Page 27 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

What has me freezing however, are the two children playing in the middle. They are some of the youngest in the lot, only a couple years old, with Demethys and Kerym’s children unmistakably hovering protectively nearby. The little boys are burbling happily, with a strange blend of brown and silver features that is entirely unique, and sharply familiar, all at once.

It is the strangest sensation, seeing someone you’ve never met, and yet you know them regardless. To see someone that strikes a chord of connection deep within you, and yet I have never laid eyes on these children before tonight. It doesn’t matter, because some gut instinct tells me I know them all the same.

“Whose children are those? Beside yours,” I ask, hoping with everything that my voice still sounds normal. It feels like my entire world has shifted in the span of a few seconds, and I am completely off-kilter, hoping it doesn’t show.

“Not sure, they always make friends,” Demethys replies, shrugging.

“I would imagine they belong with that woman there, speaking with our wives,” Kerym reiterates, nodding in the direction of the women.

Something feels like it’s dislodging within me as I look over and up. Sure enough, as if the stars couldn’t have aligned it more perfectly, I see Cyra has stepped up to the group, and is chatting amiably with a few of the other women.

It feels as if I’ve swallowed ash, and a clammy sweat breaks out on the back of my neck. Suddenly I feel like a cadet with a crush, out of place and out of sorts- as awkward and unsettled as I dreaded I would be.

Two years hasn’t diminished her beauty, by any stretch. She is as graceful and exotic as ever, like some rare, dark bird that men are inevitably drawn to. I never wanted to fall under her spell, and yet here I am, watching from across the room.

From this distance, I can easily view Nashtyn come up to touch her elbow gently, and an old, almost-forgotten jealousy spikes. She smiles at him, and yes, she is even more gorgeous than I remember, dressed simply but elegantly. She has been eating well also, with a healthy, glowing complexion that suits her far better than late-night shifts at Le Lazurt.

I could have given her that, I think bitterly. I would have given her everything, if she had just picked me. Instead I’m on the outside, watching a happy family.

But that rings false, even as I think it, because there is no realm where those are Nashtyn’s children. They do not have his coloring, or his delicate features. Even so young, they are large and swarthy, already almost the size of the older children; all with sharp angles and dark eyes that are always characteristic of the men in my family.

It can’t be. She would’ve told me, wouldn’t she? Recalling the last day I saw her, I remember being dismissive whenever she tried to engage with me. Hurt and infuriated, fueled by a jealousy I could barely admit to myself, I assumed her explanations were about her change in circumstances, and how she had simply used me for a good time.

At the very least, there’s more to her situation than I originally thought. With another shifted glance, I cast my eyes over the children once more. Barely trusting myself, yet in this instance, my eyes cannot lie.

One boy has sharper elven features, and an angled nose just like the one my brother was teased for, while we were growing up. His coloring isn’t the same though, instead he’s inherited the glowing, olive complexion of his mother.

The other has the signature darkened eyes and silver hair of our clan, but he is the more slender of the two, with more rounded, human features. The combination of brown and silver tones is unique, making the pair stand out in the crowd. I can hardly pull my eyes away, barely catching the end of what my companions are saying.

I can’t think, my mind is a whirl. Excusing myself, I wander around the room, not able to confront Cyra, but not yet ready to let her out of my sight. Party-goers mill about, but I care about the others even less than I did when I arrived.

As casually as I can, I keep my eye on the small group, made easier by the fact that she doesn’t let the kids out of her sight, nor do I. People are probably wondering what I’m staring at, but I can’t take my eyes away from the boys for long, inevitably drawn back to them.

With each passing moment, I feel as if my suspicions are confirmed. The way they observe and take in the world around them reminds me of when I was young. At the very least, I’m resolved to figure things out once and for all.

It will mean facing Cyra again after two long years, but I have to face her nonetheless. To find out if this family I never knew existed, is in fact, actually mine.

14

CYRA

The party wears on. All scenes around me are lively, with guests dancing and singing while others chat and drink. I take it all in as I sip on some wine, in that moment suddenly spotting a concerning sight. In the corner of the room, I spot Lykan reclining against the wall. Written on his face is a strange look that I can’t quite decipher.

This can’t be good,I think to myself. I do my best to follow his line of sight, horrified when I realize he’s looking straight at my kids. Suddenly, his eyes dart to Nasthyn, who stands not far from me as he converses with some of the guests. He looks between him and the kids once more, then his eyebrows raise as if he has just found an answer to something.

He’s onto them for sure, I only hope he’s not making any sort of connections… Shit.

Putting my glass down, I dash forward to the children.

“Can you all go play elsewhere?” I ask, ushering them out of the room.

As they all leave, an arm comes to rest on my shoulder. I spin around in fright, relieved to find it belongs to Nasthyn.

“Cyra, may I dance with you?” he asks.

I glance behind him at Lykan who’s glaring back at me. I don’t wish to attract his attention but it would be considered a mistake to turn down a dance with such an important figure. I curtsey to Nasthyn and allow him to take my hand.

The group of chivdouyu transition into their next song, this tune plays slower and matches the energy and vibe of our dance. Nasthyn and I take strides in sync with each other. Occasionally, he twirls me and bends me down near the ground. The guests watch on in admiration.

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