Page 19 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

When Nasthyn isn’t looking, Lykan glares at him. What is his problem? He couldn’t possibly be angry with Nasthyn for taking me… Could he?

“So, what do you all think of the tea?” I ask.

“It’s great,” says Braythe. “Rirzed, isn’t it? Perfect for the evening time.”

“Indeed it is! I’m glad someone else agrees with me. Oh I wish now you had all come earlier. Cyra, tell them what was had for the evening meal,” says Nasthyn.

“Oh it was glorious,” I say, feigning a smile. “There was some steamed molusket and caesin bahru.”

“A meal to die for,” beams Nasthyn. “We’d never ever get food like that out on the battlefield.”

Glancing at Lykan from the corner of my eye, I watch as he clenches his fist. Realizing that Nasthyn must have said something to piss him off, I pray he doesn’t try doing anything stupid. He closes his eyes, then when they open again, they’re pointed at me.

“Cyra,” he says with a clear tone, void of any hints of anger. “May I ask just how long you’ve been pregnant for?”

“Well I got confirmation of it a few days after I started here… which must be about six months ago now.”

“Six months?” he asks. “That’s just about the time when you left the club.”

I nod and take a sip from my cup. At that point, I’m fearing the possibility of Lykan connecting the dots and figuring my pregnancy out for himself. There was always the chance he thought the babies belonged to Nasthyn but dark elves are known for their intelligence. The gods know what he’d do should he find out.

“You seem concerned,” says Nasthyn to Lykan. “Do not worry my fellow elf, she is being looked after very well here, that I can personally assure you of.”

Oh Nasthyn, your words mean nothing to him.

“We have her working lighter hours and duties, isn’t that right Cyra?” he asks, smiling confidently as he turns at me.

“Yes Nasthyn.”

“Oh, it’s so wonderful seeing old friends catch up. What about you, Braythe? You have not said much. What is it you do, exactly?”

“I’m a miou warrior, four years running.”

“Oh you are? Splendid, and very convenient actually. You see, I have a small dilemma on my hands at the moment. I’ve been looking for a second pair of eyes to help me with some details on a recent assignment. Would you mind if I were to pull you aside for a moment?”

Shit, don’t leave me here alone with Lykan!

“I’m more than happy to help, sir.”

Nasthyn rises from his chair, waving a dismissive hand.

“Please, you’re a guest in my home. No need for all the formalities,” he says before turning to Lykan and I. “Excuse us for a moment, we shan’t be long. Oh, and Lykan?”

“Yes?”

“Help yourself to whatever you may like. If there’s anything else we can get for your enjoyment, please don’t hesitate to ask. Any friend of Cyra’s is a friend of mine.”

Friend? That’s the last thing I’ll ever call Lykan.

Nasthyn lays an arm around Braythe’s shoulder as they make way for the doors.

“I have a debrief to prepare, you see…”

His voice trails off before the loud door closes with a thud, leaving me and my former hook up alone with only each other for company. There’s not even a single servant in the vicinity. It’s the first time we’ve been together since the night I got taken away from the club.

“So,” I mutter, mindlessly stirring my tea. “How have you been doing?”

“Just fine.”

---