His Big Secret

Chapter 12

Alec walked home; he needed the time to process what had happened. He can't believe he quit, leaving the institute and his ex-family behind. He's dreamt of telling his family about his engagement and sexuality; part of him always thought he'd be found out. Caught with Magnus or exposed helping a Downworlder, revealed to be the High Mage of the Warlocks whilst in the role. He knows the Clave is desperate to discover who the High Mage is. They are typically Warlocks who are usually married to the High Warlock; they become targets when the Clave wants something from the High Warlock because, being the High Mage, the Clave sees them as weaker than the High Warlock. Most High Mages try to keep a low profile from the Clave, Alec especially, as it would've ruined everything had the Clave found out who he was.

None of this mattered anymore. He's free.

Arriving home, Alec let himself in. Magnus sat on the sofa with a glass in his hand, watching the TV. Magnus looked surprised to see him home so early.

"I quit," Alec said as he sat beside his fiancé. Magnus wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and Alec sank into the embrace.

"Quit what?" Magnus said before dropping a kiss onto the top of Alec's head.

"Being a Shadowhunter, working for the Clave and the New York Institute, repressing a side of myself to keep my parents happy. I quit being a pawn for them," Alec said. Running out as he did, Alec thought he'd feel some guilt about abandoning Izzy, Jace and Max, but he didn't. His siblings always found a way around the strict rules that Alec was forced to obey. Being the oldest, they expected so much of him, and it didn't matter how hard he worked to appease people; it never worked. There was always something he did which wasn't to their satisfaction. His siblings will be fine without him. Maybe they never needed him, so they left him behind so often.

"Something happened?" Magnus asked as he rearranged them so Alec was lying wholly on top of him.

"My parents happened," Alec started, lifting his head to look at Magnus, "So, if being ex-circle members was enough. They went behind my back and arranged a marriage between myself and Lydia Branwell, the Clave envoy, to save their reputations. They thought I'd go through with it because, according to them, they have the right to decide everything about my life because they are my parents. As long as I live and breathe, as long as I work and live at the institute, I will be at their beck and call. I refused because I won't be a pawn to sacrifice to save their asses. I quit working for the Clave, told them I'm already engaged and gay, and left the institute."

Magnus stared at Alec for a few seconds as Alec's words sunk in. Shock, surprise, and anger shot through the warlock's eyes before settling on... mischief.

"Well, they can't marry you off if you're already a married man," Magnus grinned, and Alec couldn't help returning the smile.

"What are you asking me, Magnus?" Alec said. He already knew, but he wanted to hear Magnus say it.

"Alexander Lightwood, will you bond with me in a full warlock ceremony? To bind your soul to mine," Magnus said.

Grinning, Alec leant down and kissed his fiancé, "I do."

Izzy grabbed Jace's arm once Alec left the institute. Everyone was still frozen, staring at her parents and Lydia as they took in what had happened. Deep down, Izzy's furious with her parents, trying to marry her brother off like he's nothing so they can cover their backs. She left Clary behind; this conversation didn't involve her, and whilst Izzy liked Clary, Jace wouldn't be thinking clearly with her present. Pushing her anger aside, she thought about what Alec had revealed.

"I was never going to tell you this until after it happened because I knew you'd find some way of stopping it, but I'm already engaged. To a man, to a Downworlder. So, no, I'm not stopping fighting against Valentine because the people I love will be in harm's way; I won't fight from your side."