Alec Slid His Hand From Jace's Arm

I Did It Because I Love You!" He Half-shouted, And Then, As If Registering The Shocked Look Her Face, He Said In A More Subdued Voice, "i Love You, Tessa, And I Have Loved You, Almost Since The Moment I Met You.

I Love You, Tessa, And I Have Loved You, Almost Since The Moment I Met You.

Actually," Said Jace, "i Prefer To Think That I'm A Liar In A Way That's Uniquely My Own.

Tessa Had Begun To Tremble. This Is What She Had Always Wanted Someone To Say. What She Had Always, In The Darkest Corner Of Her Heart, Wanted Will To Say. Will, The Boy Who Loved The Same Books She Did, The Same Poetry She Did, Who Made Her Laugh Even When She Was Furious. And Here He Was Standing In Front Of Her, Telling Her He Loved The Words Of Her Heart, The Shape Of Her Soul. Telling Her Something She Had Never Imagined Anyone Would Ever Tell Her. Telling Her Something She Would Never Be Told Again, Not In This Way. And Not By Him. And It Did Not Matter. "it's Too Late", She Said.

Their Grandchildren Had Reminded Will Of The Song About Demon Pox He Had Taught Them- When They Were Much Too Young, Tessa Had Always Thought- And That They Had All Memorized. They Sang It All Together And Out Of Tune, Scandalizing Sophie.