arrowbythebooks:

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.”

Usually he didn’t sympathize with royals, but Magnus speaking about being forced into a marriage made Alec’s heart squeeze painfully. He knew the feeling. It wasn’t exactly for political reasons, of course, but his parents were trying to marry him off as well. 

“I’m quite capable of keeping up, as I’ve proven to you before.” Maybe that sounded a little too cocky, but at this point Alec was frustrated. He was tired of being looked down on, deemed incapable simply because he wasn’t born noble. That might not have been the prince’s intention, but it still rubbed him the wrong way to be treated as though he couldn’t do certain things.

“Maybe I’ve been practicing to get better than you.” He retorted as he started out the room to go to the stables instead. At least he could get outside, even if Alec was there with him as well.

Magnus glanced back at Alec briefly as he walked through the castle with the guard. He was gorgeous but what did that matter when he was off limits as any sort of partner? No, his only option was one his father picked out for him. But he could dream. “One day I’ll be better than you.”