Page 36 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

But now I feel like swearing.

I wanted to be here for Layla, but I feared coming back. And I’m starting to think the fear was right and my attachment to a woman moving on with her life isn’t.

At least Addie has been behaving herself throughout the night. She was playing with Jasper earlier, but now she is by my side, clutching my hand.

“Mama, I want to use my magic. Please?” Addie looks up at me with her wide, dark blue eyes.

Adelaide inherited her shocking almost navy-blue eyes from her father. From Demethys.

I know that she is looking more and more like him every day.

She may have my skin tone, but that is where her likeness to me ends.

Instead, she has his nose and pouty mouth. And her dark blue eyes are rimmed with dark lashes like his did.

I think the only other thing she has inherited from me is the way her eyes crinkle up at the edges.

I didn't even know my eyes did that, until I saw her do it.

“You can’t use your magic my darling.” I tell her and lift her into my arms. She is growing and will be very tall.

I won’t be able to pick her up soon. The thought breaks my heart. She won’t be a baby for much longer.

And as for her magic, Adelaide wields her magic more strongly every day. But I only allow her to do it at home, in private.

Where no one can see her, and realize what she is.

Because Adelaide is a dark elf. And she has magic. And I can never let anyone discover this.

“But why not?” Addie’s questions are only natural. She is old enough that she is starting to master her magic.

But she is also still too young to understand why her mother does not want her to use her magic in public.

“Why can Jasper use his magic?” Addie continues asking. I hold her close to me – I do not need anyone around me to hear this conversation.

“Will Auntie Layla be upset at me? Why can’t I tell Jasper that I am a dark elf too?”

Adelaide’s anxiety and confusion is palpable. Jasper is open about his magic use, and the fact that he is a dark elf.

Jasper is only a little bit older than her, and they have become fast friends. But maybe it is time for me to start spending less time with Layla and Kerym.

At least until I figure out what to do about Adelaide being a dark elf.

“Darling, let’s not think about this now, okay?” I try to distract Addie, but a stubborn look flashes across her eyes.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe Addie has inherited more from me than I care to admit.

She is as stubborn as I am sometimes.

“Mama, I don’t understand…” My daughter is about to start crying when Layla comes over and interrupts.

Addie’s incoming tears instantly turn into a smile. She loves Layla almost as much as she loves me.

In truth, they are like family to us. They have been my greatest supporters in the last four years.

And every day, I feel guilty about keeping the truth about Adelaide from them. Especially Layla.

“Why don’t you put Adelaide down?” Layla smiles at my daughter, but there is a steely look in her eyes. “Go find Jasper and play with him.”

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