In Another Life: Prologue

Magnus Bane never forgets.
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"Magnus?"  Alexander's aged face turned to seek mine.  His eyes, which had dulled slightly with age, were still the same beautiful blue that they'd always been.
"Right here, love," I murmured, taking his fragile hand in my own.  "I haven't left you."
Alexander's lips stretched into a smile, and he struggled to move over in the bed.  "Lay with me."
Without a question, I climbed into the bed next to him, throwing an arm gently around his waist.  We both knew that he didn't have much time left at all now, thanks to the cancer that was ravaging his body, and I would have gladly drowned myself in lava if I thought it would have made him the least bit happier.
"I love you," I whispered, stroking his grayed hair out of his face.  It sometimes amazed me how, even after all these years, it was still his face, still the face that I loved and admired.  "I always have."
"I know," Alexander murmured, moving to rest his head on my shoulder, where it still fit perfectly.  "And I love you, too...  Magnus, you're shaking."  A faint hint of surprise lit his tone as he felt the tremors moving through my body.  "Are you okay?"
"Y-yes," I lied, burying my nose in his hair and fighting tears that threatened to form.  "I'm fine."
"Magnus..."  Alexander sighed, his frail hand reaching up to run through my hair, which I hadn't spiked up.  
As it came back to rest on my cheek, I turned my head to kiss his palm before taking the hand in mine.  "I love you, Alexander Lightwood.  God, do I love you."
"Magnus," Alexander repeated, staring at me until I looked him in the eyes, "you can't be upset about this."  He sounded resigned.  "We both knew that it was going to happen.  We both knew that it would come."
I shook my head as tears started trailing down my face.  "I'm not ready to lose you," I whispered, resting my cheek against his forehead.  "I'm not ready, dammit!"
Alexander laughed softly, squeezing my hand gently.  "Magnus, my love," he murmured, "you'll be fine.  It'll take you a while, but I promise you'll find someone else."
"I will never love again," I replied, my voice trembling.  This was something that I knew for a fact.  I had never felt like this before, never loved someone this much.  "I can't."
He laughed again, this one more breathy than the last.  "You may think so, but you will, love.  I just have one request."  His eyes drifted closed with exhaustion.  "Please, don't forget me."
I couldn't help but laugh at the concept of forgetting Alexander, even though the noise came out sounding broken.  "Magnus Bane never forgets.  You should know this by now."
"I know," he murmured.  "I know."  This sigh was softer, more resigned than the others.  "Goodnight, Magnus."  His breaths became more shallow, farther between, and I realized with horror what was happening.
"No!  No, Alec!" I gripped his hand, trying to pull him back to me.  "No, Alec!"
"Magnus..."   Alexander sighed.
"No!"  My voice broke as his hand slipped out of mine, limp with death.  "No!  You can't l-leave me!"  Broken, I started crying, cradling my Alexander's body.  "You can't leave me..."
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Magnus Bane never forgets... but God, do I wish that I could.