Cephas walked down the corridor, in the south wing of the castle.
He had no direction in mind really, just that he was troubled and needed to walk off the most part of his anxious mind. there were things tugging at his soul, he was finding it harder and harder to shake them off.
He wanted so badly to blame it on the news Hannah had passed to him earlier in the week, but it was completely unfair to blame his restlessness on his cousin. she was not to be defined as the problem.
However, The news she gave was a problem. of some sort.
she had spoken of her friend, Rose coming to live in the castle with them, and had smiled evilly when he stayed quiet. he knew she wasn't purposely digging his grave, but she was digging his grave nonetheless. he did not hat rose, not by a long shot. not t all
because was it so easy to hate someone you had loved for a long time?
but he knew, that there was indeed a thin line between hate and love he was not sure either of them had crossed that line, to be honest. but if she came as he knew she would, and the both of them were stuck living in that castle, he didn't have much doubt that they were going to cross that line. the whole of Borne would not be big enough for both of them.
wasn't that why he had avoided being in the same place with her for so long?
and it had peacefully been that way, until Hannah and Jasper's engagement ball, and then once again, his entire world tilted at the very sight of her, and just like that, nothing had changed, years hadn't passed and he was staring into her eyes again. his heart was beating erratically again.
his trail of thoughts venturing toward his cousin, he smiled regardless. Hannah was in the east. She and her husband, Jasper, had that wing all to themselves. They were married now, and it was only right that they had their privacy.
His Hannah, his baby cousin. The stubborn girl had matured into an even more stubborn woman. One who loved so strongly, so fiercely. He couldn't help but be in awe of her with each passing day.
He stopped at a glass window and looked out into the clear blue sky.
Winter was in the air, he could feel it, smell it even.
Much more strongly than most, to be honest. He was, you could say, also one with the earth, also just as in tune.
He put his hands in the pocket of his breeches and let his mind roam. He watched as an eagle circled, then flew past, and found himself yearning for such freedom.
But freedom from what? He sure as hell didn't know his chains.
It would come, he thought. Understanding would come, but he couldn't help but feel a little bit of frustration. He ran a hand down his face and tipped ringlets of his hair, that dangled in front of his face backward.
It would come. He thought again.
*****
He watched them while they walked hand in hand. They always seemed to bring Joy to his heart. They had been through so many storms and come back stronger, better. Softer.
They turned and spotted him. It was Jasper who spotted him first, and supposed his watching them from afar had come to an end. So be it.
He got closer and grinned. You look big, cousin.
She pouted and looked up at her husband, " You hear him, Jasper?" Hannah said and turned to look at me, " That's no way to speak to a woman, Cephas." I just smiled and wrapped an arm around her,
" Maybe I should add that you're glowing and look extremely beautiful," she had a smile so big when she looked up at me and placed a plan on my cheek.
"Nice save," Hannah said, patting his back And he grinned a toothy grin.
"Why are you outside, brother, looking so lost in a different time and place?" It was Jasper who spoke this time and Cephas turned to him, shaking his head,
" I guess, maybe I was in a different time and place." He shrugged and ran a hand over his hair, " so much is changing now, I'm wise enough to admit it to myself. "
Hannah gripped his hand in hers, " Getting Nostalgic, cousin?" He chuckled and squeezed her hand, " just a little bit of that,"
He looked up at Jasper and Jasper just smiled. Jasper more than anyone knew exactly what was going on in his head and heart, but he didn't want to bring it up right there and then. He didn't want to Hannah feel sad or sorry. So he'd suck it up and shake his head subtly at Jasper.
"Will you go back to ɡəˈzel?" Hannah asked Cephas. ɡəˈzel was Where Cephas stayed with his family, within Borne, but not exactly close to Hannah.
"And have you miss me breathless? I wouldn't do that to you, cousin." He stared out into nothing again and caught himself. He had decided that anything, anything at all that could bother Hannah in any way, he would do his best to keep it from her. She would hate him for it if she found out, but he had just her in mind.
She had a baby coming and he only wanted to keep her happy.
" Even if Rose is coming?" Now that was murky water, but he shrugged. He did not want to talk about Rose, he caught the glint in Jasper's eyes and narrowed his,
" I have known all these while that I've had to face Rose. I've to face Reality. Maybe this is God's time."
" And you're sure you don't want to have my head for this?"
" Ah, Hannah, Darling," He put his arm around her, " I do, I most certainly do."