&&; bxhotschaftvonhugenstein
Alec had come here seeking solace from reality -- from his thoughts of Jace; their weakened bond, and the very real possibility that his parabatai may not trust him any more. Animosity had sought residence where trust and ease had previously been, and suddenly Alec felt as though the one person he was supposed to know completely had become foreign to him. The thought sent a twinge of uneasiness through his core as he lifted his bow, fluidly drawing an arrow from his quiver. Icy gaze focused on the target across the room. He pulled back, poised to shoot, and elected to ignore the way his fingertips trembled. The arrow pierced through the air upon its release. A whoosh of air escaped Alec’s lips as he watched it lodge in the center of the target. His aim was perfect, as it should be, yet nothing but an overwhelming sense of wrong enveloped him. Alec stood, bow still held in position. Time seemed to slow as his eyes fluttered shut, an attempt to ward away the dull ache that settled in his core. He clenched his jaw, swallowing hard as he tried to silence thoughts of Jace; dull the betrayal that still burned hot within.
Footsteps sounded behind him. Alec was jolted from his failed attempted serenity. He whipped around, holding his bow down by his side. His eyes met a pair with which he was familiar but did not want to see. Immediately, Alec steeled himself. He tore his gaze away, whole body tensing as he glanced past Jace, to the doorway. He turned his back and moved to put his bow and quiver away -- he’d come back to retrieve the arrow from the target later. Right now, he had one sole objective, and that was to get out.
“Don’t worry.” His voice was strained as he turned back to Jace, fighting not to reveal anything beyond vexation through his expression. “I was just leaving.”
