Until Adam came into the room, Alec had completely forgot that the Mundane was nearby. He'd been too focused on Mayrse and trying to keep his position as Adam's bodyguard to remember that the person they were arguing about was in the next room.
If he hadn't had years of experience hiding his reactions from others, he would have flushed in humiliation that Adam had heard everything Maryse had said. All the comments about how he was now a disappointment because of his sexuality and his unwillingness to pretend to be straight to continue his parents' attempts at gathering power. The insinuations about Magnus. The details of his failures...
That hurt worse. He'd been ready for the hatred of others when he'd come out but he hadn't wanted Adam to hear that he was considered incompetent by the Head of the Institute. They had made a promise, but Adam had said he could choose someone else. The idea that he might choose someone else so soon after they had made that vow hurt more than Alec expected.
Both Shadowhunters turned when Adam spoke, Maryse's expression shifting from annoyance to something meant to placate the Mundane. Alec began to speak, about to ask Adam to leave, when he did something Alec didn't expect.
For the first time in years, someone other than Jace was defending him.
Knowing that this could quickly devolve into something that could be a danger to Adam, he quickly cut into the conversation. "I made a deal with Adam as a representative of the Institute and the Clave. If you go against it, you'll be defying the Clave's orders and breaking a promise made in good faith." Standing straighter, he knew that his mother wouldn't speak to him for days after this. The thought was almost a relief. "I doubt that you want to explain to the Clave why we lost our chance at restoring the ley line. That wouldn't help restore the family honor that you value so much."
no subject
If he hadn't had years of experience hiding his reactions from others, he would have flushed in humiliation that Adam had heard everything Maryse had said. All the comments about how he was now a disappointment because of his sexuality and his unwillingness to pretend to be straight to continue his parents' attempts at gathering power. The insinuations about Magnus. The details of his failures...
That hurt worse. He'd been ready for the hatred of others when he'd come out but he hadn't wanted Adam to hear that he was considered incompetent by the Head of the Institute. They had made a promise, but Adam had said he could choose someone else. The idea that he might choose someone else so soon after they had made that vow hurt more than Alec expected.
Both Shadowhunters turned when Adam spoke, Maryse's expression shifting from annoyance to something meant to placate the Mundane. Alec began to speak, about to ask Adam to leave, when he did something Alec didn't expect.
For the first time in years, someone other than Jace was defending him.
Knowing that this could quickly devolve into something that could be a danger to Adam, he quickly cut into the conversation. "I made a deal with Adam as a representative of the Institute and the Clave. If you go against it, you'll be defying the Clave's orders and breaking a promise made in good faith." Standing straighter, he knew that his mother wouldn't speak to him for days after this. The thought was almost a relief. "I doubt that you want to explain to the Clave why we lost our chance at restoring the ley line. That wouldn't help restore the family honor that you value so much."