Chain of Iron

Chapter Forty-Five

"I simply cannot believe that you went behind mine and your mother's back and went into the Shadow Realm."

James huffed at his father's words. "Well, I saved Lucie and Jesse, did I not? Matthew, Cordelia and I all did."

James was sat across from his father in his office, a few days after Matthew had woken up, and his father was lecturing him about how he had gone into the Shadow Realm. Will had given his son a few days, at least, before he had started his angry rant but James knew that it was out of love. He had simply been worried about his son. Although, it did not do anything to mask the irritation James felt. He did not know when his father would stop viewing him as a child.

"And that is another thing." His father continued. "Endangering the lives of your Parabatai and your wife."

"Matthew and Cordelia would have not let me go alone." James retorted. "Even if I had forbidden them to come with me, they still would have."

"And, to make matters even more worse," His father kept speaking as if James had not. "You stole The Mortal Sword from the Silent City. One of The Mortal Instruments given to Shadowhunters by Raziel himself."

"I know how the story goes, Dad." James spoke in an icy tone.

Will sighed and looked at his son. "You remind me of my young self more and more everyday and that is not a compliment."

"Mother says that you were very charming when she had first met you. I only wish to be just as charming." James spoke innocently.

His father smirked slightly. "Flattery does not get you anywhere, Jamie, but I do appreciate your mother acknowledging my charm. I am afraid that no one does these days."

James could not resist the urge to chuckle; his father had always been quite funny and he and Matthew shared the same type of humour. James guessed that this was why his Parabatai and his father got along so well.

"How is Matthew doing?" His father asked.

"He is well. He has now moved back home with Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Henry as he recovers." An amused smile came to James' face. "Matthew did not wish to but Aunt Charlotte had almost dragged him by the ear back to their home."

His father chuckled. "Charlotte has always had that sense of authority about her. When I had first come to the Institute when I had been twelve years old, I had slightly feared her. Although she is a small woman, she can be very forceful."

James smiled. "I never got to ask you; what did mother say when you told her of mine and Cordelia's fake marriage?"

"She had been a bit sad at first as she adores Cordelia, but was proud of what it is that you have done to save her reputation." Will smiled. "Although, I suspect that your mother hopes that you and Cordelia will fall in love and just stay married."

James could not help but blush; he too secretly wished that. He was in love with Cordelia and James suspected that had been this whole time. Grace had simply been a distraction; Cordelia was the girl he loved. She was always there for him and he admired the way she fiercely protected the people she cared about. He thought back to the way she had stabbed Belial in the Shadow Realm, if she had not, he would have killed Matthew.

"I find myself hoping for the same thing." James spoke finally, looking up at his father. "I have realized that I am in love with Cordelia."

Will's blue eyes widened. "Really? I had believed that you did not love her."

"As did I." James replied. "But she is the first person I wish to speak to when I wake up in the morning and the last person I wish to see at night. Cordelia is selfless and always knows what to say when one is feeling down. Every time I think of her, my heart feels as if it is flying."

His father smiled happily. "I am very happy for you, Jamie. I have always believed that you and Cordelia had something special."

James then frowned. "Although, she does not return my affection."

"You do not know that, James." His father did not miss a beat. "Cordelia may in fact feel the same as you do. The only way you can know is if you tell her how you feel."

James bit his lip, unsure of what he should do. He wished to know how Cordelia felt about him but what if she did not return his feelings? They would then be married to one another for one long and awkward year. But what if she did feel the same way? They would then never have to divorce and James could live happily with her for the rest of his life. There was a great amount of risk, but James knew what it was that he would do.

"Alright." He announced then. "I will tell Cordelia of my love for her."

* * *

"Mother, you do not need to fuss over me." Matthew insisted. "I feel completely fine."

Charlotte sighed as she set down a teacup in front of Matthew who was sitting in one of the armchairs in his childhood home. His mother had forced him to move back home as he recovered from his incident at the Shadow Realm even though he now felt perfectly healthy.

"You almost died, Matty." His mother said as she took a seat across from him. "Forgive me, your mother, for being worried about you."

Matthew gave her his infamous smile and saw her relax slightly. "You do not need to worry now, I am no longer dying."

She sighed. "That was very dangerous of you, James and Cordelia to go gallivanting off into a demon realm like that."

"I can assure you we were not gallivanting." Matthew pointed out. "And we had no choice. Lucie and Jesse had to be saved right away. I am only glad that nothing happened to either James or Cordelia."

Charlotte studied her son deeply. "You care quite deeply for Cordelia, don't you, Matthew?"

He felt his cheeks heat but made himself hold her gaze. "Of course I do. She is my Parabatai's wife."

"I believe that your care for her runs deeper than that." His mother spoke in a soft tone. "You can tell me, Matty, I am your mother. I can see that you are struggling with something."

Matthew looked away from his mother. He did not wish to tell her of his feelings for Cordelia but he also did not like lying to his mother. She had already seen through him and Matthew did not see any point in denying her claim now.

"I love Cordelia." Matthew spoke in a low voice. "I have loved her ever since she first moved here to London."

"Oh, my sweet." Charlotte's voice was tender. "I am very sorry; it pains me to see you unable to be with the one you love." She hesitated then for a moment. "Is James aware of your feelings?"

Matthew shook his head. "No, but I find that I become more and more guilty with everyday that passes by where I do not tell him. I am afraid that if I do tell him, it will cause much tension between us, but I also feel wrong not telling him."

His mother leaned back in her chair. "You are his Parabatai and the one person that James has sworn to always care for and protect. I do not believe that he would ever be upset with you or become angry with you for telling him of how you feel, Matthew."

Matthew considered his mother's words; she was right, he knew, but still anxiety washed through him. Telling James might cause a significant change in their relationship but Matthew knew that not telling him made him feel badly. Parabatai were supposed to tell each other everything and to always be open with one another. Matthew was not being true to the oath he had made to James by holding in secrets from him.

He then stood up. "Alright, I will go to the Institute right now and tell James of my feelings for Cordelia."

His mother smiled. "Do not be nervous, Matty. James will appreciate you telling him."

Matthew gave his mother a smile and then left the living room, hoping that her words would be correct.