****Alec's POV****

Alec walked stiffly past the gate, doing his best to keep his head held high. Despite this property being in possession of a royal family there were plenty of signs of decay from over the years. Even without his dragonic senses picking up on the stench of decaying wood from few of the trees and the groan of damaged stones on the path they walked on, the sight of blackened roots, cracks in the foundation of the huge structure looming before them was all the evidence needed. This place set the hairs at the back of his neck on end. It became harder to breathe easy with each step closer.

"Alec."

"Yes?"

"I-I want to thank you for doing this. I know it can't be easy."

Of course it's not easy. You've only asked me to walk into the belly of the beast, the heart of the home of a man who wishes vengeance on all dragon kind. And the fact that you—

He didn't finish that last thought, knowing it would only serve to further dampen his mood. Alec was sure he was scowling in his response, yet something in him made it impossible to care. "Yes. It's not easy at all. But I want peace." After a heartbeat, he added on. "And you've shown you trust me . . . it's only fair I return the favor right?"

Oh, he had hardly meant to end his statement in a question. Alec gnawed on his lower lip, hoping Magnus would not analyze those words and the meaning behind them. Showing trust was an important thing for a mated pair. And while we aren't mated yet we might as well be, being predestined and all. If everything went well there would be no trouble going through the proper ceremonies fo seal the deal. But will Magnus want to go all the way—

His thoughts were cut off by the heavily gated door slamming open. It was then that none other than the King Asmodeus walked out. And he did not look happy to see them. Alec swallowed down a gulp of anxiety as he shared a worried glance with Magnus. Looks like we won't be knocking on the front door after all.

****Clary's POV****

It had been a hassle getting permission from the King and Queen to travel to Alicante. Isabelle's good word that they'd be back shortly had done wonders however, and soon enough they were up in the air and gone again. Simon sat upon Izzy's back while she remained on Jace's as the two dragons flew as close to the city as they dared without risking attack. Which turned out to be the outskirts of Alicante, the reason having something to do with being shot down from the sky should they risk going closer. A large part of her itched fo be flying with Izzy and Jace, but her newly acquired form was difficult to shift in an out of: a liability form a group meant to be staying undercover. Though this did not stop the itching in her veins to reclaim the form long denied to her.

And why was it denied? All these years, how come I never knew? The unanswered questions niggled at the back of her brain. Hopefully her parents would provide some clarity as to why.

"You know, if Mom really is a dragon, I don't understand why she'd want to be here of all places."

While there was no doubt her mother was a dragon, Clary could hardly be blamed for still finding it difficult to accept. The same woman who sat a window seat staring out through the opening as the day upon day past by, the woman who would mumble odd words was somehow a dragon. It was her few moments of clarity Clary yearned to focus on the most. But this was a hard task, what with the many times she had gone ignored, neglected by the redheaded woman who was supposed to be closer to her than anyone else. If not for Luke she imagined running away would've been in her future.

"Well, she is a dragon. And as for why she hid here, I think I understand it."

"How so?" She asked.

Jace sighed. "Think about it. The dragon she loved, Valentine, was a mad one, driven by hate and a need for power. He abused her, hurt her and the child she'd already given birth to. I think that would be enough to make anyone want to leave."

Izzy nodded, close enough to be within earshot. "A mother will go to great lengths to save her child. And in this case that child was you."

Clary processed those words. Deep down she knew her friends had a point, but it was hard to accept the reality of the situation. That her parents had lied to her for years about her true heritage. Did they not think I could keep a secret? Did they think I'd run away? Her thoughts whirled with the painful possibilities. Even though she had not always understood her mother and her lack of mentality most days, Luke made it clear her mother gave up a lot to keep her safe and happy. The whispered rumors in town left her thinking she had been the result of an abusive relationship where the woman ran away. Turns out I wasn't wrong, just not fully right either. What would happen next? It was hard to tell.

"I guess so," She said, only with half the feeling she wanted.

****Magnus's POV****

Sensing Alec's discomfort, Magnus took a step protectively in front of him. Out of the two of them, the dragon prince should be more than capable of handling himself in this situation. Yet the unease in Alec's blue eyes spoke volumes as King Asmodeus approached them with his leering smile. It reminded him of a pleased snake about to strike down its awaiting prey. And that gaze was fully on Alec with its sick sort of glee.

Suddenly, he was beginning to regret the decision to come here.

No Magnus. If we want peace this has to be done.

The metallic band in his pocket practically burned a hole there. It gave him the resolve to open his arms up in greeting to his Father. "Father, it's been awhile." Truly, it had been. The King appeared in the same state Magnus had last seen him. The golden crown went along with the glaze of his eyes, robes interwoven with a similar colored fabric amidst the burgundy and purple threads. The scepter the older male kept around bore an emerald stone embedded in a bronze dragon's mouth. The design was one he knew from years of borrowing it to practice sword fighting in the garden. Those were simpler times, back when his mother was still around.

Asmodeus turned to look at Magnus then, expression flickering with some unknown emotion as he said, "Awhile is an understatement son. You never called, not even once. And . . ." There was the pause combined with a smirk which made him stomach curl. Magnus had seen it more than once before, never on friendly occasions. This smirk was directed back to Alec as the sharp gaze was directed on Alec once again. "you haven't introduced me to your friend."

He could almost hear Alec's audible gulp. The slightly smaller male was silent during the exchange as he stared at the king. Carefully, Magnus took Alec's hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. The pressure he got in return left his heart fluttering with its pulsing beat. As long as I have Alec I can get through anything. The peace the dragon gave him was indescribable. Warmth spread in his veins as a warm smile spread on his lips like a gift from the overhead sunlight.

"This is Alec. He's my, he's my—"

Why was it so hard to say it out loud, in front of his father? There was certainly nothing to be afraid of sexuality wise. His father had long known about his preferences, saying it hardly mattered who Magnus loved provided they together brought prosperity to Alicante. My throat . . . it feels stuck. Ugh. What do I do?

Alec decided for him. The dragon prince stepped out to stand next to him, still holding Magnus's hand. "My full name is Alexander Lightwood. I'm the prince of the Star Valley dragons."

The silence was deafening. Magnus's breath caught in his throat so harshly it was practically suffocating. With each passing second with no response from Asmodeus the world seemed to weigh down on him harder. The pressure was unbearable. If not for Alec's hold on him he would have likely went crashing to the ground.

"I see. I never thought my son would bring a dragon home." Then there was a change in Asmodeus's expression, a twitch to his lips hinting at nothing and everything all at once. Magnus swallowed down the rising emotion within him, clenching Alec's hand tightly. The blue eyed male was remaining stoic now, an immovable force on the stepping stone path. "But I wonder, pray tell why you've brought him here, the son of your mother's killer."

Dread dropped inside his stomach with a deep thud. He was reminded of all those years of grief, the loneliness of life without his mother. Asmodeus seemed to be feeling the same, sadness overtaking him for the briefest of moments at the thought of Melati.

"I don't know how to help your grief, but I can promise you my Father is not a murderer. He would never take an innocent life," Alec said with a voice full of sincerity.

"Hah. You might, but I don't. I can't trust dragon kind just at their word," Asmodeus said with scorn.

And oh, Magnus believed Alec, Asmodeus's words doing nothing to dent this reality he now lived in. While he did not have the best relationship with King Robert, his trust in Alexander was all encompassing. I just hope he trusts me the same. What we're about to do . . . A hard choice lay before them. Malcolm made it clear it was the only choice.

"Your father won't trust Alec or you unless you do as I've said. You must put the band around the dragon's neck. It's the only way."

And whether or not it truly was, there was no time to think up another plan.

"Then we will just have to prove it to you Father."

"Oh. Then show me."

"Magnus . . ." Alec muttered, suddenly his forehead touched the side of his head, breath brushing over the shell of his ear. The sudden closeness had a part of him heating up on the inside, right down to his core. He shook off the feeling as he listened. "Are you sure? This, I, I feel like something isn't right . . ." Those blue eyes had never once left Asmodeus, so cautious was the dragon prince during this encounter.

But he agreed before. What could've changed now?

"I thought you wanted peace." He whispered.

Alec nodded jerkily. "I do. But this . . . there's something very wrong here. I can feel it in my gut . . . and I've never been a wrong with this instinct."

And really, this should have been enough.

Magnus should have gotten a clue then.

But he did not.

Peace was so close, emotions were so high, and so he said something he would ultimately regret.

"I put my trust in you, my life in your hands, knowing you would come through for me. And here we are, with me wanting, NO needing you to do this and you won't?!" His voice rose, the shout whisper hard to keep from shaking.

"Magnus . . ." Alec breathed, he sounded guilty, though it was hard to tell what he looked like with those dark strands of hair covering most of his face as his head tilted down. "I . . .I do trust you. Fully. I love you."

"If you love me then you'll do this for me." Magnus growled. All he could feel was anger then, a demanding rage that took no prisoners.

Alec let out a strained noise, desperate and sad. "O-okay."

Another strange thing; Alec did not stutter before this.

Regret twanged in his heart.

But he had no time to reflect on this as Alec stepped away from him. Several steps later and the light of transformation occurred. Asmodeus gasped in surprise as wind flapped the nearby trees with their branches. Alec stood before them in dragon form, all dark and imposing with the power flowing in his veins. The v lines running up his neck and down to his stomach glowed beautifully, as did the white scales amidst the darkness of his wings. This image used to be dangerous and worrisome, and to the dragon hunter in him it still was, but now . . . there was also a vast wonder too, a beauty unmatched by the starry amazement of Alexander Lightwood.

"Magnus Bane, I put my complete trust in you." With that Alec bowed low to the ground, much like a servant would. Though there was a difference now to how he had been addressing him before. A cold, detached tone Magnus had not seen from Alec since before they found out they were predestined.

He could barely keep his surprise from showing as he took the band in his hands and brought it to Alec's head. What had once been barely big enough for a human head to fit through had grown well over five times it's original size. The odd jewel in the center remained the same as Magnus lifted up the band and carefully, with the care of a lover, slipped it over Alec's head. The metallic object from then onwards slid down Alec's neck of its own accord until finding a snug landing right around his neck. Like magic bursting free, the band shrank again until it fit perfectly on Alec.

It was almost like it was meant to be there.

And it was then that everything changed.

*********

A/N: So a lot of people wanted an update and here it is! I've been very busy lately, and I lacked motivation to continue writing this for awhile (for several different reasons . . . but mainly stress). However, rest assured this will be getting completed (as I refuse to discontinue any work and to make a rushed ending). Assuming everything goes according to plan the next update should be sometime early August. So I hope y'all will look forward to it! Don't forget to vote and comment (as that gives me motivation too😉). Until next time!