Caprion's Wings Read Online Free Page A

them
immediately. They spanned just under fifteen feet, though Sumas
often rounded up in front of pretty girls or superior officers. And
family, of course.
    Caprion paused mid-step, fear settling
in his gut, awakening his senses. No sense running―Sumas could fly
much faster. He searched his brother's face, illuminated by the
soft white glow of his wings. They shared the same high brow and
angular cheeks. Sumas had a heavy, proud jaw and a twice-broken
nose, which seemed to increase his appeal to the girls. His short,
shock-white hair bristled back against his head. Caprion’s features
were slightly narrower, what some might call sensitive or
aristocratic.
    Sumas’ mouth was set in a firm
line—his usual expression. Caprion hesitated at that. All things
considered, his brother appeared to be in a good mood.
    “Sumas,” he said quietly.
    “Captain Sumas, now,” his brother replied. A tight grin
cracked those lips.
    Caprion frowned, hardly able to think
through his anxiety. “You’ve been promoted?” he asked
carefully.
    "Just this morning," Sumas said. His
voice held a rich, heavy baritone. It matched his hulking shoulders
and barrel-chest.
    "Congratulations," Caprion said
softly. "You'll be a captain now? In charge of your own
men?"
    Sumas nodded, unable to keep the proud
tilt from his chin.
    Another long pause. Caprion cleared
his dry throat. “Did you only come to tell me that?”
    "No," Sumas said solidly. "I came
because my little brother failed again."
    Caprion braced himself, wishing he had
his sword, but it rested against his bedpost inside the hut. Sumas
noted his distress and grinned, crossing his arms in front of him.
“Don't worry, little brother. I expected this.”
    Caprion waited. He already knew what
his brother thought of him.
    "Mother is very upset,” Sumas
continued. “She spoke to the Madrigal an hour ago. She hasn’t said
a word since."
    Caprion tried not to react.
    “She thinks she failed you,” Sumas
sneered. “But we both know that’s not true.”
    Caprion's hands clenched into fists.
After his last failure, his mother had worried about him
incessantly. Their conversations always wandered back to his wings,
to his Song, to the next Singing and his future. Eventually it had
pushed him from her house, and they hadn't spoken since. He didn’t
know how he would face her again. From this point on, he would
always be a burden to his family. How would he find work? Who would
he marry?
    Sumas glanced at Caprion's wingless
shoulders and then to the ground, as though embarrassed for him. "I
don’t understand you. Have you no pride? No honor? How could you do
this to our family?” He shook his head, his voice thick. “I'm so
angry at you, I want to pound you into the dirt. You don't care
about anyone but yourself."
    "You think I did this on
purpose?" Caprion said defensively. "I tried, Sumas."
    "Esta said you slept late this
morning. You missed the greeting hour." He glared. "Lazy,
irresponsible Caprion. You deserve some sort of punishment. If a
soldier sleeps in late, he has to answer for it." He glanced over
Caprion's shoulder again. "But you'll never be a soldier, will
you?" he finished softly. "You've already paid enough, I
think."
    Caprion took a deep, short breath. His
head ached. He wanted to launch across the grass and wrench the
smug look right off Sumas' face―pummel him to the ground, crack his
teeth, and break his proud jaw. But his brother would welcome a
fight, and Sumas was bigger and stronger. He could still crush
Caprion's windpipe. That one thought held him back.
    Sumas finally turned away. “Don't let
me see you around,” he said, his voice thick with hatred. It
vibrated across Caprion's skin, a shiver of magic both a warning
and a threat. “Next time, I won't hold back.” Then Sumas spread his
wings and lifted swiftly into the air, flying away quickly over the
round, white huts.
    Caprion watched him go until the glow
of his wings vanished against the stars. He felt