Page 24 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

Just watching him breaks my heart a little. I know that dark elves age faster, but I didn’t think my boys would be so independent, just shy of two.

Even more than that, I don’t think I was prepared for how much like their father they are. Not just in looks, even though Kenji has Lykan’s hair and Colson has his eyes.

It shows in other ways, like the way that Colson always wants to show off his strength. He has to be right all the time, just like Lykan, too. But his quiet nature – something I consider thoughtful instead of brooding now that I see it in my son – is reflected in Kenji, who is quietly watching Nasthyn and his brother now.

Nasthyn tosses Colson around, making the boy laugh before turning back to me. “Is everything almost ready for tonight?”

I nod, though my heart rate picks up. Every time Nasthyn hosts something at the house, I get nervous. I don’t typically serve any of the parties, but I sit and watch through the window, wondering if Lykan will be here.

He never is.

“You should be set to go. I’m going to take the boys out to the garden to play so they’ll go to B-E-D early.”

“No!” Colson immediately protests, and I roll my eyes. He’s too smart.

I look down to his twin. “What do you say, Kenji? You want to go to the gardens?”

He looks between me and Colson, who Nasthyn sets back on the ground. Colson is shaking his head at Kenji, and I can see the debate in his eyes when he looks back to me. Does he agree with me or his brother?

“Gardens, yes,” Kenji finally says, and Colson immediately protests. Kenji silences him with a look, and I have to fight a laugh. I know exactly where he learned that from – me. “Bed, no.”

Nasthyn chuckles. “Quite the little negotiator.”

“Not as good as me.” I wink at him. “They won’t win this fight.”

Nasthyn shrugs. “Why don’t you bring them tonight?”

I pause, my eyebrows scrunched together. “Oh, I couldn’t.”

“Why not?” Nasthyn looks down at the boys. “There will be other kids. They should get to play with someone their own age.”

His words send the twins into a frenzy. They clearly like the prospects of more age appropriate friends.

“Nasthyn…”

He shakes his head. “I won’t hear of it! Bring the boys tonight!” He glances outside, where the sun is starting to sink. “Now go get dressed. People will be here soon.”

* * *

I stand justoutside the ballroom, nervous to go in. Kenji and Colson are both on their best behavior, walking at a normal pace as they clutch my hands.

I take a deep breath as I peek into the room. It filled up fast with dark elves. It was foolish of me to think this is a good idea. I should just go back upstairs.

But then a little boy runs up to me, and I blink down at him. He looks human, if it wasn’t for his violet eyes. “Who are you?” he asks, eyeing my two boys and before I can recover, I hear a voice behind me.

“Bas!” A beautiful woman comes up to him, picking him up and placing him on her hip. “What have I told you about running off like that?”

She turns to me with a bright smile that shines against her tan skin. She pushes her thick curly hair out of her face. “Sorry about that. Sebastian just likes to meet new people. His father tries to encourage him to go up to others at these events, and I think it’s backfiring on me. I’m Layla, by the way.”

“Cyra,” I answer, starting to relax a little. Another human woman and who must be a mixed child? It’s a relief.

“It’s lovely to meet–”

“Mom!” Another little boy comes barreling up. He’s tall and looks exactly like a dark elf if it weren’t for his tan skin. “Dad said to tell you that he’ll meet you in a minute. Some other dark elf grabbed him.”

Layla nods, looking up and over my shoulder. I turn to see another woman with dirty blonde hair and pale skin approaching. “What Jas means is that the host of the party has a few dark elves out back.”

Layla nods as the other woman and a little girl who looks identical to her – save for some startling navy blue eyes – come to a stop beside me.

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