Chapter 13- Dark Magic

Dark eyes watched her. Something was alluring about them. Clary felt that she could become lost in their depths for eternity. Yet, something prevented her from doing just that. A small voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to run. Yet, when she tried she found that she couldn't move her body.

"Where…are…you?" a voice whispered.

She had heard that voice before. It sounded so familiar and not for a good reason. Shivers littered down her back and she was suddenly cold. A large hand appeared from the darkness, wrapping her wrist forcefully. The white liquid burned her skin in its wake.

"Stop it!" she screamed. "You're hurting me!"

Clary awoke from the nightmare with a start, a chilling scream still parting her lips. Looking around she found that she was still safely nestled in the soft furs of Jace's bed. It was pitch black aside from a hearth of blue flames crackling across the room. Her heart beat frantically in her chest.

Pushing the covers off of the bed, she stood up and made her way to the cave entrance. Despite the hectic beating of her racing heart, the night was calm but daybreak was fast approaching. Jace would be back soon, the thought gave her some comfort. Her mother's necklace was glowing, warm against her sweat-soaked skin. Closing her eyes she attempted to calm her racing heart when a surge of pain erupted from her wrist causing her to double over.

"Clarissa." A familiar voice spoke.

It was the forest god and he was standing right in front of her. Which was probably a good thing given how she nearly fell off the edge. Concern married his features and his golden eyes matched the giant hues in the sky signally the sun rising.

"It…it hurts!" the redhead screamed, curling her arm into her chest.

"What hurts? Where?" the Guardian spoke.

"My wrist!" she cried.

Then she was on the floor. An invisible force dragged her across the floor by her arm. Clary screamed in both fear and pain. Blue flames began to swarm around her but they did little to hinder the force controlling her. Blood littered the floor as the uneven floor of the shelter rubbed against her nightgown, tearing the thin material and cutting her skin. Dark markings appeared on the ground as a chanting rang in her ears.

Then, something heavy landed on top of her. Bright blue flames engulfed her, this time stronger than ever before. The necklace she wore burned against her skin. Then, it was all over. Clary weakly opened her eyes, her body completely drained. Familiar golden eyes met her gaze clouded with worry.

"Jace." she cried, tears beginning to stream down her face.

"Clary, it's okay. You're safe," he spoke weakly, attempting to catch his breath.

"For now." another voice spoke.

Clary turned her head to look in the direction the voice came. The movement caused her to wince in pain. A figure approached the pair but she couldn't make them out. Her vision was blurry and only the silhouette could be seen.

"Her head is bleeding and this spot on her wrist," Jace spoke to the silhouette and began looking down to examine her.

She vaguely noticed that he was soaking wet through the intense exhaustion she felt. He also wasn't wearing a shirt and she vaguely wondered if he had been taking a bath in the lake.

"Dark magic…very dark magic. It was odd that even the spirit's borders didn't protect her. You said she was in the tree?" the voice spoke again.

"M…Magnus…" she whispered, finally recognizing the voice.

"Hello there, Biscuit." the man purred, coming closer. "You gave us quite a scare."

Tears filled her eyes. Jace sighed, gently lifting her and pulling her against his body. She noticed how blood now littered his damp chest.

"Jace…you're hurt," Clary whispered.

Jace cupped her face, angling it to look at him.

"No, sweetheart," he replied softly. "I'm fine. This, this is your blood."

Clary briefly looked down at her body to see her nightgown torn to shreds, littered with patches of blood.

"Jace," she sobbed, clinging closer to his body.

"Clary…you're going to be ok," he spoke, softly laying kisses on her head. "Magnus and I are here. We are not going to let anything happen to you."

Despite his words of comfort she couldn't manage to stop crying. Each sob elasticated with a sharp pain throughout her body as she clung to Jace's dear life.

"It is time to rest now, Biscuit. You will feel better when you wake up, I promise." Magnus spoke, bringing his fingers to her temple before sleep claimed her.

Clary awoke to the sounds of voices beside her. They faded in and out and came to her like whispers on the wind.

"It had to have been the King," Jace spoke.

"I've never known anyone able to accomplish such a feat. It goes beyond one man's power."

"Could it be possible Jonathan assisted him? Perhaps two-" Jace suggested.

"I would say it has to be more than just probable. It would be impossible for him to do it without such help." Magnus concluded.

"Why would they do it though…" Jace spoke, annoyance evident in his voice. "The summoning I can understand but this? What do they want with her?"

"I…I am not sure." Magnus whispered.

"But you have a theory….I know you too well to know that you have suspicions."

"I do but they are just that." he deflected.

"Well tell me. Right now that is all we have at this point." Jace commanded.

"What do you know of the Fairchild kingdom?"

Much time passed before Clary opened her eyes. Just as quickly, she averted them from the blinding sun filling the room. She was still in the cave, under the soft furs, and completely naked if she could trust her senses.

"Your love awakes," Magnus spoke.

Jace quickly made his way to the bed. Leaning down to look at her with a sigh of relief.

"You're awake." the blonde purred.

"And you're dressed," Clary responded without thinking.

Jace chuckled, bringing her hand up to his lips. Lightly littering it with kisses.

"I can undress and crawl into the bed with you if you wish. I doubt that would do much to help you rest." he flirted shamelessly.

"I wouldn't advise any strenuous activity until you both are recovered," Magnus spoke, giving Jace a heated warning.

"Both?" Clary asked, looking towards the blonde.

"I'm fine," Jace spoke, answering her quizzical expression.

"No, you are not." Magnus deflected. "You lost a fair amount of energy in stopping the summoning and the protection ritual after."

Jace continued to smile at her, ignoring Magnus' concerns completely. Clary wasn't so willing to disregard his concerns so easily.

"Magnus," Clary pleaded. "Could you help me get dressed?"

"I think you should conserve your energy." Jace cautioned.

"And I think you should turn around and let me get dressed so you can rest with me." Clary quipped back.

Jace gave her another coy smile.

"Well, you don't have to get dressed for me to do that."

Clary gave him an ill-disguised glare. Jace sighed, raising his hands up in defeat.

"Fine, I will go get something for you to eat. Then we can rest all night."

"All night?" Clary asked.

"Yes, tonight is a New Moon. Jace doesn't-" Magnus began.

"Have to be with the Guardian tonight." the blonde finished, sending Magnus a sharp look. "I get every New Moon off. It is one of the best perks of the job." he finished.

Clary watched Magnus' green eyes coldly appraise Jace. Having a silent conversation that she wasn't privy to. Then, turning on his heel Jace left in a huff. Magnus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

"Magnus?" Clary spoke.

The man turned to face her, wiping the former discontent from his face and plastering on his familiar grin.

"Thank you-" she whispered. "for saving my life."

"Anything for you, Biscuit," he replied, sincerely. "Now that we put a protection spell around you, it should never happen again," he added.

"A protection spell?" she asked.

"Yes. It protects you from possession. Most wielders of magic possess one. It will also help prevent someone from summoning you."

"I don't think I have ever had such a spell placed on me before," she answered. "I never knew such a thing existed."

"You might have had one placed on you when you were younger. It often has to be reapplied every so many years and attuned to the type of magic one wields." The warlock explained, opening his bag to take out the repaired nightgown.

It was freshly washed and looked brand new despite a small lace patch in the silhouette of a wolf added to one of the shoulders.

"Will it stop the dreams?" Clary asked, leaning forward and attempting to get up from the bed.

She was sore and a little off balance but with Magnus' help, she was able to quickly get dressed.

"I am not sure. All magic is different. Your magic seems to manifest in dreams. If it doesn't stop the dreams it will surely prevent someone from hurting you in them." he explained.

Clary was about to ask him another question when Jace entered the room holding a fresh baguette and warm pastries. She could see the steam lifting from the bread. He smiled, catching her eyes studying the food.

"I got your favorites," Jace announced, kicking off his boots. "Would you like to sit at the table or be served in bed?"

"Bed"

"Table"

Magnus and Clary answered together. Jace looked at the pair before conceding.

"Doctor Magnus said bed, so bed it is."

"Funny how you take his advice when it isn't addressed towards you." Clary spat.

"Yes, that is funny, isn't it? Now blueberries or raspberries?" Jace asked.

"Blueberries, please," she answered in exasperation. "What would you like, Magnus?"

"Nothing. I am afraid I have some urgent business to attend to in the village." the warlock answered. "But I will be back to check in on your both in a few days. I also think it would be advantageous for you to discuss with the Guardian allowing Clary to have magic lessons. It is time she learns how to harness her magic."

Clary didn't miss the way Magnus' eyes squinted when he looked at Jace who was wearing his familiar mask to conceal his feelings.

"I will see what he says, though I am sure the protection spell will suffice for the time being." Jace countered.

"For the time being," Magnus replied coldly.

Clary slept safely that night, snuggled in the warmth of Jace's arms. While she had enjoyed their afternoon naps, it was nothing compared to spending the entire evening in his arms. The blonde had initially denied his exhaustion but it was clear from his deep slumber that Jace had exerted himself in the process to protect her. Something which she was grateful for. When the sun rose, she felt recovered enough to pull Jace back down when he attempted to sneak out of bed at sunrise.

"I didn't realize you were awake." Jace chuckled, turning back to see a pair of green eyes watching him.

"I'm not." Clary smiled coyly before pulling him back down to the bed and pressing her lips to his.

He returned the kiss in earnest until she slid her tongue into his mouth with renewed vigor. A low growl escaped Jace's lips as he took her bait and returned the kiss with passion. The thin fabric did nothing to hide her perky breasts or hide his arousal against her leg.

"Damn it." he cursed. "We have to stop…you are still recovering."

"As are you ... .so…let's recover together," she replied breathlessly. "I'll start."

Then her lips were on his again, her hips rolling against him searching for something she had yet to have. Something he wanted to be the only one to give her. Giving into temptation his hand reached forward to cup her breast, enjoying the pleasurable gasp that escaped her lips. He ideally wondered what sounds she would make when he tasted her. Pulling down the sleeves of her nightgown, he watched a red blush fill her cheeks as he brought his lips down upon her pert nipples.

"Jace." she moaned, her eyes falling back into her head.

She had no idea how hard it was to be this close to her, to spend his days laying next to her in this bed, and sneaking glimpses of her figure as they swam in the lake. Every day in her company was a delight and a torture. It almost broke him not to touch her, kiss and nip every inch of her body, and finally claim her as his own. After all, she had been his for so long. Before they both even knew it, they were promised to each other. He was entranced by her the first moment he saw her; beautiful and brave. His grandmother would have seen that she was his the moment he lay eyes on her and Clary would have been his. Perhaps, in another lifetime they would already be married. However, that wasn't how their life turned out.

Suckling her breast, Jace brought his fingers up to caress her inner thigh. The sensation was foreign and yet welcoming. Clary let out another gasp that almost made him lose what little self-control he had left. It wouldn't do to fully claim her like this. Jace wanted her to admit that she loved him. Something he knew she was fighting against. He saw her grapple with it when he flirted with her, held her close to his body as they slept, and during those rare moments, she allowed him to kiss her. He wanted her heart, all of it and until she was ready to admit she was in love with him; he would wait to make love to her. That didn't mean he couldn't help speed the process up.

Pulling up, he maneuvered her body onto the bed so she was laying on her back. Jace hovered over her, bringing his lips back to hers. After a few chaste kisses, he began to lower himself above a very curious redhead with a sudden flood of fear in her eyes. Jace gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't fret," Jace spoke, giving her another quick kiss. "I don't have to claim you to drown you in pleasure."

"But-" she hesitated.

"Just relax, Red." Jace cooed. "And stop me anytime if I make you…uncomfortable."

Before Clary had a chance to retort, Jace's head was between her thighs. Another deep blush littered her body before she felt his lips begin to kiss her inner thighs. Clary's hips rocked up as she heard Jace suppress a chuckle. Then, moving her underwear to the side, he tasted her. A gasp left her lips as his mouth began moving against her.

"Jace!" Clary gasped in pleasure.

The man in question chuckled which made it even more pleasurable. With each stroke of his tongue pressure began to build up within her until she tittered over the edge, calling out his name as she did so. Clary lay on the bed panting. Then, Jace was beside her watching with pride as she attempted to catch her breath.

"That was…" Clary whispered.

"Incredible?" Jace offered.

"Different." she finished.

"Just wait till I have all of you." the blonde smirked.

"You sound so sure that you will."

"I have patience." Jace retorted.

"Ah, and I suppose you are just waiting until the right time to strike?" Clary teased.

"I am waiting for you to admit that you are in love with me." he countered.

Clary's eyes grew wide, clearly not expecting such an answer. She was saved from having to answer by a fire message appearing before them. Jace took the scrap of paper and unfolded it.

"It looks like we shall have to put off your confessional till another time. Alec, Max, and Magnus are on their way. Alec and Max are adamant about seeing that you are healthy." Jace announced rising from the bed to search for his tunic. Clary attempted to rise from the bed to do the same but was quickly stopped by Jace.

"Don't even think about it, you are resting," he shouted over his shoulder. "I am not dealing with Magnus' wrath so you better keep to that bed if you ever want another pastry again."

Clary shot him a frown.

"Leveraging pastries now, are we? What a rotten way to exert one's control," she argued.

"Just wait till they are gone and I will happily show you all the ways I can "exert" my control over your body," Jace replied, giving her a devilish smirk. "And you'll love every minute of it."