arrowbythebooks:

“Maybe I’d be less inclined to wander off alone if I had company I enjoyed.” Magnus countered swiftly. Everyone fussed too much. He knew he was the heir to the throne but sometimes it all seemed to be too much effort. He hated it. He wished he wasn’t the prince most of the time.

His gaze moved to rest on Alec now, looking over him. “No one wants the company of someone they can’t relax with. And seeing as there is absolutely no one I can relax with in the castle, I’d rather be alone.”

Alec resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He’d learned from a young age that that action could get him in a lot of trouble. Magnus didn’t seem like the type to ruin his life for rolling his eyes at him, but one could never be too careful. 

“I’m not here to relax, I’m here to keep you safe.” He swallowed hard, the weight of the prince’s eyes on him making him feel more than a little uncomfortable. Alec couldn’t lie and say that Magnus wasn’t ridiculously attractive, but he couldn’t admit it out loud. Especially not when no one else knew that he was even interested in men. It wasn’t exactly acceptable in the eyes of many.

Another sigh left his lips. “I would rather be happy than safe. I’d rather not be forced into some political marriage or be trapped inside a castle or know nothing of the people I’m supposed to one day rule.”

With that, he stood rather abruptly. He was too restless, all the energy inside making him almost anxious and frustrated. “I’m going for a ride. Escort me if you must but don’t expect me to wait for you if I leave you behind.”