I forgot to say this in last week's chapter, but this fic was actually inspired by rhosyn_du's "A Wonderful Institution". It's an awesome arranged-marriage malec fic, and anyone who hasn't read it yet really should. I remember reading it and getting all this feels and when I was about three or four chapters in a thought popped into my head: what if Alec and Magnus knew each other before the arranged marriage? What if they were in a relationship before then? This fic was born right then and there.

A lot happens in this chapter and it might even seem a bit choppy it's just... I didn't have the inspiration to expand on some things even though I'd have liked to. Also, a part of me really wanted to get to... certain things that happened in the next chapter (no, I'm not saying what, I'm not spoiling my own fic!) so, like I said, a lot happens in this chapter. I hope you'll like it!


The Engagement

Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane met one late winter night. It was late enough to almost be considered early, patrol was over and his siblings were taking advantage of that to go have some 'fun'. They invited him to tag along but Alec just wasn't interested. It had nothing to do with the downworlders that frequented such places either, clubs and bars just weren't his scene. Still, he didn't want to get Jace and Izzy in trouble either, so he was taking the 'long way' back to the Institute. That was how he ended in that Brooklyn back-alley at just the right time to see a man in an emerald-green tunic like shirt opened to reveal a considerable amount of glittery bronze skin, dark skin-tight pants barely visible in between the shirt and knee-high black-leather boots; his hair seemed to be shaved on the sides and spiky on top, the tips the same shade of green as his tunic, he was also wearing glittery makeup. Alec was sure he'd never seen such a gorgeous man in his whole life… That thought though was pushed aside when he realized the man was fighting what looked like a veritable hoard of demons. Lesser demons, but still, way too many for any single individual to be expected to handle them on their own. The nephilim barely gave himself a moment to think it over before he was pulling out the first arrow and shooting it at the insect-like demon crawling the brick-wall behind the man and posed to attack him from his blind-spot. The fighter wasn't being as careful as he probably should have been; though Alec saw why just a moment later, as movement from a corner revealed there was a small form (a child!) half hidden behind the dumpster. The other man was so focused on protecting the child he wasn't watching his own back!

Magnus first noticed he wasn't alone anymore when he sensed more than saw the bolt passing just above his left shoulder to hit behind him (he also didn't realize a demon had been so close to him until then… though he preferred not to think about that part). He said nothing when two more arrows hit a demon approaching from one side, instead turning his attention to the two still in front of him, trusting that whoever his unexpected assistance was, knew what they were doing.

It was until almost the end of the fight that Alec realized the gorgeous man wasn't one of his own people, but a warlock (to be fair, until then he'd been fully focused on the fight, keeping his eyes on the demons, rather than on the man, and thus didn't see the blue sparks of the magic until the warlock used it to dispatch one of the last remaining demons). Alec wasn't sure what to do about that. It wasn't that he regretted helping the man, not at all. And he truly believed he'd still have interfered even if he'd known from the beginning the truth about him. Still, he'd never found himself in such a situation before and wasn't quite sure what to do.

Magnus too was more than a little surprised when he turned to see his 'knight in not-so-shiny leathers' and found a shadowhunter staring at him. He had known it wasn't a warlock, of course, he would have felt their magic if it had been. And while in retrospective it should be obvious that, had it been a werewolf or a vampire they would have fought the demons very differently, and certainly not with a weapon as… particular as a bow and arrow, it still had never crossed his mind that a shadowhunter of all people might have stopped to aid him.

The child crawling out from his hiding spot pulled both men out of their stupor as they turned their attention to him.

"Elias, are you alright?" The warlock asked softly.

"Yes Mr. Bane." The child (a warlock child!) answered promptly before turning his attention to Alec, curiosity the prevalent emotion in his expression.

Alec's runes hadn't yet burned out, which was probably what allowed him to sense the threat before either warlock did. There was still one demon alive, a scorpion-like monster, and it was moving straight for the warlock child (revealing that he, and not the older warlock, was their target from the very beginning, and Alec could only wonder who would ever send such monsters after a child? And why?!). Alec was moving before he was fully aware of the fact. The demon was too close for an arrow to be effective, so instead he pulled the seraph blade from the sheathe on his thigh and used that. He managed to hit the demon right in the middle of its ugly face, killing it. He had a fraction of a second to feel satisfaction at his victory before the pain hit him, and he turned his face just slightly to see the stinger buried in his right shoulder, just above his clavicle. It wasn't exactly a surprise, really. His move hadn't been meant only to kill the demon; had that been it it would have been much safer for him to come at it from behind, keeping away from the stinger. But then that would have meant leaving the child unprotected, vulnerable… Alec couldn't do that. So he chose to do both.

"Shadowhunter!" The older warlock (Bane, the child called him Mr. Bane) cried out in obvious surprise as he rushed towards Alec.

"A...Alec…" The teenager muttered, even as his knees folded beneath him ad he collapsed. "My name… i… is Alec…"

The last thing he was aware of was a rush of light blue sparks before the terrible pain made him black out entirely.

In the morning Alec woke up in a room that was decidedly not his own, where he found he was wearing nothing but his boxer-briefs (at least those were still his own!). A quick examination of the room revealed his jacket and jeans folded on a bench at the foot of the bed, with his combat boots under it, both had been clearly cleaned, with no ichor or blood anywhere to be seen, the jacket even appeared to have been mended somehow. He also noticed his sweatshirt was nowhere to be seen. Thinking about why that might be brought forth memories of the night before, the battle, the warlocks, the demons, being injured… it seemed that while his jacket could be salvaged, his shirt not so much.

In the end he decided to borrow a sweater from the closet. He'd no idea who it even belonged to but he supposed it didn't matter. He would be returning it as soon as he could. If it weren't so cold outside, and if he weren't still somewhat tired (while he had been healed, and clearly slept for at least a few hours, he was still recovering from what had obviously been a bad wound), he probably wouldn't have bothered.

Upon stepping outside of the room he realized the place was empty; or, on second thought after seeing the barely lightening sky, it was early enough that everyone else was probably asleep. And while he hated the thought of just taking off without at least thanking the warlock who'd helped him the night before, he needed to get back to the Institute before the wrong people noticed he spent the whole night out. So with that in mind he wrote a note expressing thanks, explaining about the sweater and promising to return it soon before taking off.

Once back in the Institute he hurried to shower and get dressed, making it to the mess-hall just in time to pick an apple and munch on it before moving on. He had almost managed to convince himself that no one realized how late he'd been out, when he came across his sister, and those hopes died a quick death:

"Had fun, big bro?" She asked in a very provocative tone.

He didn't answer her, it wasn't like she'd believe him if he were to tell her the truth anyway. And in the end, it was easier to have her believe that he was 'finally learning to have some fun', which is what she told Jace later on. It's also how he managed to keep slipping away from the Institute and visit Magnus, more and more often as time went by. There were rumors about what he was doing, where he was going exactly, but no one ever outright asked.

Alec first went back to Magnus's apartment three days later (the first free day he had), intending to return the sweater he'd borrowed. Somehow he not only didn't return it (Magnus insisted he keep it), but once he'd thanked the warlock, and he did the same (for the aid against the demons), the older male offered him a drink, which turned into two, and then three.

Alec would never be sure how it happened, exactly. How he and Magnus went from accidental-comrades-in-arms, to friends to… more. It was just something that happened. The shift so easy, so swift he didn't stop to think about it, didn't have to. It all just felt so completely natural… Being with Magnus, spending time with him, loving him… it was all just as easy as breathing. In fact, he didn't actually realize that what they were doing was dating until they'd been at it for a while already! Which was actually what prompted their first fight. Magnus could hardly believe Alec had never been in a relationship before, though that at least might explain why he never noticed he was in one…

It wasn't easy. Not just because of how different the two of them were: mortal and immortal, shadowhunter and downworlder, nephilim and warlock… it wasn't even the fact that the two of them were males and how much the Clave would never accept him, never accept them. Or the fact that they had to keep their relationship a secret (mostly for Alec's benefit). Alec knew from the very beginning, from their very first kiss, that their relationship had no future, the possibility of them making it work long-term was so small as to be irrelevant. He would like to say he considered giving it all up, and if it had just been him and Magnus, he probably would have. As much as Alec might care for his parents, he knew his regard wasn't returned, Maryse and Robert cared more about their status, rank, their political aspiration, about what their children could give them in those areas, than about the children themselves. So yes, had it just been them Alec would have walked away, no need to think it twice… but it wasn't just about them. There was Izzy, and Jace, and Max… and while neither of them might love Alec as much as he loved them, Alec knew they did care about him, and he would never leave them.

Alec always knew one day he'd lose Magnus. Whether that loss came from the gorgeous warlock finally growing tired of being kept a secret, grew tired of being invested in a relationship that would never go anywhere (it wasn't fair to him, Alec knew, and he tried to explain it to Magnus, time and again, the warlock would reassure him that it was alright, that he didn't mind… Alec knew that wouldn't work long term), or his own need to fulfill some duty or another to his family, the Institute, or the Clave made it necessary for Alec himself to break it off, it would change not that it would all end one day. Which is why, when the announcement of the arranged marriage came he wasn't really that surprised. Sad? Very much so, more than anyone could ever comprehend, but not surprised. What definitely surprised him (shocked him, actually) was coming face to face with his would-be intended and finding none other than Magnus Bane!

xXx

Alec barely manages to keep his composure throughout the whole formal dinner. More than once he finds himself just staring at his boy… his intended (he still cannot wrap his head around that), longer than is entirely appropriate. He knows because his parabatai goes as far as kicking him once to call his attention to a Clave member who's apparently been talking to him for a while, and Izzy will smirk at him whenever he turns in her direction. Of course, they think he's going all nuts because his future husband is gorgeous (and male!), they've no idea it has nothing to do with that (though there's no denying either of those things); then again, no one knows that the two of them have been dating for months now…

He's not the only one shocked by the developments. It's easy to differentiate between those who were part of the meeting where his mother announced her choice for her son's arranged marriage, versus those who only found out that night, because of how shocked and horrified they are by the revelation. His father isn't even there tonight! Supposedly because he's busy back in Idris, but truly his absence says a lot as far as Alec's concerned. He himself can barely believe it, even more than 2 hours after the formal introduction. It's… so many things that keep running through his mind: the fact that his mother knows he's gay (she has to know, if she chose a male warlock of all individuals to be his intended!); that the Clave has agreed not just to sanction a marriage between a shadowhunter and a downworlder, but between two males; that it's Magnus… his Magnus who's sitting there, across from him, who will be marrying him. He just said good bye to him three days ago and now…

Eventually the formal dinner comes to an end, thankfully. Not-so-thankfully, Izzy's waiting for him inside his bedroom by the time he makes it there.

"So… your future hubby's pretty handsome, huh?" She says, wiggling her eyebrows in a very ridiculous manner.

"I don't want to talk about this Iz," He mutters.

"You know you can talk to me, right Alec?" She asks, abruptly serious.

"I know." He nods. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Just tell me one thing," She requests. "Do you think you can be happy, married to him?"

"I…" Alec cannot even think of how to explain, but in the end decides he probably doesn't need to, sometimes the simple answers are the best. "Yes."

"Then that's all that matters." It's clear that she wants to know more, but in the end she's kind enough not to press him for answers she must realize she just isn't ready to give.

"I'm going for a walk." He announces, making an abrupt decision.

He doesn't even change his clothes, just pulls a black-leather jacket (a gift from Magnus) out of his closet, puts it on and walks back out of the room. He manages to avoid everyone and in no time at all he's turning a corner a block down from the Institute, where a portal appears almost as soon as he steps into the darkened alley. His boyfriend knows him very well indeed. He doesn't slow his walk any, stepping right through the portal without hesitation, and coming out on the other side straight into the middle of Magnus's flat.

It takes him no time at all to find his warlock. Standing by the balcony doors, half under the silvery light of the rising moon, half in the shadows of the darkened apartment.

"Hey…" The older male calls, quietly. "I know we didn't talk things out beforehand. That I didn't warn you a…"

Whatever it is he's trying to say is not entirely clear to Alec, though he doesn't pay that much attention anyway. His is a one-track mind, and in that moment all the shadowhunter can think about is how much he wants to kiss his boyfriend… He stalks across the room and in moments has his entire body pressed against his gorgeous warlock, hands on his neck, and they're sharing a kiss intense enough to leave them both completely breathless. It's until oxygen becomes a serious issue that Alec pulls back, though barely, pressing his forehead against his beloved's.

"Angel I've been wanting to do that all night…" He exhales, chuckling quietly.

"A… Alexander…?"

The questioning tone in his beloved's voice finally pulls the nephilim's attention out of his bubble and he starts noticing things he missed before: like the fact that, just like Alec himself, Magnus is still in the same clothes from the dinner, though more important than that is the expression on his face: shadowed, hesitant… And then there's the darkness in the flat as a whole, like his beloved couldn't he bothered to turn on the lights. Why? How long has he been just standing there in the darkness? And why?

"Magnus?" Alec asks, abruptly worried. "What's wrong? Is it…" He cannot help himself as his mind jumps to the worst possibility he can think of. "Is it the engagement? Are… do you regret it? I'm aware we didn't exactly talk about this and… I don't even know if marriage is something you've ever been interested in."

"I've never been interested in marriage." Magnus murmurs.

Alec inhales sharply, blanching, but before he can start asking questions or anything else, the warlock places a single finger on his lips.

"You know I've been in relationships before Alexander." He does his best to explain. "Yet I've never been married. No one ever seemed to be interested in marrying me…" not even when he might have been interested himself, he doesn't say. "And then you came into my life. I have to admit, an arranged marriage isn't exactly what I had in mind…"

"You have to know…" Alec speaks up, despite the finger, and his beloved's expression, but he cannot let him get the wrong impression. "You must know, I do want to marry you. I… I would have asked, if I'd had any inkling… if I had believed I could give you the kind of wedding you're worthy of before this whole mess."

It might seem a bit insane, but he's known Magnus is the one, practically from their second date. Has known that if there were a man he'd ever think of marrying, it would be him. Yet he said nothing, didn't dare to when he knew that whatever he were to offer his beloved, wouldn't be what he deserved. Yet now, now amidst all this mess, with the Clave's sudden, confusing desire for new accords and an arranged marriage, now he can offer his beloved the kind of wedding he deserves: in blue and gold…

"Oh Alexander…" Magnus breathes out.

And then he's the one stealing Alec's breath in a kiss.

xXx

In the morning the couple share an early breakfast. Alec's already fully dressed but for the jacket hanging on the back of the kitchen-stool he's sitting on, while Magnus is wearing nothing but a pair of (indecently small) boxer-briefs and a dressing robe, both made of silk and in shades of gold that look sinful against the smooth dark skin of the warlock. It's almost enough to make Alec forget all about why exactly he needs to get back to the Institute before anyone realizes he spent the night out, again… The last thing he needs is rumors going wild with the wedding happening in less than four days. Which reminds him…

"I know that officially I'll be proposing to you later today," He tells Magnus. "But there's something I'd like to give you now…"

They talked about everything the night before, after a very intense round of lovemaking they just laid in bed, entwined in each other, and talked. About the day Alec found out about the Clave's plans, his reasons for agreeing to the arranged marriage; Magnus explained how, after that phone call he went straight to Tessa, who explained their own side of things. Being the daughter of a Prince of Hell (Belial, in her case) she was on the short list of possible candidates for the marriage, and while it wouldn't have been her preference (she was already very much in love with someone, and while circumstances made it impossible for them to be together at present, they didn't lose hope that they might have a chance, someday) she'd have made the sacrifice, if there had been no one else. And how Magnus then told her what he knew, before throwing his hat in the ring. Truth is, they're both delighted to be where they are right now. It might not have happened exactly how they'd have wanted it, but that doesn't make them any less happy that they will be married soon. Truth be told, Alec isn't quite sure they'd have had a chance to marry at all in any other circumstances.

Twisting a bit the nephilim slips his hand inside the left inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small translucent cloth-bag, neatly tied closed. He presses it to his chest briefly, before extending a hand across the counter and offering it to his beloved.

"With this gift I offer you my heart, may it serve as token of my love for you," Alec whispers formally and full of feeling.

Magnus actually hesitates, just for a fraction of a second, shocked by the very formal words.

"I take this gift, and promise to guard it with the same devotion I will your heart, which is precious to me beyond measure." He formulates an answer as best he can.

Eager and more than a little excited Magnus opens the bag, letting the contents of the bag slip onto his open palm. It's a bracelet. A beautiful bracelet made of small, smooth round gemstones and crystals of a variety of colors and shades. However, what draws and keeps the warlock's attention is the power nestled in each and every single stone…

"Alexander…" He gasps, awed by what he's holding.

He can feel it, the power, the dedication, the devotion, the sheer love that went into each piece of that bracelet and cannot help but compare it with the most powerful warlock amulets he's ever held. Only it's more, because the bracelet in his hand wasn't made as part of some business transaction; its creation was a labor of love, the absolute, irrevocable, love of an angel…

"It's beautiful sayang, thank you." Magnus murmurs, slipping the bracelet on immediately. "I'll be honored to wear it."

Alec cannot help the mix of joy and pride at the knowledge that his beloved liked his engagement gift. His warlock has nothing to give him, but that's fine, he's already given Alec so much. Like the leather jacket… The shadowhunter's not stupid, he knows there are enough protective spells woven into the garment for it to double as armor. There's a reason why Alec's made a habit of wearing it as often as possible. Most people who know him think it's just like his insistence of keeping old sweaters and pants, even when they start getting holes and become a little threadbare and he's chosen not to comment (though it has nothing to do with that, those old clothes he keeps because they're exceptionally soft, and he likes that. It's one of the few small luxuries he allows himself, his preference for clothes that feel soft against his skin). Also, he's no doubt his beloved will take any and every excuse to give him more gifts. It used to bother him, made him feel like he couldn't reciprocate; with time he's come to learn it's just how Magnus is. Money means next to nothing to him (except how it allows him to get everything he might want), and he loves getting things for those he cares about, a list that includes Alec.

xXx

The official proposal goes as expected… mostly. Representatives from the Clave and the different downworld-factions, along with as many shadowhunters of the NYI as can manage it, gather in the biggest room in the Institute (the same where, in a few more days, the wedding will be celebrated). There Maryse purposefully takes the Lightwood ring off her finger before handing it to Alec. It's the ring that the wife… spouse, of the Lightwood first-born is supposed to wear. In different circumstances, when Alec found the one he wanted to marry he'd have gone to his mother to request the ring for his future bride. It wouldn't necessarily have been so obvious, her taking it off before witnesses. That was done solely so everyone would know it was the right ring that was being handed over (Alec's quite certain that if it weren't for the importance to the future, to a hopeful equality between nephilim and the downworld, Magnus would have preferred pretty much any ring other than that one).

The part where it doesn't go fully as expected is when, after Alec slips the ring on Magnus's finger (the only ring on his left hand, for the time being… as the warlock intentionally kept his hand free, so as to call even more attention to the Lightwood ring), the warlock then proceeds to wave his hand, a black-leather armband appearing in his own hand, it has a stylized MB inlaid in silver and several tiny blue star sapphires surrounding it. Alec doesn't hesitate as he offers his arm for Magnus to place the armband on.

Maryse makes an aborted gesture to stop them, until Tessa bends slightly closer to whisper in her ear that Magnus's actions are a good thing. As by responding with a gift of his own he's showing he sees Alec as an equal partner and respects him. It's actually not a lie, what Maryse doesn't know is that most warlocks aren't actually focusing on the Lightwood ring as the gift Magnus is responding to, their attention riveted instead on the bracelet Magnus himself is wearing. They can all feel the power in it, and the way it connects to the hazel-eyed nephilim; so while most of them might not know about the true feelings the two men harbor for each other, they can tell that whatever might be going on officially, it's more than just politics to them.

The official revision of the Accords is pretty boring for the most part. It's not that they're bad, they're pretty good actually, the thing is, Alec can see in the eyes of most of the downworlders that they don't truly believe that the shadowhunters will do as they claim. One of the few good parts of the meeting, in Alec's opinion, is that he can be as outspoken as he wants about the Downworld and equality, and no one sees anything suspicious about it. His stance on such things is nothing new, he's been fighting for such things for months now.

The real issue is that, while the Downworld might be slowly but surely learning to trust Alec, and those that follow him, most don't trust the elder Lightwoods, or the Clave as a whole for that matter. As far as they're concerned the Accords are little more than words on paper, and until they see actions proving what the shadowhunters are promising, they won't believe them. Also, they're all quite aware that while Alec might be marrying one of their own in three days, he's not the Head of the New York Institute, not yet. Promises of a nebulous 'better future' aren't enough for them. They want more, they deserve it, though even Alec doesn't quite know how to give it to them, not yet.

Alec's somewhat petulant about saying goodbye to his boyfriend… his fiancé, when the official revision of the accords ends. He'd love nothing more than to follow him home, to the loft, but he knows he cannot. It'd be suspicious, him vanishing for the second night in a row. Also, he knows Magnus is having a meeting with the Downworld, to discuss about what's been going on, all the things none of them dare say when surrounded by shadowhunters; it'd have therefore been counterproductive for him to be there as, while Magnus's closest friends knew he was dating someone, only Tessa actually knows about Alec (Magnus explained to him he chose to confide in her, believing her to be the only one who'd understand him… them. The whole 'a warlock and a shadowhunter loving each other').

He knows he needs to show at least some interest in the wedding preparations, if only so someone won't start a rumor about his disinterest and all the possible reasons for it. As his sister is very much involved in those preparations that gives him the chance to reassure her that he is, in fact, okay with marrying Magnus. It almost feels like he's lying, not because he's not alright with it, but because putting it like that makes it sound like he just doesn't mind, like being married to the love of his life is something he's putting up with, when in fact it's his greatest dream come true, more than that, it's the kind of thing he'd have never dare dream of. It's perfect! Alec makes a promise to himself right then and there, that he'll find a way to tell the truth at least to those closest to him at some point. They deserve it.

It's on the day before the wedding that things take a turn in the worst possible direction. He and his siblings spent most of the afternoon hunting demons together, their version of a bachelor's party. Jace actually tried to convince Alec to accompany them to a club for a more traditional one, but he turned him down. After three days of wedding preparations and an afternoon running around NY fighting demons Alec's ready for a long shower and some sleep.

The last thing he expects, is to end up overhearing something as he walks by the Head's office on the way to his room (taking a back-route to avoid any more 'well-wishers'):

"Are you sure this will give us what we want?"

"It better will. We're giving them everything they've ever wanted."

Alec has no idea who the first voice belongs to, the accent isn't one he's familiar with, the second though he recognizes instantly as his mother.

"I still cannot believe it. That your son would agree to this."

"My son knows his duty."

"And does he know about…"

"No! He doesn't need to know."

"Maryse Lightwood!" A third speaker, one Alec actually recognizes as the Inquisitor: Imogen Herondale, speaks up right then. "You know how important this is. We need to make sure young Alexander will do his part to ensure the downworlders act as is expected of them when the time comes. He needs to be aware of the duty he'll have to us, married to that warlock…"

Alec's abruptly furious. It's not like he didn't know that not everyone likes Downworlders. That even with everything they're doing some would always see them as less. But this… they're actually trying to manipulate them! Trying to use Alec… to manipulate Magnus into doing what they want! He won't allow that! Alec will die before he allows anyone, even his own mother, to use him against Magnus and his people!

His fury is such Alec doesn't even realize what he's doing until he's standing inside the office, door slammed open and three women staring at him in obvious surprise (he vaguely notices that Jia Penhallow, the new Consul, is the one he couldn't identify before).

"Alexander!" Maryse snaps. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What exactly is it you think I don't need to know?" He demands.

"Young man…" Imogen begins.

"I deserve to know." Alec interrupts her.

Imogen looks honestly shocked that Alec would dare interrupt her. Jia just looks at Maryse with an expression that clearly says: 'told-you-so', but Alec doesn't pay attention to either of them. All his focus on his mother.

"It doesn't matter." Maryse says diplomatically. "It's not important at this time."

"Isn't it?" Alec challenges. "Or is it that you're afraid I won't agree with you?"

"Alexan…" Maryse begins, affronted by his words.

"Enough." Alec states, voice quiet yet full of power, of authority. "You've made plans that involve me, and the man I am to marry in less than twenty-four hours. You expect to use me, to use us both for your own plans. Seeing how you need me to put those plans into effect I believe I deserve to know what they are about." When two of the women try to interrupt him he speaks over them. "You've made promises to the Downworld. Promises of justice, of peace, of equality. You making plans behind close doors to manipulate them does not, in any way, follow in the spirit of the Accords we're supposed to be signing, once again, in less than twenty-four hours. So you will tell me right now what it is you're planning, and why you believe subterfuge is the best way to go about things. And the reasons better be good."

"Or what?" Imogen challenges, clearly done with Alec's attitude.

He too is more than done with her, with all three of them. Even if Jia didn't say anything particularly incriminating in his hearing, she's still part of the conversation, and didn't seem to disagree with their plans exactly, only with his ignorance of them.

It's clear the Inquisitor's trying to call Alec's bluff, believing he's not serious. That he won't do anything to ruin their plans. That he won't dare… She clearly doesn't know him at all…

"Or I'm calling off the wedding."

It might end up breaking his heart, but to protect his beloved he'll do anything. Anything…


So, what do you think? Like I said, I know it could have been longer, that I could have gone more into detail of certain things, but I just didn't have the inspiration for it. (If anyone does, feel free to write it, post it, just let me know so I can go read it!).

So... a bit cliff. How many people wanna kill me right now? Just remember, if I'm dead I cannot post the next chapter.

Anyone would like to guess what's coming in the finale? If anyone does and gets it right I promise a piece of fanart as a prize. If several people try it'll go for the one who gets more ideas right, or closest to what actually happens.

See ya next week!