Chain of Iron

Chapter Thirteen

Cordelia sat in the family room of Kensington Gardens that evening, polishing Cortana. The blade was glimmering gold already but Cordelia found that she always polished her sword when something was bothering her and there was indeed something bothering her tonight. There had been another demon attack just as everyone had thought that maybe they were finally out of the woods. If one had already happened, what was to say that it would not happen again? Cordelia frowned and scrubbed harder at the blade.

She recalled the look James had gotten on his face when Tessa had told them that Grace had been injured in the battle; she had never seen anyone look so heartbroken before. She had felt terribly for him and hoped that Grace would be okay for his sake. Matthew had followed him out of the door and Cordelia figured that they had gone to the Silent City. Cordelia's mother had called her home after that, fearing that there would be another demon attack and she wanted her daughter at home. Since then, Cordelia had tried to entertain herself by reading but nothing could occupy her mind.

"You've been scrubbing that for quite awhile." A voice said.

Cordelia jumped and Alastair snickered as he came and took a seat across from her. She felt surprised at his presence, her brother had seemed to be avoiding everyone for the past few weeks. Cordelia observed him; it still felt strange to see him with his natural dark hair but Cordelia thought it looked better this way. The blond had made him appear as if he were trying to be someone he was not, which she knew, he had been trying to.

"I want it to shine." Cordelia replied as she went back to polishing Cortana.

Alastair studied her. "I am surprised you are not with your childish group of friends."

Cordelia shot him a venomous look. "They are good and honourable people; I have no clue as to why you dislike them so much. I happen to like them."

She recalled what Alastair had said to her before, when she had once stated the very same thing to him. Which one do you find so agreeable? He had inquired. If it's Herondale, he will never like you better than Miss Blackthorn, and if it's Fairchild, he will never like you better than the bottle. Those words seemed to hold a new weight to Cordelia now and they pierced her heart although she could not say why.

"I do not dislike them. They are just simply children." Alastair stated casually, examining his fingernails.

"And you are just so much older?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Alastair turned to look her, narrowing his eyes. "In the aspects that matter, yes. Herondale acts as if the whole world is against him and Fairchild is too busy drinking his life away to see much else."

Anger flooded through Cordelia. "Do not speak so ill of James and Matthew. They have both saved my life in battle and you would do well as to not insult them, Alastair."

His dark eyes glimmered in interest. "I knew that you would be quick to defend James but I did not expect such venom from you at the mention of Matthew as well."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Matthew is my friend and I always defend my friends."

"So it seems." Was all her brother replied with.

"You seem in a better mood today. You have moped around these corridors for the past month looking somber; are you now feeling better?" Cordelia changed the subject.

"I have not been moping around the house." Alastair objected. "You have just been to busy with the Herondales to notice."

"Well James is to be my husband and Lucie my Parabatai." She pointed out. "I should be spending time with them."