Page 56 of Kissing Potions and Elves
LYRION
I’m deep in blissful sleep, buried beneath layers of warm, comfortable blankets when my dreams are rudely shattered by an annoyingly cheerful knock at my chamber door.
Groaning, I press the heel of my palm against my eyes. It’s still dark outside. This waking up before dawn every morning is killing me. “Isobel, please. Just five more minutes,” I mumble drowsily, desperately hoping she’ll grant me mercy for once.
The knocking intensifies, now annoyingly persistent. “Alright, alright,” I grumble. “Come in.”
The door swings open, slamming against the wall.
“Rise and shine,” a familiar, far too cheerful voice calls out.
I blink my eyes open to find my twin brother—Rhystan—in the doorway, a wide grin on his face. He runs a hand through his short, black hair, his violet eyes bright with boundless energy.
“Moon and stars.” I sit up with a low growl, glancing at the darkened window. “It’s too early for this.”
“Well, I’m happy to see you too,” he says sarcastically as he strides into the room. “I see someone hasn’t had their morning tea yet. You’re about as charming as a Frost Troll in winter.”
“Of course I haven’t had my tea,” I grumble, rubbing my temples. “It’s still dark outside, Rhystan. Reasonable people are still asleep at this hour.”
He chuckles, completely unfazed by my grumpiness, and scans the room curiously. “Speaking of sleep, who exactly is this ‘Isobel’ you were begging for more time? Is there something, orsomeoneI should know about?”
I freeze, my irritation momentarily eclipsed by embarrassment. Stars curse me, I’d forgotten I mumbled her name aloud.
“That’s… complicated.” I throw back the blankets, swinging my feet to the floor. “I’ll explain everything once I’m actually awake.”
“Complicated, hmm?” Rhystan gives a knowing smirk, thoroughly entertained by my discomfort. “I live for complicated. Get dressed, sleepyhead. I’ll see you downstairs.”
Without waiting for my reply, he spins on his heel and vanishes through the door.
With a resigned sigh, I dress quickly, my annoyance slowly dissipating. As irritating as Rhystan can be, it’s good to see him. Though why he insists on arriving at these ridiculous hours, I will never understand.
Then again, he’s always been a morning person.
By the time I reach the dining room, my mood is marginally improved, until I hear laughter. Bright, carefree laughter. Isobel’s laughter. I pause in the doorway, jaw tightening at the sight before me.
Rhystan sits at the table, his expression animated as he finishes some amusing tale.
Isobel’s eyes sparkle with mirth, clearly already won over by Rhystan’s charm.
Beside her, Hilda chuckles warmly as well. “Oh, Rhystan,” she says. “It’s so good to have you here.”
“At least someone is glad to see me.” His eyes sweep to mine, and he smirks. “Unlike my dear twin brother.”
I purse my lips as I take a seat at the table. “I’m happy to see you too,” I grudgingly admit. “I’d just prefer if you came at a normal hour.”
“I apologize for the early arrival, Brother.” Rhystan claps me on the shoulder and grins. “But I just couldn’t wait to see you.”
Errol observes from his regal perch on the table, beside Isobel. He gives me a sly glance as his voice slips smugly into my mind.“Your brother is utterly delightful, Lyrion.”
“Why thank you, Errol,” Rhystan says with a grin, having heard the cat’s thoughts. “I appreciate that.”
“What’s he saying?” Isobel asks.
Rhystan leans close and flashes a handsome smile. “Your cat likes me.” He winks. “Which means he’s obviously highly intelligent and an excellent judge of character.”
I stop short of rolling my eyes as Isobel and Hilda both laugh, while Errol practically preens under my brother’s praise.
Rhystan has not even been here an hour and he already has them all charmed with his charismatic personality. He glances at Isobel, eyes twinkling with mischief. “If I’d known you had such excellent company staying here, Lyrion, I might have visited even sooner.”
