A Love Worth Saving (A Will/Tessa - Infernal Devices Fan-Fiction)

Epilogue

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this fanfic. I love you all :)

Epilogue

Will:

The air was warm and smelling slightly of fresh cut grass as William Herondale made his way back to the London Institute riding on Balios, one of the Institute's horses, and his personal favourite. He felt the wind blow through his hair; his lips turned up ever so slightly at the prospect of seeing Tessa. Granted, he did feel guilt. Guilt that he had to lose James – Jem – his parabatai, just to have her, and yes he felt a piece of him die every time he thought of Jem, but it had been months gone by and he lived on. He had his best friend in his heart and his memories and no amount of time would rid of those. Will reminded himself that being near Tessa helped him feel close to Jem – although not too close, he thought, as not to ruin the moments – and he was keeping up his end of Jem's dying wish. Look after Tessa.

His mind travelled back to that disastrous event that took place on Tessa and Jem's wedding day. When the clockwork army invaded High Manor and destroyed much more than a happy day; they destroyed lives. The moment Jem died was the day Will's heart broke and in his mind, it would probably never truly heal again. He'd opened himself up to love after realising he wasn't actually cursed, and then this happened. He was starting to wonder whether he really had been cursed and that demon, Marbas, had tricked him. Again.

Jumping off the horse, he handed the reins to Cyril before walking into the Institute. He hung his hat off on the stand by the doors and ran up the spiral stairs to the first floor where he passed Sophie. He raised an eyebrow.

"Master Will, you're looking awfully cheerful this afternoon," she said, her lips thinning with disapproval.

He straightened his black vest and raked a hand through his hair. "Why, yes I do believe I am."

Which wasn't all that true. It was merely a front these days, to behave as though nothing was wrong, despite the almost constant reminder of all that he had lost. Just walking into the front of the Institute and seeing hisparabatai's walking stick cut a hole in his chest from the memories.

His mind cast back to the funeral. All the Shadowhunters of London, and even many from overseas, had attended. Dressed formally in white, as was the tradition, they mourned the loss of Jessamine, Gabriel, and then their biggest loss – James Carstairs.

Tears had fallen from Will's cheeks, despite how everybody told you to move on fast and that Shadowhunters died aplenty for their job, he couldn't stop the tears. He couldn't stop the heartbreak, and most of all, he couldn't stop the guilt.

Not giving Sophie a chance to reply or even send a scowl his way, he marched past her and towards the drawing room where he found Tessa quietly reading a book with the hearth alight with flames, casting a warm glow through the room.

She rested the book down gently as he walked in; , her eyes widening with a beautiful happiness.

"Will," she rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around him, as he put his hands around her neck, and pressing his lips against hers. When they parted for a second she was a little breathless saying, "Oh, I missed you."

He shot a satisfied grin but then tried to hide it when a solemn nod. "As did I," He kissed her once more before moving over to the chair awaiting his return, all the while holding her hand in his.

Will lowered his gaze as he sat beside her. He reluctantly let go of her hand and clasped his together, thinking about... things. He half smiled.

"I have news. Magnus has arranged us to take a trip away," He tried to make sure his expression appeared excited, but still, the guilt beat down on him like rain drops made of steel.