◤You once told me you wanted more. Do you want it still?◢
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CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE: ENCHANTED
♪ : seafret - love won't let me leave
"DID it work?"
Gideon Lightwood, dressed in an elegant, obsidian suit and with a navy mask on his face, was the first one to greet Marie and Gabriel. Standing on top of a curving stone staircase that rose in their backyard and gave way to a backdoor of the vast manor of the Lightwood family, Gideon glanced at the pair who approached him. His little brother had his arm around Marie's lower back, supporting the brunette girl as they climbed up the stairs.
Both of them seemed distressed and exhausted. Their eyes carried a heavy sign of struggle and concern, but shy and shaky smiles managed to make an appearance on their lips.
"We believe so, brother," Gabriel spoke as the pair approached the top of the staircase and came to stand on the large terrace. The younger Lightwood slowly let go of Marie's frame, allowing the girl to lean against the stone fence. His forest green orbs met her hazel ones instantly. "Are you all right?"
The Wayland girl's knees wobbled slightly, threatening to give up on her and making Gabriel's hand reach out immediately to offer her support. He gently took hold of Marie's upper arm, drawing her frame to lean against his taller one.
He wasn't in his best state either, but he always found strength to offer support to the girl. With a wrinkled shirt and top button left undone, Gabriel let out a shaky breath. "Easy," he uttered. "Can you stand on your own?"
"I believe I am just dizzy," a whisper escaped Marie's lips as her hand flew to her forehead. A light fever followed her like a shadow, but the girl assumed it was nothing to worry about.
Events she and Gabriel had endured in the past hour or so took its toll on them. From the very beginning of the night to the end of their parabatai ceremony, everything was draining and laced in a veil of uncertainty. It was only naturally for their bodies to begin showing signs of tiredness and exhaustion.
Surely, they had achieved a major victory against the darkness and demons that attacked them, but the instant they woke up from their illusion, Marie sensed the unresting, gruesome feeling that resided in the pit of her stomach. While unusual, but matching white parabatai runes rested exactly where the pair drew them, symbolizing a new union being formed, Marie couldn't discard the worrying look Imogen Aldridge had spared them.
Marie could hear Gabriel's voice calling to her, slightly worried and ushered. She even felt his hands examining her body for any possible injuries, but she didn't react immediately. The only thing the girl could do was drown in Imogen's haunting orbs, almost as if she were pulled inside of Imogen's subconsciousness.
While the warlock gave the girl a comforting smile, Marie knew something was wrong. She was only made sure of it when she heard Imogen's words ringing in the back of her mind. It was odd; Marie was the only one that could hear them, as if Imogen had possessed the powers of a Silent Brother. Whatever you do, don't allow your first child to have a parabatai.
Then, the woman disappeared, leaving the new parabatai pair to embrace each other and head to where they were needed.
"Well," Gideon pulled Marie out of her daze. "I am glad to hear everything went more or less smoothly. However, now that you're here, I believe we should head inside. Father is going to be furious enough with the two of you for meddling with his and Consul's plans, we needn't him killing us immediately. Especially not for something as simple as being late to a party filled with demons."
"What?" Marie and Gabriel's eyes widened at Gideon's announcement. "Demons?"
"Believe me when I said that I knew nothing of this," Gideon shook his head, looking genuine and honest as he offered them two identical masks. A green one for Gabriel and a burgundy one for Marie.
The two hesitantly reached for them, gently leaning the masks against their skins and securing them in place. As they did so, the pair turned to each other, Gabriel offering his arm for Marie to take. "Well, we've already battled nasty demons once,"he tilted his head to the side. "What are a few more, darling?"
The girl inhaled deeply, trying to ignore the rapid beating of her heart and the deafening sound of her blood coursing through her veins. She wasn't sure there was a right way to prepare for what she was about to witness. Surely it couldn't be worse than what she just went through. "Let's go."
To say that the Wayland girl regretted her thoughts the moment she entered the manor would have been a terrible understatement.
First surprise came at the Lightwoods' doorstep. Even though Marie was accompanied by the Lightwood brothers themselves, the three were stopped by a hooded figure the moment Gabriel's hand flew to open the door.
A rough voice, like a thick needle being scraped over a green board, greeted them, asking for the invitations. Gabriel laughed pitifully, cursing the guard for even thinking of asking for invitations. For Heaven's sakes, this was his own house!
However, when the hooded figure hadn't stepped aside, Gideon took it upon himself to react. His hand felt to rest upon his brother's shoulder as he inclined his body toward the guard.
Few hushed words were exchanged and the hooded figure bowed apologetically, allowing Marie, Gabriel and Gideon to enter the manor.
"This is preposterous!" Gabriel half-shouted the moment they left the guard's presence. "I never thought I'd witness the day I won't be allowed into my own house."
"Seems like father is cautious of who is entering tonight," Gideon remained by Marie's side, his eyes scanning the inside. "Then again, I would be too, if I were to host a rendezvous for those that are considered enemies."
The brunette had to suppress a loud gasp when she noticed what the older Lightwood was insinuating of.
The grand room before her was filled with a noise of crime being committed. Music that masked the chatter of sinners and light that revealed demons' true faces struck Marie like a lightning bolt, unexpected and merciless. Out of blue.
Her eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. The walls that disappeared in vast darkness offered a safe space for Downworlders of all kinds: from spider-like creatures to those who couldn't be distinguished from humans. Proud warlocks, pale vampires and even ifrits, all dressed in the latest fashion pieces and with masks hiding their faces, roamed around the room. Even women of colorful hair and loose dresses that barely covered their curves were present, innocently batting their eyelashes at those who stood close to them.
Marie felt bile rising up her throat as she noticed various species of demons lurking around, as if they were harmless creatures. She couldn't understand how Benedict Lightwood could invite those who took so many of their kind away.
However, even if the appearance of demonic creatures scared Marie, what absolutely caught her off guard was the presence of automatons. Metallic and still, they stood against the walls, as if they were observing the scene before them.
"Raziel," her free hand flew up instantly, curling itself around Gabriel's wrist. She squeezed it, immediately drawing her parabatai's attention. "Just what is your father doing?"
An equally horrified expression rested on Gabriel's face. "You think that I know? When he said he was organizing a party, I didn't have this pictured in my mind."
Marie swallowed a lump that formed in her throat as she gazed at the automatons. Memories of the Dark House and all the suffering resurfaced, pressuring the girl's eyes to search for the Dark Sisters.
Even though she was aware that they couldn't hurt her now, Marie couldn't help but remember all the times one of them had used a knife to scar her skin and spill crimson blood on the floor, as if it were nothing but water. Unpleasant tingles crawled up and down the girl's spine, making her inhale a sharp breath.
"I think I need some air," Marie uttered.
"We just came in," Gideon's eyebrows furrowed as he glanced in between Marie and Gabriel.
"We may have," the brunette responded, "but you haven't fought the very same creatures that are walking in your home right now. So, if you'll excuse me, I need to leave."
Marie unclasped her hand from Gabriel's, turning on her foot and searching for the nearest exit. However, before she even managed to take a step further, Gabriel's arm seized hers again as he leant into the brunette girl.
"Do you want me to come along?" Marie felt Gabriel's closeness, giving herself permission to only turn her head slightly. "I wouldn't mind."
"Thank you for being kind, Gabriel," the girl smiled gently, "but I think I need to be alone for a while. I hope that's fine with you."
The drizzle of worry hadn't left Gabriel's eyes as he examined his parabatai, but he decided to trust Marie. He knew that the girl could protect herself if any danger were to arise, so he slowly let go of her arm and nodded. "If you need anything, I'll be inside," Gabriel said. "Alright?"
Marie's lips tugged upward as she embraced Gabriel in a tight hug, allowing the scent of his rich woody perfume to penetrate her nostrils. It was familiar and pleasant, making the girl feel like home, even though she was surrounded by the likes of demons.
"Alright," Marie offered one last smile to her friend before navigating her way around the room.
Tumbling in between the various occupants of the room, Marie felt the uncomfortable stares lingering on her body, leaving her to experience the unpleasant sense of being a prey. No matter how hard she tried to maneuver her way around and seek the exit, the only option she was left with was the same one she had used with the Lightwood brothers, only moments ago.
So, without wasting much time and muttering a few apologies along the way, Marie Wayland found herself on the balcony that overlooked the Lightwoods' backyard.
Milky rays of the moon shone down upon her, revealing the beauty of the gardens below her. Neat, green bushes and endless rows of marvelous flowers formed a small safe haven, created just for her.
"Celine?" A tall, dark silhouette approached Marie. Its voice awoke her heart, causing it to beat faster with a single word. She needn't turn around to recognize whom the voice belonged to: even if she were in the room filled with thousands of different speakers, she would have recognized it immediately. Besides, there was only one person in the world that called her Celine.
"Will," she breathed out his name, like it was air that allowed her to live.
That night, Marie realized as she turned around, Will Herondale looked absolutely breathtaking. Standing only a step away from her, Will wore an exquisite, carefully-tailored suit. There was no denying that it fit him perfectly, giving view to every curve of his body and making him appear even taller than he was. His stance was straight, shoulders rolled back and chin held proud. He emitted confidence and power without even trying.
His midnight orbs lingered on Marie's face, carefully examining what they were witnessing. It took him a while to realize that the woman who entered the Lightwood manor only minutes before, dressed in a mesmerizing burgundy dress, was Marie Wayland. His eyes were too busy with making sure that Tessa was safe and capable of fooling Nathaniel that he didn't find any suitable moment for him to rip his gaze away from the Gray girl. However, once he did, he was star-struck. Completely and utterly star-struck.
His lungs shut on him, almost as if he had suffered a terrible blow to his chest. No matter how many times he had laid his eyes on Marie Wayland, she still managed to cast an enchantment of sorts over him, drawing him to her as if he were left in her mercy from the very beginning of time.
"What are you doing here, Will?" Marie finally gathered enough strength to ask the question. To say that she was surprised when her ears registered Will's voice would have been an understatement. She had supposed her short absence wouldn't go noticed by the residents of the Institute.
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," the Herondale boy replied, coming to stand next to Marie. His hands fell to rest on the fence as he gazed at the gardens.
"Why don't you try me?" Marie almost laughed, all the memories from the particular night flooding her mind.
"Well," Will sighed, beginning to speak as if nothing unordinary ever happened between the two of them. "I apologized to James. After that, I was strolling through the hallways and somehow I managed to cross paths with Tessa and Sophie. Apparently, Sophie had broken a mirror against Jessamine's head. So, being the kind and generous gentleman I am, I had to offer assistance to the damsels in distress. Imagine my surprise when I witnessed poor Jessie being tied to her own bed!"
"What?" Marie's mouth fell agape, pupils dilating in bewilderment. "Our Sophie did that? I do not believe you."
"I didn't believe it either," Will shook his head, a throaty chuckle escaping his lips. "But, as it has come to my knowledge, she had even managed to slap Gabriel the other day."
"What? Are you sure that you're speaking of our Sophie?" Marie questioned. "Sophia Collins?"
"Well," Will turned to Marie sideways, meeting her eyes. "Do you know any other Sophia Collins around here?"
"No, I guess not," Marie shook her head. "But how did that bring you here?"
"You can thank Jessamine for that one," Will tilted his head to the side, his midnight orbs shining against the pale moonlight. "Apparently, she's been invited to Benedict's party by no other than Nathaniel Gray."
"Please tell me you're lying," the brunette had to suppress a gasp. Since when did Jessie associate herself with the likes of Nathaniel Gray? Not that Marie was surprised; she had witnessed Jessie leaving the Institute grounds.
"If you don't believe that, wait for the next grandiose information on the list," Will continued. "Tessa is here, as well."
"Have you absolutely lost your mind?" Marie half-shouted at Will's announcement, eyes widening. "Why did you let her come?"
"Because she's the only one who is capable of looking like Jessamine, obviously," Will stated. "Don't worry about Tessa. She's quite the actress. I assure you she has Nathaniel wrapped around her finger."
Marie nervously gnawed at her bottom lip, her fingers cracking under pressure. The girl couldn't help but allow her mind to drift onto her friend. Would Tessa truly be alright alone? What if Nathaniel figures her secret?
"We have to get her out of there," she finally said, turning on her foot and beginning to walk away.
Unfortunately, before she could pass through the door, a hand curled itself around her wrist and pulled her back. Immediately, her eyes met Will's. There was a certain determination written in the way he glanced at her. "No," he said, guiding her away from the entrance, making sure they weren't in the vision field of others. "If we pull her out, we risk being discovered and drawing attention to us. What do you think will happen then?"
"You're right." Of course he was. Marie was foolish to react so quickly. "That was a rushed decision on my behalf."
"Yes," Will said as they returned to their previous position. "Yes, it was. Unfortunately, your parabatai wasn't there to stop you from throwing yourself into the lion's den. You should thank the Angel for sending me instead."
The first thing Marie noticed as she began speaking was a proud smirk being painted on Will's lips. "How did you...?"
"Noticed it the moment I came here," Will shrugged his shoulders. "I was just waiting for you to begin the conversation first. I guess my wishes weren't meant to come true."
The brunette shook her head as a shy smile tugged at her lips. "I guess it slipped my mind."
"Slipped your mind?" The Herondale boy fell a victim to his theatrics. "Dear woman, how could that slip your mind? It's the latest and perhaps the juiciest gossip around here."
Marie's hand flew up immediately, lightly slapping Will's arm. "Would you stop it?"
"No," Will continued, voice high-pitched. "I was hoping to be invited to the ceremony to cheer on you and that Lightworm boy, but I guess I wasn't worthy enough!"
The brunette girl rolled her eyes as she glared at Will. "Will-"
The ridiculous expression that rested on Will's face disappeared, telling that the boy came back to his senses. "On a more serious note, did everything work out fine? The mark on your back is gone, but the parabatai rune glimmers white."
"I suppose so," Marie shrugged her shoulders. At that moment, she wasn't sure whether or not it was due to the cold breeze or out of uncertainty. "We are fine. Both of us."
"Are you cold?" Will's attention was on Marie's forearms, noticing the way goosebumps made an appearance on her skin. Immediately, the boy began taking off his black jacket and leaving it to rest around Marie's shoulders. His hands joined the ends of the jacket in front of the girl, tugging them slightly. A sincere smile shone on his face, brighter than the moonlight. "There. I hope this does the trick."
Marie felt her cheeks flushing as she allowed her fingers to replace Will's. However, when Will felt the girl wanting to take hold of his jacket, he didn't let go. Instead, he allowed his hands to envelop Marie's. The gentle smile faded, as if it were erased from the face of the earth, leaving Marie to wonder what crossed the boy's mind.
"Will," she whispered, afraid that if she spoke louder, she would disturb the tranquility of the moment. "What is wrong?"
Silently, Will shook his head. His dark curls danced along as his midnight eyes met Marie's hazel ones. "Nothing," he uttered. "For the first time, nothing is wrong."
Marie's heart threatened to escape her chest. It leaped at Will's words, punching against Marie's ribcage. She swallowed a lump before she tried to retract her hands away from Will's, but was only hit with another wave of surprise when Will didn't let go of them.
His attention was solely focused on her, as if she were the only thing to exist in the world. It was then that Will was sure that even if he were completely lost, Marie was to be his beacon and guide him to the light.
"If this is one of your silly attempts to bluntly utter something along the lines of 'You're pretty', forget it-"
"That word doesn't do you justice."
As if her own heart betraying her wasn't enough, Marie's lungs followed in step. All the air that rested inside them had run out, making the girl think she suddenly forgot how to breathe.
And perhaps she did.
Her eyes were completely glued to Will's, her whole being put under a spell of his. He didn't know it, but the boy had the girl's knees buckling beneath her. And even if his husky voice and honest words weren't enough to shatter her confidence, the gentle brush of his hand against her cheek surely won her over.
"Celine," the distance between them was erased with a single step. "You are absolutely beautiful and I cannot stay away."
Will's words were woven in a thread of gentleness and pure sincerity. They were spoken slowly and meaningfully, as if he was testing the grounds. It almost fooled Marie into thinking that Will wasn't sure of his actions, which somehow astonished her.
Will Herondale wasn't the one to be unsure of his behavior. His moves were carefully thought out, wrapped in a veil of confidence. But in that moment, underneath the silver moonlight and achingly close to Marie, Will found himself entirely exposed. The high walls that guarded the entrance to his heart and soul were gone, vanished into nothingness as Marie Wayland laid her hazel eyes on him.
It was then, for the first time, that Will hadn't felt fear for being honest. Worry didn't wash over him to remind him that he was to stay away from the ones he loved.
No.
Will was completely aware that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to stay away from Marie Wayland. She was his sun, and he found himself constantly drawn to her orbit, no matter how much he struggled to escape.
"Will," the boy's name fell off of Marie's lips in a form of a hushed whisper. Her eyes were closed, but Will felt the softness of her skin against his palm.
"My heart is not captured easily, Celine. Small talks bring me no joy and I find myself drifting away from people as often as I breathe. I fooled myself into thinking that love didn't exist and that its only purpose was to hurt me and those I cared about. I focused myself on becoming the best Shadowhunter ever, knowing that others won't be granted a moment of my time. They would be safe and away from the hands of danger," Will paused, shaking his head. A pitiful laugh escaped his mouth as his eyes collided with Marie's. "But you broke all of my beliefs. We connected and you've found a way into my heart. You captured it and no matter what I try to do, I can't push you out."
"Then don't," Marie's hands found themselves pressed against the elegant material of Will's shirt. A glimmer of hope found its way into their hearts as stars smiled upon the pair. "You don't have to push me away, Will."
"I know," he whispered as his hands cupped Marie's cheeks, drawing the girl closer to him. "It doesn't work. I tried. God, I tried. I push you away, but it only makes me miss you more. Deeply, unfathomably, terribly." Will's forehead came to rest on Marie's. "I am sorry. I really am. I should have fought for you. I should have done so much more than just let you go."
A smile danced on the brunette girl's lips as she felt Will's thumbs gently caressing her cheekbones. She felt him draw in a sharp breath before he continued. "I want to be able to choose you today, tomorrow and every day after."
It took him only a single second to remove both of their masks, leaving the girl breathless whenever his fingers touched her skin. It felt like stars kissed her, bracing her for something she wasn't sure her fragile heart could handle.
Sure Will had told her that she would always have parts of his heart back when she confessed her own feelings. But Will Herondale who stood before her then and the one who stood before her now weren't the same person.
This Will wasn't her destruction. This Will was her birth.
The boy who watched her in admiration with his mesmerizing dark-blue eyes left her to drown in his honesty. He stripped her of all of her ill feelings and fear, alluring her to take a step more toward him and surrender.
Marie Wayland had known Will Herondale a long time, but never had she encountered this side of him. Gentle and careful, determined and driven by love. She didn't need to hear the three sacred words to know what Will was saying; their hearts had understood each other perfectly.
"You once told me you wanted more," Will's fingers hovered above the tender skin of her shoulders and down Marie's arms, interlacing with her own and bringing her fallen hands above his heart. His eyes stared into her soul, taking a glimpse of her hidden feelings. "Do you want it still?"
"What do you think?" Marie didn't know why she spoke those words. She supposed her jumping heart made her do it, distracting her mind from choosing to speak clearly.
"If your answer is a yes, I can only promise you that I'll give myself to you. Fully and without hesitation," Will answered. "If you'll have me, that is."
"And if the answer's no?"
Marie saw Will swallow a lump. "If the answer's no, then I shall not stand in your way anymore."
"I love you, William Herondale," the girl pushed herself on her toes, lips hovering above Will's. "Now and always. And I don't want you to let me go."
That was all Will ever needed. It was his permission to pull Marie Wayland into him and allow his lips to close the distance between them.
The moment Will Herondale kissed Marie Wayland, he felt like he was being knocked off his feet. He felt as if he had been a mess and the girl in front of him was the only one who could repair him. She was the only one who made him feel complete.
Without Marie Wayland by his side, nothing made sense. His lungs didn't have any air to breathe. Without her, he had constantly been on his knees, begging for a light at the end of a tunnel. And yet - when she appeared - everything fell back into its place.
Her lips against his mended all the brokenness, making his world spin in circles. Her hands burned his body with every touch and he could have only hoped she felt the same sensation he did, because he felt like he had been sent to heaven.
A simple touch of their lips made his heart pick up its pace. It made his mind order him to pull Marie even closer than physically possible and it only made him smile wider into the kiss as her hands returned the gesture.
Her small palms curled themselves around the material of his shirt. Her soft lips parted from his, only to catch a breath. Will took it as an opportunity to gaze into her eyes and smile. "And I love you, Celine. With my whole heart," his whisper was barely audible. "You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that."
Every word of his made Marie shudder. Her skin felt burning hot to the touch, even though she was shivering only moments ago. "I think I might have a slight idea."
And then again, as if he were capable of reading her thoughts, Will kissed her.
He kissed her and she melted at the softness of his lips.
They had kissed before; seconds ago and back when Marie confessed her feelings. But no kiss of theirs was like that one.
This one was gentle and intentional; it spoke all the words they were lacking. It was slow and tender, as if both of them were afraid that if they pushed harder, they would break. It was such a contrast to the rest of their bodies; their hands didn't dare let go of each other, their fingers grasping a hold of whatever they could. Whether it be the material of their robes or each other's skins, they searched for a sign of something tangible.
And their hearts. Their hearts surrendered entirely, allowing them to get lost in each other.
Marie felt everything, more deeply than she should have. She felt Will's hands resting low on her back and his lips tasting hers. Her nerves jumped in excitement, her whole body trembling from Will's closeness.
If this was what her future with Will looked like, she was ready to endure anything. With him by her side, holding her close and treating her as if she were a living goddess, Marie was ready to tackle any obstacle on their way.
A shaky breath escaped Marie's lips as she pulled away from Will. Her mind felt dizzy, as if she were dancing on a cloud.
"Don't stop, Celine," Will shook his head. His eyes were closed, but Marie registered the urgency in his voice. It was the same desire that coursed through her own veins, ushering them to press their bodies against each other. "Just don't."
"My, my," a familiar voice came from the rattling door. "That was such a spectacular display. Care to do it again?"
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NOTE:
Happy holidays, lovely souls!
Um, if this chapter didn't make you feel something - I think I'll give up. Please let me know what you think will happen next.
Also, what do we think of Will and Marie?