I dedicate this chapter to Tay, for every review and the support.
Three months later
Alec was standing in front of the old, wooden door, leading to the library in the New York Institute. His heart was hammering, his head was spinning. His breath was fast and shallow, as his hands were trembling. The young man wore a new, gray cloak over his shadowhunter gear. In his right hand he was squeezing the staff with a golden, small globe atop of it.
"Consul Lightwood, I'm glad you have finally come here," Alec turned his head to the left and was met with Jia Penhallow. The older woman was equally official dressed as he had been. Her gray cloak had red straps on the edges, informing everyone of her newly gained status. The Great Inquisitor.
"Inquisitor Penhallow," The archer bowed his head to her and opened the door. He let her go first, as the gentleman he was.
"I can hear your heart, Alec. Do not worry, you were promised that he'll return, correct?" She glanced at him, smiling reassuringly. The boy only nodded with a shy smile on his lips. "I still am wondering, how did you manage to convince Asmodeus to grant you his return."
Alexander haven't told anyone about the deal he had made with Asmodeus that night, back in Edom. He haven't even told Mangus about it, and he had hoped that Asmodeus haven't had done it as well. It was Alec's job to inform Magnus about his new life, as the second Prince of Hell, just under the ruling of the King Asmodeus himself. Bane was still in the coma, as the demon informed him, gaining his powers back. When he laid his blue eyes for the first time on Mangus, when the warlock was moved to Edomus, he recalled the words of his new Master.
"Are you certain, you want to sacrifice yourself for my son, shadowhunter?" The demon sat on the bony throne as his magic was shielding the warlock.
"I do. I love him." Asmodeus rose his eyebrow and nodded to that. "I need him to be alive, I need him to forgive me for everything."
"You will be my servant among livings. You will kill for me." Suddenly the demon was next to him. Asmodeus looked almost fondly at Magnus's calm face. He rose his hand and stroked his cheek, through the barrier. "You will protect my son, at every cost. He is my last heir and my biggest pride."
"This I can promise you." Alec responded without hesitation, eyes on Magnus's frame. "Even if he won't let me be close to him, I'll protect him anyways."
Asmodeus retrieved his hand from Magnus's cheek and instead he grabbed Alec's right wrist in a strong grip. The shadowhunter felt a hellish cold, more than he had until now, it made his blood freeze for a moment. With a corner of his eye he spotted Asmodeus chanting something in a demon's language, mere seconds before he felt a fire burning his wrist. He wanted to let out a scream, but he found himself voiceless for the time being. The pain was unbearable, making his insides to twist from it.
The pain stopped, when Asmodeus let go of his wrist and stopped chanting. Alec was able to move his body, his voice returned to him, yet he wasn't feeling anything but a small sting in the place where the bony hand was squeezing him. His blue eyes darted towards his wrist. There wasn't any mark made by demon's fingers, no. But there were black seven circles, looking kind of like circles of hell. Alec looked at this for a while, wondering, what it could be.
"I will know everything of you now." Asmodeus replied to his wonderings. "I will know, where are you. I will know, if you are in need of help. I will be able to call you down here. And when your time will come, when you fulfill your mission, I will send my children to collect your body and soul. You will serve the rest of your eternity, as the second prince of Edom, along with my son." Alec didn't understand the whole thing then, but if it meant that Magnus will be alive and safe, he would sell his soul to the devil.
Well, he just did.
"Deal. My soul is yours, Asmodeus." He sealed the deal with a bow to his new Master.
"And I shall return my son to you, once he'll recover, my little hunter."
"I just begged him, that's it." Alec replied the same version he had told everyone else of his family and friends. "Magnus Bane is a strong ally. We will need him, if we want to restore the peace in the Shadow World."
The woman hadn't responded to that, instead she walked towards the Silent Brother, who stood in the middle of the room. Right next to him was standing Magnus looking healthy and alive. He wore tight leather, black pants, a purple vest over a light beige dress shirt. His long hair had colorful highlights, which were very visible, as his hair were put up in spikes. Finally, Magnus's skin was glowing, maybe because of the glitter he had on himself, or maybe because he was alive.
When their eyes met, Alec almost melted in the green-gold color of cat-like eyes. There was uncertainty and love filling them, as Magnus flashed him a genuine smile. Lightwood bit down his lower lip, wiped his hands in the cloak, before he set his mind up. For a while he didn't care that there were others in the room. For him it was only Magnus who mattered in this very moment.
Alec dropped his staff, making it crackle on the hard, marble floor, before he ran towards Bane and basically jumped on him. Thank the Angel, that Bane had a quick reflex and caught the boy on time, before they both could land on the floor.
"Hello to you too, Alexander," Magnus smiled upon him, when Alec looked in his eyes again, while still holding the boy, as if he weighed nothing. Once again the archer bit his lip, before he smashed his lips onto Magnus's in a hunger kiss. At first, Bane was stiffed in Alec's arms, but soon he recovered from his shock and kissed the boy back, equally eagerly.
They were interrupted by the loud whistling of Isabelle. Alec jumped off of Magnus and looked down at the man's feet. He could feel his cheeks being on fire, as well as he felt the eyes of the rest of the people on his back.
"Consul Lightwood," Jia reprimanded him, looking slightly offended. Apparently, she wasn't used to seeing two people of the same gender kissing, even though her daughter was lesbian and in love with other shadowhunter girl. "This is hardly the time. We have things to discuss."
"Yes of course," He composed himself, rising his head to look at Magnus. The warlock was smiling wickedly in his usual way, making the boy blush even more. "Thank you, Brother Zachariah, for your help."
"I'm no longer a Silent Brother, Consul Lightwood. My name is James Carstairs," Of course, Alec kept forgetting that Brother Zachariah wasn't a Silent Brother anymore. He was somehow cured by Maleachart, when Alec gave it back to him, when they came back from Edom. Lightwood hadn't understood the process, but somehow the combined magic of Magnus and Asmodeus, which ran through the blade, cured the old shadowhunter from his illness. He no longer had to remain in the Silent City. "Shall we start conversing?"
"Of course," Alec turned around to Isabelle, Jace and Clary. "Leave us. Isabelle, go check on mom. Jace, start to train Clary again. I'll come to you later." They left the library without any word. Although Jace wanted to say something, but Clary stopped him, telling that it was the Consul's order. "Shall we sit?" He gestured at the round table in the back of the room. It was brought here last night, before they sent the word to Magnus about the meeting. When all of them were seated, Alec coughed three times and began his speech. "As you know, Jonathan is dead, same as Valentine. This marks the end of the old order of the Shadow World."
"Absolutely. We must set the new order, Consul," James added, looking directly at Alec.
"Exactly, that is why, me and Inquisitor Penhallow want to offer you a partnership, Magnus." At that, the warlock looked up at Alec with a confusion in his eyes. "As the new Consul, I am to bring the new order, but I can't do it without your help. I need you to stand by my side, as we write down the new rules of the Shadow World. From this day, there will be no slavery. Every enslaved Downworlder will be released and offered a compensation from the Council of Shadow."
"Council of Shadow?" Magnus asked wondering. "What is this?"
"A new…" he hesitated, thinking of how to explain it so they would understand. "A group of people, which will including representants of both sides, shadowhunters and downworlders. We will provide the order, which will be equally good for both sides, Magnus."
"And who will be in this council then?"
"Me, Jia Penhallow, James Carstairs, as the former Silent Brother and a man, who lived when the world was a better place, he'll be good for the position." The two mentioned nodded to this. "I thought Luke Garroway and You." Magnus was silent for a long period of time. Alec wanted to bit down on his nails from the nerves. He had hoped that Magnus will be with him, or at least he will help him. "Magnus?"
"Yes, of course, I will help you, Consul Lightwood." Alexander breathed in a relief, offering a small smile to the warlock. "I have a warlock friend, who can help us as well, that is if you allow it, Alexander."
"Of course," he said too quickly. James looked at Jia, sending her a knowing look. Alec just shrugged his arms, before he continued. "Ok. I'll send the fire messages to every Institute around the world, so the Heads could inform their locals about the meeting. In three days we will all gather in Idris, in the Great Hall and we will tell the rest of them about the new order. Those who will be opposed to it, will be sentenced, and put in the Gard."
"I will make sure to choose a new Security for the Gard," Jia offered with her stoic voice. "I believe this marks the end of the meeting. Consul?" Alec just nodded to that. "Good. I shall meet all of you in three days in Idris. Goodnight. Consul Lightwood, give your mother my best wishes. I hope she'll recover soon. For all I am afraid of the state of New York Institute under the hand of Jonathan Herondale for the time being."
"I shall walk you out, Inquisitor Penhallow." James spoke softly, bowing his head to Magnus and Alec, before he and Jia left the library, leaving two men alone.
For a lingering moment, there was nothing but silence between them, interrupted by the loud beatings of their hearts. They were looking into each other's eyes, just trying to gain a courage to start the conversation. Finally, they both started at the same time.
"I'm sorry." They broke in a laughter. Magnus looked so beautiful, when he laughed. So light, so free. It gave Alec this strange warm feeling in his heart. He would give up everything to be able to hear it everyday. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure if it was an option. Magnus could never forgive him, after all, he had hurt him so much.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Magnus," Alec reached out his hand, wanting to grab Magnus's, but he stopped himself in the middle. Magnus may not like this anymore. "I am the one to blame. I'm so, so sorry, Magnus."
"Alexander…"
"No, let me finish." He interrupted him, moving himself closer. "I hurt you, and I'm not speaking only about the physical hurt. Magnus, I don't hate you. I was blinded by John's lies and the grieving for my brother and father. And I hate myself that I let that bastard play me like that. I should not have let him kill those vampires. They were your friends. I'm sorry for your best friend…"
"You haven't killed Ragnor."
"But I could stop Valentine." He finished. Silent tears built up in his blue eyes. Alec fought so hard to not let them escape. "I'm so sorry for everything. I understand, if you don't want to be close with me anymore, but I love you. I love you for real. I've never felt something like this before. All I can think is you. My heart beats for you. It belongs to you, as long as you want me, still. I love you, Magnus Bane, truly love you."
"I love you too, you stupid boy," He responded after a small pause and drew Alec closer to himself. He pressed his lips to the boy's in a sweet, passionate kiss. It was almost like their first kiss, all those months ago. The soft touch of Magnus's lips on his, was melting him from the inside. Alec wanted to deepen the kiss, but he left the decision to his warlock, who decided the opposite. When they pulled away, Magnus grabbed Alec's hand in his and intertwined their fingers. "I love you, Alexander, but so much had happened between us."
"I know, but…"
"Let me speak now, ok?" He agreed to this with a simple nod. "You have awaken something in me. Something that I thought long dead. But then you, such a young boy made me go crazy, made my heart beat like never before."
"You make me feel the same things," He brought the warlock's hand upon his heart, to let him feel the beat of it. "It beats for you. But you are right. So much had happened between us. So much bad things, but there were also good things. I'm not going to lie, Mags. I want to be with you, in every possible way. As long as you want me too. I have a proposition."
"Which is?" he asked, hand slowly caressing Alec's chest, making the boy shiver underneath the touch.
"A fresh start for us. No more secrets."
"No more lies," Magnus added. "No more deceiving."
"A clean slate for both of us." Alec took Magnus's hand back in his and squeezed it lightly. "Let's start from the beginning. But this time. Let's do it properly." Magnus nodded to this eagerly. "I'm Alec Lightwood. I'm almost nineteen. I'm currently the Consul of the Clave and the Council of Shadow. I live in the New York Institute, but I'm promised to have my own apartment, here in New York, despite my position in Idris.I'm gay, have been in a denial for so many years, until the true love hit me hard in the face. My beloved is older than me, way older…"
"Hey, I'm not that old!" Magnus opposed to that, bumping Alec lightly in his arm. "I'm only three hundred years old. I'm still young and beautiful."
"That's true." Alec agreed immediately.
"I'm Magnus Bane. The High Warlock of Brooklyn, Member of the Council of Shadow. I have a cat, his name is Chairman Meow. I live in Brooklyn, my own apartment. I'm freewheeling bisexual. I'm in love with the most handsome boy I've ever laid my eyes on." Alec was blushing madly, he could feel it, when Magnus touched his cheek. "He's the cutest boy on Earth, especially when he blushes."
"It's embarrassing." Alec admitted, though his eyes were still set on Bane. The hunter coughed a bit and offered Magnus a shy smile. "Magnus Bane, will you go out with me?"
"Are you asking me on a date, Alexander?"
"I'm asking you to be my boyfriend. This time, for real. And I'm...I'm asking you on a date as well. Although, fair warning. I have like zero experience in relationships. So feel free to tell me if I'm doing something wrong." Magnus just laughed at this and threw his arms around Alec's neck. "So? Will you go out with me, Mags?"
"I'll be delighted, my darling Alexander. I'll be honored to be your boyfriend."
This time Alec was the one that initiated the kiss. It wasn't a slow one, nor it wasn't a hungry one. But the kiss had the love their shared. There was no rush in the kiss, Alec was able to melt once again underneath Magnus's touch, as the warlock tangled his fingers in the boy's hair.
Maybe they started their relationship on lies and games, on being the Master and the Enemy, but for sure now they had a fresh start to the future waiting for them.
He couldn't wait for it.
A/N: Did you like it?
Thank you to everyone who had read, favoried or followed
This story is done now. I hope you're ok with the ending.
For the last time I'll put here the link to my poll of my master thesis.
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For those, who ever read my other stories for this fandom, back in . I'm working on my last project for Malec Fandom, which is re-writing of Maybe We Are A Fairytale. The new version will be modified, improved, some scenes will be removed, some will be added. And the biggest addition to the story will be pictures featuring it. I'm co-working my an illustrator now and as well with my long-time beta, who will take care of the corrections. Hopefully, soon I'll be able to notify you, where you can read the new version of MWWAF. For now, you can still read the old version here: s/10167767/1/Maybe-we-are-a-fairytale
For the last time in this story,
Review if you feel like to,
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