****Jace's POV****

With Alec tending to Magnus, Jace found the perfect opportunity to spend some alone time with a certain redhead. Currently, the golden dragon was leading her through the meadow, intent on having a quiet picnic with just the two of them. The sunlight dappled through the clouds warming his scaly back and the ground. Rarely did the dragons shift into their human form. So she'll be getting a treat today.

"Where are we going Jace? Why couldn't Simon could along?" Clary asked. She was wearing a strapless green dress with ruffles at the bottom. It made her look all the more adorable to him, especially with the perfect view of her pale, freckled arms and legs. Stupid gear was hiding all of THAT earlier. How dare it.

"Heh. You can't be serious about wanting him to come along, the nerd would've just got in the way." Jace could care less for the brunette's incessant chatter. Now he understood what Alec meant by people becoming annoying after spending too much time around them.

"Fair enough." Clary still seemed unhappy, a small frown curving her lips.

"Hey now! Don't worry about him, Izzy will keep Simon happy, so let's have fun together okay."

Green eyes looked into his own gold ones. She seemed to stare into his entire soul. A warmth emanated from his chest, leaving him breathless as his heart skipped a beat. He wanted to reach out and cup her cheek. To lean closer and breath her in. Clary would be soft fo the touch, like all humans were in comparison to dragons. There lips would meet, and then . . .

"Jace! Are you listening to me?"

"Oh, uh yeah."

"Uh huh." Clary's hands were on her hips, brows wrinkled. "Then what did I say?"

"Ummmm . . ." Think Jace, think! "You were saying how you would trust that Simon would be fine." He hedged for what he hoped was the correct answer.

"Huh. Then I guess you were listening."

A wave of confidence rushed over him at being right with a blind guess. When was the last time this had happened for him? Oh, never of course. But Clary didn't need to know. She probably would figure this out on her own soon enough anyways, especially with all the time he wanted to spend with her. There was a voice in the back of his head, a warning flashing in bold letters. She's not a dragon. She can't be your predestined. The voice sounded suspiciously like Alec's, and Maryse's and Robert's and Izzy's and his parents', but mostly Alec's. He always nags me so much. But his platonic mate did have a point. Getting so close to Clary had to be a terrible idea. And yet . . .

"Of course I was. Now let's continue. We're almost there."

"And where exactly are we going?"

Jace gave Clary a cheeky grin. "Its a surprise. You'll just have to wait and see.

Clary rolled her eyes, but didn't complain as they began to descend a steep hill. Jace was cautious to direct the petite girl where to place her feet. The small crags dotting the hill were easy for a huge dragon to navigate —who could easily fly over them if he so chose— but the same could not be said for humans.

"I've got it. I've got it." Clary tried to wave him off when he directed her steps. But she stopped complaining when he caught her as she was falling.

"You sure do got it," He said with sarcasm that would have made Alec proud.

"Ugh fine. I need help."

Together they went down the hill. Jace beckoned Clary to sit down. They were in a small alcove, trees surrounding them where the hill did not. Grass was lush here, shooting up from the ground in thick clumps. It was a small place, with hardly any room for a dragon to stand properly. Won't be a problem for long.

Clary eyed their surroundings curiously. "What are we doing here? I doubt you'll be comfortable in a space this small."

Jace gave her a wide smile. "Watch and learn."

He willed the change taking place in his body, shifting his bone structure to a downscale. There was a bright flash of light. Slipping into human form was like shoving on a new coat. Except in this case it was a very small coat that just barely fit. Jace could feel his own power in this form, straining at the seams of tan flesh. Energy and flame thrummed inside him almost distantly, prodding at the space beneath his ribs like a battering ram tested a door.

"Wow! So this is what you look like underneath all those scales!"

"Yep. The one and only Jace Herondale, here in the flesh." He flashed her a willing smile.

But Clary was hardly paying any attention. The redhead grabbed his hand and yanked him forward, scanning his open palm curiously. "Hmm, just like a human's hand."

"Uh, can I have my hand back? Unless you'd rather hold hands, cause I certainly wouldn't mind."

Clary frowned. "Alec said we shouldn't be around each other. That I'll get in the way of your predestined."

Jace bit his lip. Of course Alec had said something to Clary already. His brother took predestined way too seriously. Jace knew they were important, but he also thought whoever was meant for him would understand if he explored his options a little. I'll end up with them in the end anyways, so why does it matter? Perhaps there was something wrong with him. The elders always said that dragons with predestined hardly ever felt attraction to anyone outside of their chosen. So why did he feel this way about Clary then if they weren't meant to be? Perhaps it had to do with that messed up experience. Maybe that was why . . .

Imagining Valentine made him uneasy, as did any thought of his son.

"You won't get in the way of anything as far as I'm concerned. Alec always freaks our over the most random things." Jace waved off her concerns.

"But this doesn't seem random. It seems like it concerns your entire livelihood." Clary reasoned.

Jace sighed. "Look, I know. But at the same time, I don't care. If I want to do something I'll do it. I'm not about to let traditions get in the way. Can you understand that?"

"I think so." Clary's eyes seemed extra green in that moment, reflecting the gold of his own.

"Good. Now, let's enjoy ourselves, or this picnic is going to go to waste." He hefted up the basket Clary had set on the ground, food smell wafting out. There were several half sandwiches packed away along with some fresh fruit and jam jars. Some flasks peeked our from the side. Jace wasn't much of a wine drinker, but he had a feeling Clary would like his favorite blend.

***Clary's POV***

"Wait, wait wait! So you're saying your parents just ran away? That's crazy!"

An hour had passed since they started their little picnic. The sun peeked out from over the steep hill, the clay appeared dusty than it had on the way down. The grass swished with the breeze as the sound of rushing water continued from a river nearby. Crumbs of food hung on the corners of Jace's lips as he talked, waving his hands in the air. There was something golden about him even in his human form. His eyes were like liquid honey, hair like the most gold of ferns. It was unruly with the way it curled around his ears and rested on his forehead.

"Yes. My Mom was in a bad situation before I was born. My Dad, well, he's not my blood related Dad but, Luke, he's . . . he's all I know of a Father figure," Clary said.

Whoever her real father was, she had never known him, and likely never would. This hardly ever bothered her. Maybe it should have. The more she thought about it, the more she remember how upset Jocelyn was whenever her first husband was mentioned. He was a cruel man apparently. But then there was other things too to worry about. Things she herself still didn't fully understand. And apart of her never wanted to. Ever since coming to Star Flower Valley, Clary could feel something changing in her. It was like she was becoming heavier, a fog over her eyes beginning to lift.

"Oh. I'm sorry your Mom had to go through that, but at least she has happiness with your adoptive Father right?"

"Yes. She does. Though I wish she'd act more like herself. It's been a long time since she hasn't acted crazy. It's one of the reasons I like researching dragons so much."

"Oh. How so?" Jace asked.

"Dragons are capable of great healing. Maybe you guys could help her recover her mind." Clary had dreamed of having a sane mother for several years now. If this dream could come true, then everything would be right in her world again.

"That's a very noble thing Clary. I'm not sure if it's possible, but I'll try to ask around. Maryse might be able to help," Jace said.

Clary smiled. "Trying is all I ask for."

The two smiled at each other, the happiness between them palpable. And when they inched together, lips pressing together for the first time, all had felt right with the world. Jace was all firm muscle just like she imagined. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to the heat of them. Her mind was filled with euphoria as her hands clasped the back of his neck to comb through the soft hairs at the nape. He tasted just like the sweet jam on their sandwiches earlier, honey melting on her tongue. They pulled away only when the need to breathe became apparent. Once they took in air, the two dove back into kissing again. The warmth flowing between them was a living thing. It was like a lock sliding into place. Everything felt right for once. It was just like coming home.