Breaking Of Chain - 4. Painless Fire

Breaking of Chain - 4. Painless Fire

Ever since James got engaged to Cordelia, he have visited Magnus Bane's place for a significant amount, and it was always with his parabatai, Matthew.

Matthew was known to be fond of the warlock, so when Magnus have decided to stay in London for a while, Matthew would visit him whenever possible, and they were always welcome.

Moments later, Cordelia have arrived. It was only mid afternoon yet the sky was considerably gloomy. Cordelia's presence have always brought him light and warmth for reason he could not explain. Now it was particularly different, yet somewhat familiar to him. He feels things for her beyond his understanding of himself. Something that felt like to him he was holding on to for a long time now.

“It looks like it is going to rain isn't it?” She said to him when she have reached him. A few of her curls were loose on her face, while the rest were tucked under her hood.

“We should hurry before it pours.” He said then off they went to Magnus's apartment. It was not a long walk as it was only a few blocks away from where they met. A thunder was heard as soon as they reached his doors.

Cordelia knocked on the door, in a moment, Magnus opened the door. He could never really disappoint to impress James every time he sees him. Now he is wearing a deep blue silk robe that touches his floor, and untied. His pale-yellow shirt intended to be hastily untucked.

Another rumbling was heard from the sky.

“Oh goodness, do come in. This looks like it is a heavy one.” He moved to let Cordelia and James enter his apartment.

They were greeted by a cat, a gray persian cat, who is now purring on the bottom of Cordelia’s dress, as she removed her coat.

“Well hello there Church.” Cordelia greeted the cat cheerfully, sitting down on the floor, to scratch the cat’s chin. Whenever they came over at Magnus, Church only seemed to like Cordelia. They were told that it used to live in the institute and was owned by Uncle Jem.

“I did not expect for your soon to be other half to come along.” Magnus said to Cordelia, as he strode off to his living room, sitting on one of the armchairs, his legs crossed.

Cordelia stood up, and looked at James. “Oh, I... It slipped my mind to inform you.”

“No matter. Now. What is it that you wish for me to look at?”

Cordelia and James went over Magnus and sat on the loveseat in front of him. Cordelia dug on to her pocket and produced an object covered in her handkerchief. She puts in on the table in front of them then revealed what was inside. His bracelet.

He turned to Cordelia and noticed that she was looking at him warily.

“This” Magnus said. “Is this not yours James?” he asked looking intently at James.

“It is.” He answered. Absentmindedly he touched the wrist where the bracelet once resided. A phantom of coldness encircling where it was placed.

“And why does your fiancé would like me to look on it?”

Cordelia started, telling him about what happened that night. Excluding some of the details that does not need to be disclosed.

“Loyalty binds me” Magnus narrowed his eyes towards James. “Cartwright.” He said with a tone of understanding on where the bracelet came from.

Magnus waves his hands over the bracelet, making it float in front of them. With his hands faced towards it, he whispers a chant, his cat-eyes focused intently on the bracelet.

James was wondering on what could be wrong with it. He had it for a very long time, as it was given to him by Grace when he retrieved it for her. Grace. It's odd thinking about her now. She feels like a memory now. He knew he loved her before. Does he still feel that way about her now?

“One thing.” Magnus said. The bracelet is back on the table now. He is breathing heavily and beads of sweat can be seen on his face. “Actually there are two things I would like to say. One. Get yourselves far from the Blackthorns as much as possible.”

He felt Cordelia shift beside him uncomfortably, when he looked at her he she was looking at the bracelet confusingly.

“And the other one?” James asked.

“This bracelet has been under the influence of a very dark magic, as it makes a person believe that he is in love with a particular person.” Magnus said carefully eyeing them both as he said each words. “You James Herondale, have seemed to have been under the influence of such.”

It somehow did not made sense to him. “That… that is not possible. I loved Grace for so long. I knew that. It was painful, and it was there I felt it. I don't understand.”

He felt Cordelia hitched a breath beside him. Her hand grabbing on to her skirt, yet her face was unfazed.

“The magic that this bracelet possesses is very powerful. You see there is no magic in this world that could make you fall in love with someone, it just makes you believe or at the very least get infatuation, that also fades over some time. But this, it's different. I can see that it may not have the full effect on you now given that you are not wearing it, but some of the magic lingers on to you. The fact that you have worn this for so long also contributes to that.” Magnus explained to them. For some reason, he was looking at Cordelia with pity, and she looked away.

He was still confused. It was difficult for him to accept it. For so long he have ached for Grace. For so long he thought the world of her. Now it was all because of a bracelet?

“I know this may confuse you now. I may be able to help you on that if you'd let me.” Magnus offered.

James just nodded. His head was still swimming with different thoughts. Of the summer nights at Idris. The kisses that tasted like burnt sugar. The letters.

Magnus snapped his fingers, then produced blue flames from his palm. He felt warm all of a sudden, then he closed his eyes.

He saw Cordelia. Memories with her suddenly came flooding in. The nights he had a scalding fever. Of Layla and Manjun. The whispering room. When he asked him for advice on who to marry. When she agreed to marry him.

Then it stopped. He opened his eyes, the first thing that he saw was Cordelia's eyes, full of worry.

“Daisy.” James said.

“What happened?” She asked Magnus, but her eyes never left him.

“With this kind of magic, I know there might be some memories that have been forcefully tucked away or altered in order to not create any conflict on his feelings. I just resurfaced those memories, as it might help him with his confusion.”

Suddenly there was a knock on his door. Cordelia and James stood up abruptly.

Magnus stood up as well, and made the bracelet disappear with a wave.

Whenever there are unexpected guest on Magnus' apartment, they would always go hide, as he explained that those who seeks his services might not see kindly to a Nephilim in the premises.

Without a word, James grabbed Cordelia's hand as they head into one of the bedrooms, while Magnus went to answer the door.

“How… How are you feeling?” Cordelia asked once they have closed the door.

A sweet smell. It was a memory of a sweet smell that came to him. He remembered holding Cordelia in that room. A feeling that grew over him reaching out, wanting more desperately. He knew then that he have never wanted anything like that in his life. He knew now that he felt the same now. That was the only thing that he was certain of now.

He reached out to her, tucking her hair on to her ear. “My angel, Daisy. How could I have been so blind? For so long. You told me before, that it need not to be pain. You were right.”

“What do you mean?” Cordelia asked.

“I told you I burn for you, but it have never caused me pain Daisy. It was not torture. Maybe it was desperation as whenever you are close I just want you in my arms.” His thumbs moved to her lips, tracing them. “and on how much do I want to kiss those lips again, that have brought me out of my misery.”

Cordelia reached out to run her hands on his hair then resting her arms on his shoulders, as she pulled herself up to him. Next thing he knew, she was kissing him. It was delicate as she held him on his nape, yet it was there, the desire carefully poured, avoiding any spill.

She then broke away. “I do wanted that too. For so long I wondered when.” She said as she looked on his lips.

James broke the space between them then went back to kiss Cordelia. They were kissing each other back, fervenrently and urgently this time. James held her waist as he pinned her down to wall. Every bit of him wanted to cling on to her, be near her so bad. They were very close, yet it was not enough. He knew, it won't ever be enough.

Cordelia's leg clings on to the back of his, inching him to be closer to her. Their mouths, soft as they might be, were searching deep and desperately for each other.

Intoxicated he moved, kissing her chin, her jaw, her throat, her neck. With every kiss, she muffles a moan and her hands held on to his hair. Her heavy breath crashed on to his chest, as she tried to lean even closer.

He went back to her lips. Addicted to the taste of it. Tongues crashing, and teasing deepens.

“Apologies for interrupting.” They heard Magnus, waking them up to their senses, making them jump away from each other. “If you could save some for your honeymoon. Also, your friend is here.”

A well dressed blond suddenly appeared from Magnus' back. “Again?” Mathew said, unamused.

It's a bit long I know, but I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It's not yet done, but it might be near. Thank you so much for reading. ❤️❤️❤️