much he loved her plum outfit. Clary had forgotten his fixation with her wearing purple. She chafed under his gaze and avoided his eyes as much as she could. After the session, she stayed to talk to Camille then walked into the waiting room. Clary texted Aaron that she was coming down to the lobby in a few minutes, when she felt Jonathan's hand on her shoulder.
Clary jumped and looked at his hand. He quickly pulled it back. "I'm sorry, Clarissa. There's something we need to talk about. About our daughter…" Clary stepped back from him and smiled tightly. She hated it when he used "our" about anything. It made her uncomfortable… as if he still considered them together. "I-I'm in a hurry, Jonathan. What is it?" He ran his eyes over her and she pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, covering her chest, pursing her lips. "It's time to go shopping for the nursery, Clarissa. I've chosen the perfect room, just beside the master suite at the mansion. The New York Morgenstern estate is only an hour outside of the city. I had planned to bring you there for our honeymoon. I didn't get the chance before we went to Idris… It's time you saw it." What the hell is he talking about?
Clary looked up at him and blinked, her heart began to pound. "A nursery, Jonathan? Why?" He had looked at her as if she asked a silly question and smirked. "Well, for her to live in, of course. With us, Clarissa. I've even designed an art studio for you… you can finish at NYU as well. We can finish all of this therapy business now and prepare for the birth of our daughter. See, I've heard everything you wanted me to. We can start anew. Therapy has made me see things from your perspective… I understand now and won't make the same mistakes, Clarissa. We needn't return to Idris at all, if you don't want to. We can stay in New York, as a family." Clary's blood ran cold. "Jon, are you alright? You're not making sense. I think you've misinterpreted things. As we've discussed, ad nauseum, the baby won't be staying with you, nor will I. You understand that, right? You will not have custody– or have me. Visitations, perhaps, but not custody. I plan to breastfeed, so she will need to stay only with me and I certainly am not going to live with you. After she's born, I'm marrying Jace and will live with him. All visits will have to be supervised, as well. I insist. So, I uh– have to decline… Goodbye, Jonathan." His eyes had narrowed and his smile fell from his face. Clary decided that she shouldn't say anything further, so as not to trigger him. Where the fuck did that come from all of a sudden… way irrational– even for him. The way he looked at her made her nervous. She gathered her things and turned to go, hurrying into the hall towards the elevators. She knew he would follow and wanted to press the button quickly.
She pressed the button three times on the elevator, refusing to look at him, when he walked up next to her. There was no one in the hall with them. Shit. Shit. His voice was low… angry, as if it was difficult for him not to yell at her. "Clarissa, we need to talk about this. I don't feel that we are on the same page, regarding our daughter. We need to try to– make it work, for our family. Herondale will not have what is mine. Our baby will have her parents together, in the same home. I insist. You are my wife– you need to stop this nonsense and come back to me." He moved closer to her, Clary turned to him and scoffed angrily. "Come back to you? Jon, I was never with you. I was your prisoner. I am not your wife. Have you not been paying attention at our sessions? You cannot expect anything of the sort after everything you've done…" Tears stung her eyes as she pressed the lobby button again. "Um. Look. I don't think we should continue our sessions anymore… this is not following the boundaries we—" Clary gasped as Jonathan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and whisked her down the hallway, pushing her into an empty office. He shut the door and locked it, blocking her from leaving. He looked at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to make a move. Oh shit. Clary placed her hand on her stomach, began to tremble and backed further into the room, her lower back hitting a desk. She looked around, trying to find something to use as a weapon, but the office was empty except for the desk and empty bookcases. Her voice shook. "Jon. What do you want? Let me leave. We're done here. I'm not coming back to you, so stop trying to intimidate me…" He slowly looked her up and down, a serious expression on his face.
He then smirked at her and quickly closed the distance between them, pulling her against him. Clary whimpered, pushing against his chest. He pressed himself hard against her belly. "Jonathan! Let go of me. Stop it. I'm going to scr-–" He squeezed her tighter and covered her mouth. Sighing heavily, he buried his face against her neck, nuzzling her, inhaling deeply. "Your boundaries aren't acceptable to me, Clarissa. I am tired of waiting for you to wake up and realize that we are meant to be. We made a child together… We will live together and raise her together. I tire of not seeing you everyday… of being a part of our pregnancy. Of having you in my bed– I thought our sessions would help you understand that, but it seems you need a little bit of a push. I tried it your way… it's time for my way." Clary struggled against him, grunting angrily against his hand. He loosened his tight hold on her and placed his mouth against her ear, nipping it. "Verus Amor, Clarissa." Clary froze. Shit. He's using the words… bastard. Play along like Camille said. Then run. Clary relaxed against him and looked at his face. "Verus Amor, Jonathan."
Jonathan released his hold on her and lifted his head from her neck, looking at her curiously. He reached up and stroked her hair. Clary just stared at him. She began to tremble, afraid of what he might try to do. Stop it. Frowning, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her hungrily. Clary stiffened, nauseous, refusing to kiss him back as his mouth worked over hers. "Clarissa, please don't resist me. I can see you trying. You want to be with me, remember? We're a family and you want to live with me… don't you? First, though, I need to hear you say it. You know what that is." Clary swallowed and looked up at him. "Yes, Jonathan, I remember." Clary's eyes widened as he leaned forward and again covered her mouth with his, moaning against her. Clary could feel his hard want pressing against her stomach. "I love you so much, Clarissa. I want you. Say it to me. Say it…" He ran his hands down her neck and chest, squeezing her breasts. Clary felt a fury rise from deep in her gut. Fuck this nonsense. I'm not a victim. She shoved him roughly, catching him off guard and slapped him hard across the face. He grunted and stumbled back, looking shocked.
Clary quickly darted towards the door, unlocking it, and throwing it open. Jonathan leaned back against the desk casually crossing his arms, smirking at her. A bright red mark bloomed on the left side of his face. He chuckled and took a deep breath. "I thought you might be faking, but you can't blame me for trying, love. I'll never stop. I just wanted to hear you say it again…" She looked back at him, angrily. "I'll say it, Jonathan." His eyebrows rose in surprise. She swallowed angrily. She knew he wanted her to say that fucked up mantra– to tell him she belonged to him. Sick fuck. "I love Jace, Jonathan, and I belong to him. That's all you'll ever hear from me. Verus Amor, be damned… This is the last time you'll see me without a lawyer." The smirk dropped from his face and he stepped towards her as she dashed out of the office, back towards the elevators. Clary yelped when she ran into Aaron in front of the elevators. "Clary! What's taking so long? I got worried." She laughed nervously and got on the elevator with him, still shaking. She saw Jonathan down the hall, locking eyes with him as the doors closed. She didn't tell Aaron about what happened between her and Jonathan– just that she had been in the bathroom. She couldn't have Aaron report to Jace. She knew Jace would lose it and try to kill Jonathan. She just wanted to go to Idris and handle him there. It's almost over.
Jonathan stalked into his penthouse, slamming his keys on the table. He walked through the foyer to his bar, pouring a glass of whiskey in a crystal tumbler. Why can't she just give in? She has to feel our love, especially as our daughter grows inside of her. She even wore plum for me. Jonathan took a deep drink from his glass. She looked beautiful today. Voluptuous, luminous, sexy. I need to fuck her soon. She has no idea how intoxicating she is to me. The fates had seen fit to bind them together forever with a child. He would be damned if she refused to come back to him. As if she has a choice. My wife. She is mine more than ever now. I guess I'm going to have to do things my way. Her way is no longer an option.
Jonathan had originally agreed to go to therapy with Clary to make her feel better and mend fences. To win her back by showing her how much he loved her and regretted how she felt about their time together. It was the only way to see her regularly, without interference. He knew she believed herself to be his victim… as father had once told him, Clarissa wasn't raised in Idris, so had a warped view of the rights of women. It had been torture seeing her every week, their child growing within her, and knowing she chose to be with another. Jace fucking Herondale. I should have just taken her away the day she let me drive her to Camille's. A mistake I shan't make again. I've been too lenient with her. It's been hard to get to her with her constant security coverage. Once I have her with me and she's given birth to our child, I'll have Dr. Pontmercy perform something a little more permanent - she'll never want to leave me again. Jonathan's phone buzzed in his hand. He rolled his eyes when he saw it was his lawyer in Idris. What now?
He answered and listened for a few minutes, humming his understanding. "I'll leave for Idris tomorrow. I'll call you when I'm back at Morgenstern Manor. I want this annulment bullshit crushed quickly. Do you understand me? Remind the Clave who they work for… or I shall. Since she'll be in Idris as well, why don't I serve her with some demands of my own... Listen carefully, I expect my pregnant wife to be returned to our home within the week. Am I understood?" Jonathan hung up. Clenching his jaw he threw his crystal glass against the wall, shattering it. He shook his head, breathing hard. Clarissa has decided to try to annul our marriage in Idris and try to press charges against me, based on her skewed perspective of what transpired between us. Naughty girl. Well, she's in for a surprise. I'll be seeing you soon, my love.
