The Found Herondale

Chapter 17

Chapter 17
Antony's POV

I hear Welsh songs echoing through the Institute as I lay on Raleigh's bed, waiting for her to return from the outing with Cordelia and Anna. 

Raleigh's face is always lit up when she sees Will.
I don't know why, but WIll is like her older brother and she always seems happier when near him.
Even when Alec Lightwood-Bane walks into the room, her blue eyes will mistake his blue eyes and black hair for Will's.

I sigh.

Her door opens and I sit up, seeing Raleigh in the hallway.
She is smiling big, and rushes over to me.
I envelop her in a hug, pulling her close to me.

"How was your day?" I ask letting my hand run through her blonde hair.
She chuckles.
"It was awesome. I wish you could've come with us."

I smile.
"Did Anna give off any vibes to knowing where Addison is?"

Raleigh shakes her head.
"No, sadly. But I got to experience the Hell Ruelle. It was just as the book described it."

"That's good, my love."
Raleigh kisses me softly before smiling and untangling myself.

She goes to her bag and pulls out her notebook, where the entire book of Chain of Gold resides.

 Over the past few months, everyone in the Institute helped out and tape a pdf into an old journal.
It was just in case things like this happened.
Raleigh's very smart.

I watch as she reads the story and I walk over, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing my face into her hair.
"Is everything okay?" I mutter, as she tenses.

"Didn't Rose save Barbara so it was only two hurt from the picnic?"
I nod.
"Well, Barbara was supposed to not make it. Will something happen in our time?"

"I don't know, Ral, we can just hope for the best."
She makes an incoherent noise, and I turn her around to face me.
"I promise things will get better, my love."

I kiss her softly, pulling her closer to me.
She pulls herself closer to me, and deepens the kiss between us.

We continue to kiss, and she pushes me into the wall, making the kiss even deeper.
The door to our room slams open, and we both break apart.
Tessa stands at the door.

I flush, and Raleigh's face pinks.

"I assume you have seen worse," She says, laughing.
We both nod.
"I won't say a word," Tessa continues. "But come on. Lucie and the Thieves are in the drawing-room waiting for me. I have good news for them."

"What's the good news?" I ask.
"Barbara's all better! Her parents are on their way here now."

Raleigh's jaw drops, making her go speechless.
"Raleigh?" Tessa asks.
"I-i'm fine, Tess, we're coming."

Tessa nods, her eyes watching us carefully.
She leads the way out, and I wrap an arm around Raleigh's waist, and we both follow.

As we reach the drawing-room, I see my family in there, along with Lucie, Will and the Merry Thieves. 
"Wow this room is getting crowded, Mum," Lucie says.

Ragnor Fell is sitting in the corner, humming a Welsh song with Will.
Raleigh smiles big, and goes over and sits next to Will, whose blue eyes brighten and he slings an arm over her shoulder, hugging her.
She joins the tune, singing along

Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus
Aur y byd na'i berian man:
Gofyn wyf galon hapus 
Calch honest, calonian 

James and Lucie's eyes widen, and Ashton makes a quiet quacking noise.
It's a solid impersonation, one so good that it makes Will jump, and Raleigh glare at Ash. 

I snort along with Rose.
Tessa motions for Will to come with her.
He bolts up quickly, taking Raleigh with him.

Raleigh chuckles, leaving.

Ragnor Fell begins a tale to the Thieves and Lucie, and Adele scoots over next to me.

"I have an idea," She whispers in my ear. 
"What is it?" I ask.

Adele pulls a red curl behind her ear.
"We could always ask Fell if he knows of Addison's location."
I nod.
"And if he doesn't know, we could always ask Magnus."

Adele goes back over and kisses Ashton on the cheek.
I can tell that Ash is hiding her emotions. Addison's betrayal hit her hard. Really hard.

Raleigh comes back with Tessa and Will, and their facial reactions stop everyone's conversations.
"What is it, Mam?" James asks.

"Thomas, Barbara's recovered. Your parents are on their way here now."
Thomas's eyes widened.
He excuses himself out.

It's going to be a long night.

***

Ashton, Rosalie, and Adele all wander the hallways of the Institute later that evening. 

"This is all very intense," Rosalie says as she pulls her blue-blonde hair back into a ponytail.
"Much more intense than the 1800s were," Adele adds.

Ashton nods, unknowing what to add to the conversation.

"What do you mean by more intense than the 1800s?" A voice asks, making the three of them jump.
James stands in the hallway, followed by Will and Jem.

"Jem!" Ash says excitedly. "I-i mean Brother Zachariah."
Will laughs, and James just looks annoyed, his golden eyes glaring.

"My question?" He asks.

"Oh, it's nothing, Jamie," Will says. "The girls are just reminiscing our fun adventures together."
Rosalie giggles. 
"Like the warehouse fight."

Will nods.

"And when you and Raleigh got rescued by Antony and Jem in the opium den," Ashton adds.
"Ah yes, the glory days."

Your glory days were when you and Raleigh for severely high at the age of 18?

Adele watches, amused.

Will makes a face of shock.
"My glory days were when I was young and free and gallivanting with you and Tess. Raleigh offered to help me that night."
James looks very confused.

Brother Zachariah looks very confused.
Why, yes. Sure, if Tessa believes that statement. Now come on, I need to take care of a few things. 
Miss Campbell?

Ashton's red curls jerk up.
"Yes?"

If I may have a word, I believe that I may have a hint as to where Addison could be.

Ashton nods eagerly, and she joins the boys, walking away with them awkwardly.
Rose and Adele stand there.

"How can I help her?" Adele asks, her voice sounding pained.
"Jessamine?" Rose suggests.
"And maybe Lucie," Adele adds. "Come on, we need Ral's book. I have an idea."