Chain of Gold (The Last Hours, #1)

by Cassandra Clare

Matthew spoke in a low voice. “It would be one thing if James loved her. I would go into the quiet dark like Jem did and never speak of her again. But he doesn’t love her.” “What?” Magnus was unpleasantly startled. “This is a false marriage,” said Matthew. “It’s only for a year.” Magnus tucked the information away as a mystery to be solved: it did not go along with what he knew of the Herondales, father or son. “And yet,” Magnus said, “during that year, they are man and wife.” Matthew looked up, his green eyes flashing. “And during that year, I will do nothing. What kind of person do you think I am?” “I think,” said Magnus, very slowly, “that you are a person who is incredibly sad, although I don’t know why. And I think that, as an immortal, I can tell you that a great deal can happen in a year.” Matthew did not reply. He was watching Cordelia and James. Everyone in the room was. They were dancing close together, and Magnus would have cheerfully bet a thousand pounds that they were in love. A bet, it seemed, he would have lost. And yet. Oh, dear, Magnus thought. I may need to linger in London a bit longer. Perhaps I should send for my cat.