Good evening! Or morning. Seeing as it's 5am and I am soooo super tired. But I wanted to finish this off since I never got to finish writing it yesterday and update. My muse is playing up, so blergh this chapter I think. Anyway, thank you for the lovely reviews! ^-^here is the next for you all. I hope you like and carry on reviewing! Thanks! x

"Why are you packing? We're not leaving today."

"I am."

Magnus scowled at that and sat up, gazing at the young Shadowhunter who was literally tossing his things into his case. There was a look about his face that he couldn't place. "What's happened?" he asked and Alec sighed, straightening up with a shoe in his hand "My parabatai sent me a fire message. His… parents have been killed. They were such good people and I refuse to miss the funeral. Plus Jace needs me, even if he won't admit it." He threw the shoe into the case and closed it.

Silence and Magnus went quietly "Back to Idris, yes?"

"Yes."

"I'll come too. Half missed that little house of mine."

Alec had hoped he would say that, but he hadn't been sure. And now that he had said it, he was more than relieved. Magnus chuckled as the young man threw his arms around him, hugging him tight.

"I love you" Alec blurted out before he could stop himself, his cheeks going red with embarrassment. There was a pause and Magnus asked quietly "Are you just saying that, or do you truly mean it?"

"I- I mean it."

Silence fell and Alec braved looking into those eyes he was beginning to know so well, feeling nervous to see his reaction. Be he needn't have worried, for they were soft and gentle. It made Alec's heart skip a beat. The warlock raised his hands and took his face into them, leaning forwards and simply pressed a short, sweet kiss to his lips.

"I love you too, Alexander." He admitted and Alec just stared at Magnus in shock- really? Really and truly?

Silence fell once more and the warlock broke it by stepping back, saying briskly-

"Come. We need to get packed."

-OfSeraphBladesAndBallGowns-

The morning of the funeral, there was still much to be done, but Jace just lay with his head in Clary's lap, hardly saying a word. She just smoothed his hair back soothingly, occasionally leaning down to kiss his cheek, jaw, and forehead or wherever she could think off or reach. It was so bleak and dismal.

He hadn't cried since those stray few tears when he found out, and Clary was starting to worry. Keeping it all bottled up was going to get him hurt sooner or later, she knew it.

Jace's eyes were closed at the moment, but she knew he wasn't asleep. He'd hardly slept a wink or eaten these past few days. How else were you supposed to react to losing both your beloved parents, inheriting a truly huge sum of money, the mansion in Idris and another in London? Suddenly, he wasn't 'young master Jonathan' anymore, he was 'Master Jace.'

The mansion seemed so cold and empty to Clary. Yes, the maids were still working, but even they seemed down. Stephen had been a good Master to them, paying them and treating them very fairly. And Celine had been their surrogate mother of sorts.

Jace had taken care of the funeral arrangements the very next morning after finding out about their deaths. Then he'd returned to the mansion and called for lunch. Clary could tell he was trying to get on with life, but it was hard. That was what they told you to do; get on with your normal life and it becomes easier.

Clary hadn't known either well, but even she was in a state of mourning for her Mother and Father-in-law. Plus their grandchild would never meet his or hers grandparents on the Herondale side. And with the news on Jocelyn being the same, Clary was starting to wonder if the only one left would be Valentine.

Something inside of her shivered in horror at the thought. She didn't like the idea of her baby anywhere near him.

She hadn't told Jace about her mother's situation. Just thinking about her mother lying there in that bed… it hurt like a bad, bad burn, but she ignored it. She had to go on; it was what she'd want. What use was their sitting next to a woman who may or may not wake up or be able to hear her daughter for hours on end?

And then there was her little brother or sister. Dead. Dead and gone with its mother following close behind.

Clary felt like truly crying now. But she wouldn't show it. Not in front of Jace. Simply couldn't. He had enough on his mind.

The bell rang and Jace opened his eyes, saying coldly "If that is more people wanting to come to the funeral, I am personally going to deliver them to their own."

"Jace-"

That was one thing thought; he didn't want a large funeral. He knew his mother detested such large events, especially funerals. Even his father had told him numerous times that when he died, the only people he wanted there were the ones close to his heart. "Could you imagine it? A public spectacle. Stephen Herondale burning and everyone weeping? Goodness. No. I would prefer they remember me alive, not a raging inferno. We are Shadowhunters after all."

Jace had told them all that it was a family-only event. It extended to the Lightwoods, though. The two families were as close as it was possible. Valentine had insisted on going but Jace had snarled at the man that if he took one foot onto the ground where they were all stood, he'd slaughter him where he stood. Even Clary could see her husband was being deadly serious. So did Valentine. He acknowledged the young man's grief and left.

The door was opened and Clary glanced over to the entrance hall, seeing Simon. It had been so long. She carefully lay Jace's head down upon the sofa and got to her feet, walking over to him and embracing him, sighing out into his shoulder. "It's been too long."

"I know."

Clary held him at arms length away now, shaking her head a little "Why are you here?"

"I work here."

"No you do not. At least… not anymore? You are always at the Lightwoods."

"I am still tied to this place."

"Not anymore."

Clary glanced around as her husband got to his feet, walking over to the pair with his honey blonde hair tousled. "You have your freedom. Whatever it's called." He waved a hand in no apparent direction and just walked out of the room. Simon blinked, asking her "Was he being… serious?"

"He always is."

"I am… free? What the hell do I do now?" Simon asked, genuinely surprised- he'd been so used to the idea of being a servant. The real world, the one Clary lived in… it seemed so very strange and alien to him.

Clary sighed heavily and glanced around the room "You are welcome to-"

"I am not staying here. Not with him. I do not like Jace."

"He just lost his parents, Simon. Behave."

"I know that. But he is just perpetually rude all the time. So much for gentleman." Simon snorted and Clary scowled, snapping out "Not in the mood for this. Out, now."

Simon looked shocked. "Clary?"

"Nothing, Simon. Out. I have a funeral to get ready for." She pressed her hands to his back, pushing him as she walked right up to the door. He spun around on the spot and Simon just asked in a gruff tone "What has gotten into you?"

Clary snapped. The stress was just getting too much for her to handle.

"It must be the pregnancy hormones" she spat at him. The effect was instantaneous- Simon's eyes widened with shock and Clary listened to him splutter out "Excuse me-? Did you just say?"

"Yes. I am pregnant. It's something that can happen if you have sex with your partner, did you know (?)"

"No need to be sarcastic. Is Jace the father?"

Clary's eyes narrowed dangerously. Even Simon had to fight the urge to flinch.

"I am not some whore who will open her legs for anyone, Simon." She told him in a soft, deadly voice. She was tired, hungry and in pain. And now she felt like throwing up again. With a sigh, Simon told her gently "Go and lie down. You're not well."

"I'm pregnant. I'm utterly fine."

"Far from it. How far are you even gone? How long have you known?"

Clary just groaned out in annoyance "I don't want to talk about this. Just go away Simon. Go back to the Lightwoods or whatever. I truly do not care."

There were dark rings under her eyes that Simon could see, so he knew she hadn't been sleeping. All that and pregnant with Jace's baby, it was taking its toll.

"I know about your mother." Simon muttered out now. Clary stopped dead at that, her eyes widening. "How?" she simply asked and he told her gently "The Lightwoods know. I heard them talking about it. How is she?"

A heavy sigh "Still the same." She wanted to tell him about Valentine. That he obviously knew who had been behind all this, but didn't. She was too tired for all this.

"I have to go and get ready Simon." Clary muttered out now. "Come by soon."

He smiled sadly and just told her quietly "Very soon." He turned to leave and Clary just watched with somber eyes, knowing that walk well. She wasn't the only one keeping secrets.

Afterwards, Clary retired upstairs to find Jace in their bedroom, sorting out his white buttons on his matching shirt. His fingers kept slipping. With a sigh, Clary walked over and gently tugged his hands away, telling him in a soft tone "Come here my love-" with swift, careful fingers, she did up the buttons with ease. When she was done, she gazed up at him- Jace was in his white suit that was laced with red runes of mourning. Clary recognized it as the one that he wore to Max Lightwood's funeral. The suit was in use far too much for her liking.

It made her wonder when he would be wearing it next.

"Are you ready?" she asked him gently. Jace nodded the tiniest of fractions, muttering out "I'm ready."

-OfSeraphBladesAndBallGowns-

William Herondale felt miserable as he walked down the street in Alicante towards the Herondale mansion. It was just him the invitation extended to. It was a total and utter shock when he read the fire message and found out Stephen and his wife was dead. He'd grabbed a Portal and just left without telling anyone. They'd find out soon enough that he was missing. They'd know where he had gone. Will wanted to see if they would miss him. It was evil and cruel, but he didn't care. He could tell Jem was angry at him, even if he had said he'd forgiven him.

"You can't help who you fall in love with, William. And for you to fall in love with someone so deeply, I have never seen it before. I would never dissuade you from something like that, no matter what. Tessa is beautiful, both inside and out. Yes, I am hurt about the fact my fiancée loved another man. But like I said, you simply cannot force your heart to stop loving someone you care so much for. Of all girls for you to fall in love with, Will, I'm glad it was her. She taught you how to love. Truly love. I forgive you William. Just like how I have forgiven Tessa."

He was hurt. Will could feel it. Maybe it was their connection as Parabatai, but whenever he was around the silver-haired boy, Will felt a cold misery. A part of him was hurting, and it was not his own. It was Jem.

The mansion loomed up ahead and he just stopped dead, thinking of his cousin and his wife. They were happy and… his heart was breaking. No, it was broken.

With a sigh, he carried on walking all the way up to the front door, not bothering to knock as he strolled in.

The place seemed to be deserted, but he knew better. Will cleared his throat and called "Jonathan?"

Silence, but then he heard footsteps and Jace appeared at the top of the stairs, staring down at him with a cocked eyebrow. "William." He just went in a flat tone and Will utterly forgot about the situation as he called "Yes. The much sexier Herondale in this family."

Jace narrowed his eyes, saying coldly "There's only me, you and your little sister left now. And Clary is a Herondale through marriage."

Will knew he should have apologized, but didn't as he asked "I got your message and came instantly."

Silence and Jace turned away, going back the way he came without a single word. It was only as he walked along the landing that he called "You forgot something!"

Will blinked, but then realized he'd forgotten the white trousers and shirt he'd planned on wearing for the funeral. Damn.

"And I have a spare set laid out on the dining room table for you. If you can get your fat backside in it."

-OfSeraphBladesAndBallGowns-

Isabelle still had nightmares. Nightmares about that white haired boy that had terrorized her so very much. She sat up staring at the wardrobe that was at the foot of the bed facing her. There was a mirror set into one of the doors, long and vertical. Her reflection was red cheeked.

There was a soft knock upon her door and after a moments pause, she called "Yes?" the door cracked open and a figure slipped inside. A figure that made a smile twitch onto the girls' face.

Simon.

"Is the house deserted?" she asked quietly and he nodded, closing the door behind him. Izzy paused, feeling guilty- she wasn't going to the funeral. It hurt too much since the death of Max had been so recent.

"Come here" she ordered and Simon walked over to where Isabelle was stood. She paused, but then draped her arms around his shoulders and tugged him closer, pressing her lips gently to his own with a wide, jovial smile.

It had only been just over a week since they'd both admitted their feelings for each other. Isabelle was more thankful to the boy than he would ever know. Simon had looked after her, held her when she woke from the nightmares. It frustrated her that she could fight off demons and sleep peacefully, but a human and she woke crying? It was simply ridiculous. But Simon made her realize that it was fine to be afraid. That he'd always be there to hold her if she needed to cry.

Isabelle buried her face into his neck, almost purring out "Hello Simon."

"Hello my dear Izzy. Did you sleep well?"

"I slept enough. I felt rather ill last night, but I'm fine now." She bushed the brown strands of hair from his eyes, smiling out "I missed you."

Simon chuckled and stole a kiss from her lips, saying nothing until he told her "Jace… released me."

"Excuse me?"

"I am free Isabelle. No longer a servant. Truth be told, I have nowhere to go."

She looked startled at that, but then shook her head "No" Izzy insisted. "You are staying here with me."

"They will object."

"Then I shall walk out. I've no desire to stay here if you cannot." She told him defiantly, turning them around and pushing him onto her bed. Simon just lay there in surprise as the girl in her nightgown straddled his hips and leaned down, crashing her lips to his own with the faintest of moans. Isabelle broke off a second to whisper out "If Alec can run away with his lover, so can I."

"I have no money." Simon retorted gently and Isabelle snorted, nipping at his bottom lip as she replied "I have enough to support us both. A nice little place, just us two?"

Simon was too surprised to answer- she was being serious. Before he could reply, she was kissing him again. Deep, hungry kisses that made him yearn for more. It made her giggle, how inexperienced he was in the field of kissing. That was why she usually led them both.

Isabelle twined her hands with Simon's own, pinning them above his head as she pressed her stomach to his own, their kisses becoming deeper with every passing moment.

"Izzy-" he just breathed out, tugging his hands from within her own, capturing her waist. "What are you doing?"

"Kissing you. Is it something else in your mind (?)"

Simon rolled his eyes and just sighed out "I may be a mundane, but I'm not stupid. We are not married, you went through… bad, terrible things. And you're making a move to take my clothes off?"

Isabelle paused at his words before saying slowly, carefully "You are not that monster. Why should I be afraid or avoidant to the whole subject of sleeping with someone I love? Besides, the house is deserted and I have you all to myself." She was almost purring by the end and Simon gulped mentally. Isabelle was wild and beautiful, but even he knew she could be a fool for distractions.

But then, he did want to spend the day with her. And he knew he was utterly insane if he passed the chance up.

'How does a servant end up with someone as beautiful as her?'

It was a question Simon asked himself every single time he saw her.

-OfSeraphBladesAndBallGowns-

The ceremony wasn't long and Clary stood next to her husband, dressed in a white dress that made her feel like a mundane bride. She held Jace's hand through the whole thing, even when he gave his speech on how much he loved and admired his parents. How much he was truly going to miss them.

Alec Lightwood had arrived just before it started. Clary had heard he had been in New York with a warlock. The one they had asked about the Portal to London. She found it intriguing, because that warlock and Alec were together. It was something she'd never even heard of, let alone seen.

But she still remembered the boys sapphire eyes widen in surprise when Jace told his parents that he wished they had been alive to hear that they were going to be grandparents. Will had also blinked in surprise at the news, but then flashed Clary a sly, cheeky grin when she caught his eye. She made a mental note to keep the child away from him- he'd only turn him or her into a manwhore with his influence.

When the ceremony was over, the funeral pyres burning, Ave atque vale spoken, Jace went off on his own. To think, Clary knew.

"Well, well. Look who is knocked up and expecting."

Clary groaned "Go away William."

"I shan't." The boy told her with a wide grin, stopping dead before her, forcing Clary to do the same. "Don't you have someone else to annoy?" she huffed out and Will cocked a brow, ignoring her words. "If you have a boy, I expect him to have my name."

"He shall not."

"For his middle name then?"

"William-!"

He shut up for a few minuets before telling her "I am going to stay in the mansion, Clarissa. I do not wish to return to London anytime soon."

Clary frowned "Why not? Is it because of that silly little stunt you pulled at the wedding?" she narrowed her eyes "I was talking to Jem, calming him down after what happened. Honestly, I think you destroyed him. When will you damn Herondale's learn to keep your mouth shut, hmm?"

Will knew she meant well, but still snapped back "And you need to learn how to keep your dainty little nose out of other people's business."

"It was my business. You are my family now William. Like it or not." A pause "but I will not let you be around my child if I fear you will corrupt it."

"'From the womb to the brothel in five minuets,' a thrilling tale by Will Herondale?" he joked and Clary was looking as if she might slap him. Her emotions were heightened and she was ready to snap at anything and anyone these days.

"You're avoiding James and Tessa, aren't you?" she asked accusingly and the young man shrugged. Something she took to be Yes. Clary sighed and shook her head a little. "Just talk to Jem."

"I can't. I'm staying at the Herondale mansion here in Idris until further notice. I don't wish to go home."

"Will. You cannot put this off forever. Running away from your problems will only make them worse."

Will simply ignored the girl, telling her crisply "I am heading back to the mansion to change, then straight out again. Seek out a girl or two that can make me forget my problems, even if it's just for one night."

Clary watched him walk off feeling disgusted.

She couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.

But Will's plans were instantly blown out of the water when he stepped into his cousins' mansion. Jace himself was there, stood before a light fire that was crackling away. There was something in his hands- a sheaf of paper.

"You need to go back to London. Right now." Was Jace's greeting.

"Why?" Will enquired, frowning lightly- Jace sounded graver than usual. He screwed the ball of paper up and tossed it into the flames before him.

"Jem. He's dying William." He told him quietly.

Will cocked a brow at that, folding his arms at Jace, saying matter-of-factly "Jem has been dying for years."

"No. I mean, properly dying. Charlotte sent a message by fire- it's not looking good. I suggest you get back to London... Unless you want your parabatai to die without you by his side."

Will's face drained to white, his eyes widening in utter and complete horror.

It was the look of a man who knew he was about to lose everything he held dear to his heart.

"He cannot be. It's not the end. It is just one of his sick days" Will just spluttered out. A pause and Jace told him, voice surprisingly soft

"Will. Charlotte's exact words were 'These may be James' final hours. I hope Will realizes that and returns.'"

Will was horrified. Jace just told him swiftly "Your clothes are where you left them, my horse is around the back in the stables. Get to that Portal. He is your parabatai."

The last word had barely left his lips when Will had started running.

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