For a Servant and a Master

Part 1: Chapter 8

January 29th, 1912.

Magnus was certain it had been the dreariest winter on record. Or perhaps he was just finally noticing how dark and damp winters were upon his return to London. Alexander had decided to take an impromptu solo holiday to the French countryside and brought Magnus along with him. It had been just them for a little over two months and those days had been amazing. When Alexander received word that he was to come home immediately, Magnus' heart had broken. Reality had returned once again.

Catarina was leaning on the wall outside the servants' entrance, arms crossed and horrible grin on her face.

"I've figured it out," she said triumphantly.

"It only took you two months," Magnus said, dropping his suitcases.

"No, it took you two months," she said, rushing into Magnus' arms. "We've missed you."

"Only you missed me, Catarina," Magnus said. "And you could have written me the answer."

"It was the maid, correct? You can't clean the corners of a round house," she said.

"The maid indeed," Magnus said.

"There's something you should know though," she said. "Lord Lightwood wants to speak to Mister Alexander as soon as he's settled."

"Mister Alexander has been asked not to be disturbed," Magnus said, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"He won't have a choice."

"What do you know?"

........

Magnus had been tossing and turning in the squeaky bed all night. He had gotten himself used to a far more comfortable bed in Alexander's room in the little cottage they had stayed in. He'd also gotten used to someone else beside him every night.

Now he was alone.

He was just finally getting to sleep when a hand covered his mouth and Alexander's eyes appeared over his, just barely glowing.

"Don't scream," Alexander whispered. "This is what they do in all the novels."

Magnus pulled his heavy hand away.

"What novels are you reading, Mr. Lightwood?" Magnus asked. "And what are you doing in here?"

Alexander had never come into his room, let alone in the middle of the night.

"No one saw me," Alexander said. He poked Magnus' side and Magnus rolled over into what space was left in the bed. Alexander crawled under the covers. "You sleep on this every night?"

Magnus nodded, moving closer to Alexander.

"This is horrid."

"Why are you here, my dear?" Magnus asked.

"My father asked me into his study the second I arrived."

"And what did he want?"

"The wedding date has been moved up--"

"What?" Magnus shot up and Alexander pulled him back down, instinctively turning around and watching for any movement under the door.

"Emma's parents are insistent. Apparently my trip was not appreciated," Alexander said. "This will be my punishment."

"How soon?"

"The end of April, I'm afraid."

"Why don't you sound afraid?"

"Because I cannot stop the inevitable." Magnus saw the smallest sliver of a self-loathing smile as Alexander put his hand on Magnus' cheek.

"Let's run away then," Magnus said.