Alexander Lightwood and the Court Pianist

Chapter 1: The Meeting

The Lightwood palace was enormous, and the halls were silent nowadays, save for the countless strangers that passed through continuously during the summer months.

The family is quiet. Perfect to the eyes of those who live on the outside of the castle walls that encase the Lightwoods. No one asked questions they didn't want to know the answer to, and no one cared. They were the richest family in the surrounding land, and had more control over the people than the current government did themselves. The people loved them more than their own King and Queen. But little did they know of the issues that surround the family name.

Alexander was pacing back and forth in his office, reading the letter over and over again.

They want to make a deal. The Lightwood family rarely makes deals with overseas partners, due to the lack of trust and sureness, but this amount of money would increase the family's status to practically royalty. His parents would want him to make the decision and follow through, but he could never be sure. The tiles were clicking beneath his shoes as he walked from his large desk to one of the chairs that sat off to the side of the room. Long strides, quick turn. Long strides, quick tu-

"Alec!" Isabelle burst into the room, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"Izzy! What is it? Is everything alright?" Alec was worried, she usually never bothered him while he was in his study.

"Everything is fine, but I need to borrow you. Can you take a break from your newest letter?"

"Izzy, please, you know I'm busy with Clave business." Alexander began protesting, but his sister Isabelle cut him off.

"Alec, you're always busy with Clave business. There is someone you need to meet." Isabelle stood tall in her flowing black dress that had a wide skirt, red lace and petals adorning the edges by her feet. Her long black hair was tied in a knot on her head, a few strands escaping her pin's hold and curling behind her ears.

"Who says, Mom and Dad?" Alec's face curled into a look of discomfort, and he sat at the edge of his bed, and Isabelle made a face back at him.

"Yes, Mom and Dad. You drove away the previous player and we are in need of a new one. Life is quiet in the Lightwood household without a little music."

"I drove away the last player because he had a horrible taste in music and couldn't pick up on a bit of light humor." Alexander's voice was sleeping with truth, but a grin broke out across his face, making his little sister laugh.

"Alec, your idea of 'light humor' is intense sarcasm that a fool takes as dear honesty. And also, I've heard you both have a similar taste in women- it might give you something to talk about." Isabelle winked and took Alec by the hand, dragging him up from his bed and into the ballroom where the grand piano sat gently in the corner of the room. The two siblings walked quickly into the room, interrupting a conversation without care.

The siblings' father, Robert, and their mother, Maryse, both stood around the dark wooden instrument, as a man with an exquisite sense of everything sat at the bench, looking very much at peace.

Robert turned to Alexander and smiled, resting a hand on his shoulder. With a gruff voice, he said proudly,

"Ah yes, finally. This is my son, Alexander. He is the oldest of the house, and he will soon take my place as Head of the House. Alexander, I'd like you meet the new pianist, Magnus Bane."

The moment Alec's eyes met Magnus', his heart nearly beat out of his throat and onto the hammers in the open piano, thumping hard enough to play his own music. Maryse stood still, and kept her quiet. She never said a word as Robert introduced the two of them. Magnus smiled at Alec, and stood up quickly. He stuck out his hand, and said sweetly,