Magnus was finally fully aware of Alec's presence beside him, and he could definitely tell that Alec was more tense than he had been in a long time. Magnus took hold of Alec's hand, feeling as though if he didn't take hold of Alec in some form he would hit the floor any second. Alec, however, was looking back and forth between Magnus and Camille, and he was apparently at a loss for words as well.

No one seemed to want to break the silence, but Ragnor was the first to be brave enough to do so. "Magnus, Alec, I was going to tell you that, too. She just wasn't patient enough."

Magnus spread out his hands, an indication that Ragnor should continue talking. "She went to Catarina the same night I did; she wanted asylum, too. She told us that if Catarina didn't help her as well, that she would get a message to Asmodeus about what I had done, and then she would tell him to start by killing Alec. I couldn't let that happen, and you know Catarina couldn't either, so here she is."

To Magnus's surprise, Alec stepped forward and began speaking, his voice so cold and hard that Magnus was almost scared of him as well. "And you didn't think to just come to Magnus? After what she did to us, after everything she put us through, you thought it would be better to just lie to Magnus about her death as well?"

Alec turned back to Magnus then, and Magnus could see the pain and terror mixed in his eyes. "I was wrong, Magnus. I now wish I had never met him at all." At that, Alec began to walk off, and Magnus grabbed for his hand before he could do so.

Pulling his husband close, he looked Alec in the eye and began practically pleading to him. "Alexander, please stay. I know that you're hurt and scared, I am too. But I need you right now more than I've ever needed you."

Biting his lip, Magnus waited for Alec to yank free and continue to storm his way out of the room. But, as always, Alec surprised him, and Magnus could feel Alec's hand loosen in his grip. He knew that Alec wanted to leave more than anything in the world, but he could see it in his husband's eyes that his love for Magnus was keeping him glued to where he stood.

Turning back to the situation at hand, Magnus faced Camille this time. He had been so guiltily relieved when he had thought that he would never have to face her again, but now that his worst nightmare was coming true, he could hardly catch his breath. "Why on Earth did you need protection that badly?" was all he could find the courage to say to her.

"You're not that dense, Magnus, darling. I ne-" Magnus reveled in the look of surprise that clothed her face as Alec cut her off.

"No. Absolutely not. Hell no. He is not your 'darling' anymore. You never loved him, so do not come in here and pretend like you do. The only person whose 'darling' he is, is mine." Magnus had to physically restrain himself from laughing out loud at what Alec had just said. He doubted anyone had ever talked to Camille that way, not anyone who had survived for any length of time that was.

While Camille seemed to take the time to gather herself, Magnus smiled to himself at the thought that Alec would have never said anything of the likes just years ago. But now, Alec was finally so confident and proud of who he was and who he loved that he was not afraid to tell people exactly that.

"Oh excuse me," Camille finally responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize he needed a shirt that says, 'Magnus Bane: property of Alec Lightwood.'"

Alec threw a smile back at her, a cold dark smile full of malice. "He doesn't. He needs a shirt that says, "Magnus Lightwood: property of Alec Lightwood.'"

At that, Magnus did chuckle ever so slightly, and Camille shot him daggers. She seemed to think better of continuing to argue with Alec and decided to change the topic back to the matter at hand. "As I was saying, I needed protection because everyone wanted me dead at the time. The Shadowhunters wanted me dead for crimes against their Law, the vampires wanted me dead for bringing the wrath of the Shadowhunters down on them, and so on. I couldn't risk it any longer, and seeing that Ragnor wanted the same thing, I took the opportunity while I could."

Everyone jumped when Alec snorted. "You mean you took the opportunity to make Magnus's life a living hell? You took the opportunity to manipulate and terrify people into doing what would benefit you the most. I've never seen Downworlders as monsters, not until I met you."

Magnus could tell that Alec was about to become far too worked up, so he wrapped and arm around Alec's shoulder. Then he announced, "We are leaving. Ragnor, you are welcome to come with us so that we can talk through this some more, but if not, I will see you soon."

Before Ragnor could respond, he turned Alec around and marched him out of the door.

When they got home, Magnus sat Alec down on the couch and proceeded to find a blanket for the two of them. He then wrapped Alec up with him and proceeded to hold his husband as tightly as he could. He could tell that Alec was holding back tears, so he simply silently played with Alec's hair as he always did when either of them were upset.

After a very long time of the two of them sitting in silence, Alec finally looked up at Magnus with tears in his eyes. "Magnus?" He tried to begin speaking, his voice so soft that he could barely be heard. Magnus reached up to wipe away a tear that had begun falling down his face. "What is it, darling?" was all he was able to ask for fear of breaking down himself.

"Promise me something, please?" His voice was so full of sorrow and terror that it caused Magnus pain to hear it. When Magnus simply nodded, Alec began again. "Promise me that no matter what happens, no matter what Camille tries to do, please promise me that we won't let her break us apart again. Promise me, Magnus, please. Please." The pain in his voice was so clear that Magnus could hardly bear it.

"Alexander, my love, I swear to you that I will never let her hurt us again." He reached up once more and ran his thumb across Alec's cheek. "I promise you with everything that I have, everything that I am that she is not going to separate us." He paused a moment, thinking about something, then amended what he had just said. "No, Alexander, I don't promise that. What I promise you is that I will not let anyone or anything separate us ever again. No matter what happens. It's just like you said, I am a Lightwood, and no one is ever going to take that away from me. Especially not Camille."

When he was done with his speech, Magnus couldn't stand it anymore, and he finally leaned down to kiss Alec. The kiss was long and slow, and it was so full of love and passion that it took Magnus's breath away. That was the thing about his love for Alec, it always caught him by surprise, it always left him speechless, and, no matter what, it always left him wanting more.