Extraits

“Saw that movie,” said Kit.

“Read that book,” Tessa shot back.

“I have no idea what you two are talking about,” Jem said.

“Also . . . ,” the faerie said in a rush. “I saw you once, about eight years ago, when you were still . . . I only got one glimpse, but you seemed so hauntingly sad. And so hauntingly attractive.”

“Thank you,” said Jem. “I’m very happy now. Your cough seems to be getting worse, Kit. Do you need medicine as well?”

Kit straightened up. “Nope, I’m good. Come on, Brother Hauntingly Attractive.”

“There’s no need to mention this to Tessa.”

“And yet,” said Kit, “I’m gonna.”

All I did was think about being worthy if coming home to you," said Alec. "It was nothing much."

There was a silence. Alec turned, a little concerned, to find Magnus staring at him. That surprised look was on his face again, and there was a softness along with it that was rare for Magnus."

That hellborn brat," Magnus muttered. "I read him eight stories."

"Magnus !"

"What, I can call him that, it's you who can't call him that, because it's infernally insensitive."

Alec couldn't just look at him. He kissed him, and that mouth was against his own, the kiss making every tired muscle in Alec's body turn to liquid sweetness. To Alec, love always meant this: his shinning city of eternal light. The land of lost dreams reclaimed, his first kiss and his last.

Magnus's arms went around him.

"My Alec," Magnus murmured. "Welcome home."

Now when Alec asked himself Is this how you want to live your whole life ?Alec could answer yes, and yes, and yes.

Magnus's smile returned. Alec pulled him into his arms, then turned so Magnus had his back to the wall. Alec cupped Magnus's face in both hands.

"Give me a minute," Alec said. "Let me look at you. God, I missed home."

Seeing Magnus experience the instant instinctive love as Alec had with Max, as Alec learned with Rafael the slow, sweet, and conscious way of love that Magnus had learned with Max. Opening a new door in their familiar beloved home, as if it had always been there."

I think I might understand already, Alexander," said Magnus. "You were away a day and half and you adopted us another kid. What happens if you go away for a week ?"

Are those sweatpants mine ?"

"Yes," said Magnus."I missed you."

He moved towards Alec, then stopped short. Rafe's hands were clenched hard on the edge of Magnus's robe.

Alec couldn't speak Rafael's language, but he understood nonetheless. Don't let me see you, and then have to go away into the loneliness that is the world without you. Please, please keep me. I'll be good, if you would just keep me."