Page 50 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

23

DEMETHYS

When Harper said yes, that she wants to try again, I thought my heart would burst right out of my chest. I thought for a moment that maybe I had died and I was in Helias now. It was the only thing that made sense.

I almost rise from the table straight away but I refrain, managing somehow to finish my dinner and feeding our daughter. I can’t stop giving Addie kisses on the top of her head either. I hold her close, unwilling to be separated from the little girl who stole my heart.

I leave that night, eager to make preparations for Harper’s return, along with making space for our daughter.

My first order of business is to fire every single zagfer servant who had anything to do with this injustice. When I interrogate my staff, it comes out that my maid Bryrion was the one to tell Harper I was dead.

I confront her and she starts crying, telling me she’s sorry and that she was told of my death from Ivrir himself, and that by the time it turned out to be untrue, she was scared that I would sell her off for warning Harper. Ivrir admits that he can’t recallbut thinks he might have been misinformed when receiving the letter. It’s been too long for him to remember clearly.

Bryrion maintains her innocence but does give me the names of everyone who tried to cover up the true reason for Harper’s disappearance, who told her to keep quiet for her own sake, lest they throw her under the wagon.

I fire all those she listed off. The staff is greatly reduced now but I know that only my most loyal servants remain. The chef, a few maids, my butler and two footmen are all that’s left.

When they arrive the next day, I have rooms set up for both of them. Harper is in a room down the hall from me and Addie has her own nursery next to Harper’s room.

I’m determined not to screw up this chance so I start by asking Harper for permission to court her, giving her a bouquet of morning glories as I ask. I’m nervous, my palms are sweaty but she accepts and my heart feels light as a feather.

“I accept,” she says, smiling at me with that same lovely, soft smile that made me melt the first time I saw her all those years ago. I bow, trying to hide my nerves and then I hug her tightly.

“Thank you,” I tell her when we break apart. “Thank you for giving me another chance. I know I don’t deserve it but thank you.”

“Don’t screw it up,” she says, rubbing my cheek with her thumb.

“I won’t,” I say, silently swearing to myself that I will be the best damned mate and father I could possibly be. I should have mated her the first time around but I was scared about the dangers of my job and the issues that society has for mixed couples.

But losing Harper put it all into perspective for me. Nothing matters but her now. Her and our precious, agelios.

“Now, sit here,” I tell her, ushering her into a chair in the dining room. “I’ve learned to cook while you were away and Iwant to show you what I can do!” I say as I rush towards the kitchen.

Our chef has been incredibly kind in teaching me how to cook and how to make many different dishes. It was something that helped occupy my time and take my mind away from how much I missed Harper. I start preparing the meal now, settling for something simple—skilletcakes.

I bring out a steaming pile of skilletcakes and present them to my lovely ladies with a flourish. “Madames,” I say with an exaggerated bow.

Adelaide claps excitedly and asks for two. I serve her up first and she digs in, proclaiming her Dad to be the best cook ever.

It melts my heart and makes it swell with pride all at the same time. Harper eats more slowly, her eyes lighting up as savors the skilletcakes. “You really have learned to cook,” she says with a laugh. It warms me up inside, making me feel as gooey as the butter I slather on my skilletcakes.

Once we’re finished, Harper gets up to go clean up Addie but I stop her. “It’s alright,” I tell her. “I’ve got this. You go ahead and enjoy some time to yourself.”

Harper smiles and glances at Addie. “Dad can help me!” Addie proclaims. She leaves and I help our daughter upstairs and get her cleaned up from breakfast and dressed in a pretty yellow dress I saw her wear before.

“Dad, can we go to the park today?” she asks, hopping around on one foot as I try to slide a stocking onto her leg.

“Whatever you want, agelios,” I tell her. She’s so precious, I’m completely gone for her. I would give her whatever she asked, even a hoqin. Harper would kill me but I want to spoil my little girl to make up for missing her first four years.

“Love you, Dad,” she says. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Anything, of course,” I tell her quickly. I want her to know she can trust me with anything she tells me.

“Mama doesn’t like me doing it but I can do magic, look!” She waves her hands and makes crystalline snowflakes appear out of thin air. I gasp.

“I’m sorry, don’t tell, Mama!” Addie looks frightened by my reaction so I reach out and smooth a hand over her hair.

“No, I was just amazed,” I tell her honestly. “You’re so powerful! You are allowed to do as much magic as you would like now that you live here. In fact, I will teach you more about magic. Your magic comes from me and that’s why your Mama was scared to let you do it. Some people don’t like that powerful little girls like you can do the same thing that they can.”

---