Once Upon A Time

Chapter 13

Last one of Bibee's chapters! This is it. I really hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Bibee owns this chapter, and Cassandra Clare owns the Mortal Instruments franchise. Basically, I just post the stuff.

Clary P.O.V

A week. That's how long it's been since Jonathan's proposal.

The Kingdom was rejoiced, of course. Their lost princess, married off to the town's golden boy. Everyone was celebrating and very excited for the whirl-wind courtship of the century.

I can't take much more of this. I can't stand Jonathan and I simply refuse to talk with my father. I've spent the majority of the past week lying in bed, wallowing in my own self-pity as people congratulate me. Like my forced marriage is a good thing.

And through it all, I can't help but think of Jace and what he must think of me.

He probably hates me, and strangely, that's what hurts the most, knowing I've let him down.

"Seraphina," I turn towards the door as Jonathan walks in, wearing a simple white shirt and dress pants. "Are you ready?"

I scowl at him and refuse to answer, rolling over and pulling the satin bed sheets over my head.

Ever since the proposal, father and Jonathan have been planning a celebratory ball for the betrothal of Idris's only heir. An heir that would do anything to stop the betrothal.

Jonathan rips the blankets back and smirks down at me. "Seraphina dear, you really should be dressed by now." He says, pulling me out of bed and onto my feet. His hands trace pattern on my jawline and I physically force down the vomit rising in my throat. "Would you like me to help you?" He whispers against my ear.

I push him away. "Don't touch me." I hiss and call for Eleanor, who immediately enters the room.

"Yes princess?"

I stare at Jonathan with cold eyes, but it has no effect on him. He just smiles. "Please take Jonathan out of my chambers. And then come back to help me into my dress."

Eleanor nods and ushers Jonathan out of the room, before returning and rummaging through my closet and coming back out carrying a delicate green dress with gold lace trimmings. "Is this fine Seraphina?"

"Yes."

Eleanor spends the next 15 minutes getting me out of my nightgown and into the dress and when she's done, sets me up in front of the mirror.

I almost jump in shock from the reflection that stares back at me. I look nothing like I did 2 weeks ago. My hair is loose and tumbling over my shoulder in messy bed-head curls and my skin looks sallow. My eyes look lifeless and are framed by a ring of dark bags. It seems that all my time in bed for the last week hasn't helped in the least.

"Would you like me to do your hair princess?"

"I don't really have a choice now, do I?"

I know I shouldn't be bitter with Eleanor, she's been wonderful to me the whole time I've been here, but I simply need to take my frustration out on someone. If I don't hit something soon I worry I'll go crazy.

"Done. You look beautiful princess." Eleanor says, placing the delicate porcelain mask on my face. The ball is a masquerade after all.

It is sort of true. Eleanor was able to fix my hair and mostly hide the bruise like bags, but it would help if I smiled. Not that that is going to happen anytime in the near future.

Eleanor escorts me to the ballroom, walking a few paces ahead with her head bent slightly. We reach the giant double doors and she pushes them wide for me.

I walk down the stairs, not bothering to hold up my skirts, and Eleanor knows by now it's no use trying to get me into shoes.

"Seraphina, my dear," Father walks up to me, hugging me tightly, before admiring Eleanor's hard work. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, father." I reply, trying to hide my toes peaking from the edge of my dress. Father doesn't approve of my bare feet habit.

I don't approve of my arranged marriage. So he will have to manage.

"Have you seen Jonathan this evening?" He asks, looking around the room.

The ballroom is decorated rather extravagantly, more than usual, which is saying a lot. Pretty golden light fills the room and in the far corner musicians play their song, the cool breeze coming from the open balcony door is refreshing, but it reminds me of nights spent sleeping on forest floors.

Magnus was released sometime after our talk. I watched him go from my window the day he left. I like to think that he hasn't told Jace about my breakdown, I would hate for him to feel to blame.

"No, Father." I lie.

"Well, as princess of our fine kingdom, you are required to dance with every man at the ball tonight. I suggest you start while the night is young. Oxley!" My father calls out as a balding man walks past, ushering him towards me. "Would you like the first dance with my dear daughter?"

"There is nothing I would like more." Oxley says, bowing low and holding out his hand.

It's going to be a long night. I take his hand.

O~o~O

Mr. Oxley was the first of many I danced with tonight, and by the time the current song ends, my feet are burning. He spins me around the floor expertly, though almost stepping on my bare toes a few times. As the song comes to a close, another man taps Mr. Oxley on the shoulder.

"May I have the next dance?" He says, his voice oddly familiar.

"Actually sir," I butt in before Oxley can answer. "I'm quite tired. I'm going to take a rest-"

"Oh no, b-but I insist." Something about this man sends electric shocks down my spine, his features and hair are mostly hidden by a full masquerade mask and a wide brimmed hat. Something in my bones tells me that to deny this man would be my greatest regret.

I hesitate, and I see the flicker of desperation in his eyes. His strangely, luminescent eyes...

"Uh, certainly." I mutter. I'm going crazy, it is official. First the dreams and now I'm seeing his golden eyes in the faces of strangers. I need to get a hold of myself.

The stranger whisks me away from Oxley and begins to twirl me around the floor with twice the amount of grace as my prior dance partner.

I try to avoid eye contact as much as possible, but his bright eyes seem to pull me in and my head starts to spin a little. I close my eyes, trying to concentrate on the music and not on the feel of his hands on my hip. It's as if he's actually here. Jace.

The man ducks his head into my shoulder and sighs, his voice cracking a little. "I've missed you, Clary."

I freeze, my eyes wide.

Clary. He said Clary. Not princess. Not Seraphina. Clary.

"Jace-"

He quickly holds a finger to my mouth, a quick smile ghosting across his lips. "Quiet," He whispers, his voice warm and everything like I remember. Everything that has been keeping me sane for the last week. "You're going to get me kicked out."

My heart pounds a mile a minute as tears begin to swell up in my eyes. "But, how?" I ask, my own voice cracking under my relief.

"Magnus." He says, brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

And suddenly everything from the past week seems like a bad dream and it's as if I'm back in the forest with Jace and Alec, under billions of stars and the guidance of the moon. The first tears spill over and Jace frowns, wiping the tear away.

"Don't cry," He says, his voice low and soft. "Please don't cry." He ducks his head and curses under his breath. "I'm sorry, I never should have come. I just needed to see you one more time, I couldn't bear to see you with that filthy excuse for a-" His voice catches and he glances over my shoulder. His gold eyes darken and he turns away.

I risk a glance behind me and see Jonathan standing with two other men, looking right at Jace and me with amused eyes, a sly smile on his face.

"I'm sorry," Jace says again. "I shouldn't speak about your fiancé like that. It's none of my business who you marry-"

"It seems it's none of mine either." I reply bitterly, glaring over my shoulder at the smug prince. "Jace," I say, shaking my head. "I didn't choose this."

He tilts his head, his brows furrowing behind the mask. "I don't understa-"

"My marriage is a set up Jace, Jonathan doesn't love me and I certainly don't love him. My Father has been planning this for a while, seeing that I was promised Jonathan since we were only small. But how could I possibly love someone else when it's not you." I whisper, my voice getting more strained. My eyes go wide. I said it. I told him I love him.

He seems just as shocked as I am. His pupils dilate until his golden irises are completely taken over, and for a sickening moment, he reminds me of Jonathan. "Clary," His voice is shaking as he continues to whirl me gently around the floor. "Y-you can't think like that Clary-"

"Just forget it," I step out if his grip, almost whimpering as his fingers loosen around my waist. "Forget I said anything." I push away from him before he can see the tears forming and head towards the balcony, my go-to retreat for the past week. Pushing open the doors and rushing to the balcony edge, my lungs are filled with the almost painful burn of the icy air. The wind whips across my face as I look down from the ledge, letting the first tears finally drop.

The door opens behind me and I know it's Jace even before his he calls my name again.

"Did-" I clear my voice, begging it to stop shaking. "Did you know?"

I can hear him shuffling behind me, can almost feel the guilt sheeting off him. "I had my suspicions," He mutters, so quiet the wind almost steals his words right off his lips. "But Clary, you have to know I never knew any of this would happen-"

"I love you."

Quiet.

"I've always felt this, pull to you but," My voice catches in my throat and I shake my head, not once looking at him. "I had to say something. I couldn't go the rest of my life regretting that I never told you. I know you don't feel the same way but-"

And suddenly I'm spun around and his lips are crashing against mine.

At first, his lips are soft against mine, waiting for my reaction, all quiet love and hesitation. But it soon transforms into a hungry frenzy. All my desperation from the past few days goes into our kiss, all my regret and all my love. He was gentle with me, and had to lean down to reach my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck, winding my fingers through his fair hair and reveling in the sweet taste of him.

He is the one to pull away. He presses his forehead to mine, his breathing quick and shallow. "I love you." He breathes. "I've loved you from almost the very moment I met you. Don't you ever think I don't."

He holds me to his chest, his arms wrapping around my small waist, and we enjoy the feel of the other. And for the first time in days, I am happy.

See guys! Jacey's back, and he's ready to save the day! As I said up top, this is Bibee's last chapter so from here on out, you're stuck with me! Seriously though, Bibee has created an incredible story and I am so excited to try and match this level of perfection. I highly encourage you to PM Bibee and just let her know what a fantastic job she did with this story!

Read & Review :D

Bye guys,

ByTheAngel99