Beauty and the Beast ~ a malec fanfiction

Let Me Go

Alec had tears streaming down his face as he rode on one of the horses from Magnus' stable through the woods. He figured that if the prince really did love him as much as he claimed, one missing horse wouldn't be a big deal. This one was called Elias according to the name printed above his stable door.

He hated to give into that 'distressed princess who flops down onto something and sobs' stereotype but he found he couldn't help if so felt mildly embarrassed as he buried his face into Elias' coat and cried.

Everything had been going perfectly. Alec was happy. In a way that he only usually felt when he was engrossed in a fantasy world from a book. It was like he had found his own new world dancing in Magnus' arms. At first he had only seen a monster with sharp claws and horns, able and all too ready to rip someone's throat out at any given chance. But after that afternoon in the snow... Something had changed. It was like Alec couldn't even see a beast anymore. Instead it was a young man, lost and afraid and trapped in a body that wasn't his own. He just wanted to be free. And because of that, Alec has realised he was falling in love.

A small, selfish part of himself wished that he had never looked into that mirror. At least he could save Luke now. But a what cost?

His mind wandered and unbidden imaged of his new friends appeared. Isabelle's tinkling laugh that sounded like a bell, just as golden and shiny as herself. Simon's dorky snort and sarcastic comments. Jace's jokes and condescending tone that still remained to be charming somehow. Clary's kind words and Max's sweet smile. And Magnus.

Alec shut his eyes tight, shaking his head and forcing all of those thoughts away. Instead he reminded himself why he had left; Luke. In danger. Spurred on by a new motivation, he hit his heel against Elias and they both sped off, the wind on his face drying the tears that had finally ceased.

When he arrived back in his familiar town, he was met with a mob of his fellow neighbours, crowding around a cart, cheering and raising flaming torches. As Alec neared, he saw that at the centre of it all was Maureen laughing and jumping up and down like some mad, sadistic child. The crowd seemed to take joy in joining in. Alec was disgusted. How could no one see the awfulness of what was going on?

"Stop!"

Alec leapt off Elias and stormed across the town square, yelling as he pushed through the crowds, ignoring the laughs and jeers sent him way. He ran until he was face to face with Maureen.

"Oh you're here! Finally, we've been waiting so long for you to show up!"

Alec wanted to slap her and he had to clench his fists to control himself.

"Let my father go." He pointed his finger in her face. "Now. You know that he doesn't deserve to be put in there."

"But you should have heard the things he was spouting." Maureen faked a gasp and put her hand on her heart. "All about vicious beast with horns and teeth. Ridiculous is it not?"

Alec searched the faces of the crowd pleadingly, desperate for anyone who could help him. Towards the edge he found Ragnor, sitting next to someone who had his face in his hands. When the man looked up Alec saw that it was Raphael who was tucked into Ragnor who was practically hugging him.

"But its all true!" Alec insisted, tearing his eyes away from his friend. "His name is Magnus and I lo-" Alec stopped himself and Maureen giggled, her eyes daring him to finish his sentence in front of everyone.

"Uh oh, looks like maybe Alec caught the same problem as dear Luke." Maureen took a breath in with a mean smile and laughed again.

"Alec is here?" Luke's voice sounded from inside the cart. He hurt through the people holding him back and looked around wildly for Alec, gasped when his eyes fell on him. "What are you doing here?! Run!"