Hello! A lot of people are curious as to why Clary doesn't just show Isabelle the text messages from Sebastian and I thought I'd address this in this little Author's Note. There's 3 main points within this. 1) Clary tends to delete his messages because just having them on her phone makes her anxious. 2) It is really hard for Clary to talk about what Sebastian has done and is currently doing to her especially when the person she's trying to tell isn't open to hearing what she is wanting to say. 3) Isabelle and Seb being together is currently very vital to my plot – but don't worry Sebastian won't always reign supreme and karma always comes around! I hope that clears things up for you all a little! On with the story!
"So what happens with the sleeping arrangements? Do we all like bed down in here? Cause I for one didn't bring a sleeping bag." Simon was babbling, the blonde at his side giggling at everything he said, holding onto his arm.
"There's enough rooms for everyone to sleep comfortably Simon. But if you want to bed down here, feel free." Jace smirked, running his fingertips along my palm.
"Aren't you going to introduce us to your new friend, Si?" Isabelle asked, squeezing in closer to Sebastian.
"I'm Lily." She smiled, happy to be acknowledged.
"That's Jace, Clary, Isabelle and Sebastian." Simon almost choked on Sebastian's name, but managed to push through. Isabelle was practically in Sebastian's lap as Jace's hand started to cut off the circulation in my own. I pulled it free, resting my elbows at the table. "I'm going to get some drinks, be right back." Simon left the table, heading towards the bar. Conversation was pretty scarce whilst Simon was gone. When he came back, he was carrying a tray full of drinks of all sizes, shapes and colours. "Apparently this is the Magnus' special." Simon commented as he pushed it onto the table.
"That doesn't surprise me in the slightest." Jace added, lifting 2 shots from the tray. He handed one to me before we both downed them. Isabelle tried to pick up a cocktail from the tray but dropped it when she tried to pick it up. Sebastian laughed, wrapping his arms around her but his eyes never moved from Jace. He was deliberately trying to bait him and the way Jace was fidgeting next to me, it must have been working. As the drinks flowed, the behaviour started to get more and more out of hand. It was as though it was a competition. Sebastian was trying to piss Jace off by constantly pulling Isabelle into his lap. Isabelle was trying to piss Simon off by being equally all over Sebastian. The whole thing was giving me a headache. Thankfully Jace and I had the perfect counter for that – alcohol and lots of it. It was quickly becoming the most alcohol I had ever had in my life. The room was starting to thin out a little as people ventured to other rooms.
"Are people leaving?" I questioned Jace. He laughed, the alcohol seeming to affect me more than him.
"Nobody leaves before Magnus' firework display."
"Obviously." I added. Simon and Lily had found their way back to the dancefloor and I had to stifle a laugh watching them. Simon's dance moves were something else, it looked as though he was trying to dislodge a particularly dangerous wedgie. Isabelle and Sebastian must have slunk off whilst we were watching Simon flailing like he was summoning some demon, as they were nowhere to be seen.
"Now I've got you all to myself again." Jace smiled wickedly.
"Are you going to teach me about the hornet's nest?" I tried to keep a straight face but a stray snort snuck out. Jace burst out laughing alongside me.
"Maybe later." He bopped my nose, I wrinkled it in response. "Remember that firework display? It'll be starting soon. Why don't we go get a good spot?"
The fresh air hit me like a wave, making me giggle as I tried to keep my footing.
"Here." Jace removed his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. I pushed my arms through the sleeves having to roll them up considerably just so that I could see my hands. "That looks ridiculous on you." He laughed. I put my hands on my hips, pouting a little.
"How about now?" I asked. He grabbed me around the shoulders, pulling me alongside him.
"Come on, you clown." I followed along still laughing at myself. Quite a few people were already waiting outside, Magnus' 'firework displays' must have been a commonality at his parties. Jace's hand wrapped around my waist as I found myself dancing along. "That booze has fairly given you a bit of life." He commented. I shrugged my shoulders, going back to modelling Jace's coat. He watched me with a judging eyebrow but I could see the smile playing on his lips.
"Where's Si?" I asked eventually as more and more people arrived. Jace craned his neck.
"Haven't the foggiest. Maybe his new girlfriend is off sacrificing him to the devil, lord knows it would explain why she is interest-" I hit him in the arm with the sleeve of his jacket.
"Cruel!" I shouted, trying to make myself taller to look for him myself. Bad idea. I lost my balance swaying forward into Jace. He steadied me wrapping a sturdy arm around my waist once more.
"Hello, you two!" A voice bellowed. "I hope you are looking after my littlest sister!" Jon and Jordan had appeared, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, beaming widely.
"That's a nice look, Clarrrrrry." Jordan slurred.
"Shhhhh!" Jon overemphasised. "That's my sister." He reached out a hand, ruffling my hair.
"Look! Drinks!" Jordan gestured to a drinks stall that had just been erected. Just like that, they were off in search of more alcohol – not that they needed it. Jace and I exchanged a look, before his fingertips tightened on my waist reminding me they were there. Then I realised why. Sebastian and Isabelle had appeared through the crowd. Sebastian looked sick of his life. I could understand why – Isabelle looked as though she had been throwing up – her face was pale, her dress ruffled.
"Are you alright?" Jace reached out for her, feeling her forehead. Isabelle giggled, nodding as she pulled herself away from Jace and wrapped herself further around Sebastian. It didn't take long for them to be off again – Isabelle just say made it to the flowerbeds and I didn't envy whoever's job it was to clean those up in the morning.
"Are you feeling alright?" Jace double-checked, prompted by Isabelle's sickness. I nodded.
"Where are these fireworks?" I grumbled, starting to lose my buzz. Jace tilted my head up to look at the sky. Mere moments later, it was full of the most wonderful colours, patterns and shimmers. Halfway through the display, Jace pulled me in so that I was stood in front of him as he rested his chin on the top of my head. When the fireworks were starting to die off, Magnus and Alec drifted in our direction. As soon as Magnus' caught sight of us, he smiled at Alec.
"I hope you're not trying to steal our thunder. We can't have two engagements in the same family in such quite succession." Magnus smiled, I felt myself blushing instantly. "I'm joking of course. It's my pleasure to meet you Clary. You and Jace are welcome at our home anytime. I get a good aura from this one Jace, Keep a firm grip." Magnus smirked as he and Alec moved onto the next couple.
"A good aura?" I questioned as we headed down to where the cars were so that I could get my overnight bag.
"Magnus is into all of that. Auras and bad juju." Jace laughed. Jon was already trying to get into the car when we got there, Jordan in tow. The pair of them were falling backwards into each other, laughing like hyenas.
"Can I have the key Jon?" I tried to make myself heard over their laughter.
"Hello Clarissa!" Jordan smiled, as Jon put him into a headlock. Jace shaking his head managed to get the keys from Jon with ease and opened up the boot. He grabbed my bag out, threw the keys back to Jon before heading towards his own car and retrieving his bag. He carried them both as we made our way through the house.
"So what happens now?" I asked, following along beside him.
"Sleep. That's what happens now." Jace laughed, leading me through the room we had been in most of the night. I picked up another drink on my way past, sipping as I followed behind him. "Sleep! Not drinking!" Jace laughed, trying to grab the glass. I managed to manoeuvre under him so that I was walking in front of him. Jace kept have to say left, right, left as we walked along just to keep me going the right way and I got it wrong most of the time anyway. We finally reached a corridor with bedrooms on it. I opened the first door that I came across and had to scoop my jaw up off the floor. I went to turn around, crashing into Jace's chest and falling onto my bum in the room. Simon and Lily were already occupying the room…their clothes having stopped occupying them. A smile spread across Jace's face and I could tell that he was going to make some comment. Placing my hands on his chest, I backed him out of the room.
"I could have had some fun there." Jace said as we headed towards the lift.
"Have some fun tomorrow!" I said as we bundled into the lift, trying to erase what I had just seen from my memory.
"Clary?" Jace said as I rested against the mirror, trying to get that picture out of my head. "Clary?" He repeated. I turned to face him, lifting my eyes.
"Wha-" I responded. I just caught sight of our overnight bags dumped on the floor as Jace's face was up in mine, his lips on mine once again. The ride in the lift was too short for my liking as we found ourselves on the top floor. Jace helped me into the first room we came across. It was like a hotel! Each of the rooms had a mini-fridge with drinks in, a double bed, a sofa, en-suite. It was out of this world.
"They often have clients over." Jace answered the question in my mind when I was looking around the room in awe. As he placed the bags down on the sofa, I reached into the mini fridge. "Hey, hey I don't think you need any of that." He tried to take the bottle out of my hand but I held firm. We struggled a while before I relaxed my grip on the bottle letting him think he'd won before pulling him in towards me. He was taken by surprise as he fell into me. I had expected it to be a lot sexier than this but it ended up with Jace just falling on top of me, me losing my balance and us both lying on the floor killing ourselves laughing.
"Well, that didn't work out quite as I had planned." I laughed as my head started to spin. I spread myself out on the floor, closing my eyes to stop my world spinning. Next thing I knew, Jace was on his feet trying to pull me up by my arms.
"Come on you, you can't sleep on the floor." He got me up on my feet, helping me over to the bed. I sat down on the bed as Jace knelt before me.
"Magnus' wasn't being serious about the proposal y'know." I smirked as Jace shook his head, laughing. He placed his hand on my shoulder pushing me backwards so I fell into the sheets. Jace's true intentions became clear as he untied my shoes, pulling them from my feet. Bringing my bag over to me, he pulled me back up and helped me to my feet.
"Here's your PJ's. I'll be in the bathroom, if you need me." Jace excused himself giving me my privacy. It didn't take long for me to need his help, as I couldn't get the button and zipper on the dress. He came to my aid as soon as I called of him, unfastening my dress before heading back into the bathroom. I managed to pull on my pyjamas before stumbling over to the bathroom to seek out Jace. When he exited the bathroom he was wearing just his dress trousers. He shook his head as he laid eyes on me.
"Lift your arms up." He laughed as he pulled my top over my head before putting it back on the correct way. "Come on Red, time for bed." Jace went to put me into the bed but I hopped up onto it instead. I didn't give Jace much time to react before I jumped into his arms. He just say caught me, as I wrapped my legs around his waist. Jace span himself around, sitting down on the bed as I kept myself wrapped around him. He raised his hand up to my chin, bringing my eyes up to look at his own. He kissed me. Slow, deep and deliberately as his hands caressed my back, pulling me close. "Now it's time to go to bed." Jace smiled as he broke the kiss, bopping me on the nose. Pulling the sheets back, he watched me climb in before tucking me in. He kissed my forehead lightly before heading over to the sofa and curling up himself there. I was confused – why didn't he want to sleep alongside me? Did he think it was moving too fast?
I waited long enough for Jace to be potentially asleep before raising myself in the bed. Pressing my feet against the floor, I padded my way over quietly to where Jace was sleeping. When I got there, I climbed underneath the blanket wrapping my arms around his chest as I buried my face in his back.
"Jesus Clary, you're freezing." Jace muttered, making me aware that he was awake.
"That's what happens when you're forced to sleep all alone…" I trailed off, playing dramatic. Jace sighed, sitting up. He scooped me up easily, carrying me back over to the bed. He held me in one arm, pulling the sheets back with the other before placing me down. This time, he made his way to the other side and climbed in alongside me. He lay on his back, pulling me into his chest. I wrapped my arms around him as I nuzzled my face so that I was tucked in just under his chin. His arms held me tightly until I fell asleep. It was the first undisturbed night I had had in a long while.
Thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, follows & favourites! I really hope you guys are liking where this story is going! All of my love, until the next time. ~Sapph