Malec Tales Series 2: Chapter Five- What Did I Ever Do to You?
Magnus Pov- "You did very well today Magnus. Good job at keeping it together," Ragnor teased, putting his hand on my shoulder. I rolled my eyes at that, shoving his hand away. "I'm just ready for this horrible day to be over. Alexander and I got into an argument and I'm not in the mood for a party. How much longer does this need to go on?"
Catarina smiled at me sympathetically before looking around the room at all the people dancing. "It will only be a couple more hours. The gates have been shut for so long. It would be a shame if you stopped the party before it's time."
I sighed, knowing she was right. I can't push all these people away just because Alec and I aren't in a good place. We were at the beginning. This morning we had such a nice simple moment together trading bracelets. My common sense told me not to ask Alec to dance but I couldn't help myself.
Dancing with Alec used to be my favorite thing to do when we were little. We would hold hands and twirl around the ballroom. He would step on my feet, apologizing every time and I would just smile, thinking nothing in the world could be better than being with Alec like that.
Twirling around the ballroom with him like that tonight was just as amazing as it was back then. Even more so now because Alec and I were taller and it made me feel like we were flying. I was flying high with Alec.
Then he had to go and ask me about why I stopped talking to him. I had been dreading the question all day long and had hoped he wouldn't ask. That was wishful thinking on my part. Of course, Alec would want an explanation to why we weren't friends anymore.
I never knew that he blamed himself for what happened back then. He thinks that it's his fault that I stopped talking to him. I wish I could convince him otherwise but the only way to do that is to tell him about my magic and I can't do that. It would just put him in danger again.
"Well unlike you, Catarina and I must leave early. We have a job to do outside of town," Ragnor sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
That made me frown. "You are both leaving? Can't it wait a couple more hours? What if something goes wrong while you are gone?"
Catarina smiled, grabbing my hands in hers. "It will be alright Magnus. You have been doing so good today. I'm sure you can handle being on your own for a couple hours. Nothing bad will happen."
"You don't know that." My voice came out shaky, barely above a whisper.
Catarina frowned, looking like she was second guessing leaving after all. That made me hopeful but that quickly died as Ragnor grabbed her arm.
"Come on Catarina. We need to get going or we will be late."
She nodded before looking at me again. "You will be fine Magnus. We believe in you."
"She believes in you," Ragnor corrected, making her stomp on his foot. I wanted to laugh at their banter, but I was too nervous to do so.
I watched them as they made his way out of the ballroom, dread filling up in my stomach as I lost sight of them. What was I supposed to do if something really did go wrong? They were the only ones who knew about my powers. No one else would be able to help me if I have one of my breakdowns.
Just thinking that made me want to have a breakdown.
Trying to avoid that, I made my way back into the crowd of people, smiling and bowing my head in respect when they would bow at me. Catarina was right. Everything was going to be okay. I can handle this on my own.
"Magnus," Alexanders voice called from a little bit away. I immediately calmed at the sound of it. Alec always helped me calm down, even just his presence in the room did the trick.
I turned toward him, frowning when I noticed that he was not alone. A tall boy around our age with light blonde hair and green eyes stood a little bit behind him. I glanced at him before looking back at Alexander. His blue eyes avoided mine, seeming nervous about something.
"Could… could we maybe go somewhere private to talk? It's important."
This confused me. What would Alec possibly have to say that would take us away from the party? Was he going to question me about our childhood again? If so, that would be a conversation best had in another room.
I nodded silently, gesturing to the door that led out into the private office connected to the ballroom. He glanced back at the boy standing behind him before following me. Once in the room, we stayed silent as we stood there alone.
"What do you want to talk about Alec," I asked leaning against the desk in the middle of the room.
He swallowed hard, rubbing his arm nervously.
"I don't know where to start," he whispered softly.
This made me frown. What could make him so nervous? A horrifying thought crossed my mind and the panic came back tenfold.
"You aren't planning to leave are you Alexander? I know we haven't been on the best of terms but that doesn't mean I want you to leave."
He shook his head, avoiding eye contact with me. "I'm not planning on leaving."
That made me relax again. Good, my Alexander wasn't going to leave me.
"Then what is it?"
He looked at the floor silently before finally looking up at me. His eyes didn't completely meet mine but he wasn't looking down anymore so that was progress.
"Magnus I… I'm…"
He licked his dry lips, seeming to fight himself on something.
"What am I to you" he finally blurted out. The question caught me off guard. I don't think it was what he was originally wanting to say, but it's obviously something that has been on his mind for a while.
"W-what?" I didn't know how to respond to the question.
"I'm about to make the biggest decision in my entire life, but before I do, I need to know what 'we' are. I always thought that you and I were going to be something amazing… but then everything changed and I have no idea why. Do you even like me Magnus?"
My head was spinning from all this stuff that Alec was throwing my way. I didn't even have time to process it all.
"Wait… Alec, slow down. What decision are you going to be making? You're confusing me."
"I have been confused for the past ten years, Magnus. I have been confused since the day you stopped talking to me. You used to spout all this nonsense about how much you like me. How you can't go a single day without seeing me and spending time with me. Then you just drop me without an explanation. All the while, I have been chasing you, trying to make you look at me again and treat me the way you used to. Nothing has worked though and I just end up looking like a fool standing outside your bedroom door."
"You are far from a fool Alexander. My ignoring you had nothing to do with you. It's a complicated situation that was my fault and I must pay for it. That means I need to stay away from you."
"Don't I have the right to know what happened? This involves me wither you want to admit it or not. Whatever you think you did, we can fix it. I want us to be like we were before… I want us to be more then we were before."
I stared at him in silence, not knowing what I should say. What did he mean by that? Was he saying that he wanted to be with me romantically? No, there was no way that's what he meant. I may love Alec, but I refuse to fool myself into thinking he could possibly love me back.
"I can't tell you what happened Alec. If I did it would put you in danger. Now if you will excuse me, there is a whole ballroom full of people that I need to mingle with. We can talk more about this tomorrow."
"No, because you will just lock yourself away again tomorrow. This is our only chance to talk about this Magnus."
I ignored him, walking passed him to head back to the door and leave.
"I'm engaged!"
The words made me stop in my tracks, my hand frozen on the door knob. I had to be hearing things. There was no way in hell that Alexander, my Alexander, just said what I heard.
Slowly, I turned back around to look at him. He had his fists clenched but his eyes looked sad.
"What did you just say?"
He swallowed hard again before unclenching his fists. "The prince of Edom, Jonathan Morgenstern, proposed to me. We are in love and wish to be married. I'm a servant so I need the kings blessing to do so."
"I'm sorry, what was that? In love? Alexander, do you even know what love means? I'll tell you, it's not when you run off and marry a stranger. When did you even meet this guy?"
"I met him this morning and we got close. It was love at first sight. He wants to be married by this weekend so I need your blessing now."
My blood was buzzing in my ears. What the hell was he even saying right now? Who was this Jonathan Morgenstern? There was no way Alec could possibly be in love with the guy. I want to tell him that there is no such thing as love at first sight but that would make me a liar.
Alec and I were love at first sight. We both have lived in this palace all our lives but we didn't officially meet until we were five years old. I still remember it like it was yesterday. My mother used to tell me to stay out of the kitchen because it wasn't a prince's place to go in there. I was curious though, so I went there when she was distracted.
The moment I walked into the kitchen, time seemed to freeze in place. A few feet away from me stood the most beautiful boy, no, person, I have ever seen in my life. He was short but not much shorter than me. His dark black hair was short and stuck out in random places. What really caught my attention though were his stunning blue eyes. I was lost in the sea as I looked deep into them.
My staring made him blush, and he asked me what I was looking at.
I answered back, "An angel."
That made him blush ten times harder and it made my heart beat ten times faster.
"You don't even know this guy Alec. I refuse to bless a marriage that is doomed to fail," I seethed, trying not to lose my temper. Who did this guy think he was coming into my kingdom and trying to steal my Alexander? What right did he have? What right do I have, to deny him?
Alec glared at me, his fists clenched again. "I will get to know him Magnus. I want to marry him."
I shook my head no, glaring back at him. "No, you don't. I know you Alexander Lightwood. You aren't one to get married on a whim with some guy you don't even know. That is more like your sister, Isabelle. What is the real reason you want to do this?"
"My reasons aren't any of your business Magnus."
"It is if you want my blessing. You're really telling me that you fell in love with this stranger? That's nothing like you at all. What makes you think he even really likes you? He could be using you."
Alec looked flabbergasted at that statement. "What could he possibly get from me? If we get married, he will become one of your servants as well. He is pretty much throwing his crown away to be with me. How can you not call that love?"
I shook my head, really trying to keep my anger in. The last thing I needed was my magic going out of control.
"How could that guy fall in love with you Alec? He doesn't know anything about you."
"What are you trying to say," he yelled, clenching his fists so hard they turned white.
"I'm saying that the only reason he's interested in you is because you are just a pair of big blue eyes!"
Regret filled me the moment the words came out of my mouth. Did I just call Alec a pair of big blue eyes? Degrading him in the same way all the older servants always have. He hates it when people say his eyes are the best part of him.
The pain in those blue eyes was evident as he backed up, as if I punched him. In a way, I guess I did. He looked like he wanted to cry but held the tears back as he stared at me.
I watched him frowning before turning my back to him again. "I'm not going to bless this marriage so you might as well forget about it."
I grabbed the doorknob again as Alec whispered, "do you see me that way too?"
I stood there in silence, wanting to turn around, pull him close and tell him how much he means to me. That I would love him even if his eyes were brown, or green, or any color in the rainbow. Alec could be the most hideous creature in the world and I would still love him because his soul is beautiful.
No, I couldn't tell him those things. Instead, I opened the door and just walked back into the ballroom. I wanted this conversation to be over. Alec can't get married without my permission, so I had nothing to worry about. I needed to calm down before something awful happens.
I made my way across the ballroom, heading to the main doors to leave the party. There was no way I could stay here in the mindset I was in now.
"WHAT THE HELL DID I DO TO YOU?!"
Alec's loud voice carried across the room, making the music stop. I stopped walking, turning around to look at him stunned. He was standing in the middle of the room, glaring hard at me. The blond was next to him once again, and I would bet any money he was Jonathan.
"Tell me Magnus. Why do you shut me and everyone around you out? Why do you think hurting me is protecting me? What is it you are protecting me from? I don't understand where we went wrong!"
Every eye in the room was on Alec before they moved over to me. The attention made me uncomfortable and tense up.
"Alexander, please, don't do this here."
"Do what?! Cause a scene in front of all these royals? I don't care where we are at or who is around! I want answers to why you are being so cold to me! Why you have always been so cold to me!"
I clenched my fists starting to get angry. "Alexander, this isn't the time or place."
"It's never the time or place with you Magnus. Stop pushing me away and tell me what is going on! Why won't you give Jonathan and I your blessing? Why are the gates always closed? What did you do that you think is so bad, we have to be locked away from our subjects and each other?!"
"Alec, enough."
"No! I'm not going to be silent until you give me answers!"
"Alec, ENOUGH!" I stomped my foot down on the ground hard, causing huge shards of Ice to burst out from under the floor. The people in the ballroom shrieked in surprise, and Alec backed up, barely missing being hit by one of the shards. He looked down at them before looking up at me wide eyed.
I looked down at the ice-covered ground before looking back up at my subjects, seeing the fear and confusion on their faces. Jonathan pulled Alec into his arms, protecting him from me. Someone pulled my Alexander away to protect him from me. I wanted to be angry but the fear I was feeling outweighed all that.
Alec moved out of Jonathans' arms, slowly starting to walk up to me but I just turned away and pushed the doors to the ballroom open, fleeing as fast as I could. What was I going to do? All those people just saw what I did. They know what kind of monster I am!
I looked down at the floor as I ran, gasping when I saw that it was freezing over with every step I took.
"Magnus wait!" Alec yelled after me but that only made me run faster. I was a danger to him here. To him and all my people.
I had to get away from here as fast as possible.
I rushed through the castle doors, immediately being stopped by all my subjects gathered around the castle. They had bright smiles the moment they caught sight of me, cheering and bowing as I tried to make my way passed them. Normally their cheers would fill me with warmth, but all I could feel was cold as the panic took over me. They wouldn't be cheering if they knew what a monster I really was.
As if to prove me right, I tripped on my own feet, making me stumble and fall to the ground. My people gasped at the fact that I fell but quickly backed away shrieking when more ice shards shot up from the ground and scattered all around.
They backed away from me, pulling their children behind them and telling them to stay away. I looked up at them, gasping for breath. It felt like I was suffocating and I just wanted to get away to a place where I could breathe again.
"Magnus!" I turned around seeing Alec standing at the door with Jonathan. He tried to run up to me but once again, the blonde grabbed his arm, holding him back. He was right to have Alexander stay away from me. I was dangerous. I was a monster.
I couldn't be here anymore.
Pulling off one of my gloves, I held my bare hand up in the air, channeling my magic to it. A blue pool of snow and magic appeared in front of me, forming a portal to take me somewhere else.
"Magnus, what are you doing?! Stop!" Alexander yelled but I ignored him, quickly standing up and running through the portal, It closing behind me.
Alec Pov- I ran out of the ballroom still not fully comprehending what I just saw. Magnus just used some form of ice magic. How long has he been able to do that? Why hasn't he told me before? Was this what drove us apart all those years ago?
Jonathan caught up, following me to get to Magnus. "What was that Alec? Did you know he had Ice magic?"
I shook my head no, picking up speed, making him do the same to keep up with me.
"I didn't know anything about this. Magnus has kept it quiet all our lives."
We both made it to the front doors of the castle and I gasped, seeing Magnus had fallen on the ground. He was now surrounded by ice shards and terrified looking subject. His breath was labored, as if he was having a panic attack.
"Magnus," I called out to him, making his head shoot up and look at me. His eyes were as wide as a deer caught in headlights.
I moved to go to him but Jonathan grabbed my arm again, pulling me over to him. "Alec don't, it's dangerous."
"Magnus wouldn't hurt me," I argued, trying to pull my arm out of his grasp.
"He almost hurt you in that ballroom," he countered, not loosening his hold on me.
I frowned at him before looking back at Magnus. He stared at me for a moment before turning away from me. He pulled off one of his gloves before holding a shaky hand up into the air. Blue light and snow formed around it, making something I have never seen before.
His legs shook as well as he stood up and ran through the magic and snow, vanishing instantly.
"Magnus!"
I tore my arm away from Jonathan, running down the steps to get to the magical opening Magnus had created. The moment I got close to it, it closed in on itself and sent out a huge blast of ice and snow, sending me and several people flying back and hitting the ground.
Jonathan ran to me, getting to my level and checking me over for injuries. "Alec, look at me. Are you alright?"
I had a splitting headache from hitting the ground but besides that I was fine. I slowly sat up, rubbing my head before looking back at the spot Magnus had vanished. He was completely gone, the only proof that he was even there were some thick black reading glasses, left in his place. He must have accidently dropped them.
I crawled over to them, scooping them up in my hand and holding them close to my chest. What the hell happened? Where did Magnus go?
"Alec… look," Jonathan gasped, his voice shaking slightly.
People all around us started to gasp in horror, making me look up and around us. I gasped as well, seeing that the blast that knocked me and others over was now spreading all around us, turning everything around it to ice.
Once it stopped, a loud boom cracked in the sky, and soon after snow started to fall. I looked up at it wide eyed. Could Magnus really have done all of this?
"The king has cursed us," a villager cried, making me look at him. He and all the other villagers were looking around at the snow terrified. Even the royals from inside who were now all at the castle doors looked frightened.
"The king is a demon! What are we going to do?!" people were screaming in fear, all looking around for answers. "Who do we look to for help," A thin woman cried.
Everyone's eyes immediately went to me. The stares made me freeze up, confused before I realized why they were looking at me.
If something were to happen to Magnus, the next in line to be king is… is me.
These people were looking to me to give them answers. I wanted to run inside and hide but I couldn't do that. Like it or not, these were my people until I can figure out what the heck is going on with Magnus.
Taking a calming breath, I put the classes in my pocket before standing up, holding my hand to get everyone's attention. They all went silent instantly, wanting to hear what I had to say.
"Look, I know this is scary. The fiord and everything around us is frozen. There is also snow falling in the middle of summer. Our king has been keeping these powers from us but that doesn't mean he is a demon or that he is dangerous."
I sighed, lowering my hand. "This is all my fault. He was obviously getting overwhelmed and wanted to leave the room but I kept pushing him until finally he broke. He didn't intentionally freeze everything. I will bring him back here and he will fix it all, I'm sure. This is all just a misunderstanding."
People whispered among each other, not seeming too happy about my defending Magnus.
"I know you all are afraid, but you must have faith in your king. Magnus is not some monster that goes around cursing people. I am sure this was all an accident. He was scared and was just doing what he needed to get away."
Finding Michael in the crowd by the door, I ordered for him to bring me my horse. He nodded and quickly went to do what I asked. Isabelle and Max ran up to me frowning.
"Alec, you can't possibly be serious about going after Magnus? Please, have the guards go find him" Isabelle begged.
Jonathan nodded, grabbing my hands, squeezing them tight. "I agree with your sister. You are the king now Alec. You need to stay here and help your people. They are scared and confused."
I squeezed his hands back before letting them go. "This happened because I pushed Magnus. I am the one who must go get him. Jonathan, it would mean a lot to me if you stayed here and took care of the villagers. Give them blankets and have the cooks make them a warm meal."
Jonathan hesitated a moment before grabbing my hand again, leaning down and kissing it gently. "It would be my honor to help your people Alexander."
I smiled at him before looking at Isabelle and Max. "You two help as much as possible. We will need all hands-on deck to keep everyone calm and comfortable."
They both nodded and Michael walked up with my horse. I took a deep breath before climbing up onto it. Everyone looked at me as I did, and I cleared my throat to get their full attention.
"Prince Jonathan of Edom is in charge until I return. I will bring our king back and he will fix everything. I promise you all that this is just a misunderstanding."
The villagers didn't look too sure about me bringing back Magnus, but they didn't object. I nodded and looked at Jonathan and my siblings again before taking another deep breath and heading out of the castle gates.
Hang on Magnus. I'm coming to help you.
A/n: yay we are finally getting somewhere. Now Alec has to go find Magnus. i wonder who he will meet along the way.
