Kingdom of Lies

Chapter 7

Herro,lovelies!
Sorry about last chapter being so short and full of depressing stuff but I'm here to give y'all some closure...heh.
I really hope you guys like this chapter!
Something about the last chapter seemed off to me so this is going to be my redemption chapter.

Ready?

LEGGO.

My eyes drift open as the cool,blue light  of Idris right before dawn hits my skin and sets the room aglow.
My hands clench in the soft sheets as I stretch my limbs out.
I yawn and my sleepy eyes blink,taking in my surroundings.
Dark wood floors and walls surround me while I sit atop a pile of sheets unfamiliar to my skin.
I furrow my brow and look around,slowly letting the memories from last night drift back into my head.

Oh.

I'm in one of the guest rooms of the castle,after running away from Jace and having a panic attack.
I shudder when I picture the shocked and horrified look that was on Jace's face.
He was probably going to be angry  when I got back.

I sigh and sit up,running a hand through my now tangled curls.
I feel hot-my training clothes were sticking to my skin with the cold sweat of my intelligible nightmares.
I should've just locked the door and slept naked.

I notice a dark figure in the corner and I sit up straight,my eyes suddenly alert.
My heart starts pumping rapidly and I feel my hands shake as they clutch the sheets.
When the figure doesn't move,I peer into the darkness and realise what it was. Well-who it was.

Jace is sitting in the corner on a chair,fast asleep. His head is hung,so all I can see is his golden curls. He was still in his clothes from yesterday,now rumpled. What was he doing here?

"Jace?" I whisper,my voice cracking from being so dry. His head shoots up at the sound of my voice,his eyes blinking sleepily.
He hisses and cups his neck with his hand.

"Shit,I should have known that would hurt." He mutters, rubbing it reproachfully.
Jace looks up,his eyes meeting mine.
He looked cautious,reserved.
"Um,Hi."

I bite my lip."What are you doing here?" I whisper. I wasn't ready to face him now. I needed time,to regain my composure,to rebuild my walls.
I was too vulnerable to have a conversation with him now.

He hesitates for a split second,then walks over and gently seats himself on the bed. It was the first time I've seen Jace hesitate,not a thousand percent sure of himself.

"I just want-need to know what happened last night. Out of nowhere,you flinch and act like I'm about to...to hit you or something crazy like that. And you wind up here? What the hell happened,Clary?" He asks,his voice is pained.
I look away,trying to hold back tears from the terrifying images flashing through my mind. I couldn't do this.

Jace sighs lightly,"Clary please,look at me?" He asks,imploringly.
I slowly turn my head to face him but keep my eyes down.
Why was this so hard for me?
"What did I do wrong?" He whispers.
I breathe out,my entire body slumping.

"It's nothing you did,Jace." I whisper,fighting the onslaught of painful memories.
"I just...I just needed a minute to myself. This is my weight to bear,you shouldn't have to deal with this. I'm sorry I ran off."  I say quietly.
I couldn't seem to get myself to talk above a whisper and not cry.
I hated this,feeling so vulnerable.
It was as if I had opened the door to my mind and soul and invited in everyone who walked by.

I feel a gentle,cautious hand slowly come down to rest over my fragile one.
His hand is warm,engulfing mine totally. The goosebumps on my arm slowly disappear.
"Like it or not,Clary,I'm pretty sure marriage means dealing with each other's problems." Jace says gently and I don't need to look at him to feel the soft smile curling his lips.
"You shouldn't have to carry this weight by yourself."