Gwydion had finished reading the books he had borrowed and had to sneak them back into the study. Gwydion had though that Manannan was in the tower, but at some point the wizard must have passed Gwydion's room without him noticing, as the wizard was writing at his desk when Gwydion entered. Manannan looked up from his work, and greeted the boy with a scowl. "Boy, you know I don't like you to enter my private study, especially when I'm writing," he growled. "Leave now, or I'll make you leave!" Unfortunately, just then the wizard had caught sight of the books in Gwydion's hands.
Gwydion could see his rage building as the wizard's face turned red behind his white beard and his eyes bulged alarmingly. Manannan had roared at the boy, "You know you're not allowed to touch my books!"
Gwydion had cringed back. It wasn't the first time the wizard had shouted at him, but it was the first time he had looked so angry. "I'm sorry Master!" and thinking faster then he had ever in his life added, "The books needed dusting, and I didn't want to disturb you, so yesterday I removed them to clean them!"
The wizard seemed to pull a deep breath in. Thankfully, the alarming shade of his face evened out. "Well. I don't want you touching my book, understand?"
"Forgive me Master."
The wizard beckoned his hands to the books, and Gwydion handed over them quickly. "You will never touch my book without my permission. Is that understood?"
Gwydion quickly nodded, looking down at his feet. "Yes Master."
"I still need to punish you. Hold out your hands."
Gwydion did, knowing hesitation would only make it worse. He then yelped, before biting his lip down on a scream as his hands heated quickly, as if he had dipped them in boiling water. They reddened but did not blister. Gwydion's hands throbbed in pain, and he whimpered.
"There. Now go to your room. There will be no dinner for you tonight, but I expect you to still finish all your chores. Is that understood?"
"Yes Master."
Gwydion quickly fled the room. Thankfully he had done his chores already. His hands hurt, but when he inspected them he could see no actual injury, they were just a little red in colour. He ignored the way his nose and eyes ran, angrily wiping it away with his elbow. He could not believe the wizard had hurt him, but on the other hand the punishment had been mild compare to what he had expected. The next day when he woke at dawn, it was like nothing had happened, his hands fine, Manannan as distant and accepting as always.
Gwydion did not borrow any more books.