The Ember in the Fog
[ ] dialogue is spoken in a foreign language
" " dialogue in common language
Fastening the button of his lengthy dark coat, gloomy eyes studied the prone woman in the man-sized bed. It had been weeks since he saved her, and he refused to give up on her. Tucking her arms under the covers, he raked his fingers through her thick bangs. Dejected eyes roam over her stilled face, smooth and thick cyan locks blanketing some of her pale features, flowing over her bosom to her midsection.
The back of his bronzed fingers caresses her cheek, there was no him without her; he had no independent focus or thoughts, only desire, and agony of waiting for her. He took in a sharp breath twiddling with a lock of her hair.
"I will return to you, Princess." He spoke over his shoulder and left the room.
"Brother!" Hotsuma turned to the voice. "There you are!" He minded the tense posture of the young man approaching him.
"What is it?"
"Two words. Princess Ayeka." Hotsuma waves his hand dismissively sauntering to the stairwell,
"Hizir, git!" Hotsuma rush to the stairwell.
"Git? No, I am not!" Hizir saw that his brother was not the least bit concern about the situation. "Abi, our chances are dwindling we need you! Emperor Azusa is not taking his foot off our mother's neck, he's pushing harder to take our nation from us. As you know, that Seto is not swaying either. Slow down!"
Continuing his pursuit behind Hotsuma to the courtyard like a helpless pup. "You must be avoiding contact with Lady Ayeka. Do you two have a history that I need to hear about? Come on abi." Hizir pressed, Hotsuma remained impassive his steps unremitting. Hizir quickened his pace and place his sprawled hand on Hotsuma's chest. "Wherever you are going, why is it so important that you cannot face mother nor Princess Ayeka right now?" He questioned gravely, almost baring his teeth.
Hotsuma stilled, it took all the self-control he could muster to keep his anger in check.
"Don't poke your nose into what does not concern you!"
Hizir cupped his mouth, rage churning within him. "Neyin var senin? What's up with you?" Concern evident in his eyes, he reached out and held the shoulder lapels of the taller man's coat. "I am fed up with this. You have gone off the deep end, this is a different type of insanity!" Hizir probed through his clamped teeth. "I usually enjoy seeing others in misery, not you! Brother, please, if only you would participate in the meeting that will give us all a chance for a change, to keep our resources, and not have to give our able-bodied men and women over to those selfish ingrates! We can be just as strong as the House of Masaki. Father knew this, lest not let his death be in vain!"
Hotsuma looked ahead of him, he knew Hizir is a better suitor to govern this land. He would not mind taking the back seat in advising—just as long as he had Ryoko alongside him for support nothing matters.
His lengthy black coat whipped at his booted feet as his young boy words affected him. "Please do not be offended Hizir, but we barely know each other. Yeter! (Enough!)" Hotsuma sets his hands on Hizir's sagged shoulders squeezing them and pulled him close. With a threatening glare and Hotsuma gritted his teeth.
"I'm warning you for the last time, bana bulasma, don't mess with me or what I am doing in the best interest of my wife." Hotsuma's large hands move to tightly hold Hizir's coat collar.
Hizir felt something strong building within the walls of his chest. His lips pursed steeling himself from a mirthless laugh that was itching to escape. He soon realized how difficult to swallow, he wanted to throw up. With one final look of disgust, Hotsuma pivoted to leave but was impeded once again by another grip on the shoulder.
"I'd wish you stop and realize what you are doing is a waste."
Hotsuma clenched his fist.
Hizir allows a smirk to crept across his lips "She does not want this life; you are fighting hard to give her. After all, you did try to kill each other at the end of it all. Tell me, do you believe she will ever want you b—"
Hotsuma recoiled.
Hizir felt a small trickle of warm liquid running at the junction of his nose and top lip, blood smearing the back of his hand. His pear green eyes rifle at his brother. Hotsuma snarled and began to dig inside of his coat, he stepped forward and flicked a handkerchief at him before walking away. Hizir hit the sandy ground with his open palm. "Whether you want to hear it or not! It is known, she's dead!" He slurred hearing the rush of footsteps of the staff.
"Lord Hizir, are you alright?" A staff member helped him to his feet, followed by another and another.
"Y-Yeter! Let go of me!" Hizir stumbled back into the lobby. You will regret this day brother.