Chapter 36: Clary is starting to remember more about what happened between her and Jonathan. Jonboy is trying to do damage control by lying and reframing her memories. Jerk. Poos about to hit the fan again. Clary's going to remember everything soon, I promise. She's going to have to be savvy, though. Jonathan is no fool. Jace is running into trouble trying to get to her… damned Idrian blizzard.
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.
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Previously: "Why do I feel like I cheated on him?...Jace… Clary closed her eyes as images of a wooden box, his name on her buzzing phone, running, terrified, 'He's going to find me', crying to him about– then it was gone. What was that shit? Who's 'he'?"
Clary peeked out the bathroom door and saw her room was empty. Wrapped in a towel she hurried to her wardrobe and walked in. Whoa. It's huge. Jon wasn't kidding about new clothes. She saw her own clothes down at the end of the large wardrobe, which was the size of her bedroom in New York. Her eyes fell on some lovely shades of purple amongst the new clothing. Okay, I guess I'll try some out. She pulled out a lilac lace matching bra and panty set and put them on. I'm sure Jon picked these out. She chose a plum colored cashmere crewneck sweater. It was soft on her skin and fitted, but not too tight. It also covers the enormous hickey he gave me. Caveman. It looked like something her mom would choose for her. Love you, Mom.
She slid on a pair of black skinny jeans and purple suede ankle boots and looked in the mirror hanging on the wall of the wardrobe. She had blown-out her hair, leaving it in soft waves down her back. Jonathan hadn't been exaggerating about the bruises on her jaw. She had gasped when she saw them after her bath and eagerly covered them with makeup, from a kit she found in the bathroom. She had swiped mascara on her lashes and nude lip gloss. She felt and looked a lot better. More herself. I don't look so much like a wrecked whore now. I'm so embarrassed.
The bath had made her feel much better and her skin was soft from the lavender oil. She found walking less painful, but was still sore. It had been a long time since she had been that uncomfortable after a night of sex. Even with Jace. He was big as well, but knew when to slow down and let her recover. She remembered waking up with Jace on New Year's Day, after Jonathan had brought her home to him drunk. "I would never have sex with you, when you're that drunk, baby. It wouldn't be right…" Apparently Jon would… Well, to be fair, he had been quite inebriated too and I didn't tell him no, as far as I remember. But, they still had to talk. She would have to lay out some ground rules with Jonathan, if they were going to have a relationship. The more she thought about it, the more she felt dirty and objectified… like a whore.
She walked back out to her new room and looked out the window. Another fucking blizzard. I hope this one doesn't last long. I want to visit Alicante again… see Aunt Amatis. She went to her desk where her purse and messenger bag sat and began rummaging through them, looking for her phone. Please don't tell me I lost another phone. She needed to talk to Izzy and Simon.
Clary pulled her wristlet out of her purse and unzipped it, remembering she used it for her date with Jonathan the night before. No phone. She laid it down before looking in the other zipped pocket, when she heard a knock at her door. She walked across the room and opened the door to find Jonathan, and his signature door jamb lean, smiling down at her. He looked hot, as usual, in a heather gray turtleneck sweater and faded jeans, his wild white-blonde hair flopping adorably over his forehead. She looked down at his black combat boots and frowned. Something about his boots made her feel off. She shook her head and smiled nervously up at him. What the fuck is wrong with me?
"Hello, little love. I'm here to escort you to lunch. We slept through breakfast, I'm afraid. It's nearly two o'clock. I see you wore the plum cashmere and matching boots. I'm so pleased you like them. I do love you in purple." He stood up straight and reached forward and caressed her cheek. "It reminds me of when I picked you up the first time for our lunch meeting with Father… that gorgeous aubergine cashmere dress you wore." Clary hummed and blushed. When I was with Jace. He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him, he whispered in her ear. "Tell me, kitten. Are you wearing the lilac lace underwear set as well?" He leaned his face down to kiss her lips and she turned her head, his kiss landing on her cheek. He groaned and pouted at her. "What's wrong, love?"
She gently pulled out of his arms and invited him in, closing the door. She walked further into her room and turned to face him, crossing her arms. She took a deep breath and smiled softly. "Thank you, Jonathan. I love everything. Look, I've been thinking a lot about last night. I'm feeling sort of exposed? Ugh. That's not the right word. No. I feel vulnerable and a little overwhelmed. I didn't think things would move as fast as they did last night. I– I kind of feel like it was too much, too soon." Jonathan's playful expression faded and sobered. He took a step towards her and she took a step back, wanting space between them. She had trouble concentrating when he had his hands on her and had trouble denying him. Hello, caveman kink. He pursed his lips and watched her move away from him. He's upset.
Clary sighed and tossed her hair over her shoulders. "It's just, we haven't known each other that long, Jon. We're not even officially dating or exclusive. I'm not one to do such– such wild things casually or on a first date. I just thought we'd maybe make out and fool around last night, but what we did– I'm really uh shaken. I think you kind of intimidate me. Your sexual appetite… aggression– the way you came after me this morning." Jonathan smirked and raised an eyebrow at her, closing the space between them. Clary swiped her hand through her hair and blushed. "Oh my god. I am just so embarrassed. You just really affect me. I feel like such a slut–"
Jonathan cut her off with a chuckle and pulled her to him, as he took her face in his hands. "Shh, Clarissa. You're rambling, love. Please… it seems you are saying we need to slow things down a bit. Hmm? Maybe start over? We can do that, if that's what you need. Please keep in mind that I respect and care deeply for you. I certainly don't think less of you for last night." Clary looked down and he gently lifted her face back up. "As for my "sexual appetite". I have wanted you for a very long time and I think in my state last night, I got carried away. I wanted to pleasure you as much as possible… I'm quite sorry for overwhelming you. You are definitely not a slut. Neither one of us were in our right minds, remember?" Clary looked up at him and nodded, blinking away tears. He always says the right thing.
He furrowed his brows in concern and kissed her forehead and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. "No no, Clarissa, don't cry. Please. Let's start anew okay? Clarissa, you mentioned not being exclusive. So, uh would you please be my girlfriend?" He ran his hands down her back and rested them on her waist. "Please, say yes. Let me show you how you deserve to be treated… as a queen. My queen." That was so cheesy, but I like it.
Clary smiled shyly and laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Jonathan is so dramatic. Kissing him gently on the lips, she looked into his worried eyes. Why not? I promised myself I'd move on. Maybe things will be different with him. "Yes, Jonathan." She kissed him again and he tightened his grip on her waist. They continued to softly kiss for a few minutes until she pulled back and smiled up at him. "Now let's go to lunch, tease Valentine, and start our day over, 'love'. I'm starving."
Jonathan grinned down at her and scooped her up into his arms, kissing her again. He put her back down, sighing and intertwining their hands. He opened the door and led her into the hallway. As they walked down the hall, Clary looked over at the door to the next room and frowned. It looked familiar. Running, darkness, terror… He's going to find me. Seeing stars. A black boot heel smashing a phone. Running. She stopped and ran her hand over the back of her head. It felt tender. "Jonathan, did I hit my head last night? It's sore. I think I went into this room last night. Did my phone get broken? I can't seem to find it. I just remembered a bunch of stuff about this room." She gestured to the door in confusion.
Jonathan slid his arm around her waist and tilted his head at her curiously, narrowing his eyes. "So many questions. Yes, Clarissa, you did. You must not remember. We were playing something like hide-and-seek… but more, uh X-rated. You ran and told me to find you. I found you in that room, in the bathroom and we had a tryst, against the wall. It was rough. You did hit your head and we stopped, though. I also accidentally stepped on your phone. We talked about it, but you must not remember. As soon as the blizzard clears, I shall replace it in Alicante." Clary looked up at him and nodded as he ran his hand over his face. Oh shit, there's more. "Also, full disclosure, Clarissa. I chased you around the manor, another of our games… and you were wearing a lacy bra top and pants. You somehow made it downstairs and ran into Father, but we quickly went back upstairs. You called him something like Lucy Malfoy or something. He didn't see too much. It seems you were far more affected by the drinking and drugs than me. Would you like to see one of the doctors we have on staff for your head? I'm worried about this memory loss, love."
Clary rubbed the spot on her head again and swallowed. Shit. Valentine saw me like that? Where else had they had sex? "No. I think I'm okay. Things, the memory loss, flashes, were much the same after– after Sebastian. I should drink a lot of water, though and replace electrolytes. Thanks for clarifying things, Jon." He hummed, kissed her on the temple and pulled her along with him down the hall. Clary smiled tightly. Why do I feel like he's keeping more things from me?
Jace rushed off the plane into the nearly empty Alicante Airport. It had been a rough landing due to the blizzard that had just hit, but they made it in just under ten hours. The captain had told him roads were impassable due to storm damage from earlier in the week and it was unlikely he would be able to get to Morgenstern Manor for days, depending on the current blizzard. That's not gonna cut it. She needs me. He sat down and checked his phone again to see if Clary called back. Nothing. That fucker must have taken her phone. Clary's terrified words came back to him. "He's been drugging me…I'm so scared…He's going to find me and then–" Her scream. Jonathan was Sebastian. How did I fucking miss that? The sick pervert is obsessed with her. He's probably already– Jace covered his face with his fists, trying not to think about that sicko's hands on his Clary. "Fuck, fuck!"
Jace snapped his head up when he heard a chuckle, as someone took the seat beside him. "Such language, cousin. I hope you don't plan to kiss Nana with that mouth. You are her second favorite grandson, you know…" Jace smiled tightly, laughed humorlessly, and looked sideways at his cousin, Will Herondale. "Now, now, Will. Everyone knows I'm Nana's favorite. Haven't you gotten over your petty jealousy yet?" Will smirked over at his younger cousin and rolled his eyes.
The two Herondales stood and embraced, Will patting Jace's back hard. "It's good to see you, Jace. I just wish it were under better circumstances. I'm sure you know all about the blizzard. It unfortunately has put quite the kink in our plan. We have a suite here, at the Airport hotel. It's best not to talk out here. We're in Morgenstern territory and they have eyes and ears everywhere. I'll take you to the rooms and you can meet my partner, Jem. We can regroup and figure out how we're going to get your girl. Sound good?" Jace sighed heavily and raked his hand through his mess of golden curls. "Yes. The sooner the better. Let's go." He picked up his bags and followed Will. Hold on, Clary. I love you.
Jonathan leaned back and stretched his legs on the couch in front of the fireplace, pretending to read. He looked over the top of the book, watching Clary discuss a painting with Valentine. She had smoothed her curls out into waves that ran down her back, ending just above her gorgeous ass. He fought the urge to walk over and squeeze it. She would definitely not like that right now, with Father here. Clary had seemed preoccupied at lunch, as if she was trying to recall something. She ate well, but skipped her usual strawberries, her favorite, and refused wine, opting for only water. Maybe I gave her too much of the reversal agent last night. Her memories seemed to be reemerging earlier, but Jonathan had been prepared with many lies and rationalizations. I would hate to have to drug her again, but I can't have her trying to run again. Maybe I have to pull the trigger and lock her up. I'll watch her for now and decide later. I could always take a page from Father's book and have the medical team concoct a Tame Clarissa supplement protocol for her morning smoothie. Clary drank berry smoothies most mornings, to make sure she got her vitamins and leafy greens. He had started drinking them too. She's such a good influence.
His thoughts turned to their night of passion, how good she had felt around his cock… how many times he had pulled an orgasm from her… how many times he had cum inside of her, on her. How good she tastes. He had utterly dominated her and she had let him. He just wished she hadn't found the bottle of Faerie Nectar. Fuck. So far, she hadn't recalled anything about that and seemed to buy his revisionist tales of their night. He wanted her again soon, but knew he needed to stay off of her tonight… well, outside of her, at least.
Jonathan sat up suddenly and glared as Valentine wrapped his arm around Clary and slid his hand up and down her back. He leaned down close to her and whispered in her ear and Clary laughed politely. Clary turned away from Valentine and picked up a folder, looking for something. Jonathan clenched his jaw when he saw his father lean forward and smell her hair, ghosting his hand across her crimson curls, without her knowledge. What the absolute fuck? Jonathan stood up and stalked over, coming up behind Clary.
He rested his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hello, love. Are you ready to call it a day yet? You've been working for hours." He kissed her cheek and inhaled. She still smelled like lavender. Clary laughed and nodded. She closed the folder and pulled away, walking to a table to straighten it. He saw his father eyeball him and purse his lips in annoyance. Yes, Father. I'm here and she's mine. Jonathan returned his father's gaze and smirked. "Clarissa. Have you told father our news yet? That you and I have officially committed to one another? To use the more American or mundane term, Clarissa has agreed to be my girlfriend, Father. Isn't that wonderful?" Valentine smiled tightly at him and nodded stiffly. "That is indeed wonderful news. I hope it develops into something even deeper and more permanent. Clarissa, you are a joy and a blessing to our family and Jonathan and I hope to have you with us for a long time."
Clary walked back to Jonathan and leaned against him, hugging him. "That is so sweet of you to say, Valentine. Thank you." Jonathan stared smugly at his father and pulled Clary with him as he turned. "Come, Clarissa, we should get ready for dinner. It's just the two of us tonight. Father has other dinner plans tonight, don't you father?" Valentine nodded. "I do indeed. I have a meeting, video of course, with a business associate who has been holding out on me. I hope to get more information tonight. You two lovebirds enjoy each other." He looked pointedly at Jonathan before turning and heading to his private offices in the lower level of the mansion. Meeting indeed. Jonathan didn't understand why he didn't just kill Amatis. He seemed reluctant for some reason. He pulled Clary into his arms and smiled down at her, kissing the tip of her nose. "Let's go, love. I'll pick you up at your room in about an hour. Please wear something special. One of the dresses I got for you, perhaps. It's our first dinner as a couple." I cannot wait… Mine.