Page 56 of The Dark Elf's Secret Baby
We embrace once more, the two of us lost in each other’s arms as we celebrate the life that we were so blessed with.
33
Harper
Layla shines so bright next to Kerym that I can’t help but smile. Even if my heart is breaking, too.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” She comes up behind me and I whip around, wrapping her in a hug.
“Yes, it is!” I beam as I lean back to take her in. I truly am happy for my friend to have her love back in her life. I’d never want to take that away from her. “And so are you.”
Layla grins at me. “You know,” she says in that sing-song voice of hers as she leans in. It’s rare I see her this giddy, and it makes my heart leap. “Kerym has a lot of really good friends here… Ones that still need a mate.”
I roll my eyes, even as my heart twists painfully. “You know I don’t need that. I have enough going on with Addy.”
Her lips curve down in a soft frown. “I just want to see you happy, and I know that you don’t want to be alone forever.”
“I didn’t say forever.”
Layla’s eyes narrow. “You know what I mean, Harper.”
I sigh softly. “Stop making this about me. I am happy. For you. You should be doing other things at your mating ceremony besides trying to set me up.”
As if on cue, Kerym appears behind her. Gently, he runs his hand down her back, resting it on the small of her waist, and she tips her head back to smile at him. Again, my heart throbs, but I refuse to let my smile fall.
“Harper, are you enjoying yourself?”
I nod eagerly. “I am. I am so glad Adelaide and I were able to come.”
Kerym winks at me. “It helps to know people in high places.”
“It does.” I giggle. “Thank you.”
He waves me off. “In return, can I steal mymate?”He leans in and nuzzles the side of Layla’s face, making her laugh. “I promise to let you have all your fun the rest of your stay.”
“Of course. Take her. I…” Loud laughter and a sharp scream draws my eye as blond hair whips past me. “Should probably check on the kids anyway.”
“Thank you,” Layla tells me as Kerym pulls her away. I told her I’d keep an eye on Jasper so they could probably celebrate.
As I turn away, I let my body relax. I do wish that I could have something like this. More than anything I wish Adelaide could have met her father. He was…
Tears pinprick at my eyes and I stop the train of thought. I never can stomach the thought. Even after all these years.
A flash of light draws my attention as I make my way toward the kids. Jasper has been learning to use his magic, and Kerym has been thrilled.
But as I break through the crowd, I see a flash of purple, and my breath catches in my throat. Jasper’s magic is blue, like his father’s, and purple is…
“Adelaide!” I hiss, grabbing her and pulling her back from following Jasper.
She turns to me with wide eyes. I know that anyone else in the room will think the magic was Jasper, but I know it wasn’t. And I can’t risk anyone else realizing it, either. I’ve spent so long trying to conceal my daughter’s half-elf heritage, and I fear what will happen if that comes out.
I was barely willing to come back to this continent.
“What?” she whines. I wish I had known the kind of sass a three year old could pack before she hit this age.
“You know you aren’t supposed to use your…” My voice dips down low. “Magic.”
Her face sours, her lips twisting in disappointment. “But why? Jasper uses his magic!”