Page 18 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

“What are you doing here?”

“I… I…”

“Who’s this?” calls a voice from behind her. Appearing from behind the doorway is Nasthyn. He steps forward, placing a hand on Cyra’s shoulder, the sight of which brings me a horrifying realization.

It’s his baby inside of her…

“Hello there, you look familiar,” he says to me.

“My name is Lykan. You know my family.”

“Ah that’s right! You come from a very honorable family. Come on in! It’s quite cold outside, we’re just about to serve some tea.”

Without thinking, I walk inside as Cyra and Nasthyn step aside. As Braythe introduces himself to Nasthyn, I feel the eyes of Cyra glaring at me but I cannot find strength to return the gesture. In that moment, a wave of regret comes over me.

I should never have come looking for her… What a stupid thing to do! All we had was something physical, now I only feel worse…

“Just this way, the dining room is just through the right here,” says Cyra before she joins me by my side. “Lykan, it’s been so long. How have you been? How is everyone at Le Lazurt?”

“Fine,” I mutter. All the vigor I had in me just moments ago has suddenly been stripped away from the sight of her and Nasthyn bearing a child. Casting a sidelong glance at her, she wears a look of concern over her face. I quickly take my eyes off of her.

As we take our seats at the long dining table, I quickly realize I should have just declined the invitation for tea. Right now, I want nothing more than to get out of here. Alas, the evening is far from over for it is just beginning.

10

CYRA

What the fuck is happening right now? Am I dreaming, or has Lykan just showed up at the manor out of the blue? After Nasthyn invites them in for some tea, I pinch myself just to check this isn’t some cruel nightmare my mind is playing on me.

If this really is the security guard that I worked with back in Le Lazurt, then he doesn’t look at all like himself. Physically, he’s still all there but I’m getting a whiff of alcohol off of him and on top of that, he doesn’t seem to be in a talking mood… Leaving me wondering just what the fuck he’s hoping to accomplish by showing up here.

I so badly want to ask him why he’s here. There’s so much to tell him though I’m not even sure if he should know that the kids are his. Still, he is the father…

I take deep, silent breaths as we all take a seat at the table. I sit beside Nasthyn and face Lykan, who himself is seated beside his associate Braythe. As we settle into our seats, a group of zagfer servants rush over, bringing with them a cart holding snacks and tea.

In swift motions, they neatly lay out ups and small plates, piling them high with biscuits, nimond beans, fruits, and cold meats. A golden teapot is laid in the middle of us. It’s been through hundreds of years from its archaic design but is clearly well taken care of. Servants pull down on a lever to dispense a purple colored tea into each of our mugs.

“So,” begins Nasthyn, clearing his throat. “Lykan, you seem to know Cyra.”

“Yes,” I reply. “We used to work together back when I was in Le Lazurt.”

“Really? Interesting,” says Nashtyn, stroking his chin. “So what do you do down there Lykan? If you don’t mind me asking, that is.”

Lyakn grips the handle of his mug, bringing it closer to his mouth. He blows on the hot tea for a moment before answering.

“I run security for the chivdouyu and keep them out of trouble, that sort of thing.”

“Ah yes, I can imagine they have quite an inflated ego,” chuckles Nasthyn. He then turns to me. “Remind me what you did down there Cyra, was it bartending?”

“Yes, among other things. I just did whatever needed to be done.”

“Hmm… Ah!” he gasps, turning to Lykan with an enlightened expression. “I remember now! That night that Cyra came here, you were there too!”

He laughs, taking a break to sip from his cup.

“I recall you telling Zanath to calm down. I am ever so dearly sorry for his behavior, you wouldn’t ever believe the amount of times he’s gotten into trouble.”

“Not a problem,” snarls Lykan.

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