Hola~!
I've finally finished writing this chapter! It has a lot of revealing parts and it also has Malec (at last!)
And whoever missed Madia, we'll get some of it too XD
If you have any questions on this chapter, please feel free to let me know~
I've tried to cover what is this world exactly, so I hope I succeeded ^^; if not, grab me by the ear and ask me some more haha
Well, enjoy this chapter and see you at the next one~ ^^/
Thanks for the favorites and comments, as always warming up my days *heart*
xoxo
Chapter twenty-five - The Greater Gods and Love
"Hello, Maryse."
The queen of Idris turned towards the cold voice with her heart thudding in her chest. She hoped it was a dream, but she knew it wasn't – the woman in front of her, beautiful and stone cold, was as real as it could be.
"Camille." She acknowledged, making the enchanter curl her lips in a mocking smile. "What are you doing here?" She then asked when the silence stretched and nerves likewise. She was alone in her chambers, but that didn't mean no one could come in and notice Camille.
"I've come to collect." The enchanter said gleefully as she eased herself in one of Maryse's chairs.
"Very well. What do you want from me?" Maryse replied, not beating around the bush or trying to get her way out of a deal she had made to save Max's life.
"Straightforward." Camille commented, but Maryse could tell she was equally surprised and pleased.
However, when silence threatened again, Maryse impatiently asked – "Well?"
Camille studied one red lacquered nail. "Alec's seal broke."
Maryse stifled a gasp as she recalled very well what this meant for her son. And he was getting ready for marriage, he couldn't die. "H-how?" She asked with a trembling voice, her dark eyes meeting Camille's cold green ones.
"Magnifia." She shrugged elegantly. "That land is pure magic, it would have eventually broken the seal." She continued, regardless of Maryse's horrified expression. "And Magnus knew." She then added with a malicious glint in her eyes.
"He… knew?" Maryse choked on her words, the betrayal cutting deep. He had promised to help, he had promised to keep Max safe and now… Alec's seal broke and her younger boy was going to die.
"Oh, yes, he knew. But he needed a Consort, so what's one life for the lives of thousands in Magnifia?" Camille waved her hand dismissively, completely aware that her words cut into Maryse with the depth of a butcher knife.
"But he said that Lydia could be a substitute!" Maryse threw the words with a frenzied expression, not wanting to believe that she was going to lose not only one son, but two.
Camille laughed. "Of course he'd say that. Did he also say that he'd take the debt away from you?" Maryse blanched. "Well, I am still here, no?" She practically cooed as she stood up and went over to Maryse. "However, I am a generous woman and I relate to your loss."
Maryse frowned. "You do?"
"Yes." Camille looked sideways, pain momentarily crossing over her beautiful features. "Magnus took my beloved son as well."
"W-what?"
"Yes, he told Simon that he would be the next King, turned him against his own mother and had left me sonless."
"Simon…? The one who came with Magnus…?" Maryse couldn't believe her ears. Had she trusted a man capable of ripping apart families?
"Yes. He is now following Magnus everywhere, he made my precious son his little pet." Camille let out a stifled sob and pretended to wipe away a not yet fallen tear. "And now, he's taken yours and Max will die because of this."
Maryse looked at Camille with worried and fearful eyes. "What can I do to stop him?"
The enchanter's lips trembled in a small smile before she beckoned Maryse closer. "Let me show you."
The suction of a portal opening near them made Lily look up from Alec who was still shaking like something was eating him from the inside. She didn't know what happened to him or what did that seal reveal, but it pained her to see him like this. And she hated herself for not being able to do something to help him.
But as the portal fixated in this space allowing the man who had opened it to pass through, she knew help was on his way.
Magnus stepped on the moss covered path looking for the one who had his heart held in pain. Without a glance to anyone, he rushed to Alec's side and put his hand over his eyes, blue-pink magic surrounding his hand in flames. The screaming and thrashing finally slowed down until it turned to sobs and tremors and then complete stillness. Maia and Lily released their iron grip on Alec who fell into his lover's arms, weak as a baby.
"It's okay, Alexander. I've come to take you home." He whispered, his hand brushing aside some of the ink black locks that have stuck to his forehead. He had been burning up when Magnus took hold of him, getting all sweaty, but now he seemed fine, his body cooling already.
"What happened?" Simon asked Maia, looking at Alec with unmasked worry.
"It was her fault." Lily pointed at Tessa who stood motionless in the middle of the path. "She waived that ugly looking staff at Alec and broke a seal or something."
Simon's breath hitched in the back of his throat as he listened. If this was true, he didn't want to think what this meant for Alec or Magnus. Breaking a seal like that required strong will and spirit to withstand receiving back what had been taken away from oneself. It was like having a new limb attached to your body and you suddenly had to live with it. Adaptability was necessary as well for a broken seal, one needed to be capable of readjusting after the truth has been revealed.
Magnus moved and looked behind him at Tessa. "Has he completed his second trial?"
Tessa nodded. "Quite well, truth to be said." She made a brief pause before she continued. "But you might wake him up to meet his friend. She's here too." She turned sideways and waved her hand towards the Glass City.
Everyone could see a feminine and petite silhouette surrounded by a mass of tumbling flame red hair.
"Clary can wait." Simon said and Tessa tutted him.
"After all he endured on his journey, to have finally reached the end of it and just to go back?" Tessa asked and there was a slight amusement to her words.
Simon growled in response and looked her way murderously, but Ragnor kept him back from doing anything stupid.
"She's right." Maia spoke for the first time, her eyes glued to Alec's still form. She had recognized the magic Magnus used on Alec, it was meant to soothe and calm the heart and mind. "Alec wanted to meet his friend and leaving now would mean that everything he did for reaching Glass City had been for nothing."
Magnus looked at her with a thoughtful expression. "You seem to care about Alec."
Maia returned his gaze defiantly. "I do. He is a great Consort and I'd have no other."
A smile ghosted over Magnus' face as he nodded absently. He agreed completely with Maia. He would have no other if Alec would stay with him forever or how long their lives together would be. "Very well. I will wake him up."
"Do you think it's wise?" Ragnor asked, looking worriedly at the pale face of Alec. "If the seal has been broken, he needs time to recover."
"I trust him." Magnus replied simply, but there was still a small hesitation buried in his soul as he pulled magic away from Alec, allowing him wake up. "Alexander," he whispered his name, his eyes trained on his lover's face, "can you hear me?"
Alec blinked slowly before he looked at Magnus. "He…my brother…" His first words were, tears covering the blue of his eyes.
"He's fine, I promise you." Magnus pressed a kiss to his forehead. "His seal will hold."
"How do you know that?" Alec whispered fearfully. "She said… if my or Izzy's seal broke, Max will die." His body shivered at his words as if saying them out loud made him realize once more the truth of it.
"Magic finds a way." Magnus replied cryptically, feeling like now wasn't the time to tell him that he knew about his brother's seal and had placed safety magical bindings for Max should Alec's seal break sooner than he expected. He'd have a lot to explain and Alec was soul-wounded. "I will explain everything, Alec, but, please, trust me that your brother is alright."
Alec looked at Magnus with a broken gaze, yet the warlock could see hope sprouting. The prince nodded and Magnus hugged him tight. They stayed like this for a few more moments, Alec clinging to Magnus like he was his last spark of sanity.
"Alexander." Magnus spoke softly and kindly, Alec sank into his voice. "Clary's here. Do you want to see her?"
The prince pulled back and looked at Magnus in surprise – he had forgotten about Clary. "Yes, yes, please." He agreed immediately, his hands gripping his lover's shoulders.
Both of them stood up, Alec a little shakier than he had expected. He looked sideways at Maia and Lily who watched him with worried eyes. He smiled in their direction, wanting to ease their concern; the girls returned the smile eagerly and supportive. Then his eyes stopped on Simon and Ragnor, a tiny emotion of annoyance surging through him upon seeing the enchanter.
"Later, Alec." Magnus whispered in his ear and he realized that his sentiment must've shown on his face. "Hold onto me." He then added and Alec leaned against Magnus, his arm around his waist. They walked down the moss path and stopped only when they reached Tessa who looked at them proudly.
"Alexander." She acknowledged him, but Alec couldn't bring himself to be polite.
"I hope my pain has brought you enough to satiate your hunger." He said, his words spewed with disgust and anger.
Tessa didn't seem affected by his reaction. "Quite true, my Consort." She said, surprising everyone. "Your emotions are what Magnifia needs. Your third trial will test your love and loyalties." She paused and looked briefly at Magnus. "I have faith in you, Alexander of Idris." Tessa added and disappeared in a swirling fog, leaving everyone with a baffled feeling.
Alec looked at Magnus who smiled at him proudly. "That's something impressive you've done, Alec." He said, pleased to see the reddening in his cheeks. Ragnor had been right, Alec needed rest after his seal was broken, but seeing him now, Magnus knew that his lover was stronger than most. He just needed the right company and the rest, he could do it himself.
"Come on, Clary awaits." Magnus added and Alec looked ahead to the tiny silhouette which he could see against the Glass City's walls. Both of them moved towards it and as they closed in, Alec realized that the glass walls were mirrors reflecting the interior of the prison, thus allowing them to see Clary.
"Alec." Clary's voice could be heard clear and it carried relief and sadness likewise. "I thought I'd never see any of you."
"Neither did we. I, especially." Alec said and got closer to the wall, touching its cold surface. "Are you alright? Your hair… is longer."
Clary chuckled. "Well, they don't give you scissors here." She shrugged and Alec noticed that she was slightly thinner than what he remembered her to be. "How's Jace?" She asked, the green of her eyes betraying the yearning and love she still held for Jace.
"He's managing." Alec replied, not wanting to darken her days there even more. "He misses you still."
"I miss him too." Clary sighed, lowering her head momentarily to hide her pained expression. "But you're here, I'm just glad to see you." She then said, putting on a cheerful expression.
"I'm glad to see you too." Alec nodded with a soft smile. He and Clary had never been close, but Jace was important to both of them and together had found common ground and had gotten along better than expected. "I don't know what to say, Clary." He decided to go with the truth because silence was awkward and this was not your usual friends' reunion.
Clary smiled understandingly. "Luckily, I know." She teased him and sat on the ground of her prison, her hair coiling around her like a faithful pet.
Alec and Magnus followed suit, sitting on the ground outside the Glass City. "What do you mean?" The prince asked, looking curiously at her.
"I have a story to tell you, Alec. It might help you in the future, depending on your choices." She started, her words vague, but intriguing.
"Okay…" Alec seemed unsure, but nodded in agreement, earning himself a smile from the redheaded girl.
She started with the first truth – "My name is Clarissa Fairchild Morgenstern, daughter of Jocelyn Fairchild and Valentine Morgenstern. Unknown to everyone, Jocelyn Fairchild is a Greater God and I'm neither a warlock or an enchanter. However, I am a prophet, an oracle, a seer."
Both Magnus and Alec stared at her with their mouths slightly opened, however neither one of them said anything, so Clary continued with the truth reveals – "The Seven Realms was once an united realm where magic roamed free as well as human moralities. In the beginning, everyone lived in a consensus, magic providing for everyone whatever they needed." She paused momentarily, taking a small breath before continuing –
"However, greed is a powerful emotion and soon there were those who harnessed magic on a higher level than others and got drunk on the idea of being powerful. The scale between the people of the whole realm inclined heavily towards those who had more. In return, those who had less were oppressed and enslaved."
"Kind of like Magnifia now." Alec blurted out, feeling Magnus' slight hurt at his words. He squeezed his hand in return, showing him that he was not blaming him for this situation – Magnifia was in a bad place long before Magnus came to power.
Clary nodded sadly. "But magic has its price and at some point it will collect. That moment was when the realm split in seven." She continued, Alec well aware of this information now. "As you both well know, magic runs high on emotions and out of the chaos that was the realm out there, seven emotions stood out the most. Magic collected itself in those emotions and in the end it bloomed in the form of seven children still in their mother's wombs. Indifferent of the circumstances they were created, these children were protected by magic before their birth and definitely after their birth."
"Are you saying that the Greater Gods are these seven emotions?" Magnus finally spoke, his forehead creased in a frown.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. The realm split into seven when these children were born and each one received a piece of the land the emotion and magic had bonded. With time, these children have grown and realized that what they could do was nothing that anyone could stop them. In their youth, they have been called gods and demons likewise until they have silenced the rumors with their powers. In search of one another, they gathered in the lands of Ice Island and together they have taken upon the role to be gods and benefactors of the Seven Realms."
"Sounds like power had corrupted them." Alec looked at Clary with worry.
"Their intentions were good in the beginning, but power corrupts even the children of magic." Clary agreed with him, sadness lacing her tone.
"Who are these children of magic and what emotions rule them?" Magnus interfered again, wanting to know more of the ones who ruled the realms.
"They were born to humans who harboured powerful emotions upon their birth and during their conception – love; fear; disgust, anger; duty; curiosity and ignorance. Seven emotions to seven islands."
"Boryo is fear." Alec said immediately recalling the oppressive situation in that island and how many of those who fled from there came to Idris with a subdued personality and any kind of kindness made them pledge their lives to you.
Clary nodded to his assessment.
"Then Teika is anger. They are always at war either with the other islands or among themselves." Alec continued, receiving another nod from Clary. "You said duty? Kusuri is duty, they are responsible for the medicine and health of the islands. But duty is not an emotion, it's more of a sense, reason."
Magnus smiled beside him. "It's kind of debatable. What makes you dutiful of others?"
"Depends on my relationship with them." Alec replied, sort of seeing where Magnus was going with this. "You're saying that my sense of duty is based on my emotions I have for the people I interact with."
"Exactly. In this case, duty becomes an emotion." Magnus looked at him, again the feeling of pride surging through him. Alec's cheeks reddened slightly as he felt the other man's feeling for him.
Clary looked at them and smiled softly, their love was so visible that she hoped the future was going to be exactly what they were hoping it to be. "What about the others? Can you see which realm is under which emotion?"
"Camus is curiosity." Magnus replied this time, his voice clear of the memories he recalled. "The people there never back down from knowing more, no matter the morality of it."
Alec leaned against Magnus, giving another squeeze to his hand, wanting him to know that he was there and the past was in the past. "Now we're left with love, disgust and ignorance." He said, looking at Clary curiously.
"Despite its main trait, Uriba is the ignorance." She revealed, surprising the other two. "The island might be the place for trading but many live there in ignorance of what the outside islands are. It's a choice they make because they are comfortable with their lives there." She paused and then continued – "Ice Island is the disgust and the fact that it's most inaccessible island and even the one canal which leads to it is double, triple checked shows an adversity to exterior contact."
"That leaves…" Alec's eyes widened at the realization.
"Yes, Idris is the love." She smiled, but it was not a happy one, but a tearful one and most likely, it reminded her of Jace. However, she shook away the memories and continued her story –
"On each island there were shrines and offering given to them, people fearing or loving them. They called them the Greater Gods because they were the physical embodiment of the powerful elements they have thought ruled their island. In the end, they grew so feared and loved that Jocelyn and the one in charge of Kusuri, Sophie, decided to create a sanctuary for them, one that would protect them from fanatics and also protect the realm from getting torn apart by their presence."
"Was it that bad?" Alec asked and Clary sighed.
"Many sought their presence for a bit of magic, for wanting to carry their child and while they might have given into desire and passion, it was not a happy event. Enchanters and warlocks were the offspring of their dallying and many other types of creatures which died in pain due to the incompatibility between Greater Gods and their unfit bodies."
A look of disgust appeared on Alec's face while Magnus grimaced. They didn't want to think too much on what that meant, although it was clear that it wasn't a good period for The Seven Realms.
"Both women Greater Gods – Jocelyn and Sophie – decided that it was too dangerous to remain and mate with humans. Together, they founded Magnifia by ripping two parts from Idris and Kusuri; later they tricked the other gods into pouring their powers and protection in Magnifia before creating a trap for all of them and tie them to a world where they could live safely."
Magnus reacted first at this truth – "So you're saying that Magnifia is like a prison for the Greater Gods?"
"In a way." Clary conceded to this conclusion, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Glass City was erected as the gate to the Seven Island Realm and it could be accessed only by the Greater God, as far as I know. Their ties to the island prohibited them from returning to the islands they once dominated, memories of them being erased from people's minds in order to ensure that no obsessive behaviour was triggered. However, the idea of the existence of The Greater Gods remained so everyone feared and realized that someone was stronger than them and they could be punished for pushing the laws of magic."
"Then how come Jocelyn stayed on Idris with you?" Alec asked and then immediately added – "And I can remember her?"
Clary sighed. "She brought a piece of the land with her. She kept it upon herself and in this way, she tricked the magic."
"But you can't do it for long." Magnus commented and she gave him a dry smile.
"Yes, this is her price to pay – her daughter in the Glass City and her land stripped of magic."
"So, everything that happened until now is because Jocelyn is a Greater God who didn't play by the book rules she set?" Alec asked and he couldn't keep the accusation away from his tone.
Clary's eyes sparkled defiantly, but it was so brief that Alec thought he imagined it. "Yes. Her only redeeming act had been to give Max his life back."
The words, so casually laid, had the effect of leaving him breathless. "It-it wasn't Camille?" He stuttered, fear tight in his chest.
"No. Camille was just means to help the Lightwoods should they ever needed it."
"And they did." Alec murmured, the images of his brother lying down, broken and bloody flashing in front of his eyes. "But why Camille?" He then asked, looking at Clary with confusion. "She's cruel."
"It had to be one of big magical forces in Magnifia." Clary starting to explain, her eyes sliding to Magnus. "However, I saw Magnus in your future."
"You saw him?" Alec looked confused.
"She's a prophet, Alexander."
"Jocelyn couldn't bind Magnus if he was going to be a part of your life, a significant part." She said, emphasizing the last words sensing that Alec wanted to say that Camille is now part of his life too. "Max is alive because of Jocelyn."
Alec fisted his palms as he looked down, trying not to think of how many things magic has screwed. No, if he was to be honest, it wasn't magic, but people who felt they were entitled to magic. And then it hit him – Tessa wasn't evil or good. She was just the magic of those who used it and then returned it. She couldn't differentiate the good from the bad, not like humans could anyway, because she only reacted to what she was offered. That's why she took on the form of Tessa, because Magnus missed the former queen and her only way to give Magnus what he needed was to make a replica of Tessa in hopes it would ease his longing.
Tessa was just a child in the hands of many, many selfish and clever beings.
"Why don't you call her mother?" Alec asked Clary who was taken aback by this question.
"This is between her and me."
"Not anymore." His eyes met hers in a defiant and challenging stare. "Because it's your mother who brought Idris to a simple land, it's your mother who created Magnifia and it's your mother who put you in there."
Clary gulped, aware that what Alec said was true, however she lifted her chin proudly. "Yes, she did all that. And it was her who separated me and Jace. She lied all of these years, she broke the very rules she set and she fell in love. I don't want a mother who is a Greater God." She let the tears fall, no matter how weak it may make her look. "I wanted a mother who would fight for me, for my freedom and for my love. She is none of that."
Upon hearing all this, Alec felt ashamed that he had forced Clary to say her personal reasons for not considering Jocelyn her mother anymore. "I'm sorry." He said lamely, but Clary shook her head, wiping her tears away.
"It's not your fault. You have every right to suspect that there are further reasons to why I would be this way towards her, especially after what you heard." She smiled weakly his way. "And I'm not asking for pity, Alec. All that I've said to you… you had to know. It will help you on your third trial."
"You know about my third trial?" Alec looked at her surprised.
Clary smiled weakly. "I see multiple outcomes of your future. Sometimes, they get clearer and I dream them. I've seen your third trial however."
"And I'm guessing you're not allowed to tell me anything about it." Alec spoke dryly, eliciting a small chuckle from the redheaded girl.
"I am allowed, but if I told you, it would influence your decisions. Knowing is a dangerous thing, Alec. I'm sure you can agree to this."
Alec rubbed the center of his chest and he pushed away the memory of Max dying. "Yeah, I can."
"If this helps," Clary started and Alec looked at her with something which resembled hope, "I trust you'll make the right decision." She continued, giving him a tired smile. "Magnifia feels different ever since you've come. Think about that."
The prince nodded after gulping down his hopes and fears. He knew that Clary was trying to help him the best way she could, but he couldn't help but feel disappointed and empty in the same time. He had come to Magnifia to be with Magnus and instead he had found out horrible truths – his brother has died and then revived by magic, Clary was in the prison his closest friend had been looking for five years, Simon was the son of the enchanter who revived his brother and he was now wooing his sister… everything seemed to be connected to him one way or another.
"How are you feeling, biscuit?" Magnus' voice cut through his dark thoughts, making him feel ashamed that he had been so self focused that he hadn't even considered the emotional and mental state of Clary. After all, many have told him that people lost themselves in the Glass City.
Clary shrugged. "Same as ever. Still haven't gone insane." She added with a small and mischievous and Alec felt like he was missing some inside joke.
Magnus chuckled. "Good to hear. Aquila has been visiting, hasn't he?" He asked and Clary nodded, a fond expression appearing on her face.
"Aquila? The griffin?" Alec couldn't help but interrupt, the two of them looking at him rather amused.
"They guard the Glass City." Clary clarified for him, looking past his head and Alec suspected that it was the mountains she saw. "They allow the visits."
"But how did Magnus appear then? Did you give any test?" Alec looked at his lover with a frown on his forehead.
The warlock shook his head, but it was Clary who replied. "Magnus and Simon are the only ones who can visit me without needing permission."
"Simon?"
"He's the regent." Magnus pointed out and Alec let out a small hum.
"How well do you know Simon, Clary?" He decided to ask on a whim, surprising the redheaded girl.
"Is this about Isabelle?" Her lips curved slightly, this time Alec being the one surprised.
"So you have seen the two of them together?" Eagerness was clear in his tone and while Magnus put on an exasperated expression, Alec didn't care. He was going to protect his baby sister even if it was from someone he knew and liked up to a point.
Clary chuckled. "No, silly, Simon told me about her." She looked a little more like herself, the same impish and rebellious girl he had known before. "Not everything I know I see in my prophecies, Alec. And you're worrying for nothing. Simon is a one-partner-a-time type of guy."
"That doesn't sound good." Alec arched an eyebrow at her.
"Sorry," she grinned fully and he realized she was teasing him, "I meant that if he likes someone, then he's serious about that person. He's one-dimensional like that. Black or white is his world."
Alec mused on her words and he realized that he believed her and that he could see Simon like this. It wasn't that he was upset that Simon wooed Isabelle, however it was the thoughts he had witnessed inside the enchanter's mind. He didn't want Isabelle to be Raphael's replacement. She was far too precious to be anyone's replacement and he needed to clarify this with Simon.
"Clary," Magnus said again, drawing Alec from his brainstorming, "what actually happened on Idris? With Valentine and Jocelyn?"
Clary bit the inside of her cheek as she looked at Magnus with haunted eyes. "Valentine found out that his wife was a magical being. What kind, he didn't know." She started, her voice low and fearful. "He thought of harnessing her magic, but he knew that Jocelyn wouldn't give it up consciously so he…" She paused, let out a shuddered breath before continuing. "He used a magical leech to suck small amounts of her blood every few days while she was asleep."
Magnus grimaced, well aware what blood infused with magic could do. He didn't want to think what Valentine would have gained if he got to use the blood of a Greater God. "When did Jocelyn realize she was being used?"
"Right about the same time my visions showed themselves to me." Clary cleared her throat and added – "Which was about three months after he started taking her blood."
"Sorry," Alec interfered, looking from one to another, "what does the blood of a magical being do?"
Clary looked at him with shuttered eyes. "First of all, blood magic is all about freedom and choice. That means that Valentine could ask of Jocelyn to do things for him and she would have had to because he compelled her blood."
"How?"
"By using magic. The magic in the blood of those already magical of origin will react to any external magic, that's why for people of Magnifia is easy to access the magic here, but more difficult in Idris where there's no magic." Magnus explained, Clary nodding along.
"Secondly, blood magic can cripple someone for life."
Alec frowned. "In what way?"
"In a parasite way." Clary said, the whisper of a sigh passing past her slightly open lips. "It can make the person who was used in a blood magic ritual to constantly need someone to control his or her emotions, actions."
"That's awful. Did your father know all this and still did it to your mother?" Alec couldn't help but to feel horrified by this revelation.
"I can't say for sure how much did Valentine know what blood magic can do, but the fact alone that he did was enough." She replied and there was a steely edge to her voice as if her father's actions still hurt her.
"I'm sorry, I'm being a jerk." Alec looked apologetically her way, not wanting to be cause of more pain in her life.
She shook her head lightly, the long and heavy looking hair moving just a bit. "It's alright. I know how it sounds and I know I'm not at fault. You can't choose parents."
Alec nodded understandingly. "The punishment shouldn't have applied to you." He said and there was a sudden fierce anger at the unfairness of this all. "You are innocent in all this!"
"Thank you." Clary smiled at him, carrying the emotion she had so tightly kept away while telling the truths she had learned in the last five years. "But this isn't my punishment, it's Jocelyn's."
"How did you stop Valentine?" Magnus couldn't help but ask, the mystery of Idris having always been a mystery to everyone, even to those in Magnifia.
"I told her." Clary closed her eyes momentarily. "The visions have been haunting my dreams for a week and then they started to come to me even during the day. She saw me when one took over me and I had to tell her. She confronted Valentine and before he could use the blood magic, she showed her powers. You can't chain a Greater God and Valentine didn't have enough blood magic either way. He had already used Jocelyn to steal the Whistle of Terror and a portal to Magnifia. The compulsion would have lasted a few minutes before she would have fought back."
Clary paused and she seemed to be lost in her memories of that time. "I don't know how it happened. I remember running from their room, running into Jace, telling him what was happening and I know there were other people there too…" She looked at Alec, her gaze faraway. He had been there too. "I think your father was there too. And before we could do anything, they came." She shuddered and put her arms around herself as if bracing against the icy feeling of her memories.
"It was his Whistle. He came for it and brought the fiery sky down on Idris. I was taken away from Jace's arms and I saw them all. All the Greater Gods standing in front of me and Jocelyn. I didn't know where Valentine was, but something told me that he wasn't in a good place. They demanded explanations, they accused and they punished. Despite being a Greater God herself, she didn't do anything. She had admitted to her shame, to her weakness. And she had agreed to my imprisonment."
"Maybe she did it to protect you." Magnus said kindly, understanding Clary's hurting self.
She looked at him with a tired expression. "Maybe. But that still doesn't change that she hadn't fought for her daughter's freedom. It was her mistake and I paid for it." She seemed to want to say more, but she turned to look behind her at something neither Magnus or Alec could see. "I need to leave." She said abruptly, standing up, the long dress tangling with her long hair.
"It's them?" Magnus asked as he and Alec stood up as well.
A faint smile appeared on Clary's lips. "Yeah. But I think it's one of the good ones." She replied and Alec wanted to ask who was one of the good ones when the walls of Glass City turned opaque, obscuring Clary from their sight.
"Is she going to be alright?" Alec asked, staring at the wall with a worried look on his face.
Magnus' arm came around his shoulders, pulling him closer. "She's a tough girl. She survived this long, she will survive more." Alec shivered at the thought of Clary being in there even more years. "Come, let's go home."
"Yeah… let's."
As soon as the door to their bedroom closed, Alec turned and hugged Magnus, holding onto him like he hadn't hold anyone before – like he was hanging on a thread. And he was, he truly was because his soul was scared, was broken because of a past which happened and had been erased. However he believed Magnus when he said that Max was alright, even if the images of his death kept clouding his mind.
Magnus held him back just as fiercely, understanding as always. They stood in quietness, just their soft breaths and their silent reassurances that together they could overcome everything. Alec had kept himself strong during his reunion with Clary, but now… now he could finally let go and be the emotional mess that he was right now.
He didn't even realize that he had been crying until felt his nose clog up and had to pull back to breathe properly. Magnus magicked a handkerchief and offered it to him, without a word. The prince took it and turned away as he went towards the bed, blowing his nose as gently as possible. Despite knowing he could trust Magnus to see him at his worst, he still felt embarrassed of crashing like this.
"Thank you." He finally broke the silence and soon enough, he felt the strong arms of Magnus surrounding his waist and pulling him in another warm and safe embrace.
"I'm here for you, Alexander, no matter what happens." Magnus spoke low and soothingly, his voice reassuring Alec.
"I know." A smile ghosted his lips before he sighed deeply. "Tell me about Max. How do you know he is alright?" He decided to ask but when Magnus took his time to reply, Alec turned in his hold to look at him properly. His cat eyes shone magically and for a moment there he was lost in their surreal light. "Magnus?"
"Come, let's sit down." The warlock invited him and both of them sat down on the bed, Alec having this weird sensation in his chest.
"Max is alright, no? You didn't…" Alec started as soon as his eyes locked with Magnus', his voice trailing off as if he didn't want to say out loud that Magnus had lied to him.
"He should be." Magnus said tentatively, but Alec's blanched expression made him grab his lover's hands. "I should know if something were to happen to him."
"What do you mean?" Alec asked with numb lips.
"I first learned of the seals when I was in Idris."
"You k-knew?!" The shock and betrayal were clear on Alec's face. He pulled away his hands from Magnus. "And you didn't tell me?" The accusation was sharp and straight to the point.
"I couldn't. It wasn't my secret to tell." Magnus curled his palms, feeling the emptiness that Alec left behind.
Alec looked at him in disbelief. "Then whose secret was it? Who told you and didn't allow you to share it with the one who abandoned everything to be with you?"
His words hurt, but Magnus accepted them. Alec was in pain and he was just learning that his lover had known about a part of his life which has been magically swept under the rug. "Your parents shared this story with me when I discussed with them about my courting to you."
"Great. It's great to know I was surrounded by people who claimed they loved me but had hidden away such a truth." Alec stood up and started pacing, his voice hitching a few times into sobs he tried to suppress. He should be able to control his emotions, but ever since he had witnessed Max's death, all he felt like doing was to break down and cry.
"Alexander." Magnus' voice held a plea in it, but Alec ignored it.
"So what did you do when you found out, besides the fact of not telling me?"
The warlock hid a pained sigh. "I…" He paused, realizing that there was no better way to put this. "I put a replacement in case your seal broke."
Alec turned to look at him with narrowed eyes. "In case?"
Magnus licked his lips, guilt appearing in his cat eyes. "Seals aren't meant to last long. Yours and your siblings' seal lasted because the three of you were together. Magic isn't always precise and it proved so in your case. However, you coming with me would have unbalanced the equilibrium you three created for the seals."
"So… you're saying that you knew my seal will break?" Alec asked, his voice trembling. "You took me away even if you knew this?" Magnus stood up and tried to approach him, but Alec took two steps back. "No, don't come closer."
"Alexander, let me explain, please."
Alec looked at him with a wounded expression. "You were selfish, Magnus."
The warlock closed his eyes at the hurt in the other one's words and at the one he felt in his heart as well. "I was, I admit that. But I couldn't tell you, Alec, I really couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because telling you would have been the same as breaking it."
Alec frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"How do you think Tessa broke the seal? It wasn't just magic, it was also you realizing what happened that time." Magnus sounded sad, his lips curved downwards. "Had I told you then it would have affected all three of you and Max would have suffered the most."
"Then why didn't you tell me after you set the replacement?" Alec asked looking like he wanted to believe Magnus, but in the same time he wanted to blame him for what he had learned. Should he have never met Magnus, then their whole family would have been fine without knowing this. He knew he was unfair and that not meeting Magnus would have sent him in a loveless marriage and the seals might've broken over time and no one would have been there to help them understand what was happening.
"Magic is a fickle thing, Alexander. And your seals are something rare." Magnus replied, deciding to approach Alec again. When his lover didn't move again, he almost breathed relieved. "Now I know why. They were forged by a Greater God."
Alec looked at him like a lost child. "I'm scared." He confessed and he simply collapsed in Magnus' embrace. "I remember helplessly watching Max flying to his death. I remember staying on the ground and watching my mother begging Camille to save her son, my baby brother." He continued, his voice muffled by Magnus' shirt, the warlock's arms holding him tightly. "I remember Izzy crying and trembling next to me. I was weak, Magnus."
"You were a child, Alec." He said, his voice carrying the understanding and a slight admonishing edge to it. "You can't blame yourself for what happened."
"I urged my siblings into a horse riding challenge."
"That is not your fault, Alec. You were children, all kids challenge one another." Magnus pushed Alec by the shoulders to be able to look him in the eyes. "What happened was not your fault, Alexander."
"I'm sorry." Alec's lower lip trembled just a little.
"What for?"
"For saying all those things earlier."
"I deserved them. I hid the truth."
Alec gulped. "Yeah, you did. But you also protected us even if we just met. It was not your duty and yet you did." He said, his blue eyes carrying all of his emotions. "And knowing you now, I'm aware that you would have helped even if I would have said no to your proposal."
This brought a smile to Magnus who leaned in and pressed a loving kiss on Alec's forehead. "I'm sorry too." He said and before Alec asked what for, he continued – "I wanted to tell you even when we got here, but I was afraid I'd lose you. Afraid that something might happen to you or your family." He paused and he looked at Alec with love and care. "Had I known that your seal will be broken this soon, I would have been there faster, I would have…"
"Delayed it?" Magnus nodded. "That would have not completed my trial."
"Your trial was to have this seal broken?" Magnus frowned, not understanding.
Alec smiled softly as he shook his head. "Not so directly, but I think that was the purpose. Tessa told me that my strength and spirit will be tested. I foolishly believed that she meant walking through Magnifia alone."
"Yeah, she does that." Magnus replied with a sour expression to which Alec reached out and touched Magnus' cheek in a comforting manner, drawing his whole attention on him. A few moments of silence passed before Magnus dared to ask – "Are we okay?"
Alec nodded, his eyes softening. "Unless there are more secrets…?" He arched an eyebrow to make his point.
Magnus laughed embarrassedly. "Not really. Lydia knows about the seals."
"How come?" Alec tried not to let his feelings of hurt get the best of him again.
"Remember that magic feeds on emotions?" Magnus asked and Alec nodded in understanding. "Max was starting to fall in love with her when I was there. This new feeling unbalanced him and had his seal react towards breaking. I felt the magic from the seal and I went in its search only to find Max having some sort of magical fit."
Alec stiffened. "He had…a what?"
"Magical fit. His newfound love and his seal did not merge calmly and he was struggling to accept. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this either, but…"
"It's alright. I understand." Alec nodded, even if he still felt the sting of betrayal. However, he was a logical man, he could understand that Magnus had tried to protect him. "And how did Lydia find out?"
"She saw us in the stables when I was tending to him. I had to explain what happened and I also had to tell her that this fit was caused by his feelings for her. She needed to know if she were to be his wife."
Alec nodded again, looking for a moment lost in thought. "Is she my replacement?" He asked afterwards, looking at Magnus curiously.
A smile appeared on the warlock's face. "Yeah, she is. Also, I gave them two magical rings which will help both of them to overcome such magical fits."
"Oh." Alec's lips parted in surprise. "You really thought about everything."
"Of course." Magnus took Alec's hand and pressed a kiss in his palm. "I love you and I wouldn't do something that would hurt you."
"What?" Alec looked at him dumbfounded, confusing Magnus.
"What? You thought I wanted to hu–"
"No, no," Alec interrupted him, putting a finger over his lips, "what did you say?"
Magnus' eyebrows shot up momentarily, surprise etched on his face before it melted in soft understanding. He took Alec's finger away and entwined both of their hands as he stared lovingly at the other one. "I didn't say it before, but…" He started and he removed the glamour on his magic, showing Alec the outline of pink-bluish magic. "I love you, Alexander."
The biggest and happiest smile appeared on Alec's face before he lowered his head, surprising Magnus again. "Are you alright?" The warlock asked, worry lacing his words.
"No," Alec spoke, stunning Magnus for a moment before he looked up, teary eyed, "but I love you too. I'm happy to have met you, Magnus, no matter what."
"Come here, you sap." Magnus pulled Alec in his arms and silenced him with a soft, loving kiss, both of them finally feeling like they have overcome a big step. There were still things to understand and come to terms with, but as long as they were together, there was nothing they couldn't figure out.
"Make love to me, Magnus." Alec surprised his lover who looked at him with an expression which spoke of many emotions, the very same ones that coursed through Alec. The magic surrounding them flared from pink to red with just a hint of blue hue. "Bring me home."
"My pleasure, my prince." The warlock said and claimed Alec's lips in another searing kiss.
Back in Idris, Lydia felt overwhelmed. Ever since this morning, Max had been moody and had kept rubbing at his chest, like something was bothering him. She had tried approaching him, but to no avail as he was more dismissive than usual.
Now he had been gone for the entire afternoon and she had been getting worried. After asking around about his whereabouts and finding nothing, she had decided to go searching for him, her instincts telling her that Max shouldn't be alone. And she couldn't help but think of Magnus' words regarding Max's magical condition.
After one hour of looking around, she had finally found him standing near the cliffs, the sight clutching at her chest and bells or warning rang in her head. She rushed her horse to reach him, fear tightened around her soul. When he didn't even move at the sound of her approach, the feeling of dread nearly made her jump out of her saddle in the middle of the horse's run. Instead she reigned the horse back, a small neigh leaving the animal's nozzle.
"Max!" She shouted his name as she got off the horse and hurried to his side.
The young man jolted out of his trance and turned to watch her approaching him. "Lydia? What are you doing here?" He asked, but before he could get an answer, he found himself being gripped by the arm and yanked away from the cliffs' edge.
"Don't you ever do this to me!" She then proceeded to hit him in the chest with her small fists.
He caught them before she could hit him some more. "What do you mean?" He asked, surprised by her reaction and by the tears brimming in her blue eyes.
"You weren't yourself this morning and you disappeared without a word." She calmed herself down just enough to accuse him, her lower lip trembling slightly. "You stood that close by the cliffs." She continued and that was when Max realized that she was actually shaking. "Don't scare me like that."
"You thought I was going to jump?" Max asked, his voice low and detached.
Lydia met his gaze fearfully, but defiantly. "Yes."
"Silly woman." Max smiled and pulled her in his arms, his hand brushing past her wavy and loose hair. Ever since he had told her he liked her hair loose, she had worn it like that. He had never asked her to do it, but her action had touched him and had made him love her even more. He had never imagined that he could feel this much for a woman, for someone outside of his family. But Lydia was his family now.
Her slender arms came around him and held him tightly, like she was afraid she will lose him. "I want to be there for you, no matter how you feel." She spoke, her voice muffled by his jacket.
"You are." Max reassured her, pressing a kiss on her hair.
"Today I wasn't." She reminded him, bringing a ghostly smile to his lips. She never left him off the hook.
"You want to know why I behaved differently?" He asked her and Lydia pulled just enough to be able to look at him.
"Only if you want to share with me." She said, always giving him the option to come to her, never forcing him to do something against his will. And for this, he loved her even more.
"I will share my life with you in three weeks. I will share my family with you." He leaned and pressed a kiss to her slightly parted lips. "I want to share this too." She nodded, Max enjoying the soft blush in her cheeks. Even after this time, she still blushed in front of him.
"Tell me." She invited him and Max felt like he was about to test their relationship, their love.
"Ever since this morning," He started, pausing just enough to gulp down the bitter bile he had felt ever since he had woken up, "I've been having these…visions, emotions." He continued, his grey eyes searching Lydia's blue eyes for any sign of disbelief. There were none, much to his relief; she looked at him eager to listen and to understand.
Max turned his gaze towards the cliffs. "It felt like I've died at some point in this life."
At her small gasp, he looked at her, the paleness of her face making him feel guilty for sharing such a somber thought. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't burden you with stupid stuff." He said, taking a hold of her hand and brushing his fingers over it in a soothing manner.
"No, Max. I want to hear it all." Lydia squeezed his hand in support. He admired this in her – despite an apparent frailty, she held a strong core, always there for him, she was his lighthouse.
"My chest kept hurting this entire day, I kept feeling this anger building up…I wanted to hurt someone." He paused and lowered his head, not facing her clear eyes. "I wanted to hurt you." He stayed quiet afterwards, head bowed in shame until her soft and small hands cupped his face and made him look at her.
"You would never hurt me. I believe that." Lydia smiled at him, full of faith and love and Max felt like a blessed man.
"What did I do to deserve you?" He whispered and like a thirsty man, he pulled her close, crushing their lips together in a passionate kiss.
Moments later, Lydia pushed him softly, but keeping close to him. "Do you trust me?" She asked him and Max didn't hesitate in nodding affirmatively. "Something has happened to you in the past." She revealed, shock registering on Max's face; she held him tightly to herself, not letting him go away. "I don't know what, but a magic seal has been put on you in order to keep your emotions stable." She continued, explaining the best as she could from what Magnus told her a while ago.
"How do you know this?" He asked, the vision from morning seeming more real with each passing moment.
"You had a magical fit when Magnus was here. He helped you heal and he told me."
"Magnus knew?" The hurt in his voice was clear and Lydia understood why – Max and Magnus might not have spent a lot of time together, but Max looked up to Magnus in a why he hadn't looked up to anyone in his life.
"Yes," she started and her voice held a plea, "but he couldn't tell you. Neither he could tell me, but the smallest details. I guess he sort of knew that one of these days you would feel like you felt today."
Max looked at her disbelief. "And you still chose me. Still stayed next to me knowing that I might go nuts one of these days." He grabbed her hands and a saddened expression appeared on his face. "Why?"
Lydia sighed. "Are you that dumb? After all this time, you're asking why?" Her words were outraged, but her voice was soft and disappointed. It hurt him more. "I love you, Max, no matter what has happened to you in the past. And I hope you love me too… enough to stay with me despite this."
And with that, she let go of him and pulled away from his hold, turning his back on him. She was hurt because of his words, because he was still an idiot for not seeing why or how much she loved him. She was half way to her horse when his strong arms came around her from behind, holding her tightly. A relieved sob escaped her lips.
"I'm sorry, I'm a jerk." Max whispered in her ear, his voice on the verge of breaking. "Don't leave me."
His words, no matter how desperate they sounded, brought a smile of happiness to her lips. "Never." She promised and leaned back in his embrace.
The pain in Max's chest eased and while the visions still worried him, he realized that it didn't matter anymore. Whatever had happened in the best, it was the present that mattered. The present and Lydia and the family they will have together.
Finally he could feel like he could breathe after an entire day of choking.