Page 23 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

Did he just say… What if Cyra’s there? I should go see her again.

Before giving myself a chance to think twice, I agree.

“Okay, I’ll come along then.”

“That’s what I want to hear,” laughs Braythe. “Come on then, let’s finish these and get out of here.”

* * *

Sometime later,I’m waiting by the entrance to the estate for Braythe’s arrival. The whole time, I’m going over what I’ll do and say should I see Cyra.

Should I offer to dance with her? What if her kids are there too? So many questions…

“Hey!” calls Braythe, emerging from around the corner. “Sorry I took a long time, I had to get a few creases out of my suit. Speaking of, you look dapper.”

“Well, it is a ball after all,” I reply. I’m dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a dickie bow and my finest jewelry. “This’ll probably be pretty tame compared to what everyone else is wearing.”

It looks as though the ball has already started as we make our way up to the mansion’s entrance. Dark elves stand around, huddled in small groups as they chat and drink from bottles of wine. There were even a few passed out.

“Oh you better take care of those guys,” says Braythe, nudging me and pointing at them.

“Shut up man, I’m not on duty,” I reply, not being able to help but laugh. “Let’s get inside.”

We step through the front doors, propped to stay permanently open for the duration of the night. The party is well underway, even more so in here than outside. A zagfer approaches, holding up a tray upon which sat glasses of mogabiis.

“Thank you,” I say, taking one from him.

“The entirety of the mansion is open tonight but if you’re looking to dance, you’ll find the venue in the dining hall just to your right,” he says.

“Look at this place,” exclaims Braythe.

The main hall is decorated with countless hanging lights, shining bright and illuminating every inch of the room. There’s barely enough room to stand comfortable and have a chat past the entrance. Dark elves glare judgingly at one another, some of whom I presume to be khuzuth from how expensive their attire looks.

“So, do you want to snoop around for a bit? See what dirty little secrets Nasthyn has stowed away?” asks Braythe.

“Not particularly,” I reply. There’s only one person I’m here to see and that’s Cyra. “Come on, let’s head into the dining hall, there’s bound to be more space in there.”

I lead the way, inching past other guests with polite excuses and apologies. The whole time, I keep turning my head around, scanning the area for Cyra. My neck hurts by the time we make it into the dining hall.

“Damn, they weren’t kidding when they said everyone was coming. I swear the whole population of Vhoig is here.”

“I didn’t even know we had this many people in the city.”

My heart begins beating rapidly as I scan the countless faces in the dining hall. Walking through it, I don’t stop, not even for a moment. It’s as if my heart is taking over, in search of what it lost long ago.

12

CYRA

“No running!” I call out as I catch Kenji, flipping him up in my arms as he giggles. I can’t help but smile as I set him down just as Colson catches up to him.

“Cyra!” Nasthyn bellows, and I turn, my eyebrows raised as he comes rushing around the corner. “You’re interfering with our game!”

I chuckle. “You’re a bad influence on the boys.”

Which isn’t true. I was so worried what would happen to me when Nasthyn bought me, but he was good to me all during my pregnancy. Once the boys were born, he stepped in to help me with them a little. He’s like an uncle to them, teaching them magic and playing with them while I clean some days. It’s not what I expected at all, but I am grateful for it.

“Nas! Nas!” Colson calls as he rushes at Nasthyn. The older elf catches him with ease, swinging my toddler up into his arms.

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