Chapter 11 - Harmony

"You really should see the look on your face right now." Jace laughed examining the redhead.

Clary gave him her best eye roll and continued to stare down at the wiggling creature before her.

"I can't help it. The thing is just so gross!" the redhead spat, looking down at the worm in her hand.

She had been struggling to muster up the courage to skewer the little creature through the heart using the metal hook. Do worms even have hearts? Surely they must be somewhere. They probably felt pain and weren't doing anything wrong but living their own life.

"Clary, would you like me to stab your worm so we can resume fishing?" the blonde teased.

It had been nearly two weeks since their contest and had spent nearly every day together. Jace was adamant about showing her the ways of the forest and how to survive. While Clary was adamant that he trained her in basic swordsmanship. The compromise was that they would trade off every other day. Today was Jace's day and the task of fishing, which Clary was failing miserably at.

"Fine!" she relented, handing over the worm and the hook.

Jace took the creature and quickly skewered it. Clary looked away, only taking the rod once it was in the water.

"I think if I weren't here, you would live off of berries and bread," Jace spoke, pulling another fish out of the lake.

It was the fourth fish he had caught and Clary had to wonder what was going through his mind. He was quiet today.

"Is it later yet?" Clary spoke, breaking the silence.

Jace looked at her quizzingly. Good, she wanted to catch him a bit off guard. He wasn't the only one fishing, but her pursuits included information. After all, she had essentially been living with and sleeping with, just sleeping, with Jace for almost two weeks now. Clary was eager to learn more about it.

"Later?" he asked, taking the bait.

"You told me you would tell me how you became such an accomplished swordsman later…well, it is later." she smiled, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.

Jace took in a large sigh, clearly not liking the question. Yet, he didn't shut it down immediately. Leaning to the side, she gently placed her head to rest on his shoulder.

"Please," she pleaded sweetly.

Clary felt his left arm flex before it snaked around her waist and pulled her closer to the side of his body.

"You already know that Magnus, Max, Alec, and I are from the capital. There it isn't uncommon for boys to be raised to wield swords. I am not sure where your curiosity on this matter comes from?" Jace spoke matter of factly.

"Well you were so defensive when I asked you "who" taught you." Clary explained, "You wouldn't be so defensive if it were simply your father, a tutor, or-"

"The king." Jace finished flatly.

Clary's body instantly went stiff. Her head turned to look at him with eyes as wide as saucers.

"The KING?…" she began. "As in King Valentine?"

"The very same." Jace retorted, his face a mask not giving anything away.

"That…well you are very skilled but I am at a loss why the king would take time to train you in swordplay?" she questioned.

"I am not sure I can say more on the matter. Alec, Magnus, Max, and I have tried our best to keep our identities secret here," he stated. "Given where we come from, I believe you can appreciate our reasons."

"Of course, I understand and I want you to know that your secrets are safe with me. I wouldn't do anything to ever intentionally hurt you."

"Nor I you, Clary." Jace agreed.

Taking a sigh, Clary felt the need, to be honest about something that had weighed on her mind.

"I should tell you, Jace, that I already know Max's last name is Lightwood," she revealed.

This time Jace was the one who looked at her with wide eyes. Meeting his gaze, she gave him a sincere smile.

"He signed his name "Max Lightwood" in the note you gave me." Clary elaborated.

"I don't recall a note," Jace replied.

"It was in the pocket of the dress you brought me the day after I came here."

"Ah, I should be more careful. I would have confiscated it had I seen it…or at least scratched out his last name." he signed.

Clary leaned forward, resting her head back against his shoulder.

"Their secret is safe with me. Though I do have some questions I would like you to-"

"I am afraid you will have to save those questions for Alec and Magnus next time you see them."

"But-"

"I will not budge on this, Clary. Their story…it is not mine to share." Jace answered firmly.

Clary sighed in exasperation. She had hoped to ask Jace about Isabelle but it would have to wait until she saw the Lightwoods once more. Hopefully, she was right and that they were a relation. Isabelle never spoke of her brothers, it was painful, and Clary never had the heart to ask.

"Then may I continue to ask about your story?" the maiden inquired.

"You can try." Jace smiled, nudging her gently signaling that it was time to stand.

She certainly intended to try. Following his lead, Clary collected the four fish Jace had caught and put them in a pouch. They would descale and bone them when they got back to the shelter.

"Are you a bastard of the King?" Clary asked as they began to make their way back to the shelter.

Jace stopped in his tracks and eyed her curiously. Evident shock on his face and a bit of a wayward smile at being asked such a question so bluntly. Clary bit her lip, returning his gaze.

"You said he taught you how to wield a sword. Given that I know he only has one legitimate son, oddly enough named Jonathan…it wouldn't be completely outlandish to think that you might be a relation." the redhead spoke, attempting to undo the damage she may have done. Judging by the look on Jace's face, she wasn't succeeding.

"A different spelling. He spells his name J-O-A-N-T-H-A-N and mine is spelled J-H-O-N-A-T-H-A-N."

"Well good to know. Surely I wouldn't wish to have any of my letters go to the wrong Johnathan." Clary countered.

Jace chuckled, turning to make his way back to the shelter.

"Yes, you surely wouldn't. The prince is not a pleasant person. It has not saddened me a day to be away from his presence."

"Are you going to tell me WHY, you were IN his presence?" Clary probed, rushing to keep up with his long steps. Damn short legs.

"I am not his bastard or any relation to the King. He just happened to take a liking to me when I was young. When he found out I was gifted." Jace explained, reluctantly.

Clary took a few leaps forward to meet his pace, now walking evenly beside him.

"You are gifted as well Clary," Jace added. "I am sure your parents were thrilled when they found out."

"They didn't or weren't rather," Clary replied, catching Jace by surprise.

"Being able to wield magic is-"

"A gift. Yes." Clary countered. "But my mother and the woman who raised me demanded that I hide it."

"What an unusual upbringing."

"Speak for yourself," Clary replied. "You were the one with an intimate relationship with our once barbaric ruler. No wonder you ran away."

Jace was saved from having to answer any more questions as they arrived at the shelter. Bringing up the bag of fish, he helped Clary find the necessary utensils before she showed him out of the kitchen area. He knew nothing of how to properly descale or debone a fish and simply putting the meat onto a hot skillet did NOT constitute properly cooking it. He did have to admit, judging by the smell he was inclined to go along with whatever the redhead said. Although she had qualms about skewering a worm, she seemed to have no hindrance working with fish; claiming it was already dead.

Once she was finished, she put the cooked fish on the plate adding a side of berries and a slice of bread. Jace could feel his mouth water taking in the delicious smell.

"From now on I don't care how many fish you ask me to catch. As long as you cook them, I'm game." the blonde grinned.

Rushing, Jace finished his fish and wiped his mouth with a towel. Clary watched his mannerisms closely.

"If your family were friends with the king, I assume you come from nobility?" Clary asked curiously.

"So full of questions today, Red." he teased. "However, on this one, I must deflect. I have to keep my identity a secret, for my own protection."

Clary smiled coyly.

"Are you hiding from more than just the king? Perhaps you broke off an important arranged marriage and hide from your lovely bride-to-be?" The redhead teased.

Jace chuckled, his eyes lit with amusement. While Clary meant the question in jest, she would be lying if jealousy did not have a little part in it. If he was of nobility, which she suspected, then he would have a wife by now. Since he didn't look to be older than two decades at most, she figured he would at least have had to have been betrothed.

"I have never been officially betrothed," Jace replied with a knowing smile, answering her silent question. "So you have nothing to fear. I am free to give my heart to anyone I deem worthy."

Clary couldn't turn her head away fast enough to hide the blush that filled her cheeks. Damn him.

"I must admit, I find that hard to believe," she spoke, taking a sip of water. "Most people of nobility are betrothed very young. Especially a family close to the crown."

"Agreed but my grandmother was very insistent that no marriages be arranged on my behalf. At least, not until I meet the maiden she had intended I marry. She even fought his majesty on the matter."

"And she won?" the redhead asked in disbelief.

Jace smiled.

"If you knew my grandmother, you would know she often got whatever she set her mind to."

"Did you ever meet her, this maiden you were to marry?" Clary asked.

Jace's face became sorrowful making Clary instantly regret asking the question.

"No," he answered. "Alec, Magnus, Max, and I had to leave the capital and find safety here just before I was to meet her."

"I'm sorry for asking."

"Don't be. I know you are curious and that has given me the opportunity to turn the tables." Jace replied matter-of-factly.

Clary finished the last bite of her fish and looked at him curiously.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I answered all of your many many questions, now you can answer some of mine." Jace grinned slyly.

"That sounds very…dangerous," she answered playfully.

"You will find I can be gentle in all things, Miss Fray" he teased. "Or is it Lady Fray? While I am out in the middle of nowhere for many moons, I don't recall such a family in the capital."

"You wouldn't have. My parental Guardian kept me hidden from the crown and anyone outside of Igns." Clary answered, recalling Imogen's constant need for secrecy. "I was raised in all due respects in the role of a lady."

"How interesting," Jace replied, his eyes studying her curiously.

"It is." she relented. "If I ever return, there are so many unanswered questions. I hope the Lady…the one who raised me after my mother died, is alright."

"As do I but you shouldn't worry about such matters when you cannot control the outcome of such a fate."

"I know." She agreed reluctantly.

Jace reached over and carefully took her in his. Giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"Should I be worried about a disgruntled groom-to-be?" he inquired, trying to bring a smile back to her lips. It worked.

"Alas, you are safe Sir Lord Duke Stalker." she teased. "Like your situation my guardian wished me to remain uncalled for until I turned of proper age. Then she hoped I would fall in love with her grandson of all people."

"Did you not like the man?" Jace asked, avid curiosity lighting his features.

"I surprisingly never had the chance to meet him. He died in the Wayland War. It broke my lady's heart."

Jace was silent for a moment, trying to piece together who this mystery intended might have been. Many people perished in the war, even his own family. It was the reason he and his friends had to flee. The king is not the forgiving type and although he was willing to forgive him, the price of that forgiveness was too high.

"What was the name of the lady who raised you?" the blonde inquired suddenly.

Clary looked at him in surprise. Her eyes studied his sudden change in mood. While they chose to share details of their former lives, both made sure that names were left vague for a reason. Perhaps he had guessed Imogen's identity?

"What is yours?" Clary countered.

"You know I can not tell you that," Jace answered.

"Then, I am afraid her name shall just be a mystery as well." she smiled.

"I suppose that means we are in a stalemate then, my lady."

Jace eyes pleaded with her to understand and she did. He was protecting himself and the Lightwoods, which was a question for another day. Perhaps the next time she saw Alec and Max she could broach the subject. She was most curious to know if they were related to Isabelle or not. She knew no one else with such a name. The change in light alerted the pair that sunset was fast approaching. Yet, what Jace said about being in a stalemate stuck with her. How was she supposed to learn more about the man before her if she was not willing to take a chance?

"I have to go," Jace announced standing up. "I'm sorry to eat and run, leaving you with the mess but-"

"It's fine! Cleaning up is the least I can do after you showed me how to fish and answered my many many questions." The redhead responded. "Not to mention, I would hate to see you turned into a chew toy if you were late meeting the Guardian."

Jace rolled his eyes.

"Your humor knows no bounds," he teased. "I'll see you tomorrow at sunrise, Clary. Be good and stay in the shelter," he warned before pulling her into a soft embrace. Clary threw her arms around him, soaking in the warmth of his body. What was meant to be a short, goodbye embrace turned into something more.

"Clary," Jace whispered, tightening his arms around her.

Emotion flooded her and she felt it difficult to breathe. How could this man affect her so much? Was he worth her trust? He was worth at least a chance.

"Jace…it's…it's Herondale." the redhead whispered, relenting.

If she was going to trust him then she needed to be willing to give him a piece of herself. At least a little bit. He had answered so many of her questions. Surely, her secret, the name of who raised her was safe with him. Jace's body instantly stiffened. Pulling her from his chest, he looked down to study her face.

"Pardon?" he asked in surprise.

"Herondale," Clary repeated in earnest.

Jace looked down at her in silence. Not sure what to say. His reaction surprised Clary, who didn't expect such a response when she chose to trust him with such information.

"Jace, did you know her?" Clary asked softly.

"Who is her?" he asked.

"The Lady who raised me…Lady Imogen Herondale." she supplied.

Understanding and something close to sorrow illuminated his features. He watched her with ill-disguised curiosity. Yet, she met his gaze with nothing but sincerity and…trust.

"Jace?" she whispered once more.

"Yes, I knew her," he answered. "Despite losing her family, I am glad she faired well after the war."

Another shadow began to cast its gaze on the pair when Jace's body twitched uncomfortably.

"Is something wrong?" Clary asked. Startled by his obvious sudden discomfort.

He smiled at her and shook his head.

"I have to go. The Guardian needs me." He replied, leaning forward to bring his lips to kiss her on the forehead.

"Are you sure you are alright?" she asked watching as Jace began to turn and make his way from her.

"I'll be fine. I will see you tomorrow. Don't forget your promise."

"And you yours!" she quipped, shouting over the distance. She never realized how fast he was and silently cursed his long legs. Clary was too far away to hear the silent reply spoken on his lips, lost to the wind.

"Of course, anything for MY betrothed."

*Author's Note*

Thank you to the guest who recommended Grammarly. I thought I had it installed but apparently not. Helped quite a bit.