“Mr. Herondale, please!” said Matthew. “We cannot be parted.” James braced himself for the explanation about truth and beauty, but instead Matthew said, with devastating simplicity: “We are going to be parabatai.” James stared. Father said: “Oh, I see.” Matthew nodded encouragingly, and smiled encouragingly. “Then nobody should come between you,” said Father. “Nobody.” Matthew shook his head as he said “nobody,” then nodded again. He looked seraphic. “Exactly.”
