He let out a shuddering breath, unable for a long moment to respond verbally to this bold pronouncement. He stiffened at her icy threat, something dark flickering through his eyes as he continued to regard her with open resentment. For a moment, it seemed Malcolm would not be dissuaded. He drew the hand that clutched her up slightly, forcing her into an uncomfortable, half-kneeling position on the couch and glared down at her, stung by how she threw her illustrious surname in his face so easily. His gaze flickered over Astoria's delicate features, trying in vain to read an unspoken message on her face.
"Fine," he hissed after a tense minute, throwing her arm away from him as if it had scalded him. His lips turned downwards into a scowl, and he tried with all his might to inject disgust into his expression. "Fine, see if I care. I don't know what I was thinking."
Rising to his feet awkwardly, Malcolm tried to gaze down at her haughtily, but found it difficult to meet her even gaze. Wordlessly, he turned on his heel and departed in the direction of his sleeping quarters, resisting the urge to utter any further threats that he feared would seem hollow and ridiculous.