“Such dramatics, brother.”   

Ramses glanced up to see a figure seated on an elaborate onyx throne, his legs crossed, and his face hidden in the shadows.  He adjusted his hold on the unconscious young lady, ignoring the unexpected sensation of wanting to protect this frail mortal he pulled from the other world. 

“You look comfortable in that seat.  By all means, feel free to take it if you think you are worthy.”  He murmured, already gesturing to the silent servants that appeared from the shadows to his left, waiting for his command. 

His brother Theos chuckled as he jumped out of the throne and walked slowly towards him.   

“I was simply resting.  The throne was always yours, dear brother.”  Theos quipped with a cheerful smile on his face.  He tipped the chin of the unconscious girl, a raised eyebrow.  “She’s beautiful surely but you are already betrothed.  Or did you forget? Are you considering a harem?  Father would be proud of you.” 

 Ramses grit his teeth as he brushed his brother’s hand away.  “She is a guest. You will treat her as such.” 

He used his power to float her gently in the air as he fixed his attention on his brother.  A hint of amusement in those dark eyes but he ignored the mocking salute. 

“But of course.  Shall I escort her to her room?”  Theos stepped forward to touch her shoulder only to have his own shoulder in a vicelike grip. 

“I will not repeat myself.”  The slow threat murmured under his breath, while the silent servants waited with neutral expressions for the siblings to pause their never-ending rivalry. 

 With hands up in surrender, he took an additional step back.  “Then I’ll wait for you here.  By all means, take your time your majesty.” 

 Ignoring the tense rejoinder despite the courteous expression, he turned and nodded towards the nearest servant.  

 Prepare the room adjoining mine. 

 The servant glanced up in hesitation. 

 My lord? 

 He ignored the amused glance from his brother, who seemed to be guessing at the telepathic messages.   

 It seems everyone wishes to make me repeat myself. 

The servant hastily bowed his head back down before gesturing to the other servants towards the double doors at the end of the hall. 

Ramses followed them, with the girl floating calmly beside him as he walked slowly.  One hand was tucked casually in the pocket of his trousers while he touched the ring around his index finger with absentmindedness. 

On impulse, he removed the ring and looped it on a gold chain he tugged off his own neck.  Using the same power that kept her aloft, he directed the chain to clasp around her own neck.  The ring rested gently on her chest, its dark stone twinkling mockingly at him before it settled underneath her shirt. 

Another set of double doors opened ahead of him, and he entered straight away to head towards the adjoining door on the left side of the chambers.  Using his powers that enveloped him in a swirl of darkness and hues of blue, the door became engulfed in arcane lettering that glowed brightly before distinguishing almost as quickly as it came to life.  The door opened on its own, revealing a small chamber with a separate living arrangement. 

 The servants rushed ahead and began to prepare the room.   

 He reached the foot of the bed, waited for the bed covers to be turned over before he glanced at his guest again.  She was floating lightly, using his powers to shift her onto the bed before gently laying her on the mattress. 

 Satisfied that the servants would take care of the rest, he turned on his heels and left the room. 

 Untying the first few buttons of his shirt, he reached for a drink already prepared by the fireplace.  He sat down, crossing his legs as he willed the fire to blaze to life and kept his psychic sense attuned to her thought patterns to alert him when she wakes. 

“Do you require anything else, sire?” 

 He waved the servant away without so much of a glance.  The servant bowed low before closing the double doors behind him.