Tessa Gray stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection. "You look beautiful" Jem would tell her. Of course he would, he was going to marry her. Tessa blinked, slowly and wonderingly taking in what she saw. Sophie stood right behind her, wiping a stray tear that fell from Tessa's eye.

"Miss, you look lovely," Sophie meant it. Tessa was wearing a flowing golden dress with a matching silk veil. Loose, brown curls tumbled down her lean shoulders and her eyes shimmered. Tessa looked like an Angel sent from Heaven. Sophie could only imagine the look on Master Jem's face when he saw her walking down the aisle. She stifled a laugh. Sophie knew that James Carstairs deserved the best, and if she wanted anyone to marry him, she would pick Tessa.

Tessa smiled slightly, her face masking the dread churning inside of her. She politely excused herself from Sophie, entering one of the many dimly lit corridors in the Institute. Tessa took long strides, before stopping, placing her hand on the wall. She cast a glance at her dress. It was truly exquisite, but not at all what she imagined as a little girl, fantasizing her dream-wedding gown. White was a symbol of pureness and maidenhood. But not here, not in the world of Shadowhunters.

White was the color of mourning, Charlotte had told her. Weddings were supposed to be happy. But not hers.

Tessa knew that deep down in her heart, she loved Jem, but in what way, she didn't know. He was always so sweet, so caring and understanding. Not to mention he was delicately handsome. It would break his heart if she told him that she wouldn't go through with the wedding. Jem would sweetly smile his golden smile and ease Tessa guilt, but if she told him the real reason she couldn't marry him, God knows what would happen.

She was irrevocably in love with Jem's best friend and parabatai, the one and only, William Herondale.

From the moment she threw that jug at his face when the Dark Sisters held her captive, to when he first kissed her on the attic after the raid on de Quincey's house, Tessa knew that her heart wouldn't fall for anyone else. He was gorgeous. Whenever Tessa looked at him, her eyes couldn't help but wander. His deep blue eyes, black hair falling in front of them, porcelain skin and a muscular body indented with the runes of a Shadowhunter. He was too beautiful to be real.

Tessa blushed violently as his image entered her mind. Oh, she was in a hopeless situation. Two boys, both having proclaimed their love for her, both so different, yet irresistible. Tessa's thoughts were derailed when she heard a voice, all too familiar.

"Having second thoughts, Tess?" Will's voice hitched when she turned around to face him. Tess. Tessa. Theresa. I love you. Tessa, please, you're breaking my heart. It took all of Will's power not to wrap his arms around the girl and hold her. She was going to be married. To someone else. Someone other than him. Will sighed. His mind had gone over this countless times. Jem deserved her. Jem was the only truly good person he had known, and he deserved Tessa. But whenever Will saw her, a wave of feelings crashed upon him. How could this happen… Tessa… I'll never leave you, not like Jem…

Tessa stared at Will. Here he was, her angel. Looking at his face, you couldn't see a trace of happiness. She knew why. Since the day of Jem and her engagement, he had acted like he was happy for them, the two lovers. But alone, he took out all his anger on himself. The stupid, damn curse. Tessa was the only one paying attention, and she was the only one who noticed.

Suddenly, Tessa's stomach convulsed and she slid down the wall, clutching it. Will rushed over, bent down and put Tessa's arms on his shoulder.

"By the Angel, Tess, are you okay?" Will worriedly looked at Tessa. His deep blue eyes seemed violet, like a kaleidoscope of colors. He was close to her, his scent like a fresh breeze. She rested her head on the crook of his neck, taking deep breaths. This could be the last time she ever touched Will, the closest she would ever get to him.

"It's nothing William, just nerves," Tessa locked eyes with Will. His body heat stirred her mind, pushing her adrenaline. Taking her arms off of Will, she moved herself to a leaning position against the wall. Peering at her dress, it seemed all right, not crumpled, although it was lacking its golden luster. Tessa shook her head, her curls bouncing around. Will gazed at Tessa, smiling a little. If this were the last moment he would have with Tessa, he would make sure it would be the best.

He grazed her cheekbone with his calloused hands. She closed her eyes, remembering Will's every touch. Will registered every detail on Tessa's face, her eyes, nose, cheeks and lips. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Tessa's forehead. This was the least he could do without having the urge to cry out. Tessa opened her eyes, and looked at Will with hurt grey eyes. He smiled slightly, before grazing her cheek one last time, and turned to leave.

"Best wishes Tessa," Will strode away, while a glistening tear fell from his eyes. He entered his room and plopped down on the couch. Looking down at his pant leg, he saw that some of Tessa's golden gown had rubbed off on him. Wiping the gold away with his hand, he smiled bitterly.

"If you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed, then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver." Will remembered the verse in one of his books. Of course it was in the Bible. But no one, not even God, could help him now.