Creak.
The heavy oak door of the bedchamber swung open. A woman in a simple linen tunic and riding breeches stepped into the firelit room, her rose-pink eyes softening as they fell upon the sleeping figure.
She let out a quiet sigh and crossed to the grand four-poster bed. "Kaiser…" she called softly, gazing at the white-haired young man tangled in furs and silk sheets.
She perched on the edge of the mattress and gripped his broad shoulders, giving him a playful shake. "Come on, you great oaf. Up with you!"
Kaiser Warborn's snow-white lashes fluttered. Piercing blue eyes opened to see his older sister leaning over him. "Elara…" he mumbled, then rolled over and hugged the pillow tighter. "What hour is it?"
Elara plucked the enchanted crystal orb from the nightstand. Soft runes glowed across its surface. "Already past the seventh bell," she said. "The servants have the hall ready. Get moving, lazybones."
"Seventh bell already?" Kaiser sat bolt upright, tossing the heavy furs aside. He raked a hand through his long white hair, pushing it back from his face.
He glanced at Elara, who had already activated the crystal and was idly scrolling through the latest missives. A mischievous grin spread across his lips. He lunged, wrapping an arm around her waist from behind.
Elara yelped in surprise. "K-Kaiser, not agai—ahhh!"
"Warborn Suplex!" he declared, effortlessly flipping her through the air. She landed with a soft thump on the feather mattress, groaning as she rubbed her back.
Kaiser stood, laughing freely. Elara glared up at him, lips twitching. "That actually hurt, you brute…"
Unbothered, Kaiser stretched, muscles rippling beneath his loose nightshirt. He strode to the tall arched windows and flung the velvet curtains wide. Golden morning light poured in, catching in his blue eyes like captured sunlight.
Elara sat up, giggling. "You really do act like the hero of some bard's tale."
Kaiser tilted his head. "And you talk too much, little sister."
She smiled anyway. Truth was, he looked every bit the chosen one—tall, impossibly handsome, with a body sculpted like the statues of the old gods.
Kaiser disappeared into the adjoining bathing chamber for a quick wash and returned wearing a simple tunic and breeches. He stripped off the tunic for his morning exercises, revealing the hard planes of his chest and the emerald amulet resting against his sternum.
Elara's gaze lingered on the glowing stone. "How do I look?" he asked, flexing one arm with a cocky grin.
She laughed. "Magnificent, as always."
He tossed the discarded tunic at her face. While she sputtered, he dropped to the flagstones and began a set of push-ups. Elara promptly climbed onto his back, sitting cross-legged as though it were the most natural throne in the realm.
Kaiser didn't miss a beat, lifting her weight with ease.
"Your body is ridiculous, brother," she said, ruffling his white hair. "You heal from scrapes in minutes, you're stronger than any knight I've seen, and your mind is sharper than a master enchanter's. It's like the gods poured every blessing into you and left none for the rest of us."
She continued scrolling through the crystal. Suddenly her expression soured. "This harlot… why is she sending you messages?"
"Who?" Kaiser asked between reps, voice steady.
"Lady Vespera from the Arcane Academy. The one who's been fluttering around you like a moth to flame." Elara's voice dripped disdain. Why can't she leave my Kaiser alone?
The crystal chimed softly with the unread missive:
[Good morrow, Lord Kaiser. This is Lady Vespera of House Sylvaine. We shared lectures last week. Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?]
Elara left it on "read" with a satisfied smirk. "I already opened it."
Kaiser chuckled. "Do what you like. Leave it unanswered."
Her face melted into a warm smile. She ruffled his hair more gently. My sweet little brother…
Tap-tap.
Another woman stepped in—tall, silver-haired, silver-eyed, wearing a fine apron over her gown and carrying a steaming mug of spiced dawnroot elixir. "Elara, how many times must I tell you not to pester your brother while he trains?"
Elara looked up. "Good morning, Mother."
Lady Isolde Warborn smiled fondly at her son. "Good morning, my Kaiser."
"Morning, Mother," he replied cheerfully, still doing push-ups with his sister perched on him.
Elara's jaw dropped theatrically. "I'm right here, you know!"
Isolde set the mug on the carved oak table. "Your elixir is here, dear. Drink it once you're finished. Breakfast will be ready shortly." She gave Elara a teasing wink. "You can fetch yours from the kitchens, darling."
"Mother!" Elara cried in mock outrage.
Isolde laughed softly and swept out, leaving her daughter pouting.
"Get down, Sis," Kaiser said. Elara slid off his back with a dramatic sigh and claimed the mug for herself, flopping onto the bed to keep reading his messages.
Kaiser shook his head, amused, and continued his exercises.
…
A short while later he emerged from the bathing chamber freshly dressed. Elara was still sprawled across his bed, crystal orb in hand.
He grabbed her ankle and tugged. "Come on. Breakfast awaits."
She sat up, arms open. "Kaiser…"
He turned, presenting his back. Elara hopped on with a grin, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He caught her thighs easily, fingers pressing into warm, bare skin beneath the hem of her breeches.
They descended the wide stone staircase like that, her cheek resting against his. "I spoil you too much, little brother," she murmured.
"I know," he replied, voice low and fond. Her breasts brushed his back with every step.
In the great hall, Lady Isolde glanced out from the kitchens and smiled at the sight. She brought another mug of the fragrant elixir. "I knew Elara would steal the first one. Here, my son."
Elara slid down and claimed a seat at the long table. Kaiser took the mug with a grateful nod.
Isolde's eyes sparkled with motherly affection as she returned to the kitchens. "Breakfast in a few moments, dears."
Kaiser Warborn sipped the warm elixir, the emerald amulet at his throat glowing faintly in the morning light. Just another ordinary day in Warborn Manor… or so it seemed.