Lissa Graymark

"Good morning, love," a smooth voice greeted me as my eyes fluttered open from their state of deep sleep.

"Love?" I questioned, hiding my grin in the pillow behind me as I stretched languidly on the bed, causing a groan to be released from the man behind me. "That sounds nice," I finally said as I turned to face him with an impish grin, the sun gently caressing my back as I gazed up at him.

I couldn't help the butterflies that engulfed my stomach at the sight of the slight blush on his face as he stammered out his response, "I mean I wouldn't say it in front of anyone else because-"

I rolled my eyes as I started to rise from the bed, "Mr Pure Angelic Blooded Warrior can't say sweet nothings to his girlfriend because he's sooo manly? Ooomph-" I grunted as I was tugged back on top of him.

"You enjoy my manliness," I heard his smug voice from above me as he placed his chin on the top of my head.

"I do…" I sighed in annoyance as a nagging voice in the back of my head told me to ruin the moment. "I have something to tell you by the way," at the sight of his inquisitive eyebrow, I blurted out what was bothering me, "The Soul Sword is in our conservatory."

What I didn't expect was for him to sit up so quickly that I tumbled off of him with a sound oof.

"What?" I heard his screech from the other side of the bed.

I'm glad that he at least had me fall on the bed rather than on the floor. Quick. Distract him.

"Did you know that my favourite legend is King Arthur and the Knights of the-" I tried to casually change the course of the conversation.

"Please tell me you didn't stick the Soul Sword in a rock-" I winced as my conversation changer hit pretty close to home, "and only the chosen one can pull it out."

I gave him a sheepish look as I shrugged, "I'm a literature nerd."

"I know."

I blushed at the intense look he was giving me.

I coughed, turning away from his soul-searching look, "The sword is safer here…" I started to explain as I started to rise from the bed, pulling a blanket with me to protect my modesty, "No one knows where we live and if," I stepped away from the bed, starting to head towards our ensuite, "they manage to get in no one can navigate their way around the house without one of us. And if they get to the room," I spun around with a gasp when I felt the blanket get tugged away from me.

I stepped back in shock when I saw Jace's equally naked body standing right behind me.

"What happens then?" he whispered into my ear as he pulled me into his arms.

"If- if," I gulped as his mouth made its way down my neck, "to get in they would need our voices. Then if, if," I gasped, my eyes rolling into the back of my head as he managed to find my pulse point, "they- er- manage to get that far, they have to pull the sword from the stone. See…" I finished with a whisper as I lazily looked up at him, "I think it was an excellent idea. And before you try-" I pushed him away from me, trying to clear my hazy thoughts, "yes you can pull the sword out, it's warded to the two of us."

"I'd rather keep it in but-"

"Jace!" His leud thoughts snapped me out of the haze as I used the discarded blanket to whack him, "Can't you be serious for once…"

"I can be…" he smirked deviously at me before yanking me towards him once again, "when we're not alone."

My further thoughts were chased away as he captured my lips with his once again, continuing the dance we finished not that many hours ago.

Many hours later, when we were finally ready to get out of bed, we got ready and headed for the institute, specifically the music room as no one would look for us there.

I looked up from my book to stare at my boyfriend in adoration as he began to play a new piece on the piano. The furrow between his eyebrows was present as he concentrated on his new piece. I wonder what he's thinking about as he loses himself playing like that. When we were younger it was always about training and impressing his father. But now… Now, we're older. He could be thinking about all sorts of things. Demons. Valentine. Clary. Me. Sex. Food. What's going through your head, Jay?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of clapping coming from the door.

"Bravo," the figure said as he stepped into the room. I shyly returned the smile Sebastian sent my way, looking away at the realisation that he probably caught me staring at Jace for ages.

"Hello," I acknowledged him before looking back down at my book and carrying on with my work.

When he saw that he didn't have my attention anymore, he turned his towards the pianist in the room, "I had no idea I was in the company of a virtuoso."

"Yeah," my boyfriend scoffed with a disbelieving laugh, "…right."

I tried to ignore them as I continued to read, trying to focus on the work I was meant to be doing instead of staring at Jace fucking Wayland, "No, seriously, it's... extraordinary." I nodded along without looking up, knowing my new friend was right, "I mean, I wish I could play like that. Where did you learn? Who taught you?"

"Valentine," I answered for him, finally looking up. I caught sight of Jace's thankful look as it replaced the uncomfortable look that was plastered on his face moments earlier, "…if you can believe that."

"Huh," Sebastian tilted his head slightly at my answer, "I guess even an evil mastermind can appreciate fine music."

"Yeah..." he sighed, fingering the keys slightly. I got up from my seat, and moving to stand behind him, placing a hand gently on his back to support him. I smiled slightly when I felt him lean back into my touch, "…maybe a little too much. Whenever I would make a mistake, he'd break the offending finger," my grip on his shoulder tightened slightly as I recalled those times, "…then Iratze my hand and have me start again."

"Well, I, uh..." the baffled man in front of us tried to respond, "I'm surprised you still play."

"Only when the mood strikes," I blushed as he grabbed my hand, pulling me to sit beside him on the bench.

"Is that why you're up so early?" I don't think my face has ever been this red, "Or, wait, did you never go to sleep?"

"We just got back from the Hunter's Moon," Jace fibbed for us as I hid my face into his side.

"Ah, I'm guessing you weren't there for a pint, were you?" I peered at him, only to see he was looking right at me, "Ah yes, the boyfriend."

I was wrong. My face could get even redder. I looked up at Jace as I felt him stiffen by my side. He wasn't looking at me, instead choosing to look at the other hunter in the room with this weird look on his face.

What crawled up his ass and died?

"So, I thought you had a thing for Clary," the man mentioned, causing Jace to further straighten his back. Yeah. You and everyone else I know.

"Clary?" I pulled away from him slightly, uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. We were having a perfectly good morning but now- "Why would you say that?"

"Well, I mean, you know..." he paused slightly before sitting in a chair opposite the beautiful instrument we were sitting behind, "…now that she's not your sister, and she's... she's beautiful and fiery and... What is holding you back?"

What is holding him back? I pulled away completely as his words registered in my brain. Me. I'm what's holding them back. Me and Simon. If I- we weren't here, would they rush back into each other's arms as they did after that attack at the police station? Probably.

"Well, she has a boyfriend and I have a girlfriend," I heard Jace respond as he subtly grabbed my hand under the piano. I let my hand stay limp in his grip as my thoughts ran wild. "She's moved on. I've moved on." But have you? "It's ancient history." Is it, though?

I didn't know how to respond as he turned to me and began to tease, "I told you he liked you more."

I opened and closed my mouth, trying to think of a witty response.

Thankfully, someone came in, interrupting me from having to respond.

"Sorry to interrupt." Speak of the devil and she shall appear. "Alec is about to make an announcement."

I got up, tugging my hand away from Jace's as I hurried towards her.

"Of course, let's go."

I didn't even comment as I felt Jace join my side, casually moving his hand so it gently caressed mine every time we took a step.

We were the last to get to the hall. By the time we got there, everyone was already settled, looking up at Alec at his raised position above us.

"Don't you need to be up there?" I felt Jace's breath caress my ear as he whispered to me.

I shook my head as I tried to ignore the butterflies that engulfed my stomach. I both love and hate when he does this to me. "He's got this."

"We've lost seven of our own, but we can't allow a single, radical Seelie to define the entire Downworld, any more than we can allow Valentine to define all Shadowhunters. So, to restore unity with our allies, I will be hosting regular Cabinet meetings here with the Downworld leaders of New York. These meetings will promote transparency… "

Really glad Alec thought this up. I'm also glad that he didn't deviate from that speech because the hours he made me spend listening to it took way too much of my time! If he went with a completely different speech, I think I'd kill him for wasting my time.

I zoned back in just as he finished "…Please, let's make the Downworlders feel welcome."

Everyone began to disperse as soon as his speech finished. We stayed in our place, waiting for Alec to join us.

"Look at you," I smiled up at my friend proudly as I nodded along to Jace's words, "In charge for a week, you're already shaking things up. I think this Cabinet thing is a good idea."

"Yeah, I'm not sure everyone agrees," the institute leader responded with a murmur as Izzy joined us.

"All the more reason to do it." I smirked at her enthusiasm. This has got to be the most positive conversation this duo has ever had. "How can I help?"

"Actually, I need you and Jace act as Allie's bodyguards for her mission."

"Them?" I jolted at the news, standing upright as my royal-ness took over, "Really? No offence-" I turned to the duo with a slight grimace before returning my gaze to the institute head, "-but Alec do you think that's the right idea? We want diplomacy, not controversy." I looked briefly back at the ex-siblings, "Again no offence."

Jace just rolled his shoulders back as he looked at us in concern, "None taken, where are we going?"

"You're going to the Seelie Court," he revealed causing me to groan in annoyance.

"Where is that?" my sister asked us.

"The nearest entrance is in Central Park," Izzy finally piped up, "But it's in another realm. Where the Seelie Queen lives."

"I had Alec request an audience with her to discuss Kaelie's crimes," I informed them.

"She said she would only meet you if she could meet with Valentine's experiments as her gift."

I witheld another groan as he told me the news.

Clary had the most offended look on her face. If I wasn't annoyed with how this has gone, I'd laugh. "Wow. Charming nickname."

"If she wants her gift from me to be you two, I wonder what I'm getting in return," I sighed as I felt a migraine start to come.

"Gifts?" the curious girl once again asked.

"From one royal leader to another," Izzy once again explained the situation to my sister. Someone really needs to teach her the ropes. "…there is a passing of gifts to symbolise the prosperity of their alliance. The good thing is that they're still giving you a gift…"

I shrugged, not really caring about the tradition. Unless if it was a genuine gift, it was all politics at the end of the day and didn't matter anyway.

"So, you think the Seelie Queen is responsible for Kaelie's attacks?" Clary had continued to ask as I was stuck in my own thoughts.

"That's what we're going to find out," I told her.

"It would make sense. Those murders weren't exactly Kaelie's style," Jace defended the dead girl.

I stiffened slightly at the sound of the girl's jealous tone, "How did you know Kaelie?"

I bit my lip, trying to stop myself from- Nope. I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped as I let it slip, "Book Club."

"You read?" she asked incredulously as I shared an amused look with Alec.

I continued to giggle as Jace turned his playful glare in my direction, "Yeah. Why does everyone find that so hard to believe?"

I tried to compose myself, ignoring Izzy's smile so that I wouldn't fall back and laugh again.

"Look. Focus," Alec told us all. I'm trying, Alec. It's a bit hard. "We need to find out if she's complicit. An entire faction could be turning against us."

I nodded once I managed to control myself.

"That shouldn't be too hard, right?" Clary asked us, "Seelies can't lie."

"Technically yes, but..." I shared a look with Jace before he continued for me.

"…after hundreds of years of practice, they can expertly manipulate the truth, and the Queen is the master."

Izzy nodded along in agreement, "She's very dangerous. The entire realm is. More than one Shadowhunter hasn't made it back."

"What could go wrong?"

I sighed, looking at her in annoyance, "Must you jinx this?"

She shrugged apologetically as she looked at us, "But we're, uh..." she looked at my boyfriend with this look that I've definitely seen in the past, "Valentine's experiments, right? Don't mess with us."

"Indeed."

"Be prepared when we go in," Jace told me as we gently swung our joint hands between us. Now that no one we knew was around, we were a lot freer to do so. "Don't let anything they say get to you."

"Why so worried?" I looked at him in concern, "I know that I haven't interacted with the queen since my parents were alive but we go along back then, I don't understand what could change that now?"

He shook his head, choosing to look ahead of us instead of at me, "I'm worried she'll say something that will ruin what we have."

Why is he so worried about this? Unless if he's hiding something from me then I'm sure… "Nothing will ruin what we have," I finished with a tone of conviction that even I was unsure where it came from.

"Promise?" I looked up and just managed to stop myself from gasping in surprise at the look of vulnerability he was letting himself express in a public area.

"Promise," I gently smiled at him, tugging on his arm to stop our movement for a moment. I leant up slightly, stopping just before I reached his lips, "I love you."

"I love you too," he murmured before closing the distance between us and giving me a kiss that I knew should have reassured me in the future but didn't.

"Just be prepared," I heard Clary's voice approach us from our position near the portal, "…'cause Jace is not going to be happy you're here."

See who?

"When is he ever happy to see me?" I heard my favourite vampire scoff, answering my question.

I grabbed Jace's arm, stopping his full turn. I glared slightly, squeezing it in my grasp as I looked up and him before mouthing, "Be nice."

"I'll try," he muttered in return as I released my grip.

"Is it me or can you hear Simon's voice?" I raised my voice slightly as we turned around, allowing us to see their approach.

"Well, that's true, but..." I heard my sister trail off as my boyfriend decided to have a go at our resident vampire once again.

"What is he doing here?"

"Well hello to you," he chirped in response with a smile, "I'm joining the mission."

"No, you're not," Jace vehemently responded with a shake of his head.

I patted his arm as I turned a sympathetic look towards one of my oldest friends, "Jace, as the mission leader-" he cut me off with a nod, letting me continue the argument for him, "Simon, hun, you weren't invited."

It's like ripping off a band-aid.

"I already told him that," my sister told us, looking down with a smile.

The vampire stepped forward to cut in, "But then I pointed out that you can never have too much backup. You've seen my fighting skills firsthand," he finished with a smirk.

"There will be no fighting" I firmly stated, stepping between the group. I couldn't help but let my thoughts run wild as I thought about all the things that could go wrong, "If you hurt anyone in the Queen's realm, she has every right to hurt you. This is a sensitive political mission."

"It takes a certain charm," Jace explained as he pulled me back to his side.

"Well, I'll have you know, I was voted vice president in eighth grade," I moved slightly to stand behind Jace. I couldn't have Simon seeing my smile and thinking I approved of his actions. "And you do not win an election without charm. So..."

"Simon, this isn't middle school," Jace glared at my friend. "This is life or death."

"Have you been to middle school?" the young vamp retorted, causing my sister to giggle.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead in aggravation. Ugh… How do they not realise how serious this situation is? I think I'm getting a migraine. Why did Alec pick her to come along again?

"Look," the duo turned their attentions to me at my grave tone, "Seelies have the beauty of angels, and the viciousness of demons and those opposing qualities makes them unpredictable. A vampire or a werewolf, they prefer to attack you head-on, but Seelies, they want to trick you into your own self-destruction."

"I mean, that's a little dramatic, don't you think?" I rubbed my head again when the duo looked at each other in confusion. Did nothing I say enter their heads? "I mean, aren't Seelies like... woodland hippies who eat berries and ants?"

"I thought the same about Kaelie," Jace countered.

"And who saved Clary from her?"

"For goodness sake," I hissed staring at them all, "Must you always have a competition going on? I can't believe my first diplomatic mission is going to fail because of you three." I turned to my boyfriend, knowing when I fight was lost, "Jace, you're not gonna get him to change his mind. We have to go. We're already running late enough as it is."

"Lily's right-" When is she going to start using my real name? I'm starting to get a little confused- "Where is the entrance?"

Jace ignored her, letting a small flair of victory encompass me. I gave him a small nod, letting him know I agreed. There was no way around it. He nodded back to me before turning to the creek behind us, "There."

We stepped back, allowing the duo to take our space by the portal.

"The Seelie Court is in a creek?" we heard Simon's exclamation from our spot behind them.

We shared a smirk as I started, "Not in it..."

"…through it," he finished for me.

He grabbed my hand before dragging me into a run. We front flipped over the duo, diving through the portal.

"I landed better," I smirked at Jace over my shoulder, swatting away at invisible dirt.

"Hmm," he murmured, grabbing my waist to give me a quick kiss, "I don't think so."

"Whoa..." I heard Simon's voice as soon as they joined us.

"Idiot," I pushed Jace away with a slight glare, a bit pissed off that he was still competing with my friend. "Really? What happened to 'Be nice'?"

"I try but…"

I cut him off with a shake of my head, "Nice…"

Jace shook his head with a simple, "Fine," he turned to the others with a sarcastic wave of his hand, "After you, Mr Vice President."

Simon just pointed a finger at him, not really sure about how to respond before turning away and leading the way we pointed towards.

I tugged on Jace's arm just as he started to follow them. "Look," I said to him quietly, pulling his attention to me as we let the newbies lead the way, "If you're nice I'll take the evening off and I'll be all yours."

He looked down at me in intrigue, "All evening and night?" I bit my lip as I thought about his words. I did have work to do but it's not like it's anything urgent… I nodded my head slowly, agreeing to his terms. His lips twitched into a smirk as he began to lead the way, "Alright then." He grabbed my hand and giving it a kiss, "I'll play nice."

As we caught up with them, Simon began to smooth talk my sister, "You know, for a dangerous mission, the Seelie Court's…" I guess he's improved somewhat from how he used to flirt but this is still pretty awkward cause this isn't a date, it's a diplomatic mission. "…pretty romantic."

"It's like being dropped inside a fairy tale," my sister agreed with him.

"See…" Simon surprised me by turning to look at Jace and me, "…even Jace is feeling it." I hastily dropped Jace's hand. He didn't take offence because he did the exact same as me. Simon turned a teasing look at us, waggling a finger at us, "You don't need to let each other go," he said enthusiastically as he began to flail his arms around, "Everyone knows you're engaged to be engaged." Jace began to snarl slightly as the boy began to piss him off, "And don't think I didn't hear your I lo-"

"Enough."

"Simon…" I cut Jace off from saying anything mean, "that's kinda our business…"

"Do you mind carry on walking…" Jace interrupted us, "We're going to be late…" when he didn't move, he used his least favourite word, "Please."

I think Simon was in too much shock to argue.

I turned a surprised gaze towards my boyfriend. "Wow," I whispered, "You really want a night off."

He shrugged, turning away to hide a blush from me.

"-which makes sense," Clary was continuing, "Faeries do live here."

"Course I do," he whispered to me as we listened to Clary natter on.

"Is that blood?"

I turned around to see Simon heading away from us.

"Jay-" I tugged on his arm to get his attention.

"Simon, get away from the tree!" Jace instantly stepped towards his not-friend and began to warn him, "Get away from the tree!"

Before I knew it, Jace flew from my side and yanked the boy away from the tree. I stared at them impatiently. I can't believe we're stopping again.

"What the hell are you doing?" the vampire shouted in anger.

"Saving you," I drawled.

"As usual," Jace added on.

Simon gave us the most incredulous look as I began to tap my foot impatiently, "From a tree?"

"That is called a kill tree," the experienced hunter explained to the newbie vamp.

I schooled my features and gave them my patient voice, "It would have wrapped its vines around you and torn you limb from limb."

I'm used to using it with these two, especially when they're oblivious to the obvious,

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Okay, Clary. No need to come up to my face like that.

"That tree almost tore Simon's pretty face off," my boyfriend tried to explain to them again.

"You think I'm pretty?" was his response.

I sighed in aggravation, "Look, in the Seelie realm, it's not just the creatures that are deadly. It's everything."

Jace returned to my side with a nod, "If you want to survive, don't touch, eat, or smell anything. No matter how small."

He grabbed my head before starting to lead the way, not trusting the instincts the other two seemed to have. Or lack, in this case.

With Jace leading the way, we soon approached the crest of the hill that allowed us to see the Queen's castle.

"It's so beautiful," I hummed in agreement to Clary's statement.

Jace couldn't help but argue, "You should see Lissa's home in Indris."

I hummed once again as memories of my old home filled my thoughts. The rolling green hills that surrounded the place by miles. The long pathway leading to the house. Cream stone walls with the artistic ivy growing down the one side of the house. Mom would always complain about it but secretly loved it just as much as I did. Tall balconies where papa would take me to see the sunrise.

"We need to go visit the place again at some point," I remarked as I left the privacy of my thoughts.

"The end of the summer?" Jace asked me quietly in response as he gently squeezed my hand, already knowing where my mind had taken me.

"Sounds like a plan," I smiled slightly at the thought of finally returning home and letting my parents' spirits rest, knowing I was home and safe.

"Don't let this place blind you," Jace said to the other couple as he began to lead the way again, "Let's go."

When we got closer to the entrance, Jace and I put our professional masks on as we released each other's hands once again. I stepped in front, taking the lead from him as he naturally slowed his step, making sure he was a step behind me.

As soon as we stepped into the glade, seelies immediately swarmed us. They approached from all sides, reaching for my companions' faces, shoulders, whatever they could get ahold of.

"Welcome. Welcome," one of them greeted as they began to strip Jace and Clary of their weapons.

They left me be, knowing that if they touched another species' queen they would be in a lot of trouble.

"Jace, my stele," I heard my sister's panicked voice from behind me, "Our weapons."

"Yeah," I felt the air shift as he nodded slightly from my side.

A familiar-looking young girl soon approached us from the shadows of one of the tall plants.

"You'll get them back when you leave the Court," she told us.

I smiled as I stepped towards her, slowly reaching to pull my quiver from its position on my back. With it, I placed my seraph blade and dagger.

I handed it to one of the attendants that were walking by, I kept my eyes on the queen as I simply said, "As a sign of goodwill."

She didn't respond, instead, nodding her head in acceptance. We took synchronised steps forward, stopping when we stood arm's length apart from each other.

"Your majesty," we repeated to each other, curtsying deeply before slowly rising, eyes connected as we raised our right hand to clasp each other's arms.

"Welcome to my kingdom," she greeted me warmly. Well as warmly as she manages, "…at last."

"It's an honour to be here," nodding my head regally in her direction.

"Your gift…" she said, gesturing for her attendant to move from her position at the side. The small girl curtsied deeply, remaining in her position as she handed me a small box.

I reached out, gently receiving the gift. The girl backed away, never rising from her bent form.

I turned my attention to the Queen in front of me, curtsying once again, "Thank you…" When I rose from my position I raised a hand, flicking my fingers slightly to indicate to my companions to step forward, "And as requested, your gift…"

The trio bowed, Jace taking the lead with a simple, "Your majesty," bowing to the Queen.

He nodded his head at the duo, indicating for them to do the same as he continued, "What a rare honour."

"Wait, that's the Queen?" I heard Simon's hushed question.

I had to stop myself from physically face palming as the Queen stiffened by my side.

"Why is the vampire here?" she angrily said, "He was not invited."

"He's with me," my sister straightened up, he redhead anger flaring up as she sized her smaller sized opponent up.

"My lady, Simon has proven himself a worthy warrior and a loyal friend," Jace surprised me once again with his kind words.

"We insisted he be here with us," I took over the explanation, "Anything you have to say to us, you can say to him."

I didn't like her look of curiosity as she looked at my old friend, "Very well. The vampire can stay."

"You are as generous as you are lovely," my boyfriend offered a small smile as he nodded at her in thanks.

"Set an extra place at the table for our fourth guest," the Queen said to an attendant as she continued to appraise the others. When she found whatever it was she was looking for, she slowly raised her hand out towards me. I didn't hesitate, reaching out to grab onto it.

"This is going to be fun."

The others were led to a table set for us. I stayed with the queen, her hold on my hand like a shackle as she led me to the corner of the clearing we were in.

"It is beautiful here," I chose to gaze around me at the sight of the beautiful greenery.

"I know it is…" she puffed out her chest in pride as she too looked around, "-it is a shame you haven't visited us before."

"Circumstances have led me away from my duty for far too long," I explained softly as I thought back to the trials that got me to where I am now, "But I'm back now so I'll be going to the political meetings from now on.

She hummed as she looked at her other guests, "Hmmm… For now…"

The small girl pulled me towards the table, leading me to my seat between Jace and Simon.

"Hungry?" she asked them as she too sat in her seat between Clary and Simon.

"That's very kind, but we really should discuss business," my boyfriend's curt response filled the silence as I contemplated on how to say no in a nicer way.

"Business is boring," she replied with a smirk, "That's why I sent a proxy to your Downworlder Cabinet Meeting." She turned her gaze to me, "Why are you not there?"

"As you said, business is boring…" I smiled as I thought about Alec doing what he thought was right, "No, I'm letting my new institute head show me what he's worth."

Or at least let him show other people that he's worth the support.

"Good leadership," the queen sat opposite her nodded approvingly, "For one so young, you are very wise…" she paused as she seemed to have a new light about her, "…how almost Seelie of thinking."

I nodded in thanks, not really any other way to take it, "Thank you."

"It was very wise of you to save so many Downworlder lives…" she continued as if she couldn't hear me, "…but at a cost I see." I glanced around me as I tried to catch sight of what she was looking at, "The darkness is slowly gathering around you. Be careful with the use of your powers or it will take you."

I felt Jace's hand encompass mine under the table as I stiffened ever so slightly at her words, "What do you-"

The Seelie Queen cut Jace off as she moved on to her next topic of choice, "I'd like to know more about Valentine's children."

"Child, actually," Clary corrected her as she looked down quickly, "I'm the only one."

"Are you sure?" she questioned, gazing at the once-siblings in mischief.

It was my turn to squeeze Jace's hand as he got worked up, "I'm not Valentine's son."

"Yet," she sat up, drawing herself regally in her seat, "-the same blood runs through both your veins. The blood of the angel. Please, show me what it can do." I released my grip on Jace's hand, drawing away as the duo shared looks of uncertainty. "Don't be shy."

"We're still learning how it works," Jace snapped slightly.

Clary nodded slightly in agreement as I pulled away from him completely. I'm not liking where this conversation is going.

"Are you?" She suddenly turned her gaze to the only Downworlder in our group, "And you, vampire. Are you still learning to walk in the sun?"

"Wow, word travels fast down here," I sighed slightly. This is definitely not how I expected this talk to go.

"It does," she turned away from him, turning towards the foliage around us, "I hear whispers from the birds, the bees and the bugs. They're all in my service."

"So was Kaelie," my anger finally caught up with me as I snapped out my words, "Were you surprised to hear one of your knights was killing my Shadowhunters?"

Honestly, can't I ever get a straight answer when I'm asking questions?

The Queen didn't falter at the change in my tone. Only Simon and Clary's expressions changed in my words.

The Queen just raised her eyebrow at me in amusement as she turned to Jace, "Were you?"

I shook my head knowing this was going to come bite us in the ass, "Kaelie was his lover, sure," I shrugged, defending my best friend, "But that was months ago, how was he supposed to know the actions of someone he hasn't been in intimate contact with?"

I could have slapped myself by the sound of Clary's jealous words as she filled the silence I caused, "Bookclub, huh?"

Honestly. There is a time and a place.

I looked to my side, only to see Jace clenching and unclenching his jaw. He's definitely pissed off right now.

"I was surprised," he carried on the conversation, "Kaelie didn't seem capable of such brutality."

"Precisely why she made an effective killer," she shrugged sweetly as us, "The sweeter the honey, the deadlier the trap."

"Did Kaelie kill on her own, or was she working with someone else?" Clary butted in.

I watched silently as my fellow royal took a deep breath, looking away as she raised her hand. Her attendant helped her stand before she grabbed a blood-red apple, "Another knight helped," she informed us as she swiftly caught the apple she threw into the air, "But I took care of him."

"By "took care of," you mean..."

I felt my eye twitch as Simon was cut off with a sing-song, "Dead, dead, dead."

I sat back and enjoyed their looks of shock as her elf-like features disappeared when she bit into her apple. Simon's look of shock would have probably made me laugh if we weren't in the situation we were in now.

"I'd like a moment alone with the Daylighter," she announced.

"Alone?" Simon and I chorused. I used a more neutral tone whilst he gulped in fear, his eyes frantically moving between the three of us for reassurance.

"With Simon?" Clary immediately butted in.

"My lady," Jace cut in, "-perhaps you could discuss here. We prefer not to be separated."

I stayed silent. If it were Jace or Clary, I could probably butt in and say no but Simon is a vampire, I have no jurisdiction over him, especially since we're in the Seelie realm…

"Don't worry," she turned her gaze to the frightened vampire, "I'll bring him back with all his limbs attached."

"Huh…" he awkwardly smiled at the queen. "Okay," he said giving in, knowing there was no way out. He stood up from his seat, turning to reassure his girlfriend, "It's okay, Clary. I'll be fine."

Keep telling yourself that, hun.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Clary shot up from her seat and began pacing the length of the glade.

"We should never have let Simon come," she huffed in frustration, running her hands frantically through her hair.

"He didn't exactly give us a choice," I calmly replied as I shifted in my seat to a more comfortable position.

"And you know, you can't really blame him," Jace piped up from his position by my side, "If I were him, I'd never leave my girlfriend's side either."

His words caused the redhead to spin around to face him. I watched in a detached sense as they gazed at one another.

Did he just say he wouldn't leave her side? Did I miss something? Why are they looking at each other so intently?

I flinched back as my thoughts began to run wild.

The sound of hurried footsteps broke the haze I had succumbed under.

"Is everything okay?" Clary immediately asked the vamp as he practically ran towards us.

"Great!" he seemed to shout as Jace helped me up from my seated position. I brushed off some dirt as we approached the harried duo. "We need to go right now!"

"Hey! Hey!" Jace hissed as he grabbed onto Simon's arm whilst I strode past them towards the Queen, "Wait!"

"Your majesty, we should get going," I smiled serenely at her, a mask hiding my concern over what made Simon so panicked.

"But you've only just arrived," she interjected with a frown.

"I know," I gestured towards Clary, "It seems my sister isn't feeling well so we'll have to head off. But don't worry, I'll come back-"

"No need," with a nod of her head, vines quickly began crawling up Jace and Simon's legs, trapping them in place.

I raised a hand, ready to counter it with my own magic.

"Ah ah," the Queen in front of me tutted as she raised her hand slightly, "This is my decision as Queen of the Seelie court."

"They are my guests," I responded with the same steely voice.

"And they went against my rules," she somehow still managed to look down at me despite her smaller stature, "Stay out of this."

"Very well," I nodded after a few moments of silence. I took a step towards her, my serene look back in place as I bent down to whisper in her ear, "If a single hair is out of place and they are harmed, you will be declaring war."

As I stepped back, the steel in my eyes vanished as a blank canvas took its place.

"It's futile to struggle," she shrugged at the male duo, "Vitis veritas. Enchanted vines that only obey me."

I watched on as the vines continued to slither up their bodies.

I jolted slightly at the sound of Clary's screech, "What are you doing? Why aren't you helping them?" she hissed at me before turning back to the Queen, "Let them go!"

"But they killed several of my kind," I sighed at the revelation.

"What?" Simon instantly denied, "We didn't kill anyone!"

"She can't lie," Jace huffed in annoyance at the vampire's short term memory, "Your majesty, you must be mistaken."

"I told you, the birds, bees, bugs, they're all in my service," she told us.

"The gnats at the kill tree," I recalled the event.

I knew that stupid tree was a test. Ugh. Simon, why do you have to be so curious and go up to it?

"What, that- that bug I killed?" said vampire stuttered out, "But that can't seriously mean..."

"Their deaths require justice," the Queen swiftly cut him off. "Unless, of course," a smirk ghosted her impish lips, "-you'd rather play a game."

"What kind of game?" I cautiously asked just as Simon immediately agreed, "A game sounds better."

Jace and I glared at the vamp for immediately agreeing.

"It's simple, really." It never is, though, really. "All I ask is a kiss."

"You want one of us to kiss you?" I think I need to whack my head against a tree after the question Clary just asked her.

"The game isn't for me," said Queen gave the redhead her most unimpressed look before lighting up slightly as she revealed, "It's for you, Clary." Said girl stepped back slightly in shock at the revelation, "The kiss that will set them free is the kiss you most desire."

My eyes instantly flickered between the redhead and my boyfriend. She couldn't still- She's dating Simon, our best friend. She wouldn't break his heart by having feelings for another man. A taken man. My man. My eyes stopped moving as they caught Jace's. He was slowly shaking his head at me, trying to convey a message using his eyes alone.

I want to trust you, Jay. You've never given me a reason not to. I love you. I've told you that so many times just as you've told me the same. You're the only man I've ever loved but I know you can't say the same about me. I love you, Jay… But I can't love a man that loves someone else… If she kisses you- If she chooses you… Please don't kiss back. If you kiss her back, I'll know my answer. If you kiss her back, I'll know you've chosen her- I'll know you didn't pick me.

"I suggest you move quickly," the Queen's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife would butter. "Once the vines reach their necks, the boys will be dead, dead, dead."

I broke eye contact with the man I love as I took several steps back, standing closer to the exit we entered through.

"Jace was wrong. This is exactly like middle school," Clary hissed to us and she stood still closest to the Queen.

"Clary, just kiss me so we can go home," Simon tried to reassure her. She didn't think twice before turning her back on the Queen and heading in the vampire's direction.

I looked away, knowing it wouldn't work.

"Why are the vines still here?" I heard Clary's panicked voice as I heard the whimpers of pain the boys emitted.

"Why do you think?"

"I did what you asked," the redhead screamed in anger.

"Clary?" Simon's soft whimper of anguish had me turning back to the duo.

"You can fool yourself, but not the vitis veritas."

"Clary!" Jace gasped in panic as he started to go red a lot faster than the dead vampire.

My sister turned slowly to my boyfriend, approaching him as if he was a wounded creature.

One swing of his eyes caused them to be in direct line with mine.

"This means nothing," I distantly heard her say.

I'm sorry. His eyes told me as he nodded his assent.

The gap between the shortened until there was nothing left. One kiss turned into two and three as the vines slowly unwound themselves from their captives. The passion between the two was unquestionable. They loved each other.

Me too, Jay. Me too.

"I told you, Daylighter," I heard her say as everything started to fall apart around me, "They always choose their own kind."

I stumbled further away from the group as Clary turned her fury on the Queen, "Why the hell would you do that? It's our lives, not some game!"

I turned to Simon, knowing he was the only person who felt the same way I did.

I reached over, grabbing my best friend's hand, the only person who hadn't betrayed me in this realm.

"Shall we go?" I whispered, wiping a fallen tear away from his ashen face.

"Please," he whimpered as he held on tighter to my hands.

"Best to be completely honest, don't you think?" the Queen was saying somewhere behind us.

"Use your speed," I told him softly, the numbness encompassing me fully, "It'll be faster."

He nodded in agreement, moving to a position so he could lift me up easily.

"There's nothing honest about that," Clary was saying.

"Your highness…" I flinched at the sound of Jace's voice just as Simon sped us away.

Simon running us back to the portal made the journey ten times faster. I guess wanting to be away from the other two pushed him to get us out of the realm faster.

We didn't even speak as we jumped back through the portal, allowing us to appear back on the bridge in the park.

I need to get out.

I need to go.

I can't be here when Ja- Jace and Clary come through.

Focus.

A flair of pain shot through me as I waved my hand, a familiar portal opening in front of us.

"I thought the Seelie Queen said to be careful about using your powers," Simon's heartbroken voice croaked out as he wiped the tears from his face. "And I thought you didn't have the energy-"

"It doesn't matter-" without another word, I pulled him through the portal which immediately closed after us, allowing the tension in my stomach to leave alongside the pain. "We can chill here."

"Wait-" he looked around in confusion as he sped around the place, "Is this your old apartment?"

"Yeah," I nodded shakily, running my hands through my hair, "-when J- Jace and I moved out of the institute, I bought this place as a secondary safe house. You can chill here and avoid Cl- Cary for as long as you want."

"You're not staying?"

"I uh- I have to get to the institute and make sure J- they didn't mess up negotiations when we left them behind."

"Please," he whispered/whimpered, speeding towards me to clutch onto my hand, "Stay."

"Of course," I immediately responded, happily taking the excuse I was handed.

It's not like I want to go back to see them anyway…