Jace would have lied to nobody, if he had thought that the ringing of his cellphone had woke him up; it had been weeks since he could sleep in an early hour, so he kind of thanked that call, until the other person spoke…

"Hello?"

"Ah, good night, prince… I should ask you to forgive me for calling in such an inconvenient time…" it was a low, almost threatening voice, nothing that he had heard before.

"Who is this?" he knew it was somehow dumb to ask that, but he had to try; one of the things he had recently learned, try everything you can.

"No need to ask, highness, you'll soon know… still, the reason of my call isn't precisely that; for now, you shouldn't really worry about us who are outside the palace but for those who are on the inside, and even more the ones that are closest to you" what he could say for real, was that he was tired of secrecy and speaking in codes, he was beginning to hate knowing nothing and have to break his head apart in order to actually discover something.

"It has no use for you to try to confuse me; I'll end up knowing anyways, if this kind of friendly conversation is in order to give me a warning, I suggest you to be more specific…" he was amazed by how calm and firm he sounded, he had expected to start making a fuss.

"As our not probably future king says, who can be truly sure of anything at these times, uh? Well, just to remind you to keep an eye on her highness, the princess… You've been told she's quite a special lady, right? Don't forget about it, prince, she hasn't gotten to your life as a coincidence… In fact, she's not even a piece of whom you think she is. You can assign that disrespectful name of traitor to whomever you want, but don't forget to look at those who you've decided to trust… you wouldn't want to make that mistake again, right?"

"Alright, whatever suspects you're trying to rise against the princess, let me be the one who warns you this time and guarantees that you'll regret it, I won't accept these kind of calumnies and won't hesitate to take violent decisions if anybody dares to approach or harm her, have I made myself clear?" now, there was no wonder why he was so sure of what he said, when it came to Clary, there wasn't a single thing he wouldn't do; however, if he hadn't been alone in that dark night, denying the truth that had just been revealed to him… anyone who'd know the Herondales well, would've said he spoke as Stephen would have some time ago.

"This humble servant of the crown appreciates his highness wise advice, but it won't be necessary; as I've said before, the princess won't be touched by people outside the palace, that you can bet… I hope this intervention was fruitful for you, highness, our best wishes towards you…" and the mysterious "servant of the crown" hung the phone. Again it would've been a lie to say that he hadn't thought of Clary getting involved; well, in first instance, she was his wife, so they'd attack her too in any way they can; but he had also considered they may begin to look up information about her… Her situation and life as a common girl was simply too suspicious.

Then he got a strong feeling inside his chest, might have been rage or worry, a furious desire to protect the one who was like half of himself; to hide her from anyone who'd try to damage her, she had already suffered much and he wouldn't be able to handle the deep sadness of such a pure soul again… No, nobody would touch that angel, his angel, his Clary… She was his, and nobody had the right to make her hurt. That was what he thought has he unconsciously walked through the soundless halls, he wasn't even thinking of where he was going, he just walked and walked knowing that the emotions would lead him just where he had to be.

"Clary …?" but the bed was made, her cellphone wasn't on the nightstand as usual, and the room was freezing cold, as if she hadn't been there in years, almost like she didn't belong there anymore; he shivered, and tried to keep his mind clear, he wasn't scared, he was furious to imagine that someone would have had the presumption to wrong her. And he walked clueless again, right to the places where he could feel her present; the library, where he could just sense her desperate touched against the pages filled with useless information, to the garden she had taken as hers, the dining room, the relics room, still he only found the image of her there; and he lost it.

He used one of the many secret gates hidden strategically in case there was an attack on the palace, like the ones that had taken place a couple of years before he was born, and then he was outside, the cold wind trying to calm his infuriated beats and to stop his quick yet strong steps… Nothing, and no one yet.

On the other hand, his beloved one couldn't even move, it was like a shock… no, actually more than a shock, but she couldn't explain it with simple words… it was like the earth's crust had broken in two, and she had been holding on to a piece that looked stable, and trustworthy and after what she'd been through that part began to shatter as well, and she wildly tried not to fall but she would… and now she was certain, she would fall, fall away from Jace.

"Darling… we should've told you before, we were completely aware of that… we didn't want to push you into anything… it was just, I … I am terribly sorry…" Clary heard her mother saying, but her eyes were on the floor and the tears came like a waterfall, so rapidly so many of them, falling in an instant from her cheeks to her chest and spilling over her arms.

"Clary, all we wanted to do was to protect you; it was for your safety… I know that still being familiar with the truth we tried to convince you to marry the prince, but when you refused at first; we thought it wouldn't be necessary, and then… then you agreed… we thought it would be for the best, so no suspects would be brought up… We're so sorry, it's no excuse, but what else could have we done?" Luke continued with the confession, after that she felt an even deeper stab on her chest.

"You said you had to go to bring him back… you said you didn't want to leave me but you didn't want me hurt, you said he still loved us and that he'd be back! You left me! And you made me do this as well!" the redhead cried out loud to the only one who hadn't said a word.

"Angel… we could've been arrested or sent into an orphanage… I didn't want to leave either, but I didn't want my little sister to remain unprotected and vulnerable… we all had to make sacrifices… I made a big one, and I'll always pay for it, Clary, I know you believe we played with your head but it's not like that…we had to help you, you weren't guilty of a thing, you didn't even know! And yet… you remained so… so innocent and kind and lovable and Valentine was your adoration, I couldn't end with that kind of love, I couldn't end with that dream, I hoped you'd figure that he wouldn't be back by yourself, I guess you did… Trust me there was tons of things I wanted to tell you…" her brother accompanied her tears, trying to explain, trying to put all that killing pain into words; they were guilty, and they knew there would be a day when Clary would hate them as much as she'd hate her father.

"And why didn't you say anything?! Why did no one dare to open their mouth?! You say you love me so deeply, that you care for me and that it was for my own good! What kind of good is this?! Stealing my life away from my hands and making me become a liar, a traitor! This damn dross I am now it's all because of you! I'm such a disgusting marionette… I'd rather be dead right now!" she yelled, not many times she screamed at her parents, even worse talking to her brother, who had left for so long and whom she had missed so much. Their union was so strong, or had been, that she could've doubted from anyone in the world… anyone, but her own family.

"Honey, we're sorry, if any of us could've taken your place we would've… I sincerely considered bringing me in for your sake but… but it wasn't only you, your brother, your grandfather, Lucian… this might sound cruel still we all had to play with our lives like they were chess pieces; you were a child, a guiltless little girl, I wouldn't have handled seeing them take away all of your joy, your life, that light that lies inside you… not for my mistakes, I was wrong I know this wasn't' the best option either, dear, I would never try to steal anything form you… I had already lost a loved one, what about my children? The thought of it… teared my heart to pieces, I'm so sorry, baby" Jocelyn took her daughter before she fell to the ground, without strength to stand still anymore, lacking of breath, choking with tears.

"What am I going to do?!" she meant not just exactly with the situation, with the lies, with the person she thought she was, with the sadness… the deep level hopelessness she had reached in which she couldn't feel the tears that fell anymore, they just continued without her being aware. "I'm doomed…" once again they kept silent, granting the confirmation, with all the desire to stop what would come after… however, what starts wrong, ends wrong and all what goes up must come down. It's funny, right? All that they had to do to prevent Clary from getting hurt, and yet it would be their tries that would condemn her to misery.

Clary took the hands stroking her locks from behind her head and placed them on their owner's lap, with her eyes to the ground she turned back on her mother's cries and headed the door, ruefully, not being able to say if she'd ever come back, maybe not, but who could know what would happen to her from that moment on?

"It's time to let her go… We never had the right to decide for her the way we did, we have to let her live this, Jocie, whatever it is… This is her life, and we can't stop her from living…" Was what she last heard before shutting the door, and left her thinking over and over until she was lost in the deep waters of her consciousness; Magnus, as prudent and friendly as always didn't ask a thing, he knew that if she needed to tell something, she would, but the rosy lips of the princess wouldn't open.

It all took her to remember what had happened that year, just when she thought she'd be able to take the strings of the life she wanted to have, responsibilities fell abruptly upon her shoulders, and she forced herself to accept something she would've never even considered and getting into a roller-coaster of emotions, constantly going up and down… and why? Had it really been her parents fault? Why had she done it when she had the chance of saying no and choosing on her own, being herself, becoming herself, being free from absurd rules and tasks, from being scorned, criticized, punished, turn over…? Why?

Her thoughts echoed the question, she waved to Magnus and thanked him, also apologized for the trouble she may had caused him, waited for his answer that she wasn't able to process and he drove off; why? Why? Why? She walked to the gardens trough the hidden paths marked in case of emergency, why? The tears stained her shirt, why? She looked up to the place she had turned herself into and her eyes caught the glimpse of a blurry but bright golden spot, which was running towards her.

"Where the hell have you been? I was so worried and you didn't even pick up the phone… Do you even know how awfully dangerous is it for you to come out of the palace in times like this? Sometimes I really don't know what goes through your head, exactly what were you thinking of doing, Clary?" she could look up, she just couldn't face him, now that she knew that all of the disaster she had lived had been because of her, all of the disaster all Alicante had lived, 'It was your fault, it truly was… You could've been free from guilt, but no you got yourself into it… and now you're the center… You're the target you've been looking for'

"I don't know… I just wanted… I wanted to…" but she couldn't answer, there were no more replies, there wasn't a thing she could tell anymore…

"God, honey, I didn't mean to scare you… I was scared; I can't risk you, ok? Our lives are hanging by a thread right now, you know that…" Jace pressed a kiss to her forehead "I adore you, Clarissa Herondale, and if anyone gets a single finger close to you, I don't know what I'd be capable of doing…" her chest shrank, and it was like her soul left her body, not even it could help in a moment like this, she fell to her knees .

"I'm so sorry, I never wanted to ruin your life the way I did, you shouldn't have suffered this…. I had a choice and you didn't and I fucked it up for both of us… forgive me… I wish you wouldn't have to go through this, I should've said no… it wouldn't have mattered never getting to know you or loving you if that would've made your life easier… I can't believe you also have to pay for this" she wept buckets; the truth was a fresh wound and her apologies were bloods spurts that came out furiously, emptying her.

"What are you saying? None of this is your fault, it's not you who Robert wants… it's the family itself, if there's anyone to blame here it should be my grandfather… but that doesn't matter now, Clary, what matters is what we'll do with it, you get that?" he knelt in front of her.

"He could've killed all of you… he was mad, he was a murderer… and I loved him, I loved him for that… I'm as guilty as he is…" and all of her praised bravery had to take part now, and she lifted her gaze to the golden treasure of his eyes, her favorite view in all of the palace, she would die happily if those eyes were the last thing she'd ever see, they probably would be… if only with her death she could take away all of the pain he had to bear, if that had been a solution, she would have killed herself without thinking twice. "He is the criminal, he's the reason for this stupid fight, he's why you all had to live this horrid life…" he became puzzled, so adorably confused, so heartbreakingly lost, her heart beat slower with each breath of shared air they took "And he's my father… VM, the Circle, the Uprising, you father becoming King, you having to waste your life as a Crown Prince, Robert becoming the scum he is, Izzy being his weapon… us having to get married… it was all his doing; it's Valentine, Jace, and us with him… My mother, Luke and Jonathan knew it, they thought they were protecting me… and I agreed, and now I have dragged us into hell for nothing… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… I should've let go of you when I still could… I should've let you get away from me that night; or maybe make you believe that I hated you from the start… You don't deserve this, neither do Alec or Izzy or Max, and it's my entire fault" she was so immersed in her sea of agony and disbelief that she didn't felt the moment when her husband's grip tightened on her shoulders, her emerald gaze went down once again, more apologies coming out of her already aching eyes that fell so easily to the ground making a growing puddle of words she couldn't bear to say.

It would've been bearable, in other circumstances, she would've accepted it, having resentment at first and then letting it go, not wanting to throw away her life because of something she couldn't have possibly controlled… the thing is that it wasn't just her, it was her and all of those whom she had become close with, all of those innocent people that had stuck into her heart and would have to handle the weight of the things she couldn't stop for happening, and that wasn't fair, it was fair and it was tearing her apart.

What was there to say or do? The only thing that there was no escape from was the truth, and they had dug and forced themselves tirelessly to find it, and now that it was there… there was no way of turning back, of taking back the words or the work done to get it, it was there… longing for the moment they had no other way to run to and crushing them. Nevertheless, Jace decided they would fight until there was nothing left to do, the Angel knew how many walls they had to bring down until they could be together, and maybe this one was greater, stronger, still it was nothing compared to the need of holding on to each other, and they would, he'd make sure of that, so he embraced her, tightly, protecting the beautiful angel that was about to be dismissed from heaven for something that hadn't been on her hands. Because of the life that had been made for her and she wasn't able to refuse, they weren't so different after all, therefor they had to walk together through the storm.

"It doesn't matter… I don't care, fine? I don't give a fuck about whatever he thought of doing and how it could've affected anyone; I know you're hurt… I can't imagine how it must feel… but the past is the past and we'll have to look forward, nobody will know about this" His voice had shades of doubt at first, as if unusually Jace Herondale hadn't had an answer ready for it; with her, it was so from the beginning, Clary was the door to a world that had never known before, the world in which she lived and that ... like his, had wonderful things and others that terrified and tore million hearts; words of lies, secrets, of evilness that once discovered caused this kind of damage and pain which are thought will never heal.

But he had to heal her, care for her, it was the most precious between the two worlds horrific that corrupted even the purest soul, and he would not let that happen, they would not kill his precious love that way; he'd stand both of their grief, he'd take the bullets for her, he'd carry all of the blame and the consequences, even if it killed him in the end… she had to survive, she had to be alive, and cheerful and smiling as always… she was the only cure to those rotten words, so it didn't matter; none of it mattered.

"It won't be long until they know and I… I don't know what they're capable of doing but they might even get to you… I don't want that, I've already caused so much trouble; I won't be able to live through it if you're dragged into this as well. You have to help your cousins and get rid of Robert before it's too late… I have to, I'll turn myself in" He thought he'd only hear those kind of words in his worst nightmares, but the excruciating harm they brought was so intense that it couldn't be fake, not even a bit.

"No, don't you dare to think about that, I know they'll blame you and take you as an accomplice but I won't let them take you away, I won't let them touch you…" he was raging and frustrated, and only she could acknowledge that deep under those layers of hatred, he acted and spoke in the name of their love, with the one desire, constantly trying to be weakened, that he wouldn't lose her as well.

"Would you go against your own family, all of the people that love you and trust you for this? It's real, Jace, no matter what we do, I wish it wasn't true, I wish it with all of me but we cannot deny it, I can't, and that's exactly why I'll have to pay for this… it's only fair… Like you said some time, there's too many loving hearts in risk, I could never ask you to turn your back on them…its fine, and at least I've gotten to get a taste the greatest love of all, that's enough for me"

"Yes, it is the greatest of all, then how can anyone ask me to let go of it? Ever since I knew I was in love with you, I knew that I'd have to turn the universe upside down to have the chance of loving you, and I'm completely willing to, like I never was before, before you there was no reason to try to change at all but for the simple fact of having you here is enough; I will if I have to, I'll give up everything, I'll find a way of helping them… but if I don't have you here, I won't have the strength to do it, there won't be a reason to stand still if you're not here; I don't care what they may do with me, I don't care about that goddamn crown or throne or title, those mean nothing to me! The only good this place has ever done for me is allowing me to have you close, if you think it was an awful mistake that's when you're wrong. You've saved me from a life I didn't want to have and granted me all I ever wanted but never knew what it was…And that's what I'm fighting for, I love them , I truly do but I just can't live without you…" it was a killer ache produced by those declarations of his, that melted her insides and made her so regretful and lost; but if he wanted to try, then she could at least let him do, give them a little more time until they couldn't try anymore… She should've guessed that a love like that was too good to be true, or to keep. Maybe, they weren't meant to be, but there are some things we can't help of feeling, and later on falling for them… It's dangerous to challenge the world, even worse if you know you cannot win; for having a chance to touch heaven with the tip of your fingers alone would you be willing to leave everything else behind?

And that was the because to her why; Jace had been her heaven, an error or not, she did what she had done, and endured what she had to endure just for a taste of the best thing that could've ever happened to her.

"Highness, are you feeling alright?" Clary was always grateful for Amatis' care and support, but this time her so kind attitude made her shiver, questioning if she'd be able to hide it just as Jace and her had planned on doing; if it was that noticeable that something terrible had happened, it would be only herself who'd get her discovered.

"Yeah, just tired, I've been working too hard on this" she answered almost immediately, smirking, forcing herself to relax.

"I'd tell you once again to stop but as you seem to become deaf each time it's most convenient for you, I'll let you do as you please" what an epic mistake from hers, to loosen the strings so much; instead of being free, Clary had gotten lost.

"You know that everyone says that the synonym of Crown Princess is just stubborn redhead…" she tried to laugh, but all she could perform was a giggle "Actually, Jace and I have been talking about it, he recognized that we've invested more time than we should have in this, and that maybe it would be better to focus our attention and energy in other things…"

"Oh right, when Prince Jonathan comes into the picture it's different; He should have been chosen as your teacher in that case" Clary found her resembling Luke as she said that, pretending to be busy doing absolutely nothing important, in this case reordering one last time the books that she had sprawled all over the library, just to avoid looking at her and letting her know that instead of being angry she was worried, maybe that was just because she was her stepfather's sister anyways.

"You're the best teacher I've ever had, Amatis, and I'm really thankful for the wise advices you give me; believe, this time, I'm honestly sorry for not having listened… the Angel knows I'll pay the price for being hardheaded one day…" at least she found a benefit of not being observed, she could let out all of her disappointment in any way possible.

"Trust me, princess, when someone tries to prevent you from doing something or on the other hand pushing you into doing it, it's for your own good, nobody that cares for you for real will ever let you get yourself in danger or in any risky situation; that's what a prudent and smart soon to be Queen Consort has to learn…" this time, Clary's smile was for real, still being all of the hot mess she was, someone continued to have faith on her.

"I know and I totally agree…" however, on the insides she also knew that it meant she'd never get to be a prudent or smart Queen Consort "Hey…"

"Yes, highness?" when she had the job done with the books she started to dust off the shelfs, she gave Annemarie and Camille less work that day.

"If… If we do get to be Kings, please, stay by my side, ok? Until now I didn't want to admit how bad I needed someone to calm down my reckless impulses; well, I don't really know if I'll ever be able to leave this attitude of mine behind, but I most certainly have much to learn yet, much other things about myself that I want to change and become more mature… if it isn't too much to ask, would you help me?" that was when she stopped her forceful attempts of not caring enough about what she had to say. She turned her icy blue eyes to her, and smiled warmly, like Jocelyn used to do all the time.

"Not just if you become Kings, in this case alone that doesn't matter; I do know that her highness is somehow unreasonable, impulsive and a bit childish… but that, princess, is what has gotten you into all of our hearts; you're not a bad person, neither a bad monarch, this is part of growing up… we cannot always know what's best for us or for the people we care about, and we're forced to choose only what's better… you need guidance, that's pretty fair to say, but there's no need to change who you are… that's why, I'll stand by your side as long as you need to, in any place or situation you find yourself in…" she sat beside her and held her hands; and as strange as you may find it, her words sounded like something her brother would say.

"Thank you…" she said calmly, with a bit of renewed strength, not just because of her heartwarming words but for making her realize…how bad her family loved and cared for her, and the huge act of love they had done, to endanger their lives for the sake of hers; making the hardest decision, letting go of her, taking desperate choices and having to live with that kind of weight on their shoulders, not being able to move a single finger to change… When there was no best to pursue, they had to go for the better.

"Looks like our dear family is finally feeling how it is to have their perfect picture cracked… they're losing their own people against us, isn't this just funny?" Robert's sarcasm had turned into a clear expression of ill rage; Isabelle decided to keep her brothers out of his sight, doing enough damage to one and risking the other one's life, she had chosen to be the affected one so they wouldn't have to suffer him anymore, so her mother agreed to help, spending the whole time watching both of them… the only one found nearby the father of the family at all times was her, being aware of what she had to withstand on her own, urging herself to hold on a bit more, just a bit more until it was safe.

"You're so quite these days, my princess, what could possibly be wrong, honey? You're getting what you wanted, you'll be Queen for sure, once and for all… finally, they won't be able to ignore the fact that we exist and the place we deserve to have…" he was shaky with discomfort, looking like he'd lose his self-control at any moment, he used to be able to hide when he was about to explode; but now he looked like each of his cells were blowing up inside of him, one by one.

"Yes, father… you're right" she got nothing refusing or staying silent, trying to be safe she could just agree.

"We have just two more pieces to move, darling, just two tiny strings to pull and then… the Crown will be ours, we won't need them anymore, we'll have it all…" his maniac laughter stung her hears, making for her unbearable to stay in the same room as him any longer.

"I'll wait for it with excitement, father… Thank you, for all you're doing for us" she might have become crazy as well, but because of how much she feared what he was capable of doing, she got up from her seat and Robert turned to see her, with a hopeful and loving stare on his unstable eyes, she walked towards her with arms open and giggling.

"Finally, I knew it, I always did; you my dearest daughter, you with your undeniable leadership and initiative, you had to be the heir; forgive me for having lost precious time with Alexander, darling, but do not worry, daddy will have everything ready for you in a blink… You'll be my biggest goal ever gotten" he hugged her tightly, placing a kiss on her forehead, for the first time in years since she was a child… she got to feel loved by her father, and it had to be because of this gross and shameless reason; the man she adored deeply and couldn't stop herself from doing had gotten sick, and he could only love those as sick as him. "We have to celebrate this, I don't know how; I just have to let out all of this joy you've granted me, my dear… maybe I'll have to rush things a bit more…"

"Do as you think best, but… I'm a bit tired, father, do you think I could go get some rest now?" she asked shyly as he held her shoulders, seeming as if in any moment he'd break the closest bones to his hands.

"Of course, princess, of course, a Queen has to get good rest and prepare herself for what's coming next… thank you for making me this proud, Isabelle, you go sleep well…"

"Good night, father…" After everything was done, she'd have to kiss goodbye her real father, to let go of the precious memories of a beautiful childhood and give everything for those who were still there and needed her.

And later that night, almost in dreams, she got a confirmation of that idea.

Just when the insomnia seemed to be healing for Jace, and though his worries weren't even gone for a bit, it appeared to him that being silent and not paying attention to what his wife had just found out, he'd finally be able to rest for a while.

But no, this time it wasn't a call that woke him, it was rather a text message; and it wasn't an unfamiliar person sending it, rather someone he'd never be able to ignore, so he couldn't stop what was about to happen next.

"-I found something odd right on the Lightwood's gate, come meet me please, I need you.-"

Was it strange? Yes, did he have a bad feeling about it? That was also true, but then again his enemies had to prove the theory of which was his weakness that ironically made him stronger than he had ever been; the name of his beginnings and endings: Clary.

To his surprise, it was true, there was a strange light coming from the gate that lead to his cousin's side of the palace, he tried to open the doors and then quickly took his hands of the knob as the material was burning hot; and like magic, with the slightest touch being made by him, the whole gate exploded right in front of his eyes; the entrance had been set on fire, the furniture, the paintings, the rugs, ornaments, every corner becoming dark with a furious flame, somehow a very bad taste joke to Jace's blurry eyes, the symbol of the Lightwoods was fire, and they were finally burning as bright as Robert had always wanted.

He couldn't believe what he saw, but he couldn't stop to process it, whoever had done it could be accused later, now he had to look for her, she needed him; he'd swore to himself to kill with his own bare hands whomever tried to damage Clary, and now that someone also had his family on the target, this "funny" act would be paid with blood. So he got inside.

"Highness, wake up quickly!" Camille shook Clary from her nightmares, or so she thought. She saw her maids taking her robe, sleepers, and getting her up from the bed like a small child.

"What's going on?" she asked with her eyes barely opened.

"There's a fire on the Lightwood's home and it's spreading horribly fast, my lady, we're having an immediate evacuation" explained Annemarie nervously, both of them taking her by the arms and making her run through the halls.

'A fire? Who could've done something like that? What about the guards and the alarms and all of the protection that the palace has?' Clary wondered, using for the second time on that week the secret passages hidden behind the walls; she could already smell the ashes as they ran outside; but not even out of the palace she felt safe.

"The Crown Princess is out and fine, I repeat, her highness has come out; we still have three people inside, reports!" Hodge yelled through a device that started on his ear and ended is some place nowhere to be seen.

What Clary first saw was her father in law holding hands with Queen Imogen, who had an oxygen tube being administrated by the maids. She heard the near sound of ambulance sirens and the fire chief loudly giving instructions of not taking action until everyone was out of the palace. Also caught Maryse's desperate sobs and Alec with his arms around her, whispering to her hear, Robert standing behind them, with a perfect poker face.

"Prince Maxwell and Princess Isabelle are being led out right now, sir…" informed a helper to Hodge, and as he said, Izzy appeared with her baby brother on her arms, walking slowly and looking like she was about to faint, their mother ran to meet him trying to see if they were okay, Max cried deafeningly as his sister lost balance; Celine rapidly went to her side, taking the baby as Maryse and her son supported her daughter and laid her softly on the ground.

"Is everyone outside already?" King Stephen fiercely demanded to know, Hodge looking down in stress.

"Not yet, majesty, we aren't able to find…" and Clary ended the sentence for him, freeing herself abruptly from the protective hands of her maids.

"Jace!" she run wildly to the door, forgetting about danger or fear; they had chosen to hold on till the end, and damn she'd do even if that was the last thing to be told about her.

To be continued…

Dreamer.