A curse escaped him, was hissed through clenched teeth as Alphard's hand came violently into contact with his face, causing him to falter and step lurchingly to the side. Cygnus released his grip on his brother, and the letter, now hopelessly creased, fluttered limply to the floor, where it was subjected to the weight of his shoe as he adjusted his stance to turn and face the other man. Still a ghastly shade of white, a faint flush was beginning to stretch across the side of his face, but the accompanying throb was ignored as he stared at Alphard.
It gradually became evident that the blow had knocked the rage out of him, leaving instead weariness and an almost overpowering sadness that, if continued unchecked, would bring a revealing redness to his eyes and tightness to his voice. Even now, breathing heavily and letting the seconds go by until he could trust himself to speak, it seemed as though Cygnus would falter -- but then, almost as if gathering his dignity around him in a protective cocoon, he jerked his chin up and steadily met Alphard's gaze.
"Stupid," he repeated, "and more so than our nephew, because you could have stopped him and prevented this... this infernal mess. But Merlin forbid you remain with us barbarians --" the venom that lay behind the word indicated he was quoting one of Alphard's earlier letters, "--and wait for his coming-of-age. Now everything is fucked, Alphard, and even my... intervention couldn't--"
He stopped, swallowed, and looked away.
(Read comments)
Post a comment in response:
scribbld is part of the horse.13 network
Design by Jimmy B.
Logo created by 
hitsuzen.
Scribbld System Status
