"There's nothing to be sorry for. I knew what he was like when I became his parabatai." It might not have been the wisest choice and Jace could act like a wild animal at times, but he needed someone to try to keep him grounded just like Will did. And, considering how reckless Jace could be, he needed someone to protect him when his common sense left him.

A small spark of hope warmed him when Magnus said that she worried about him. Maybe she did feel something more than friendship for him. "I'm glad that isn't the only reason you wanted to see me, but I'll still heal you if you want."

The hint at love caused Alec to smile shyly down at her, trying to ignore the butterflies in his chest. "Both my mother and Charlotte would be horrified if you started yelling Shakespeare from the streets. And of the two of us, you would make the prettier Juliet."

A blush crept across his face as Magnus kissed his cheek, his smile turning to an almost dazed grin. "But I hope that we aren't Romeo and Juliet. I wish for a better ending for us than they had."

It took a moment for Alec to realize that what he said might have been too forward, even for a lady as free spirited as Magnus. "If you don't mind me wishing for that. You are my favorite company too and I... Please forgive me if that was improper. I didn't mean..." His voice trailed off as he struggled for something to say, the blush brightening as he glanced down to study the rug as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.