Page 59 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

“I pledge to you my entire life, through all its living and death,” he says before I repeat the same.

“Lykan, do you take Cyra to be your lifelong mate through all of time?”

“I do.”

“Cyra, do you take Lykan to be your lifelong mate through all of time?”

“I do.”

“Then I call the ring bearers to bring forth the rings!”

From the start of the aisle, Colson and Kenji approach, taking giant strides up to the altar. The crowd watches on with delightful smiles. They hand us the rings. Lykan and I share a look of intense passion before we slip the rings onto each other’s fingers.

“By the power granted unto me by The Mother, you may now kiss your mate!”

The love of my life wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. Our eyes close, lips meeting in a glorious kiss to a thunderous ovation from our guests.

“I love you,” we whisper into each other’s ears.

I couldn’t be any happier than I am at this moment. The day is only getting started.

28

LYKAN

I’ve never experienced such an intense feeling of surrealism when I heard Cyra make her vows to me. Even now, I’m still in disbelief as the formalities of the mating ceremony come to an end, signaling the start of the reception celebration.

Cyra breaks away from me as I turn to Shonak. I hand him a small bag containing a generous donation to his temple.

“Thank you so much for doing this.”

“Please, it’s always a pleasure of mine to unite two people in love with each other. Go on now, enjoy your day.”

Shonak and I bow to one another before he exits. I turn back to our guests, all of whomst surround Cyra with hugs and handshakes. I break into a stride toward them, eager to begin the celebrations. Braythe is the first to turn to me, opening his arms for a brotherly hug.

“Congratulations,” he says proudly. “I knew you could do it in the end.”

“Do what exactly?” I reply, chuckling.

“Go and get the girl of your dreams back!”

“Well, I must say thanks to you, Braythe. You were the one who encouraged me to go after her all that time ago. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“No need to thank me,” he says. “Come on then, let’s go get a drink.”

“Good thinking. Everyone, help yourselves to the food and drinks just over here,” I announce, leading them to a more open area.

There sits a few tables, each lined with food both sweet and savory. Sitting atop the main table is a magnificent three tier cake, baked by the finest cake makers in all of Vhoig. It was costly but all so worth it for Cyra’s happiness. There is a designated area for dancing in the center.

“Let’s cut this cake,” says Cyra, much to the delight of the kids.

We join hands and walk to it. She takes the knife in her hands as I lay mine on top of hers. Together, we cut out each other’s slices then everyone else’s, starting with the kids. I then open a bottle of champagne, pouring it into a glass for each of the adults. All the while, I’m buzzing with joy at the sight of everyone already enjoying themselves.

“Let’s get it started in here!” I exclaim.

We raise our glasses high, a symphony of clinks echoing through the air before we take our first sip. The champagne smells like sour berries and leaves a biting crisp taste on the tip of our tongues. So begins the rest of the night, tucking into the cake as each of our guests come up to us as well as mingle with one another.

“Look how far each of us have come,” says Sienna to Cyra as my bride and I stand next to each other.

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