The evening sun was scorching on whitewashed walls of the street they were heading down. Their shadows were long behind them, but the town was still bright, and Alec saw for the first time that it could be lovely.

Occasionally he despaired: that the world couldn’t be changed, or even that it wouldn’t change fast enough. He was not immortal, and didn’t want to be, but there were times he was afraid he wouldn’t live long enough, that he’d never have the chance to take Magnus’s hands in front of everyone they loved and make a sacred promise.

At those times, there was an image Alec held against exhaustion or surrender, a reminder to always keep fighting.

When he was gone, when he was dust and ashes, Magnus would still be walking through this world. If the world was changed for the better, then that unknowable future would be better for Magnus. Alec could imagine that on some scorching-hot day like this, on a strange street in a strange land, Magnus might see something good that reminded him of Alec, some way that the world was changed because Alec had lived. Alec couldn’t imagine what the world would be like then.

But he could imagine, in some faraway future, the face he loved best.

Jem filled Tessa in on what they had seen and who they were searching for in the Shadow Market.

Lily caught Jem’s glance at her as he explained. “What are you looking at, you delicious peanut-butter-and-Jem sandwich?”

Tessa snorted behind Jem.

“I’ve got more names,” Lily told her, encouraged. “They just come to me. Want to hear them?”

“Not really,” said Jem.

“Definitely not!” snapped Alec.

“Yes,” said Tessa. “Yes, I really do.”

Lily regaled her with many names on their way to the Shadow Market. Tessa’s laughter was like a song to Jem, but he was glad when they reached the Shadow Market, though the place was a barbed-wire fortress and the door had been barred against them last time.

The door was not barred against them tonight.

Jem was accustomed to Shadow Markets by now, after years searching through them for answers about demons and Herondales. He was also used to being somewhat conspicuous among the people of the Market.

Tonight, though, everyone was looking at Alec and Lily. The Queen of the Shadow Market, a rather lovely and dignified young woman, came out among the stalls to greet them personally. Alec drew her aside to tell her of their plans for the evening and to ask for her help. The Queen smiled and agreed.

“They’re from the Alliance,” he heard one teenage werewolf whisper to another, in awed tones.

Alec bowed his head and fussed over Rafe. Alec seemed slightly abashed by the attention.

Jem met Tessa’s eyes and smiled. They had seen other generations pass, shining bright and hopeful, but Alec’s was something new.

Alec paused to talk to a faerie girl in her teens. “Rose, have you seen a fey woman with dandelion hair at the Market tonight?”