Things invisible to see
Jace followed Isabelle through the obstacle course that made up the entry to the Sealie court. It was natural, he supposed, to start here with beings who could not lie that they were well known for telling creative truths. Alec moped alongside him glaring at his sisters swinging braid as she navigated the various parts of the maze with practiced ease
"She's dating a fairy knight this week," grumbled Alec."He's hardly serious about her and this whole situation is getting completely ridiculous."
"She's Isabelle," said Jace. "Would you like to be the one to stop her?"
"It's not that I want her to stop," protested Alec, "it's that I would like her to be more discrete. Or not change boyfriends every other week."
"I can still hear you," called Isabelle. "Not everyone is a prude like you Alec."
"I'm so sure that you had this conversation before," said Jace. "In fact I'm pretty sure they you had this exact conversation a few days ago at Pandemonium."
"We did," said Isabelle. "And I'm still me and he's still him. People don't change in two or three days, Jace. It just doesn't happen."
"I'm tempted to test your theory," said Jace. "How much further til we're there?"
"Just around this corner," said Isabelle.
"Just like in England," quipped Jace as they rounded the last corner of the hedge maze. "Where everything is - oh you meant that literally."
The maze opened into a massive cavern. Staglemites and stagletites were carved into ornate columns that supported terraced platforms to the roof. All kinds of Fae mingled to music played in every corner. In a bright grassy patch, brightly clad brownies and sprites danced to lilting panpipes.
"None of us has ever been to England," Isabelle reminded him. "I've never been anywhere outside of New York City. Besides, I need to find Meliorn."
"Meliorn is away on the Queen's business," a selkie informed them smoothly. "Her majesty will see you now. Take these."
Jace, Alec and Isabelle accepted the shells from the selkie. She smiled at them, delighted, and led them through the riotous court. The dancers swirled before an audience that ebbed and flowed with the music. They passed small knots of laughing fae, and Jace noted a discussion that was quickly becoming a quarrel and would evolve into a fight. Alec noted it too.
"I wonder what they're fighting about," said Alec.
"Faeries are made of fire and light," said Jace. "The wonder isn't that they're fighting, the wonder is what the fight will look like."
"Unlike you, who are made of fire and clay," said the selkie, "we do not revel in battle. It does relieve boredom, though."
"Look Jace," said Alec, "something you have in common."
"I revel in battle though," said Jace.
"Too much lightning," said the selkie. "It's not healthy. Jindala, the Nephilim to see the Queen."
"Thank you Cliodhna," replied Jindala, a djinn. "Come in." She opened the massive double doors to the throne room.
"Leave the talking to me," Isabelle muttered.
The Seelie Queen sat in a throne of woven branches of all sorts. The walls of her throne room were covered in mosaics made from precious gems, and the floor was a mosaic in different kinds of marble. Her closest attendants flitted around the room, sharing gossip and chattering. A lone harpist sat in a corner, his music otherworldly in its beauty.
"Welcome, Children of Raziel," said the Seelie Queen. "What brings you to the Children of Faerie?"
"Is there not much to be seen and heard in the Seelie court?" asked Isabelle.
"Are you seeking something of importance?" inquired the Queen.
"Does any information lack importance?" countered Isabelle.
"So you seek any knowledge, regardless of significance?"
"Have you any great news that is insignificant?"
"What great news do you seek?"
"Where is the youngest star of morning?"
"Where should she be but between dawn and day?"
"Is she with the fallen star?"
"Which fallen star do you speak of?"
"Which is more dangerous?"
The Seelie Queen pursed her lips. "Why should each star not be dangerous in their own way?"
"Is the Morgenstern girl in New York City?"
"Have you not met her already?"
"Wait," said Jace, earning himself a glare from Isabelle, "are you saying that Clary, the girl who works for Magnus Bane, is Valentine's daughter?"
"And if I am?" asked the Queen.
"Is she my sister?" asked Jace.
"Do you not all share the same blood?"
"Other than Raziel's blood?" clarified Alec on Jace's behalf.
"Is having the angel's blood not enough?"
"Do we share Valentine's blood?" asked Jace.
The Seelie Queen sighed. "Do you not know that you and Clarissa and Valentine all share the same blood?"
"Thank you for your help," said Isabelle. "Please excuse us. We have an investigation to get going."
"My pleasure," said the Queen graciously. "I do love a good round of the question game."
"Then we are glad to have entertained you," said Alec. He stepped on Jace's foot as he went to say something. Each Lightwood sibling grabbed one of Jace's arms, bowed to the Seelie Queen, and left her throne room with Jace in tow.
"What was that for?" demanded Jace as soon as they were back in the cavernous hall.
"You were about to be stupid," said Alec. "As your parabatai, it's my job to prevent you from pissing off important people. She could do a lot of damage to us."
"Besides, we got the information we need," said Isabelle. "Your crush is Valentine's daughter. How do you feel about that?"
"I am not having a feelings talk with you right now," said Jace. "And probably not ever."
"Let him process, Isabelle," said Alec. "We all just got a lot of information. Mom will want us to act on it immediately."
"Of course she will," snorted Isabelle. "So where to now?"
"Where we started looking," said Jace. "We're going to visit Magnus Bane again."
"What are the chances he'll actually help us?" asked Alec.
"If it's me asking, none," said Jace with a shrug. "Same with Isabelle. If it's you, though, he might help."
"Why me?" asked Alec, slightly bewildered.
"He thinks you're hot," said Isabelle. "This could be a good thing for you, Alec. Just give it a go."
"Isabelle," groaned Alec. "Give it up, please. There's no way Magnus Bane is interested in me."