Page 58 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

I’ve got to give it to him, he knows what looks good on me.

I’m by no means an arrogant woman, but this is one of those times I can look in the mirror and say I truly look beautiful. I can’t believe how I even got here in the first place. In my mind, it seemed like only yesterday when I was doing my old job alongside Sienna all those years ago.

“You look remarkable,” gasps Sienna, throwing her hands together.

“Remember when you and I would gossip all of the time back in Le Lazurt?” I chuckle. “Now here we are, calling dark elves the loves of our lives and having children with them.”

“Well, we’ve all got to grow up sometime,” she responds.

I cast a glance over my shoulder, laying my eyes on the kids as they run amok with each other. I focus on the sounds of their laughter as they run amok, servicing as a gentle reminder that time is always slipping by.

“Not too quick though,” I say. “Besides, some of this adult shit is annoying to deal with.”

“That we can all agree on,” laughs Layla. “So Cyra, are you ready?”

I take a deep breath and nod.

“I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

“Children, come along now! Stick right behind us,” barks Harper.

Together, we join hand in hand as we stroll out of the door into a hallway. I lead the charge, guiding us towards the entrance to Lykan’s gardens. It seemed like the perfect venue to host our private ceremony, tucked away from the public eye and open only to our closest friends. We come to the door.

“The girls and I will take the kids and head out first. Give us a minute then come out, okay?” says Sienna.

“Got it.”

Together, they file out of the door, leaving me to muster up all the courage I can. In what seems like only a few seconds, a minute has gone by. I push open the doors, stepping into the blistering heat of the sun. It shines down without any obstacle of a cloud in its way.

Upon my entry, everyone turns in their seats to look at me, warm smiles etched across their faces. Sitting amongst my friends are Nasthyn and Braythe. I begin my walk up the aisle, lined with flowers up along its path. It leads up to the altar, where there rests an overhanging archway decorated with hanging plants.

A set of mirrors stand parallel on the altar, allowing viewing for The Mother to oversee the ceremony. A high priest by the name of Shonak awaits my arrival, donned in magnificent red robes. Beside him is the love of my life. Upon seeing him, I notice all nervousness leave my body.

You’re who I’m doing all of this for Lykan,I think to myself before smiling.So this is what you were talking about Sienna?

A look of pure joy overcomes his face upon spotting me. He looks down to the ground for a moment then back at me, smiling so hard it makes me blush. Our eyes are glued to one another as I take my place across from him. Shonak comes to our side.

“Are you both ready?” he asks.

“More than ever.”

“Then let us begin,” he says with a smile. He takes a step back and raises his hands, causing everyone to stand to their feet. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the residence of Lykan, coming together in the presence of family and friends and the high priest with the intention of mating.”

As Shonak speaks, the word around me becomes a blur. I tune it all out as I look at my mate with all the love in my heart. He smiles back at me, the look of admiration in his eyes so apparent. The guests return to their seats at the request of Shonak.

“I ask you both,” says the high priest. “Have each of you come here to enter marriage through freedom of choice and without coercion? So that your union will be strengthened by The Mother of The Thirteen?”

“I have,” reply each of us.

“Are you prepared to follow each other through this life, to be by one another’s side through all its hardships and hurdles?”

“I am,” says Lykan proudly.

“I am.”

“I ask you both to now join hands and declare consent to The Mother.”

Lykan grips my hands firmly, causing my knees to go weak.

---