All that I am

"So, are you all packed and ready for the move?" Jace asked in a low voice that still managed to sound casual. Without looking back and with cautious steps, he crept along the side of the cargo container, his back against its side, an unlit seraph blade in hand. The metal wall was still warm despite the summer sun having set hours ago.

"Almost," Magnus replied, a step behind him, his back also against the steel wall, his hands in a defensive position in front of him, ready to call on his magic as soon as needed. Like Jace, he kept scanning the scene, looking forward, backwards and up, hoping to avoid a surprise attack.

Powerful lights normally illuminated the docks at night – an attempt by the port authority to deter burglars - but someone or something had disabled them days ago, and no one could figure out who or how to fix them. As a result, all Magnus and Jace could see under the moonless sky were the faint lines of the tall metal walls made up of cargo containers, stacked one on top of another, in piles of two or three, and arranged in such a way as to form an almost impenetrable maze.

A few minutes ago, Jace had activated his night vision rune. Magnus had also cast a clear sight spell upon himself, even though he saw better than most people. Yet despite spell and rune, they were still having issues seeing beyond a few meters, the result, Magnus suspected, of some demonic power at work.

"You are moving in a couple of days and you know Alec does not like leaving things to the last minute," Jace said stopping at a crossroad and carefully peering around the corner.

"Darling," Magnus nonchalantly replied, "do you forget that I am magical? I can pack with the wave of a hand." He swiftly shifted his gaze upward, alerted by what he thought was a shadow moving on the roof of a container at the other side of the passageway. "You and Clary will find the place empty and clean when you move in," he added once he had confirmed that there was nothing there but eerie darkness.

"I assume you are taking that monstrous telescope you installed on the roof," Jace retorted as he carefully made his way around the corner, Magnus a step behind. "When did you develop a passion for astrology, Magnus?"

"Astronomy, Jace, not the same thing," Magnus teased him. "Of course, we are taking it. We already have a place for it in the new house. I am telling you; the apartment will be ready." Neither of them dared speak of the prophesy that had prompted Magnus and Alec to start watching the night sky. Like the events of the night Magnus almost died, the angel's prediction remained a secret that only their closest friends knew.

"By the way," Jace said, his tone momentarily serious, "thank you again for letting me and Clary have your apartment. The Institute is hardly a suitable place for newlyweds."

"Tell me about it," Magnus commented. "Do you forget that I lived there for a few weeks? No privacy or silence in that place."

"As I recall, Alec and you were partly responsible for the noise." Jace's tone was mocking once again.

If Magnus had a retort, he did not have a chance to use it, for at that moment his keened nose caught a whiff of what could only be described as a mixture of Sulphur, burnt hair and rooting flesh. "We are getting close," he said as he followed Jace around another bent in the makeshift maze.

They stopped a few meters into the next corridor, the stench becoming stronger the nearer they got to their target. "We are close," Jace confirmed, "whatever species of demon these are, they stink to high hell." He hid his nose in the crook of his elbow to protect his nostrils from the offending odor and made to continue. But Magnus stopped him by grabbing him by the arm and pulling him down to a crouching position.

"Wait," he said. "Alexander and the rest of the team are still some ways off, searching at the other end of the docks. We will need everyone if we are going to catch them all. If my assessment is correct, we have more than one demon on our hands."

The summer in New York had been unusually warm, sunny and dry, the perfect weather for New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors, sit in cafes and patios, and spend nights out on the town. As they strolled along the paths in Central Park and enjoyed evenings sitting out on the terrace, having cocktails and kissing under the stars, Magnus and Alec had commented that the city was regaling them with a perfect last summer before they moved. Indeed, thought Magnus as he crouched beside Jace and kept his eyes peeled for any sign of danger, this summer had been a perfect ending to his decades-long residency in the city. Perfect, had it not been for the unusually large number of mundanes who had gone missing and shown up dead and in pieces in the last few weeks.

Not surprisingly, the mundanes were terrified. Soon after the first set of remains were found, the news had begun to report that a serial killer was at work in New York, and by the time the fifth and sixth victims went missing, reporters were already speculating that another Rifkin or Son of Sam were on the loose. The streets at night had become suddenly empty; people were afraid to venture out after sundown and preferred to stay in the safety of their homes. As a result, New York had become almost a ghost town after night fall. Yet, that did not deter whomever or whatever was terrorizing the city, and in the last few days, five more people have been taken, this time from their own homes. As with the previous ten victims, their partially eaten and burned remains had been discovered 48 hours after their disappearance in a park near the beach, and a few hours later, three other victims had gone missing.

Shadowhunters generally kept out of mundane crime investigations, but this was not a routine mundane crime. A week after the first remains were found a NYPD cop, a member of Maya's pack, had called the Institute to say that she suspected a demon was responsible for the deaths. She had seen the mark of teeth where some of the victims' bones had been gnawed at, and her acute sense of smell had detected the stink of Sulphur and brimstone bellow the stench of rotten flesh, burned hair and blood. Alec had asked Magnus to assist and he had, not only confirmed the werewolf's suspicions, but also determined that what they had on their hands was a nasty species of shapeshifting demons that usually hunted in packs. That had been over two weeks ago and since then, and despite the intensive hunt, more people had gone missing. Tonight, and by pure chance, they had finally tracked one of the demons to the docks.

"How much longer?" Jace asked, his gaze fixed on a spot between two stacks of containers from where he thought the smell originated.

Once again, Magnus reached with his mind through the dark distance in search of Alec, the connection to his fiancé getting stronger the nearer Alec got. "A minute or two," he replied.

"It is freaky that you can tell where Alec is without having to ask him," Jace commented.

Magnus' only answer was a shrug, a 'what can you do' expression on his face, before going back to scanning the area, hoping that they would not be discovered before reinforcements arrived. All his senses were on alert and telling him that they were almost upon the demon nest and that what they would find once they got there would be more demons than they had anticipated.

"I guess the years of sneaking around are over for both of you," Jace teased, his voice casual despite the fact that every inch of his body exuded tension. As usual, Jace hid his anxiety and nervousness under a nonchalant and blasé façade.

"I do not sneak around, and I suspect Alexander does not even know the meaning of the word."

"So, tell me, are you looking forward to moving to Alicante?" Jace asked. "I was surprised when Alec told me you decided not to live in Lightwood Manor."

"We want our own place, a place that is more our style. Besides, Robert is still the head of the Lightwood family; the manor is legally his, not that we would ever want to live there."

"But Alec is the new Inquisitor and you are being considered for the post of High Warlock of Alicante. Inquisitors usually live in their family manor and near the Guard, not in a country house at the edge of the forest. Are you even cut out for country life, Magnus?" Jace's casual tone contrasted with the tautness in his posture and the way in which he continued to search for any danger.

"The Lightwood-Bane house is almost finished, and it will be perfect," Magnus replied, "with all amenities and with enough room to grow."

"Room to grow? Don't tell me you guys are planning to form a commune or something."

"You know Alec wants a family, don't you?" the warlock asked.

"Yeah, I know. But do you want a family Magnus?"

"Of course, I do. I think Alexander and I will be great parents one day," Magnus replied.

Jace was about to say something, likely some smart or sarcastic retort, but a shuffling sound, like something heavy being dragged along the ground a few meters ahead, interrupted him. The sound was followed a moment later by growls coming from somewhere in the shadows, somewhere closer than they expected. The stench of Sulphur and burned flesh suddenly got almost unbearable and the proximity to demon energy made the hair in the back of Magnus' neck stand on end.

Without another word, Jace whispered a name and the seraph blade in his hand glowed silver, and snapping his fingers, Magnus called on the magic powers inside him to come to life. Alec was close, but not close enough yet, Magnus knew. He hoped that Izzy and Simon were closer because all indicated that they were out of time.

"Here we go, Magnus" Jace whispered from where he was crouching beside Magnus and when Magnus looked at the Shadowhunter, he saw excitement in those bright angelic eyes. Without waiting for an answer, Jace stood and took a step in the direction of the noises.

"Oh boy," Magnus whispered more to himself than to Jace as he kicked himself for having agreed to team up with this daredevil of a Shadowhunter.

"I bet this is not how you hoped to spend the night before your wedding," Jace humorously stated, as with stealthy but fast steps, he set out in the direction of the demons.

As soon as Jace stepped out of their hiding place, three nasty looking monsters with grey rubbery skin, black eyes with bright red pupils, big sharp teeth and what Magnus suspected were expandable jaws dripping blood, looked up from where they had been squatting consuming their latest meal. A fourth monster dropped the body he had been dragging and turned to face Jace and Magnus.

With an agility that could only be described as supernatural, Jace took off at a run, Magnus closed behind. A few meters before reaching the place where the demons stood, claws out and sharp teeth at the ready, the Shadowhunter jumped at least five meters in the air and using the metal wall as leverage, propelled himself downward, seraph blade at the ready. The movement momentarily startled the demons and, taking advantage, Magnus threw a red ball of magic straight towards the chest of one of them. The monster staggered a couple of steps backward and stopped right on the path of Jace's blade. With blinding speed and agility, Jace plunged the weapon down the demon's chest, disposing of it.

What happened next happened almost as a blur, as if a film that had, until then, been running normally had suddenly sped up. As if from nowhere and likely alerted by the sound of their buddy dying, six or perhaps eight other demons came out of the shadows and joined the melee. Jace pulled out the blade from the first monster and turning cut the head clean off a second one. Meanwhile, Magnus threw ball after ball of magic in quick succession hitting the demon that had been dragging the unconscious human square on the chest and making it explode.

Suddenly, Magnus saw Izzy's whip flying through the air, its tip making a cracking sound before wrapping itself around the neck of a fourth demon. Simon, the newest member of the team, and Izzy's partner in more ways than one, pierced the same demon in the chest with his sword, cutting it almost in two.

Tall and with the fluid movements of a panther, Alec suddenly appeared on the top of a stack of containers, his vow in hand, his quiver strapped to his back, an arrow already nocked. Seeing his magnificent figure, Magnus thought that everything was well with the world again. They locked eyes for a split second, and they each saw a mixture of relief and glee in the other's expression. For they knew that this is how they should always go into battle, together and as a perfect pair, each counting on the other for support and backing.

With almost blinding movements, Alec began to release arrow after arrow as he run along the metal roof and jumped with incredible agility from one stack to the next, keeping both his team and the monsters in sight, not wasting an arrow or a second, and not losing his balance or sure footing. Every arrow Alec released hit its target exactly a tenth of a second after Magnus hit the same target with a discharge of magic, the combination of magic and arrow weakening and immediately destroying anything they aimed at. More than once, a demon tried to sneak up on Magnus, but every time he dropped to his knees or took a step aside precisely at the moment that one of Alec's arrows was closed enough to hit the attacker before it had the chance to avoid death. It was as if Magnus had eyes in the back of his head or could forestall the enemy's movements, and in many ways, he was seeing with more than his own eyes; he was seeing with Alec's eyes as well.

Anyone who saw Alec and Magnus in battle would have had a hard time not believing that they were reading each other's minds. For they moved sinuously, harmoniously and seamlessly with each other, as one fluid organism, as a couple doing a dance that they had practiced countless times until they had memorized each step and movement. With Jace, Alec was always the protector; the one to have his back; the one walking a step behind his impetuous parabatai, protecting and covering. In Magnus, however, Alec had an equal partner, someone who completed and complemented his movements. Neither of them covered the other; rather, each protected and attacked in equal measure. Alec bent, turned and folded with complete ease around Magnus' magic, and Magnus moved with equal fluidity with Alec's bow, arrow and weapons. As it was when they made love, when they cooked, or when they walked down the street, they moved with each other as if they could each anticipate the other's movements before they made them.

All his life, except perhaps during his periodic adventures with Catarina and Rhagnor, Magnus had been a loner. Yet, since he met these group of young Shadowhunters and fell in love with one of them, he had experienced what it was like to be part of a team, to go into danger knowing that someone would have his back, knowing that he was not alone, that someone would stand by his side until the end. Yet, that feeling was never as strong as when he was fighting by Alec's side, moving as one with his lover.

At some point during the fight, Magnus looked up to where Alec was perched, and his sharp eyes detected a faint shadow behind the Shadowhunter, a shadow approaching with stealthy steps, taking advantage of the fact that Alec was too busy to protect his rear. A split second later, the shadow became solid as it reached and attempted to wrap its arm around Alec's neck. With blinding speed and without the need for words, Magnus sent a mental image to Alec at the same time that he aimed a powerful stream of red magic in his direction. Alec dropped on one knee, and swiftly taking a blade from his belt, turned and cut the demon at the knees at the precise moment that the magic hit it squarely on the chest. The demon had just enough time to look surprised before it exploded in millions of sparkles that burned and floated in the air for a second before coming down in countless specks of ash.

"Mission accomplished," Jace announced a moment later, as with his seraph blade he relieved the last of the demons of its head.

"Well done," Alec said as he leaped from his perch, a broad smile on his face, a smile that Magnus could see even in the darkest of nights. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he walked towards Magnus. "Are you okay?" he asked as he wrapped an arm around the warlock's waist and leaned his own forehead against Magnus' forehead.

"I am peachy," was Magnus' easy answer. "You?"

"Good; missing you though," Alec whispered. "Remind me again why we agreed to spend the week before our wedding in separate houses."

"It is tradition," Magnus replied bringing a hand to Alec's cheek at the same time that he too wondered what he had been thinking when he had proposed the separation.

"Well, not bad for a bachelor party," Simon stated from where he stood with his arm wrapped around Izzy, "though if I remember correctly, stripers are the most common form of entertainment, but I guess demons work too."

"Stripers ah?" Izzy asked in a teasing tone as with one finger she pocked Simon in the ribs.

"That takes care of the demon threat," Alec stated turning towards his team, yet not letting go of Magnus' hand.

"This one is still alive," Jace announced from where he was crouching beside the mundane the demons had been dragging. Upon hearing this, Magnus let go of Alec and with swift steps went to check on the survivor.

"Okay then," Alec instructed, "we need to clean this mess up before the mundane police arrives. Magnus, can you and Simon take the survivor to the hospital? The rest of us will get rid of the demon remains. Izzy, as your first act as Head of the Institute, you should write the report to the Clave. I can help if you need assistance."

"Sure," Izzy replied, swiftly kissing Simon on the cheek before the vampire left her side.

"I will see you tomorrow at the wedding then," Alec said when Magnus and Simon were about to depart. He placed a hand atop Magnus' heart and planted a swift kiss on his lips.

"I will see you tomorrow," Magnus responded. "I will be the one in the monkey suit."

"Just one more night," Alec said, his smile bright and wide. "I cannot wait to be married to you." He kissed Magnus again, the kiss a promise of passionate nights to come.

"Okay, okay you two, wait for the honeymoon," Jace interrupted, stepping between Alec and Magnus and gently pushing them apart. "I would like to go home to my wife at a descent hour and we all have a big day tomorrow. So, let's get a move on."

"Do you think I am doing the right thing?" Alec nervously asked the next afternoon as Jace helped him with the knot of his pink and lavender silk tie. Alec kept pulling down and smoothing his dove grey waistcoat and gazing at his parabatai with anxious eyes.

"Don't tell me you are getting cold feet Alec," Jace responded, a sudden look of alarm on his face.

"No, of course not," Alec quickly stated, turning towards the full-length mirror to check the tie and tuck it under the waistcoat. "It is not that. It is just that Magnus wanted a quiet wedding, somewhere remote and holiday-like with just friends and family. I insisted on making a big statement and having a big wedding, and now I remember that I don't like being the center of attention."

"But Magnus loves the attention," Jace commented. "I am sure he will be happy to take the spotlight. But if what you want is a small wedding, I guess we could call the guests and…"

"No, no," Alec interrupted as he checked once again the cuffs in his crisp white shirt. "I want the big wedding. I am going to do this only once in my life and Magnus has never been married before. He deserves a big celebration. I am just nervous. Besides, I want everyone to know what Magnus means to me, especially now that I am about to become Inquisitor."

"Everyone who is anyone in Nephilim and Downworld society will be there, so I would say that if they do not know what you guys mean to each other, they are about to find out." Jace reached for Alec's black mourning jacket hanging from a hook by the mirror and helped his brother into it. Alec turned then and Jace smoothed the front of the jacket, brushing imaginary specks from the shoulders.

"No hard feelings then?" Alec asked, his eyes searching for Jace's.

"Why would there be any?" Jace asked by way of an answer.

"I don't know. I guess because I will no longer live in New York, or at the Institute."

"Alexander Lightwood," Jace replied, and his eyes on his parabatai were full of love and pride. "I am proud of you, not because you are now the Inquisitor, but because after all you have gone through, you are finally living your life in the open. No matter where we are, you know that our bond will remain strong and that you can count on me in the same way that I know I can count on you. No amount of distance will weaken us."

"Thank you for your unconditional support Jace," Alec said, and his eyes shone with emotion.

"You are welcomed, buddy," Jace replied as he patted Alec on the arm. "Now let's go get you married. The portal to Idris should open in a few minutes and mom just called saying that she and Magnus are also on their way."

A few minutes later, Jace and Alec joined Izzy, Clary and Simon on the roof of the institute. Izzy's lavender evening dress hugged her figure perfectly, its color a perfect match to Simon's tie. Clary looked equally stunning in a midnight blue gown; its skirts full enough to hide the small bump growing in her belly from preying ayes. Jace beamed as soon as he saw his wife, his expression not only of love, but also of pride. Seeing his parabatai so happy and fulfilled eased up some of Alec's apprehension for moving away.

"Ready brother?" Izzy asked after planting a tender kiss on Alec's cheek and telling him that he looked like the perfect groom.

"Yes," Alec replied.

As he had told Jace, Alec had insisted on a big wedding, deserving, not only of his rank as Inquisitor and of Magnus' rank as High Warlock, but also and most importantly of two people who loved each other, and who were willing to challenge the intolerance of a society still struggling to enter the twenty-first century. Wanting to make sure that the whole of Nephilim and Downworld society knew who the new Inquisitor and his husband were, they planned for their wedding to take place in Idris and in front of hundreds of guests. This, along with the unconditional acceptance of his relationship to a Downworlder, had been among the conditions that Alec had put for accepting his new post.

Instead of marrying in the Halls of the Accords, however, Magnus had asked that the ceremony and reception take place in the forest surrounding Alicante, not far from where their new home was being constructed. After visiting the site, Alec had been in complete agreement. So, they choose a spot between a narrow river and an escarpment, a place with tall trees, its green tops forming a natural shelter and giving the impression of being under the ceiling of a green cathedral. Using a combination of magic and Nephilim powers, Magnus, Catarina, Alec and Izzy had hanged thousands of small witch lights from the tree branches, and the warlocks had enchanted thousands of fireflies to fly and hover all around the perimeter. The result was an enchanting scenery of deep greens, and silver and yellow lights surrounding rows of silver chairs decorated with golden flowers and green vines. The night was perfectly clear, the stars distant witnesses to the joyous event.

Guests were already seated when Alec and his party arrived, and Jem already stood at the altar, in an area marked by a silver arch adorned with green vines and white tulle.

"Ready son?" Robert asked when he met Alec at the back of the room.

"Thank you for being here dad," Alec said.

"I would not miss this for the world, Alec," Robert responded. "I am so incredibly proud of you that I feel I am going to jump out of my skin." Alec hugged his father then, the gesture grateful. For he knew how hard it had been for Robert Lightwood to come to terms with his son's life choices. "Let's do this," Robert said once they parted as he brushed a tear from his eye.

Robert escorted his son down the aisle, the rows of seats filled with friends, family, colleagues and guests coming from all corners of Nephilim and Downworld society. As they made their way, guests stood up and greeted the groom with looks of pride and happiness. If anyone was uneasy, they either did not dare show it, or Alec simply did not see them. For he kept his eyes in the front of the room where Jace was already waiting to act as his suggenes. When they reached the altar, Robert shook his hand and then hugged him before going to take his seat besides the rest of his children. A moment later, Catarina joined them and with a gesture informed Alec that his future husband had arrived.

At that moment, somewhere in the back of the gathering, Maryse was stopping Magnus under a tall tree, its wide trunk blocking them from view of the guests and of Alec. She smoothed the front of Magnus's jacket and said: "Magnus, Alec and Izzy are perhaps the only good things I have done in my life. That is why they are my most cherished treasures. I know you are eternal, and that you have loved others before and will likely love others after, but you must promise me that you will look after my son, and that you will love and honor him as long as he lives. Promise me, Magnus." Her voice carried not only deep emotion but also a sudden sense of urgency and concern.

"Maryse," Magnus said, placing a hand on his future mother-in-law's shoulder, "I give you my most solemn oath that I will never love another the way I love Alexander, and that I will do all in my power to make him happy and never regret having tied his life to mine."

Maryse gazed deep into Magnus' eyes for a moment and seeing not a thread of doubt or deceit in them, smiled before kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you," she said as she took the warlock's arm and, together, they walked towards the place where the ceremony would take place.

As he approached, Magnus experienced a moment of apprehension at seeing so many Clave members present. Alec had wanted a big wedding. Even though he would have been happy to marry Alec in a small affair, secretly, Magnus too had wanted a big ceremony, a chance to declare his love and commitment for all to hear. Yet, as he now approached the big crowd, part of him wished it was only him and Alec in front of Jem. For who cared what others thought as long and the two of them knew what they meant to each other.

However, all fears and concerns flew from Magnus' mind as soon as he saw the magnificently tall figure of Alec waiting for him at the altar, his smile widening in surprise as soon as he saw Magnus. At that moment, everyone and everything else disappeared and just Alec existed for Magnus, just Alec, looking radiant and elegant in his own Royal ascot jacket, and that dove grey vest that highlighted his skin tone and hair so well. As he slowly walked down the aisle, arm in arm with Maryse, his gaze never left Alec, and in Alec's eyes, he saw more love than he ever thought to deserve or be honored with.

The breath caught in Alec's eyes the moment he saw Magnus; for the warlock looked stunning. He was dressed in dark grey checkered pants and a butter yellow double-breasted waistcoat over a crisp white tuxedo shirt. A black Royal ascot morning jacket – a piece of clothing which name Alec would have never thought he would have to learn – and a cravat, the same color and design as Alec's tie, completed Magnus' outfit. Anyone who knew Magnus and his flair for fashion would have said that his attire was rather subdue. In many ways it was, but the warlock made up for it with make-up that accentuated his most striking features and strands of blue, purple and red that run through his hair.

As the distance between Alec and Magnus got smaller and smaller, thousands of memories bounced between them: memories of the first time Magnus' eyes found Alec in the crowd; the curiosity and self-consciousness in Alec's returned gaze; the utter surprise in Magnus' face the first time Alec kissed him; the comforting feeling of walking hand in hand along the streets of New York at night; the indescribable sensation of waking up beside one another; the blissful routine of a shared life.

By the time Magnus reached Alec, both their hearts were full to bursting, and their eyes reflected emotions that words could never express. At the altar, Maryse kissed Magnus' cheek and, reaching, took Alec's hand and placed it in the warlock's hand, the gesture meant to remind Magnus that she was placing something precious in his care. Alec smiled at his mother and then faced Magnus. "You look handsome, my love," he whispered.

"And you look dashing Alexander," Magnus replied, his voice equally low.

The guests settled in their seats and clearing his throat, Jem began to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, we gather on this glorious and beautiful night to witness the union of two souls who have chosen to tie their destinies together and from now on share one common path. Alec and Magnus have overcome many obstacles to make it to this moment and their determination and commitment is a true reflection of their love. May this union be an example of what we can accomplish when we put aside our differences."

"Alec and Magnus have decided to express their love and commitment in their own vows," Jem concluded. He then gestured for Alec and Magnus to proceed.

Without letting go of Alec's hand, Magnus turned to Catarina and took the ring that she handed him. He then looked at Alec and smiled, the smile bright and full of emotion. "Alexander Lightwood, like my hand now shelters your hand, I promise to shelter you in darkness and in light, in cold and in hot, in good and in bad times. I vow to be a warrior at your side in times of war and the holder of the olive branch in times of peace. I promise to walk by your side and to be your equal partner. For you are my north and my south, my beginning and my end, my compass and my anchor. I give you all that I am." With the last few words, and with shaking hands, Magnus slid the ring down Alec's finger, and when he looked up once again, Alec saw unshed tears in those beautiful cat eyes.

Alec smiled and sighed deeply to settle his heart and bring his own unruly emotions under control. He then turned and took the ring that Jace had ready for him. "Magnus Bane, in you and with you, I discovered myself. Your showed me what life in the light was like and for that I will forever be in your debt. I promise to stand by your side no matter what the future holds, to call your home my home, to guard your sleeping nights and waking hours, to put my very life on the line for you. I vow to protect you and honor you from now and until my last breath. For you are my north and my south, my beginning and my end, my compass and my anchor. I give you all that I am."

With the last words, and as Magnus had done before, Alec placed the Lightwood ring in Magnus's finger and then rested his free hand atop the warlock's hand, the union of their hands forming an unbreakable knot, a symbol of their unbreakable bond and of their unsurmountable love.

Jem reached then and placing his own hand atop Alec and Magnus' hands said: "With the power vested in me, I unite you in holy matrimony. May this bond be unbreakable and eternal. You may now seal your union with a kiss."

Magnus reached and placed a hand against Alec's cheek and Alec placed one of his on Magnus' heart, on that spot where an indelible rune was now permanently edged. They then looked into each other's eyes for a second before closing the distance and sealing their commitment with a tender and loving kiss.

Their guests irrupted in applause all around them and some even cheered, but Alec and Magnus were completely oblivious to the world around them at that moment. For only they existed in the world; for nothing and no one could ever come between them.

"Finally, we are married," Alec whispered once their lips came apart and he rested his forehead against his husband's, his smile as bright as the sun. Magnus' only answer was a faint nod of agreement and a wide smile of his on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family," Jem stated as the room settled, a broad smile on his ageless face, "it is my great honor and privilege to introduce Alexander Lightwood-Bane and Magnus Lightwood-Bane. Please join me in wishing them a long, happy and prosperous life together."

Magnus and Alec turned and faced their guests, and the look of joy on their faces as they made their way down the aisle was contagious. From several places in the audience as well as from the sides of the gathering, many hands rose up and from their fingertips, short bursts of multicolor magic shot to the sky, magic that broke in thousands and thousands of tiny sparkles that illuminated the tree tops before falling down on the newlyweds. With nods of gratitude, Magnus acknowledged the warlocks that in their own special way were honoring him and wishing him and his husband happiness and joy.

"When do you think it will be a polite enough hour for us to leave?" Alec asked some hours later as Magnus led him on yet another dance, the warlock's feet light and his movements supple. Alec held on to Magnus and let the warlock twirl them both around the dance floor, their movements more grateful than Alec had ever imagined himself capable of.

"It is our wedding," Magnus replied. "We can leave whenever we please. I just thought that you were enjoying the party." Magnus furtively gazed down at the watch wrapped around the wrist that Alec rested on his shoulder, the hands indicating that it was past eleven.

"I am, but I am also anxious to start our honeymoon," Alec whispered in Magnus' ear, the words and the Shadowhunter's breath on his skin awaking goosebumps all over Magnus' skin.

"Is that so?"

"We have been sleeping separately for over a week, Magnus. I don't know you, but I cannot sleep if you are not there." Alec's voice was low and seductive in that way that always made Magnus lose his train of thought.

"Does that mean that you are tired and in need of a good night sleep Shadowhunter?" Magnus asked, a seductive smile on his face, a smile capable of pushing all thoughts of sleep and tiredness out of Alec's mind. He tightened his hold on Alec's waist and pulled him closer, the sensation of their bodies so close together causing a low gasp to scape Alec's lips.

"Not a chance, warlock," Alec replied, as completely unconcerned about who might be watching, he planted a gentle kiss on that sweet spot right below Magnus' ear. "I can't wait for you to make love to me, slowly, sweetly, and passionately, in that way you only know how."

The words had such an effect on Magnus that had he not hastily tightened the reins on his magic, it would have opened a portal of its own accord and taken them to the first remote and intimate place that came to his mind. "Time to say goodbye then," he declared as he took a step back and not letting go of Alec's hand, turned and led them out of the dance floor.

The wedding reception had been a complete success and people still seemed to be enjoying themselves. After the ceremony, and with the help of magic and steles, chairs had been arranged around round tables surrounding a dancing area. Cocktails and Champaign had been served for the customary toasts before dinner, and alcohol had continued flowing throughout the evening. After dinner, people had begun to take to the dance floor. As soon as it was polite to leave, the older members of the Clave had begun to depart, leaving behind a cheerful group of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that, away from of the vigilant and judgmental eyes of the older and more conservative guests, had decided to continue the celebration.

Jace and Clary had danced all night long, their bodies moving together with a grace that was innate to their angelic nature. Izzy and Simon had been almost as graceful, except that Simon sometimes still had difficulty with his vampirical speed. At some point during the night, Alec had looked to one side of the dance floor and had smiled when he saw his mother dancing in a tight embrace with Luke, his lips whispering who knows what in her ear.

Alec and Magnus had spent most of the evening going from table to table greeting and chatting with their guests. Neither of them had eaten much and after a couple of hours, Alec had begun to politely refuse the drinks offered to him. He did not have Magnus' tolerance and, besides, he wanted to be as lucid as possible for his wedding night. As they now began to say their goodbyes, Alec thought that even though he had never been much for parties, he had enjoyed himself immensely.

"I am so happy for you Alec," Jace said as Alec and Magnus were about to step through the portal Magnus had opened to take them to their honeymoon. He gathered Alec in a tight embrace before turning to Magnus and saying: "Magnus, look after my parabaitai."

"Take care of each other," Maryse said as she wrapped her arms around Alec and Magnus at the same time. "I am so happy you have found each other."

As their guests cheered and called out good wishes, Magnus and Alec stepped through the portal hand in hand, Magnus a step ahead, guiding the way for his husband.

While Alec had been the one to do most of the planning for their wedding, Magnus had asked to be in charge of the honeymoon. When Alec had queried about the plans, Magnus had simply said that it was a surprise, a surprise he was sure Alec would like. "Where are we going Magnus?" He had asked again before leaving the wedding reception.

"To a beautiful place, I promise," Magnus had replied. "We should be there just before dawn."

Now, as he followed Magnus through the portal, Alec wondered once again what his husband had in store for them. But as he stepped out and onto a spacious and airy room, Alec knew he had had no reason to worry. As he took in the space, a broad smile lifted the corners of his mouth. They were in a beautifully appointed open-concept cottage, surrounded by windows looking out towards the greenest of rainforests. The faint light filtering through the white curtains was a deep tone of emerald suggesting that, while the sky had already begun to change color, the sun was yet to come out. Alec turned back towards the place from where they had just come, and as the last sparkles of energy from the portal died down, he saw big open French doors leading to a small terrace and beyond it a beach of pearly white sand and a still dark blue sea in the distance.

The cottage was smallish, considering how much Magnus liked big places. However, it was well equipped with all they would need for a ten-day honeymoon. They were standing on a seating area with a big white and comfortable sectional couch surrounding a dark wooden coffee table. To one side of the room, Alec could see a modern kitchen with a long counter surrounded by bar chairs. On the other side, another set of French doors opened to a bedroom with an enormous four-posted bed covered in white linen and ornamented with a white gauze canopy. Except for strategically placed dark wooden antiques and the exposed wooden beans on the ceiling, the rest of the décor was in light colors and cleaned lines. Beautiful flowering orchids added splashes of colors to surfaces and window frames.

"Where are we Magnus?" Alec asked turning to look at the man he could now call husband.

"Our home," Magnus replied, turning to Alec and placing a hand on his chest. "Or rather one of our homes; we owe a few."

"But where?"

"We are on a private island some kilometers off the coast of Komodo in Indonesia," Magnus explained. "Near the land of my birth."

Magnus had bought the island almost a hundred years before, during a time in his life when he had felt particularly nostalgic for the land of his childhood. Even though he did not visit very often, over the decades, he had first built and then re-built a home here, a home meant to be both a refuge and a link to his past. When he had first met Alec, he had imagined bringing him to his island and showing him his place of origin. Not knowing why, he had had the cottage remodeled, in the hope perhaps of one day fulfilling his wish. Now Alec was here, still in his formal attire, looking as handsome as ever as he gazed at him with those big eyes full of love and joy.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"It is perfect," Alec replied as he wrapped an arm around Magnus' waist and pulled him closer. With his other hand, he reached and liberated Magnus' hair from the string that had kept it in a tasteful ponytail all evening, and running fingers through it, he watched as it fell like an ebony cascade down Magnus' shoulders. "Hi husband," he whispered.

"Hello husband," Magnus replied before taking possessions of those lips with which Alec had tempted him all night.

The kiss began tender and gentle, but quickly the nights of sleeping in separate beds, of yearning for the other's touch, lighted a fire inside Alec and Magnus, and the kiss began to burn with unspent desire. Alec brought a hand to the side of Magnus' face as he thoroughly explored the warlock's mouth, his tongue teasing and demanding. Magnus felt himself melting against the body of the Shadowhunter, its sheltering strength welcoming him in its embrace.

"I missed you Alexander," Magnus whispered when Alec finally left his mouth and began to explore his neck. "I did not sleep much either in the last week."

"I missed you too, Magnus. But I suspect our wedding night would be so much sweeter because of the days we have been apart." Alec spoke in Magnus' ear and the words fueled even more the fire inside Magnus.

Yes, Magnus thought but could not say because Alec had reclaimed his mouth, if this is the reward for the days of separation, the wait was worthwhile.

It was Magnus the one to first begin to pull down Alec jacket, him the one to loosen the tie, he the one to slowly undo the buttons in Alec's vest and then shirt. Alec was contented to let Magnus do, as he took complete possession of the warlock's lips, as he teased and owned with his mouth the mouth of the man with whose destiny, he had just tied his own.

"I cannot believe you are mine, Magnus," he whispered, "and I cannot believe I am yours."

"That you are," Magnus whispered back, his smile broad and sensual. "All mine to have and to love." Magnus followed the words with a gentle bite in Alec's earlobe, the gesture possessive.

They continued kissing for a long time, slowly and without haste, each rejoicing in the taste and feel of the other, each keeping a tight hold on a passion that threatened to run away from them. Magnus peeled Alec's vest off and let it fall to the ground. His tie followed suit a moment later, and then the warlock's hands were searching and finding the hem of Alec's shirt before journeying underneath in search of his gloriously soft and warm skin.

"Should we go to the bedroom?" Alec asked between shallow breaths.

"There is no rush," Magnus replied as he pulled Alec's shirt halfway down his back, trapping his arms in the sleeves. "We have all the time in the world. Let me taste you slowly and without haste, Alexander."

Magnus' shaking hands were then in Alec's belt buckle and soon after, those same hands were pulling down his zipper, slowly exposing desire. Alec did not dare resist or assist Magnus, for at that moment he knew he was in the expert hands of his husband; for Magnus' desire was also his own. A moment later and as he continued relieving Alec of his pants and as Alec's kicked off his shoes, Magnus guided him towards the sofa and made him sit. All Alec could do was obey, for his arms were still caught in the sleeves of his shirt and because there was no resistance possible or necessary.

It was now Magnus the one to own Alec's mouth, his tongue the one to tease and possess, his teeth the ones to bite, and his lips the ones to explore. Slowly so as to enjoy every millimeter of Alec's skin, Magnus planted a path of kisses down Alec's neck as he made his way towards that exquisite spot at the base of his neck. After inhaling the masculine scent that was particularly strong there, he continued down toward Alec's chest, teasing him with his teeth and lips, tracing with his tongue the exquisite roundness of his nipples. Meanwhile, his hands were in their own mission of exploration, exposing skin, caressing and owning, giving and demanding in preparation for his mouth to make its way to those intimate corners where he knew Alec felt the most pleasure.

Completely oblivious to everything except for Magnus' expert hands and exquisite mouth, Alec leaned back on the sofa, his hands fisting on the upholstery, his whole body concentrating on extending the pleasure to infinity. If he had been capable of reason, Alec would have thought that this moment was one of the most arousing he had ever experienced; that he was completely naked and exposed, completely vulnerable and at the disposal of a fully dressed Magnus. However, Alec had lost all capacity for thought a long time ago and at that moment he was all instinct, feeling and sensation.

Alec tried to rein in his composure, to stop the raging storm inside him, but his efforts were feeble and futile in the face of Magnus' wild passion. In no time, Magnus was taking him to ever higher states of pleasure, urging him on and on until Alec knew he was completely lost, that there was no resisting Magnus' magnificent mouth and hands. At the moment of his spectacular climax, Alec called Magnus' name over and over again, as he thanked the heavens for the priceless gift of this man that tonight had become his kin.

"My god, Magnus, I swear you will be the death of me one of these days," Alec said between shallow breaths. Magnus' response was a low chuckle as he looked at Alec with the self-satisfied expression of the cat who ate the goldfish.

Finally taking off his jacket, Magnus used it to partially cover Alec as he sat beside him. Alec gathered him in his arms and after kissing him on the forehead, leaned his head against Magnus' head. They stayed in that position for a while, each in their own thoughts, as they watched the light change outside as the sun came out and turned the sand an even brighter tone of white and the sea a breathtaking turquoise.

"Are you happy?" Alec asked a while later.

"I am," was Magnus' decisive reply.

After another few minutes of silence, Alec sighed deeply and asked: "Are there any other people on this island?"

"No, we are the only two people in residence. I told you, we own the whole place."

"You mean you own it," Alec responded.

"No, Alexander, we do," Magnus corrected. "We are married now; everything that is mine is now also yours. That is unless you want to prenup, though we could have talked about that before we got hitched"

"I don't want a prenup," Alec replied. "It is just that I didn't bring much into this marriage. I have never been concerned with property or wealth. Don't you think that makes this sharing arrangement rather uneven?"

"Does that matter to you?"

"No, I guess not."

"Well, it does not matter to me who bring what into this union either Alexander."

"In that case, everything that I have or may have in the future no matter how big or small, is also yours Magnus." Alec's words were completely sincere, and his smile was almost blinding.

"Anyways, why were you asking if there were other people on the island?" Magnus asked.

"I was wondering if you would like to go for a swim."

"Do Shadowhunters swim?" Magnus teasingly asked.

"Of course, we swim," Alec replied with feign outrage. "It is part of our training. Come, Magnus, I race you." He added standing up.

"That is no fair," Magnus protested. "You are practically naked already."

"But you have magic," Alec retorted as he headed towards the door, finally removing the shirt that until then had been the only piece of clothing he had on. "Come on old man."

"Who are you calling an old man?" Magnus asked, trying to sound offended but distracted by the way the sun illuminated Alec's glorious body, that body that just minutes ago had been shuddering in his arms.

By way of an answer, Alec winked, the gesture daringly playful, before taking off at a run towards the shore. Peeling off his clothes as he went, Magnus followed a few steps behind. He did not try to overrun Alec because he did not want to miss the chance to see Alec's magnificent naked body, moving with a poise and agility that could only be a gift from angels. Watching Alec moving with such unguarded and unself-conscious grace, Magnus was almost overcome by a feeling of gratitude. For of all the people Alec could have chosen, he had chosen him to share this intimacy and closeness with. Magnus could not yet believe that he got to see Alec like this: with his guard down, with his feelings exposed, devoid of armor.

As soon as Alec reached the water, he leaped and then dived head first into the ocean. His naked body moving with grace under the turquoise surface. "Come on Magnus, the water is great!" he called out when he surfaced a few meters away. He laughed then, and his laugh was the laugh of a child, careless and playful. Unable to resist that contagious energy, Magnus too dived in, the water awakening all his senses, pushing away any exhaustion left over from their eventful evening. When he too came up for air a few moments later, Alec's arms were waiting for him.

They floated and splashed in the water for a while, laughing and playing like children, completely unconcerned about anything that was not the joy of being together under the morning sun. After a while, Alec approached Magnus and, wrapping his arms around him, kissed him deeply, slowly and long, the taste of salt and sea on their lips adding to the incredible sensation of their mouths exploring each other. "Come Magnus," he said once his mouth broke contact and, taking Magnus hand, guided him out of the water.

As they made their way back to the cottage, Magnus waved his hand and a pair of towels materialized on the back of a lounge chair. Alec picked one up and turning began to dry Magnus' skin, softly running the cloth down Magnus' chest and back, along his arms and through his hair. He followed the movements of his hands with his mouth as he licked the salt off his husband's skin. Magnus' closed his eyes and concentrated every cell and nerve on the sensation of Alec's tongue and the movements of his hands.

"Your skin seems to shine like gold in the sun," Alec whispered in Magnus' ear. "I don't think you have ever looked more beautiful to me than you look now." A deep kiss silenced any response, a kiss that was a promise of hours of pleasure and passion to come. Slowly and teasingly, Alec slid the towel once again down Magnus' back until he reached the warlock's behind. Once there, he let the cloth fall to the ground so his own hands could wrap themselves around Magnus' buttocks and pulled him closer. He reclaimed the warlock's mouth then, capturing with the kiss the gasp that escaped Magnus' lips, and this time, the kiss was an act of possession, a demand for unconditional surrender, a demand that Magnus knew he was powerless to refuse.

"Oh warlock," Alec whispered, his lips barely leaving Magnus' mouth, "take me to bed and make love to me." He then possessed those lips once again, hungrily and urgently.

It was now Magnus the one to wrap his arms around Alec's waist, his hands the ones to reach Alec's naked behind, his arms the ones to pull the Shadowhunter to him, rejoicing in the incredible sensation of Alec's reawaken desire.

"Come Shadowhunter," he whispered a moment later, taking Alec by the hand and guiding him back inside the house and to their bed, determined to stake a permanent claim to Alec's body, to break himself a thousand times like a wave against Alec's shores.

For hours, Alec and Magnus got lost in each other, tasting sea salt from each other's skin, running fingers through each other's hair, rediscovering anew territories already travelled but still not completely explored. With the playful motions of his tongue, Alec extracted more and more delicious sounds of pleasure from Magnus, and with deft fingers, Magnus traced new lines along Alec's skin, probing and teasing until Alec felt heady from so much desire.

"I feel you inside me Magnus, body, mind and soul," Alec whispered hours later, his words almost incoherent. Magnus was sitting cross-legged, Alec sitting astride him, his long legs wrapped around Magnus' hips, as he moved at the rhythm of Magnus' building climax, and as together they single-mindedly searched for that indescribable feeling of coming apart in each other's arms. Magnus wrapped his arms more firmly around Alec, holding him closer, wanting their skins to fuse together, his heart and the Shadowhunter's beating as one. With an equal need to become one, Alec kissed Magnus, his lips demanding and offering. A second later, Alec moved his hips in the most exquisite undulation and before he could stop himself, Magnus broke apart in a million pieces, defeated by this young inexperienced lover that still managed to take him to the very gates of heaven.

A moment later, his mouth buried in Magnus' neck, his lips calling his name, his fingers entangled in his hair, Alec too came undone in rippling waves of ecstasy that reverberated throughout his whole body and extended into Magnus' body, prolonging his own orgasm, squeezing and extracting more and more sounds of pleasure from the warlock until Magnus thought there was nothing left in him. They held on to each other for a long time, as they shuddered and shivered with the aftershocks of their shared climax, and as they spoke to each other in the ancient language that only true lovers ever master.

When he felt he could once again trust his own body, Magnus leaned back on the bed pulling Alec along, until they both laid side by side, Alec holding Magnus, and Magnus' head resting on Alec's chest. As their breathing began to settle, with a wave of his hand, Magnus made the sheets covered them. He then brought his nose to the crook of Alec's neck and inhaled deeply, the scent of the sea and of Alec soothing. Before either of them knew, they were dozing off to sleep, sated at least for the moment.

The sun had set plunging the room in darkness when hours later, Alec sighed deeply and opened his eyes. The bed seemed suddenly empty and when he turned, he realized that Magnus was no longer beside him. Still drowsy, he looked around and after confirming that the room too was empty, he reached with his hearing, listening for Magnus. The scent of food reached him before the sounds of his husband in the kitchen did, and the aroma made his mouth water. He realized that he had not eaten since the wedding reception and that after the exertions of the last few hours, his body was demanding nourishment.

Alec reached with his mind towards the next room, searching for Magnus and when he felt the familiar connection to his husband, he smiled. For he knew that Magnus was waiting for him. Not wanting to keep him waiting, he got up and walked towards the enormous bathroom in search of a quick shower. On his way back a few minutes later, he saw his suitcase beside Magnus' suitcase on top of a dresser. Magnus had likely transported them to the cottage prior to their arrival. Alec rummaged and extracted a pair of black track pants and a grey t-shirt from his bag, and hastily donned them on as he made his way out of the room.

He found Magnus setting the table out in the terrace, magically lightening candles with a snap of his fingers. He approached him from behind and wrapped his arms around Magnus' chest, Magnus instantly leaning back against him. "Hello husband," Alec whispered, and he planted a tender kiss on the side of Magnus' neck.

"Hi husband," Magnus replied. He turned his face, lifted an arm around Alec's neck and invited him to kiss him on the lips. "Did you sleep well?" he asked once Alec broke the kiss.

"Like the dead," Alec replied, "though it looks like I slept the day away."

"It is the time difference," Magnus replied. "Your internal clock will catch up soon. Dinner is ready."

"Yum, I am so hungry."

They ate by candlelight on the terrace and under a starry sky. They shared dishes of grilled fish, rice wrapped in banana leaves, spicy stewed potatoes, and fresh fruit served in clay dishes. Magnus mixed Lychee Martinis, but Alec drunk only one. He had never been much of a drinker and he did not want to mess up his internal clock even more by adding alcohol to the mix.

After dinner, they moved to a long wicker sofa. Alec sat with his back against the arm and Magnus leaned his back against his chest, Alec's arm sheltering him. As they looked up at the heavens, Magnus regaled Alec with stories from this part of the world, sharing some of the few happy memories from his childhood and relating some of his adventures during his previous visits to the region. Alec laughed at the anecdotes and asked pointed questions, eager to know more about his husband's history.

"You know," Magnus said at one point, "for a long time I could not think of this place without sadness and resentment. I lost so much here: my mother, my innocence, the illusion of having a home."

"And now?" Alec asked, as he took a lock of Magnus' hair and wrapped it around one of his fingers.

"Now I have you," Magnus responded as he turned to look at Alec. "You have given me home and family. I don't need anything else."

"I hope you never regret having trusted me with your heart and happiness, Magnus."

"I am sure I won't," Magnus replied as he tenderly kissed Alec. "Aren't you afraid of the future, Alexander?" he asked turning to look up at the sky, scanning, Alec knew, for the sign that would announce that the angel's prophesy was coming true.

"I am not afraid," Alec replied, not a thread of doubt in the words. "As long as we are together, we can overcome anything."

Magnus turned to look at the Shadowhunter again, a wide smile on his face, and the Shadowhunter's lips were waiting, ready and willing to seal once again their commitment and union with a kiss.

This is how Magnus and Alec's married life began. In years and decades to come, they became a power couple, a pillar of Nephilim and Downworld society, a force to reckon with. While they fought in many battles and were responsible for many victories over the years, their union and love were cemented, not in big gestures or spic wars. Rather, their relationship was solidified in small and quiet moments; in countless mornings in which they woke up wrapped in each other's arms; in thousands of small gestures; in the joy of shared meals; in the ease with their clothes hanged together in the same closet and their shoes sat side by side by the entrance to their home. Their love grew and flourished in the millions of moments that made up the shared life of a Shadowhunter and a Warlock.

Over the years, Magnus and Alec scanned the heavens, searching for that red star that would mark the beginning of the biggest trial of their lives. Sometimes, months passed and neither of them spoke of Zadkiel's prediction, busy as they were building a family and working for a better world for the Nephilim and the Downworld. Yet, the prophesy was never too far from their minds. Many years passed before that fated star finally appeared in the sky and when it finally did, Alec and Magnus were not concerned or surprised. For, as Zadkiel had declared, they were ready, and when the time came, they marched together into battle, as strong and determined as ever.

Much can be said about the war Zadkiel foretold. However, that is matter for another tale.

Well, that's it. Thank you for reading.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

The End…