♕

They walked out of the chapel into a burst of applause and cheers that followed them into the Long Hall, and upstairs into the ballroom, where the tables had been set for the wedding feast. 

Dahlia, still hand in hand with Matthew, looked around in wonder. The ballroom had been transformed into a glittering fantasia. Sona and Laurina had worked tirelessly with Tessa to plan the party, and they'd left no corner of the ballroom untouched, from the candles winking from the hundreds of brass sconces to the swaths of gold silk draped at the windows. The golden hues of Dahlia's lehenga were echoed again and again, in shimmering pennant sand gleaming bells strung from the ceiling. Gold glinted from the ribbons that twined through garlands of tansy and Welsh poppies, and gilded the apples and pears nestled in arrangements of evergreen and white-berried quickbeam. Even the two huge tiered cakes at the center of the lavish spread were iced in gold and ivory. 

Dahlia nearly blinded her self.

 There was a truly impressive spread laid out: steaming platters of roast lamb and chicken, thin pounded mutton chops, beef tongue, goose-liver pâté. Another long table was bedecked with cold salmon in a cucumber sauce; a salad of lobster and rice and another of boiled potatoes and pickles; and plump eggs suspended artfully in aspic. Interspersed among the dishes were towers of brightly colored jellies in amber, fuchsia, and green.

Dahlia sorrowfully remembered the  green goopy horror that Ariadne had made, she made a small note to force Matthew to eat it. 

Christopher had nicked a pear from a display and seemed disappointed to discover that it was made of wax. 

 "Goodness, it's magnificent," Dahlia said, gazing around the room. "You flatter me, darling," Matthew said mildly. "I have been saving this waistcoat for a special occasion, though."

Dahlia slapped his arm. "Not you. The room." she said, rolling her eyes.

Cordelia laughed just as James's parents descended on them—wishing to congratulate them and also, Dahlia suspected, to protect them from being overwhelmed by eager members of the Enclave. 

"I'm famished," Matthew whispered to Dahlia as Lucie tried to shoo their well-wishers toward the tables—as the bride and groom, they could not stop to eat until all the guests were settled. "It's cruel to have to gaze upon a feast like that and not be able to nab so much as a biscuit." 

"Is Christopher eating his wax pear?" Cordelia whispered. "That can't be healthy." 

Dahlia's eyes widened in alarm. "Christopher, don't eat the pear!" she started, Christopher sheepishly placed the pear away. Dahlia shook her head in  mild amusement and worry.

After a few minutes of well wishes Dahlia gave up trying to keep track of all the guests. Dahlia found herself relieved by the appearance of anyone she actually knew personally: Gabriel and Cecily and their toddler son, Alexander, who had been retrieved from the nursery and remained amazingly asleep through the raucous congratulations and cheers. Rosamund Wentworth, who wanted to talk about wedding cakes since "as of course you know, I am also to be married soon. Thoby, stop that and pay attention." Thomas's elder sister, Eugenia, recently back from Idris. Henry Fairchild, who simply held Dahlia's hands and wished her happy with a straightforward sincerity that made her want to cry. In fact a few moments after he left, Dahlia felt hot tears spilling down her face. Matthew looked alarmed.

Dahlia wiped them away with her gloves, and was sure her makeup was ruined now. She sighed deep

With help from Lucie and Tessa, the guests were steered into their seats, and James and Cordelia were able to sit down. Dahlia had told Matthew to o sit while she looked for her sister, once she found Ariadne she retuned to her seat, which as unfortunately next to Matthew. Lucie had managed to arrange it so most of the friends were sitting together in a cheerful group. Only Anna—off in a corner looking glamorous and chatting to Magnus Bane about Ragnor Fell's sojourn in Capri—had not joined them.

"Welcome to the family," Christopher said to Cordelia. "You're our cousin-in-law now. I've never had one of those before."

 "All Shadowhunters are related already," Matthew said, tucking his flask into his breast pocket and deftly intercepting a passing waiter with a tray of champagne flutes. He abstracted two and passed one to Dahlia with a flourish. "You were already ninth cousins once removed, most likely." 

"Thank you for that distressing analysis," Dahlia said, raising her own glass in a mock formal toast.

"I shall be an honorary Thief, I hope." Cordelia said.

 "Well, we'll have to see," said Matthew, his eyes twinkling. "How you are at thievery and such." 

"It really is excellent, all this, you know," Christopher said. "I mean, even though the whole wedding is ... you know ... because ..."

 Thomas jumped in before Christopher could find his words. "Expensive, yes," he agreed loudly. "But it's well worth it, I say."

Dahlia leaned over to her parabatai, "Chris, it is a secret remember, love?"

Christopher's eyes widened. "I apologize." 

Dahlia squeezed his hand.

 "Anyway, it'll be quite a lark that you have your own house now, James," Christopher went on. "No more drafty Devil Tavern rooms for both you and Matthew."

 "The Merry Thieves gathering in respectable surroundings," said Matthew. "Who would have thought?" 

"I like the Devil Tavern rooms," protested James. 

"I like a fire in the grate that doesn't get rained out," said Thomas.

 "You are not to send your things from the Devil Tavern to my new house," James said sternly.

 "Mine either, it is not a storage facility for my misbegotten friends."  Matthew chimed in. Dahlia rolled her eyes. "I'm brining a herd of horses." she said, mockingly. Matthew glared at her.

Dahlia said nothing as the boys burst into protests and chatter.

Dahlia saw Grace sitting with Ariadne, she had almost forgotten Grace existed. Of course, she was living with them. Used to live with Dahlia. Dahlia wasn't going home after this. Grace had always left or long hours, or was always in her room. It had been Ariadne's idea to move her in, Dahlia hadn't been in the right mind to protest.

Suddenly Charles rose to his feet and headed toward them, looking worryingly pleased with himself.  

"Oh my Angel, the cactus awakens." Dahlia whispered to Christopher. He tilted his head back in silent laughter.

Matthew had seen him too. "My brother heaves into view on the horizon," he said to James in a low voice. "Careful. He looks very happy about something."

 "The new Mr. and Mrs. Herondale and Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild!" Charles called out, and Matthew rolled his eyes.

 "Might I be the first to offer my congratulations?" He extended his hand to James. 

James took it and shook. "You are not the first, Charles, but we appreciate it no less." 

"What an excellent wedding," Charles went on, looking up at the rafters of the Institute above them as if taking in the room for the first time. "We'll have quite the wedding season this year, what?" 

"What?" said James, and then, "Oh, of course, yourself and ... Miss Blackthorn." 

Matthew took a long sip of champagne. Dahlia took the glass out of his hand. He looked about ready to protest, Dahlia pushed the glass away.

"We shall look forward to toasting your health and happiness in this very hall soon enough, Charles." Dahlia told him, she was sure the the fakest smile in the history of fake smiles was adorning her lips.

Charles departed. Matthew raised a glass. "That is what in Paris they call sang-froid, Monsieur Herondale." 

"Is that a compliment?" Christopher asked curiously. "Doesn't it mean 'cold blood'?"

 "Coming from Matthew, it is definitely a compliment," Anna said with a laugh; she'd appeared at the table quite suddenly, Magnus Bane in tow. He was wearing a light blue tailcoat with gold buttons, a gold waistcoat, taupeknee breeches, and buckled boots.

"You all know Magnus Bane, of course?" Anna gestured to the tall figure standing next to her. 

"It's my understanding," Dahlia said, "that the question is never whether you know Magnus Bane. The question is always whether Magnus Bane knows you."

 "Oh, I like that," Anna said, clearly pleased. "Very clever, Dahlia." 

Magnus, to his credit, looked a bit abashed. It was a strange effect alongside his general level of glamorousness; he and Anna—in a polished black suit and sky-blue waistcoat, her family's ruby necklace at her throat—made quite a sartorial pair. "Congratulations. I wish you, Matthew Cordelia and James all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you, Magnus," Cordelia said. "It's good to see you. Do you think there's any chance you'll be staying in London permanently?"

 "Perhaps," said Magnus. He had been in and out of London for the past few months, sometimes present, often away. "First I must depart for the Cornwall Institute, to undertake a project there. Tomorrow, in fact."

 "And what project is that?" Matthew asked. "Something glamorous, secret, and admirable?" 

"Something dull," Magnus said firmly, "but well paying. I've been assigned the task of conducting a survey of the spell books at the Cornwall Institute. Some may be dangerous, but others could be indispensable in the hands of the Spiral Labyrinth. Jem—Brother Zachariah, I should say—will be accompanying me; it seems he is the only Shadowhunter trusted by both the Clave and the Spiral Labyrinth."

"You'll be in good company, then," Cordelia said. "But I'm sorry that you'll be leaving London. James and I were hoping to invite you to dinner at our new house."

"Not to worry," Magnus said, "you will not be without my radiance for long. I should be back in a fortnight. And then we celebrate." 

Matthew held up a hand. "I demand to also be invited to dinner with Magnus. I will not be scorned."  Dahlia slapped his hand down. "Of course you are invited, I shall find ways to poison you while you are away." she said. Matthew only seemed mildly alarmed.

"Speaking of scorning," murmured Lucie. Out of nowhere had appearedAriadne, looking quite lovely in a rose-colored dress with gold passementerie braiding.

"Ari!" Dahlia said happily.

"There you are," Ariadne said. "James, Cordelia. Congratulations. Lia, Matthew you two as well. Take care of my sister, Matthew. If you hurt her-" Ariadne cut herself off, a bright smile adorning her face.

Dahlia shook her head in slight amusement. "Honestly, didi-"

 Ariadne turned to Anna. "Would you take a turn about the room with me, Miss Lightwood?" 

Matthew's ears had perked up, though, like a cat's. Anna's posture changed; she had been lounging with her hands in her pockets, but now she straightened up. "No one else is wandering about the ballroom, Ariadne." 

Ariadne worried at a fold of her dress with her fingers. "We could talk," she said. "It might be nice."

 Dahlia tensed; Ariadne was opening herself up to a cutting riposte. But instead Anna only said, "I don't think so," her tone very flat, and walked off without a word.

 "She's a more complicated person than she pretends," Magnus offered to Ariadne. 

 Her eyes flashed. "I know that better than almost anyone." She nodded stiffly at James and at Cordelia. "Again, I wish you all the happiness in the world." 

Dahlia reached for her sister's hand, but Ariadne left without another word.

"Well," Magnus said, toying idly with the gold flower tucked into his buttonhole. A peony, Dahlia noted, dipped in gold. "It's hard not to admire her spirit."

"She is very determined," said Lucie. "She approaches Anna at every dance and party, always with some sort of request."

"Has Anna been responsive?"

 "Not judging by her social calendar," James said. "Every time I see her, she's squiring some new lady about the town." 

Dahlia felt a flash of anger, not for Anna but Lucie and the others. She stood up abruptly. James looked alarmed, then a flash of realization settled on his face. "Oh, Dahlia I am so terribly sorry-" he started. Dahlia held up a hand, her eyes were blue flames.

"There is nothing to be forgiven." she said, her voice a thousand miles away. She turned on her heel to follow after Ariadne, Christopher looking after her worriedly.

 "Ariadne!" she called. Ariadne turned around, her amber eyes were sad. Dahlia put her arms around her sister, as she did every time Anna said no to her. 

"I'm sorry, didi." she whispered gently. Ariadne held her sister. "It's fine, Kash, go your husband must be baffled."

Dahlia rolled her eyes and held her sister's hands. "I'm here, anytime you need me, Kamala." 

Ariadne only nodded. Dahlia offered a sister one last smile and twirled away.

Dahlia approached as Alastair was nearing the table, Alastair caught her eye. She gave him a smile and tried to catch up to him. "Do your best, I shall do my best as well." she whispered in his ear. Alastair nodded quietly.

Dahlia sat in her seat with flourish of gold and diamonds.

Magnus ,as if sensing the advent of an awkward situation, excused himself and slipped away smoothly into the crowd.

"I'm here to offer my felicitations to both of you." Alastair said, his voice was like a blade cutting through ice.

Dahlia sighed, placing her head in her hands.

 "I suppose you at least have enough social grace to know the right things to say," James said quietly, "even if you can't bring yourself to sound like you mean them."

Alastair's mouth set in a hard line. "No credit for the attempt, then?"

Dahlia wanted to throw her glass on the floor.

"We are brothers now, Alastair," James said, "and you are welcome in our house. I will be civil to you and I hope you will be civil to me, for Cordelia's sake."

 Alastair looked a little relieved. "Of course." 

"But you had best be good to her," James said, still in an even, calm tone. "Because my hospitality lasts exactly as long as Cordelia finds your presence pleasing." 

Dahlia was suddenly furious. Why would Cordelia not find her own brother's presence displeasing? She opened her mouth to say something when Alastair turned to Thomas.

A wave of dread and fury over came Dahlia.

"Tom," he said carefully. "If I could talk to you for a moment—"

 Thomas stood up, almost knocking over the table. "I told you before that if you spoke to me again, I would throw you into the Thames," said Thomas. His normally open, friendly face was twisted into an expression of fury. "You might at least have chosen a warmer day to take your plunge."

Dahlia stood up, "Stop!" she said. Both of them looked at her quietly.

"Now," said Cordelia. "Will someone tell me what this is all about?" There was an awkward silence. Even Alastair didn't look at her. He made an odd sort of sound, in the back of his throat. "This is—unbearable," he said. "It is not to be endured."

"It is what you deserve," said Matthew, his eyes flashing; James held outa hand toward his parabatai.

Dahlia stepped on Matthew's shoe.

"Will you all please shut up?" she hissed. "A brother simply came to give his congratulations to his sister. Is that a crime? Tell me you bastards, is that a crime?" she asked, furiously. Everyone shook their heads.

"Exactly! Set aside your quarrel and let Alastair leave without threats on his life." Dahlia said, looking at Thomas sharply. 

 Thomas looked down at his plate.

"You are all unbelievable-" she started—just as a loud crash came from the far end of the room. Without another word, Alastair broke into a run.  Cordelia pushed back her chair and dashed after him.

James looked at everyone else at the table, "Go distract the crowd." he said urgently leaving, and running after Cordelia.

Dahlia left and joined her parents, she knew her mother was a terrible gossip.

Glancing around, she sawthat the Merry Thieves had all left their table. They were making their wayup and down the room, greeting people, fielding congratulations for her andJames. Matthew and Anna had a group of guests in fits of laughter; Willwas regaling another table with a lengthy, and heavily embroidered,synopsis of a Dickens novel. 

Sona was on her feet, chatting brightlyto Ida Rosewain and Lilian Highsmith, as if nothing had happened.

The whole time shew as talking to her mother she felt as if she could have done more, maybe told everyone to just-

What? Ask them to let go years of anger? asked a voice in the back of her mind. 

Dahlia felt numb as she told her sister of the latest news, her mother listening earnestly. Her father was leaning in as well.

She knew she ought to put emotion into her voice, it it just wasn't coming.

♕

 Guests were beginning to take their leave, Dahlia noticed with relief, filing out ingroups of two and three.

Her parents had left a few minutes ago, she was bidding good bye to people with Tessa and Cordelia.

She thanked them for coming, and promised to invite them over the moment she and Matthew were settled in their new house. She could see Lucie and Will out of the corner of her eye, circulating in the ballroom, handing out boxes with pieces of wedding cake in them for the guests to take home for good luck.

 "Supposedly I'm meant to wait a year and then eat this," Christopher said, waving his box of cake at Dahlia as he took his leave. His family surrounded him; Cecily and Gabriel, a sleeping Alexander, even Anna ,though she was heading out with Magnus Bane—perhaps to the Ruelle, or parts unknown. "It should have grown some very interesting mold cultures by then."

Dahlia shook with silent laughter, "I shall help you examine them." 

Christopher only looked pleased as he left.

Thomas, leaving with Eugenia, smiled. 

Once there were only a few guests left, and Cordelia and James were whispering to each other in a corner, Dahlia kicked Matthew's shin, making him double over.

"Lovely, I shall go get some cake because I know that you can not cook for the life of you, I need you to try and stay as sober as possible, Matthew." she said lowly. Matthew who was groaning, nodded absently waving her off.

She grabbed some cake from the tables, and rushed over to Matthew who was setting away his flask and waiting for her at the entrance.

Dahlia looked around the ballroom, she was going home. Not the place she grew up in, but a place she and Matthew would share for a year. 

She knew James and Matthew had gotten houses close to each other, so she wouldn't be surprised if Cordelia and James were coming in their carriage, but they weren't.

Cordelia and James swept past her to a carriage waiting at the entrance. Dahlia looked up at Matthew, "Can we go, Matthew? Can we go home?" she asked. She felt tired.

So, very tired.

♕