💖FROM HATE TO HEART 💖

DANCE OF REVENGE AND LOVE

💗CH-12💗

Alec stood at the far side of the ballroom, his gaze inevitably drawn to the figure that had just entered. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Magnus . The fae prince was everything Alec had expected—captivating, regal, and utterly out of reach. But there was something else tonight, something different that Alec couldn’t quite place.

Magnus moved with a fluid grace, his long braid swaying gently with each step, the silver thread catching the light as if he were part of the very magic that surrounded the room. But it wasn’t just his appearance that caught Alec’s attention—it was the way Magnus carried himself. There was a softness to him, an understated calm that was almost disarming.

Alec watched as Magnus adjusted his robes, the deep green fabric shifting like a second skin. He wasn’t flamboyant tonight. There was no rush of glittering power, no wild bursts of magic. He was controlled, composed, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy Alec had come to associate with the fae. He almost looked… human.

For a brief moment, Alec wondered if he had ever really understood Magnus at all. The fae prince had always been a mystery to him—his beauty, his charm, his dangerous allure. But tonight, as he moved gracefully through the room, Alec could see another side of him.

Magnus’s amber eyes found Alec across the room, and for a split second, Alec swore he saw a flicker of recognition there—something that spoke of old, unfinished business.

But then Magnus smiled, a small, soft smile that was almost shy, and Alec couldn’t help but feel his own lips curve in response.

The distance between them closed, and soon, Magnus stood before him, his long hair cascading down his back in a neat braid. He was dressed in deep green robes that shimmered ever so slightly in the dim light, and his presence was, as always, captivating. There was a softness to him tonight that Alec hadn’t expected—like he had let down his guard, just a little.

“Your Majesty,” Magnus said with a teasing glint in his eye, a playful tilt to his head as he bowed his head slightly. “I must admit, I wasn’t expecting such an extravagant invitation.”

Alec couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “It’s not often I get the chance to host someone as special as you,” he replied, his voice warm, though the smile on his face didn’t quite reach the depths of his thoughts.

There was so much unsaid between them, so many things they hadn’t yet addressed. But tonight, Alec felt strangely at ease with Magnus.

“I’m flattered,” Magnus said, straightening up and offering Alec a wink. “But I must say, you’ve certainly outdone yourself with this ceremony.”

Alec shrugged, the weight of his title momentarily forgotten. “It’s just a formality, really. I thought it might be nice to have you here, as a... friend,” he added with a soft smile, not entirely sure if the word felt strange coming from him.

Magnus’s eyes softened. "A friend, huh?" he repeated, his voice thoughtful. "I suppose I can accept that." He paused, glancing around the room, his gaze lingering on the colorful tapestries and the golden light reflecting off the walls. "It’s different, isn’t it? This place. I never imagined I’d be standing here, in your home."

Alec’s heart skipped a beat at the weight of the words. He’d invited Magnus here, yes, but part of him had expected their meeting to be more strained, more... complicated.

Instead, there was a surprising ease between them. Maybe it was the shared history that no longer felt so heavy, or perhaps it was the calmness that seemed to radiate from Magnus now.

Then, the music shifted—slow, soft, almost inviting. Alec glanced at Magnus, who seemed to hesitate, just for a second, his amber eyes flickering nervously to the dance floor. The idea of dancing, of being in the center of attention, seemed to make Magnus uncomfortable. He shifted his weight, looking unsure.