Page 26 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

Lykan’s here.

13

LYKAN

As expected, it’s another grand party, like any other. There are plenty of perks to being a part of the military caste, and hardly any excuse is needed to pull out the stops for a gathering like this.

There’s a healthy smattering of soldiers and ranked officers, mixed in of course with several of Nasthyn’s clan and friends from the private sector scattered throughout. Most here are related to the Miou in some way, including inactive veterans, like myself.

It’s all the same as it ever was, which is to say: boring. My old dress uniform feels stuffy and tight, making me feel like a fraud. I glance over at Braythe, who is cracking a joke with one of his acquaintances- and shoot him a subtle glare, as if to blame him for my current agitation.

In reality, I know the blame doesn’t lay solely with my friend, as much as I want it to. No, I made the choice to don this stupid outfit and come out tonight- and despite my refusal to acknowledge it, I know the real reason why.

Restlessly I scan the room again, taking in the plethora of faces. A few I recognize with passing familiarity, but none are the face I came out for, hoping to catch a glimpse of.

Cyra. Even after two years I still think about her, and the brief passion that flared between us, in the shadows of Le Lazurt. I could care less about the pomp and circumstance of the evening- I only want to see her one more time. If nothing else, just to prove to myself that what we had was a moment in time, and that we really do belong in different worlds.

Is she happy? Is this the life she truly wanted after all- as arm candy to some overinflated mapmaker? Does she still think about what we had, even now?

Someone’s obnoxious laughter snaps me back to the present, and I scowl in disgust at myself for being caught up in these melancholy thoughts. Luckily, the giggling idiot shifted my attention, and I spot a few more comfortable faces nearby.

Demethys and Kerym are old soldiers like myself, both who I haven’t seen in a while. They have a close enough in our camaraderie for me to be at ease around them, so I go over to say hello, splitting away from Braythe and his gaggle. We greet each other as brothers in arms, and settle near one of the wreathed tables.

“How’s life treating you these days Lykan?” Kerym asks over the rim of his cup. “I hear you’ve pretty much retired.”

I shrug noncommittally, taking a sip of my own drink. It’s some kind of spiced wine, tastier than I care to admit, and lighter than what I’m used to drinking these days. “You know how it goes- you never really retire from service, it’s just a part of life.”

“Nonsense, there’s more to life than just the work we do in our caste,” Demethys replies. “We’re more than soldiers and officers, because we have families we’re responsible for as well.”

“Very true,” Kerym agrees easily. “Regardless of all the battles we’ve fought, starting a family with my mate is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done, full stop.”

“Family life is one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced, but it is definitively the most rewarding,” Demethys responds. “What about you Lykan? Are you still determined on bachelorhood, or has someone finally caught your eye?”

“No, I’m quite content and comfortable with my life the way it is now,” I answer plainly. “I stay busy enough as it is, and I don’t think there is a woman who would be willing to accommodate my schedule and cater to my demands.”

Then why are you here?A snide voice in my head considers, and I ignore it in favor of keeping with the conversation.

“Besides, I’m a little too rough around the edges for most women, and it’s too much effort to bother with the rest. You both got lucky with your lovers, but that’s not the life for me.”

This much appears to be true, if past experience is anything to go by. Yet both Demethys and Kerym shake their heads at me, as they grab at a few passing snacks. We’re in a more sequestered area of the space, off to the side of the open floor, where most people are mingling, and it makes the conversation feel a little more private.

“While I won’t argue with being a lucky man, I wouldn’t say that luck is exclusive,” Kerym rebuttals with ease, no bite among friends. “You never know what you may find until you take the risk to step outside of your comfort zone.”

“There is also something to be said for compromise,” Demethys adds. “Making adjustments for my wife and child may seem like I’m giving up part of my life, but they inevitably make my life better. What have I lost, if having a family ultimately enriches my life?”

Kerym nods in agreement. “Having a life with a family brings a whole new perspective into the mix. Opening yourself to others can be a terrifying thing that comes with a whole new set of problems sure, but creating a family has been an incredible adventure.”

I stare at both of them, perplexed and disconcerted. Never before have I heard men, battle-hardened soldiers even, speak of family life with relish. Many groan about the obligation and responsibility- but listening to my miou brothers, one would think they were actually having fun.

“Family life is exhausting though, isn’t it? So much time and effort- don’t either of you ever want to take a break, and escape for the evening, like tonight?” I question, but to my continuing surprise, both men chuckle.

“Oh, we’re tired to be sure- but only in the best ways,” Kerym winks playfully.

Demethys rolls his eyes, and waves his cup forward. “You think we’re trying to get away? Those are our wives just there, and our children at their feet.”

“We bring them everywhere we can,” Kerym confirms. “If we didn’t our wives would insist on it,” he jokes laughingly.

Glancing over in the direction of Demethys’s cup is enough to halt me in my tracks. Only a short distance away is a small batch of children playing near chatting mothers, dressed in finery. The scene is practically picturesque, with burbling bundles rolling around on the ground, excited to be caught up in their own world.

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