"You felt that, sweetie? He's kicking!" smiled Maryse to Alec and her unborn son, along with Izzy, the three of them felt very excited as the baby grew inside her; Isabelle had a secret and deep hope over her new brother or sister, maybe… her parents new kid would be a really good person, someone who could clean the Lightwood's name and make them a family of fair people.
"It'll be five months in a week, mom! Obviously the baby will start to move much more" reminded her Alec, his mother stroked his cheek.
"I'm still shocked that you're having a baby at this age, mama… I'm not going to lie; I've wondered how the heck did this happen for quite long time!" answered Izzy playful, she hadn't felt so happy for such a long time… but it looked like things were going well for her family, of course that was only when her father wasn't around.
"Oh, honey… I think that you do know how it happens…" Maryse flushed.
"Mom, stop it!" her brother laughed along with them over the excess of information; suddenly their mother stopped for a bit. "Something wrong?"
"No, he moved a bit faster when you spoke, darling…" said Maryse astonished, Izzy placed her hand on her mother's belly to feel the baby, he or she was really pleased to feel her close.
"Hey, baby! Guess you already know who I am, right?" it was so heartwarming for her to begin to have that kind of connection with the baby, he or she wasn't even born and yet Izzy felt so complete knowing that soon they all would be together, a new member of the family, a new hope.
"It loves your voice…" said Maryse, Izzy smiled to her and kissed her cheek; suddenly Robert entered the room, looking furious and she felt an impulse of kicking him out, but Alec seemed to know what he was doing there.
"Father… I just came by to see mother, I was on my way to see you…" her brother told him, not sounding as nervous as he always did; Robert approached them slowly as he spoke.
"I called you fifteen minutes ago, Alexander, don't try to fool me! Remember why we came here on the first place, we have to be efficient! The only one here who's useless is your sister; do you want to end like her?" Izzy laughed indignant.
"Robert! How can you?" began Maryse, her daughter stopped her knowing how the thing finished.
"Leave it, mom… It's Mr. Perfect who's speaking now…" She stood from her parent's bed and faced him, once again "You know what father? I pity you for being such a despicable man! And I pity you even more for thinking that those who actually have a heart are useless… you may find me like that, but the truth is that… you should envy me because I haven't fallen in your own madness"
"Watch your words, kid" he threatened her, Izzy got closer and closer until they were eye to eye, no escape this time.
"Or what? I think it's you who should be afraid of me, daddy… I'm not the one who could end up locked up as the criminal he truly is because a little dumb girl dares to open her mouth!" Isabelle spoke evilly causing Robert's blood to boil inside his veins; He didn't endure it much longer and raised his hand in motion of silencing his own daughter for good, Izzy's expression turned into panic and Alec stopped him before he could touch his sister.
"By the angel…" she whispered, she knew that her father had reasons to end with the Herondales, but would he really reach the point where he kept his own family aside by making them fear that he would hurt them?
"Enough, father… That was enough!" yelled her brother, she shivered and just when she was about to fall because of the shock her mother grabbed her and held her close, getting apart from him.
"You really think I would've done it, son? Your sister has become a potential danger for our plans, she must learn to remain silent when she's told to… or her imprudence will only damage us" he replied feeling uneasy at his son's rage.
"You are the one who's damaging us! Don't dare to blame it on my little sister because she's the only one who's doing things right… she warned us, but you didn't want to listen!" Robert recovered his strength, thinking that Alec would back up as he always did.
"So you're saying that you're going to give up, really? Like the coward you've always been…" Alec heard Magnus's words inside his head, those words that had been going around his mind at every second since that day: "I know what kind of person you are" But if he got out of the game, he wouldn't be able to control what his father would plan to do without him, it might've been only worse; he had to protect them, all of them… in his own way.
"No… I understand that this must be done… but if we're going to do it, we'll do it my way… I'm the one who will become the king, so sooner or later you'll have to follow my rules! And rule number one is… you dare to hurt my mother, Izzy or the baby… you'll pay for it, father… don't think you're the only one who can apply discipline when it's needed!" Robert nodded once, and Alec turned around to hug his crying sister. Now it was all up to him and he'd make things right… no matter how much it would cost.
"… Fifth overthrow attempt took place yesterday, followers of The Circle still haven't been found, the new Lightwood family also found themselves in danger… This is bullshit! They don't say anything useful or new!" complained Clary as he threw away the tenth newspaper that had an article about The Circle's cruelty, it was just useless and boring, nothing that could help her solve the mystery, nothing that could fill up the whole she had on the inside, her curiosity burning each one of her cells.
"Watch your mouth, highness… I said read not give your opinions about it…" said Amatis still focused on her agenda, sometimes she took a look of her frustration and laughed silently… when Clary managed to see her mocking her, she could also notice a little anxiety which she tried to hide.
"But this isn't worth anything! They say the same over and over again; I can sum it all in less than a minute! The Circle and it's infinite number of attacks, both Herondale and Lightwood families in danger, King Marcus doesn't pick the next heir of the throne soon enough, pregnant Princess Celine Montclaire cries in fright, everyone wonders if Alec will be kidnapped… blah blah blah! I have three theories about this…" she got up from the desk and started walking from one side of the room to the other explaining her point of view to Amatis "They were terribly scared to publish any information against The Circle, they didn't know absolutely nothing about it or they were just too stupid not to try to discover anything! Which one is it?"
"We could say that the second one is the closest… the less they show themselves the more dangerous they are… but I intended for you to learn this superficially, may I ask why are you so hooked up by this, my lady?" she looked at the anxious Clary that ran around as a little bunny.
"Because, Lady Amatis, nothing is more exciting than to discover an untold story! Just imagine what your beloved history books will say about me: Queen Clarissa Herondale, because in the future I'll be Queen, helped the monarchy to solve The Circle's enigma that had been hidden for so long when she was still the Crown Princess… What do you think of that?" she smiled to her, Amatis chuckled at her excitement.
"Prince Alexander and your husband told me you were dreamy but not this much… I'm proud, it seems that I'm a good teacher" she crossed her arms to her chest looking pleased, for the first time Clary did felt like she was talking to her aunt… not to the head maid inside the palace.
"The best, Amatis… don't even doubt that" she sighed happily "still… I also want to know so it doesn't happen again, you know? Who knows what could The Circle do if they're still together… building up an even bigger plan, and maybe this time there won't be anyone left to tell the story… we'll banish into thin air… like if we had never existed" the idea of being forgotten as a wicked person made her shiver more than the idea of being remembered as the foolish little girl who was lucky enough to become the Crown Princess, she had managed to believe that she could really cause an impact on the citizens, to make a change on the monarchy's ways for good.
"Do not fear anything, highness… Fear makes us weak, love makes us strong" Clary looked at her suspicious, where had she heard that phrase before?
"Hey! You are Luke's sister after all! He says that all the time!" she giggled as Amatis smiled.
"Mother was the one who told us that all the time once before… I miss them dearly" she looked down, pure nostalgia showing on the way she disconnected from reality and went back to the days when she actually had a family, Clary felt sad for her… she knew how she felt, she realized that there was very few things that they didn0t have in common, she had also left everything she knew and loved for the palace, she had worked tirelessly to serve and help the royals, she kept both families inside her heart and cherished dearly; a question popped up in Clary's mind.
"I don't want to be obtrusive or anything, and please tell me if you feel uncomfortable at answering this but… have you ever… fallen in love?" she somehow felt like she needed to know, Amatis's life had been for taking care of the palace and it's people always, but she also had to think about herself. Amatis looked at her surprised and sighed sadly.
"I knew you would ask me this someday, especially after finding out about your little games with Prince Jonathan…" she winked at her and Clary giggled "Don't think I was born being forty, highness, I was once young, innocent and madly in love as well… and it was wonderful, we were together not very much time and we had to hide ourselves… but those few times were just… perfect, he was perfect and I gave myself to him completely… but as our thing was kind of forbidden, it had to end over a third person's actions… it couldn't be anymore, and we went our separate ways… but I never blamed him or myself for it… he had his priorities and I had mine… maybe we just weren't meant to be, still I don't regret it… he'll always be the great love of my life" Clary felt like crying as Amatis spoke, and she did… she had given up so much for the royal family… and what did she get back?
"I'm really sorry…" Clary whispered, and her aunt took her hand.
"Don't be… just because I didn't get my fairytale doesn't mean you cannot get yours… and I'm glad… Prince Jonathan is not the only one who keeps you inside his heart dearly and feels willing to do anything to protect you…" she wiped her tears away and stroked her cheek gently.
"Why would anyone want to do that? I'm nothing but trouble…" she felt guilty for causing Amatis so many problems, and still she was telling her how special she was for her.
"Because, highness… there's not much people like you, your husband and your cousins in here… for centuries the Herondale family had been loved and worshipped by all Idris, but now… everything that their ancestors did is being forgotten and replaced with evilness, all because of late King Marcus's mistakes, everything that the royal family meant is being shattered… but I have hopes in all of you, because you haven't forgotten what's really important and anyone can notice that you're pure at heart and have the best intentions… and watching you along with your husband is just relieving… someone like you was what this place truly needed, princess… don't underestimate yourself" until that day, she had known what she wanted to do and how to do it… but she had never seen herself capable of doing it, but it was Amatis who had that little faith on her and on her dreams, she would become her support.
"Thank you… for everything…" she smiled to her.
"Excuse me… am I interrupting anything?" said a familiar voice behind her; almost instantly, her heart stopped, her blood froze, her head was spinning to no end, her entire body shivered and all her calm went to hell.
"Oh by Raziel… Jonathan!" Clary ran to her brother's arms as he kissed her forehead, she had been trying to stop crying but as she melted into that hug… she became a river of tears "I can't believe you're here! Like for real!" she got a bit apart to look at him closely; he was taller and stronger and older and even more handsome , he had a new haircut and he dressed different, somehow more like the artist he was; but he looked happy, he looked like he had missed her also… what had she been missing about him?
"Yes I am, pumpkin! The one you cried over is back!" he smiled at her; that smiled that also made her smile every time, when she was a bit more than a baby when she had nightmares, when she had fought with one of her friends and he held her tightly, when Valentine had left without saying word and she and their mother thought that they would never feel better, when her grandfather died and she cried feeling that all of her life would go by in tears; it was him, her brother, and they were together once again.
"You son of a bitch, you come back without saying anything and you make your Crown Princess cry! Who do you think you are?" she hit him softly and they both laughed as Clary washed her tears away.
"Hey, hey! First! Careful about what you say about our mother! And Second… I think I am the royal brother in law? Who have you become, whimsical little princess? I knew the palace would manage to make you the next Paris Hilton but not so soon! You've broken my baby sister, Amatis!" Jonathan responded as he kept Clary almost trapped in his hug.
"I'm sure she's happy to see you too, Jonathan" she answered, Clary understood their little plan in that second.
"Hey, you knew about this!" she accused her as she giggled.
"You also knew, brat! I told you in the message when mother sent your first anniversary gift" he reminded her, Clary stop laughing crazily and remembered… erchomai.
"You mean you sent a riddle! I don't speak demon languages!" she replied playful.
"I pictured that it would be fun for you to break your head trying to figure out what it said… everything has been far too easy for you lately! Life is not easy, pumpkin, remember!" and that was something that their grandfather used to say to them.
"Oh, I can't wait to introduce you to everyone!" she made a bow to Amatis and took her brother's hand as he almost dragged him trough the hall.
"I wasn't supposed to intervene on your lesson, I just came by to say hello!"Jonathan said feeling guilty, Clary chuckled as they made their way to Jace's room; he had to be the first to meet her brother, as they were now soul mates and everything.
"Amatis doesn't bother! She says that now she has to make me take a break as I'm so into her lessons…" she said, Jonathan did nothing to hide the feeling of surprise.
"And why's that for? You've never been star student or something like that" Clary scowled but still smiled at his comment.
"I know but this thing about The Circle has gotten me crazy! There are so many things I want to know about it…" and he stopped walking. "What? Did you see a ghost?"
"The Circle, Clary? Really? Why would you want to know anything about it?" Clary recognized that expression, he was about to yell at her.
"Because even after 18 years most part of it hasn't been discovered yet! Don't worry, it's not like I'll be punished for it… I promise I won't be reckless with what I find out about it! Now, I don't want you to get mad with me over nothing! I haven't seen you for three years and I intend to make this worth the wait!" her initial idea suddenly changed, it has been so long since he had left their house… she wanted to know everything that he had been doing in that period of time, without missing one single detail; she could show off how awesome her brother was with her in laws later, for that moment, she just wanted him for herself.
"You did well today, highness… Seems that you're feeling more energetic these days" complimented Hodge as he and Jace got out of his father's studio, Jace smiled. It had been three weeks since his little incident with Clary at the Academy, and even though he wanted to break his head to do things right so his father would forgive them, he didn't have to make any great effort to please him! He felt happy and complete all the time, and that showed in the work he did along with him.
"Actually, I'm feeling better than ever, Hodge… and I'm so pleased about the fact that father agreed Alec's petition of letting him participate in this kind of matters, he's also a prince! I was starting to wonder why he couldn't do everything I had to do! He'll finally know what's like to see his life go by drown in papers and more papers" they both laughed. Although he didn't admit it, Jace had been very surprised to see Alec in the meeting that afternoon after they came back from the Academy, Robert and he entered the room fifteen seconds late and still Alec asked his uncle to let him stay so he could get himself into what was going on lately in Idris.
"Your father's also feeling very proud of you, highness… don't doubt that! I've never seen him so surprised before… Could I ask why our Crown Prince is so joyful lately?" said Hodge playful, Jace chuckled a bit again and answered with an adorable sigh.
"Love, Hodge… Love is and makes miracles… see you later" he patted his arm and made his way to his grandfather's garden which had become their own place for reunion, he always got so excited when the clock announced the time that their responsibilities were over and that they had the afternoon for themselves alone, his heart rushed even with the thought of seeing her. And he ran to her over the flower field when he saw her sitting on her bench.
"How's the beautiful love of my life feeling today?" He made her turn around and kissed her like if they were a couple from a romantic novel, passionate and wishing it would never end; but how could he have known that she wasn't really alone? When he looked up to Clary's unknown companion, he let go of her in fright and Clary winked uncomfortable several times before speaking.
"… Jace, I want you to meet my … uh, this is my brother Jonathan" as she flushed, Jace felt his own cheeks burning, he smiled nervously and said.
"A pleasure…" Clary's brother looked at him from head to toe, burning Jace with the feeling of his deep green eyes all around him, like if he could discover anything he could be hiding from Clary with just one glare, and then he smiled tenderly; they absolutely were siblings, no doubt about it.
"The pleasure is all mine, highness… It's so nice to meet the guy who has the intention of taking away my sister's purity" Jace chuckled without understanding what he meant.
"Jonathan Christopher, behave yourself! This is the future king you're talking to! Clary hit him strongly on his arm with a lovable angry expression on her face as her brother laughed.
"I was just kidding, he knows that!" suddenly Jonathan got up and stood right on front of Jace, he was a bit taller than him but still he felt menaced, the Fairchilds weren't people you could really fool around with "Come here, brother! We're already family! There's no need to melt when you met your brother in law, right?" he hugged him tightly as if they had been friends since they were born, he looked down at Clary shaking with every cell and she giggled softly.
"Don't worry, if he doesn't bite you, it's because he likes you…" Clary also got up and held both of their hands as they walked through the garden.
"I think it's actually backwards, pumpkin… I only bite those who I like for real" said Jonathan sounding very serious about it, still Clary snorted making fun of him.
"Keep that kind of information for your Victoria -Secret's girlfriend, we didn't need to know that!" Jace was totally out of the conversation, who were they talking about? And more important what they were talking about?
"Hey, hey! Kaelie doesn't model lingerie! She's just like any other model! And she's not my girlfriend!" with that Jace could understand a bit better what they were talking about, Clary looked at him.
"Just watch this…" and she turned to her brother again "Have you slept with her yet?" Jonathan answered almost instantly.
"Yes, maybe twice or three times; she's fantastic …but still, whoa! Now, that's none of your business, sis!" he chuckled at his sister's cleverness
"You see? They're all the same!" she answered and Jace felt completely thrilled as he softly kissed her cheek; that was his Clary, the playful and so very smart Clary that could make you confess anything even if you didn't want to, just by showing her hypnotizing smile, you fell for her in less than a second."You're so stubborn, Clarissa Adele! A relationship is not only about having sex…" her brother tried to explain but she didn't let him finfish.
"Bro, I think that if you already know every inch of her body you must be something else than friends; I mean… the lack of romance doesn't mean anything if expressed your feelings in other kind of way…" laughed Clary making him uncomfortable.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever, shut up now! You must be tired from learning all those unimportant things with Amatis!" And Jonathan tickled her a bit as she giggled silently. "Okay, if you don't want to listen to me then you'll hear it from your dyed blonde; what do you think, Jacey?" he might've been the brother of the girl he loved, but no one; No one! Called him Jace-y!
"I have three opinions about this: First! I'm naturally blond, second! My name's Jace and third… I don't know, I guess you must be right…" and Clary turned to see him, with her expecting eyes that somehow knew that he would say something that would make her fall for him over and over again, and he looked down at her also, taking her hand to his lips and speaking the words hidden very deep inside his heart, the ones that only came out when she was there, listening quietly "When you love someone, and you want to be with her in every possible way… it doesn't really mean anything if you've been intimate; if it's true, love combines both physical and emotional facts… but that's not the only way to show how much you love her; physical love means maybe the way your body reacts when you see her… when you see her and the world fades away, when you get all sweaty and nervous about saying something stupid but still excited to see her again as if she was the oxygen you breathe, when you take her delicate hand in yours and when you feel how your hearts synchronize their beats into one, when she smiles and you feel like melting to her feet… and the way you feel completely empty when she's gone and you seem to be going crazy until you're with her again… Like if you had been freed from an infinite torture, because it hurts you deeply not to be able to treasure every moment that she exists for you." Clary smiled sweetly and Jace felt her brother's eyes burning him again.
"Easy now, Romeo! This is my baby girl who you're talking to!" Clary let out a low chuckle and kiss his jealous brother's cheek sweetly.
"I'm not a baby anymore! I'll be 18 soon!"She reminded him; like if he wasn't another member of the large list that waited from Clary's 18th birthday.
"Until that you'll be our baby; right, Jace?" he winked at her husband, Jace had to admit that it felt kind of good to be on her brother's side.
"Of course…" he agreed, Clary looked first at her brother and then to Jace.
"You both freak me out with your sudden BFF's relationship… but I somehow like it!" she squealed happily; and they continued to talk and laugh and joke about each other all afternoon; it was so funny how Clary could know so much about them both, when she remembered something about her brother while talking about her husband, the subject of the conversation changed and then went back to what it had been in the first place, it was so adorable to see her so thrilled about sharing her past and new life with those she loved dearly. What Jace enjoyed the most was the expression on Clary's face when her brother reminded her of the days when they were children and they played with Simon and his sister, Clary had the childhood and practically life that he had always wanted, and watching her become a sea of joy when she remembered those times made him have even higher hopes about them both; the palace was the life that Jace had born with… but Clary, she was the life he wanted to have and as long as they were together… his dream wouldn't e so far either. But still the night came down to the palace and her brother in law, who he had liked very much by the way, had to leave.
"… You are such hopeless romantics…. I don't even know how to call you both because… I believe that there's hundreds of love stories, but you two will create your own… and it'll be beautiful "Jace grabbed Clary by her waist and held her close to him as they smiled to him; he took Jonathan's comment as the blessing that Clary's father: Valentine never gave them; at some point they had talked about him but Clary decided she didn't want to remember, but Jace did want to know, it was just not the time to ask. "Well, the baby bird has to go back to the nest someday, even just for a while. I have to go, pumpkin… I promised mama I would call her as soon as I got to Alicante, but… I also wanted to surprise her" he kissed his sister's cheek, and patted Jace's arm… looking proud of them.
"You and your surprises will give us all a heart attack sooner or later!" but Clary wasn't pleased with just that tiny kiss! She hugged him strongly before he could escape her. "Give mom and Luke a kiss from me, ok? Tell them I miss them" Clary's voice broke a bit, and so did Jace's heart… her brother's visit had managed to make her die with happiness, but still… her own reality was way far from what she really loved: her family and friends.
"Don't worry I will" and they both watch as Jonathan waved and went to the palace's main gate.
"And tell her about Kaelie or it'll be worse if she finds out because of me!" she yelled when he was about to leave.
"If you don't keep your mouth shut you won't hear from me another three years, Clarissa!" he answered and Clary laughed again, as if she hadn't been doing that all afternoon.
"I'm glad you got along well" she took Jace's hand and he could see the pure nostalgia reflected on her eyes, just a second later her brother got lost in the dark of the night. Jace led them inside the palace.
"He's your brother after all, I would be surprised if we didn't get along well" in other situation, that would've been really ironic, but this is a different story so shhhh! Clary rested her head on his shoulder without noticing they were heading to her room, them both, like together! And still Jace felt a sharp pain when he remembered that the day had ended for them and they'd have to continue with their you and me separately routine until they could start with the "us" part again tomorrow, and somehow he knew she felt the same.
"I know, right? He has my same degree of madness… but that makes everyone love us, I guess!" and she sat on her giant bed when they got in, her eyes almost begging him to join her, he hesitated a bit at first but… he couldn't really resist her even if he wanted to.
"I guess so… if your madness has made me love you like this, then we should both get into an asylum" he whispered, their lips far too close for trying to help of touching each other while she replied.
"As long as we're together, I wouldn't really bother" and it was Jace who decided to put an end to those few millimeters that kept them apart, he kissed her with all the love he had been retaining for all the time they had been talking with Jonathan, with all the desire and hopes he had renewed that morning, because that was what she was for him, the first thing on his mind when he woke up, the smiled he remembered when he felt sad or tired, the laughter he remembered when he was happy, the sweetest dream he had every night and which he begged that would last forever, and it did… like that, every time she kissed him back, it was a dream for both of them. Then the kiss became even more passionate, his hands stroked every inch of her skin trough the fabric of the soft dress and Clary's hands were on his neck pulling him even closer until they felt breathless, but refusing to get apart with fear of ending the intense emotion it created for them both; suddenly his lips made their way down to her neck and chest, losing himself at the powerful lust and Clary began to kiss him again when he went up once again as she lied softly on the bed.
"Stay" she said in between kiss and kiss.
"What do you mean?" Jace was being completely fooled and distracted by her delicate touch and the with the heady feeling of her kisses.
"Stay with me tonight, I want you to be with me when I go to sleep and see you when I wake up tomorrow; stay so I don't feel like dying to see you again, stay and be only mine for once" she broke the kiss and looked to him eye to eye; but what did she mean by that? What did she truly want? Was it a sign? After all the speech he had said just a couple of hours ago, but still she had a different idea about the whole concept of a "physical relationship"… He couldn't believe it!
Clary wanted to sleep with him?!
To be continued…
Dreamer.