Page 64 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

They continue for a few minutes, sending off sparks of lightning in different colors, the explosions getting bigger and bigger until it climaxes in a rainbow explosion.

“That was beautiful!” I tell them when they finish and open their eyes again. “Did you practice this?”

“We practiced for a long time Mama!” Addie says excitedly, rising up and down on the balls of her feet.

The priest continues as Addie goes to sit with Jasper again. “Above you are the stars, and below you the earth. Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow,” he declares.

And with that, Demethys pulls me in for a searing kiss while our guests applaud and Addie squeals in excitement in the background.

We did it! We finally got mated. I feel like everything in my life has come full circle. I have the life and the love that I longed for.

Demethys takes my hand and we walk back down the aisle together, heading for the ballroom. There is a lovely reception planned, with plenty of food and drinks and even some musicians set up to play for us while we dance and make merry.

Addie joins us as we enter the ballroom together and we take her to sit with us at a table. “Are you going to be my Mama and Dad forever now?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say with a laugh. “We’ll always be your Mama and Dad. But now we’re also mates, like Auntie Layla and Uncle Kerym, remember?”

“Oh right,” she giggles. “Can I have a brother or sister now?”

30

DEMETHYS

Our mating ceremony flies by in a whirl of love and good wishes from everyone who attends.

It is late afternoon when the last of our well-wishers leave. The air shimmers with elvish magic and gold dust that was thrown into the air during the ceremony.

Harper has gone over to the food table, and is chatting with Layla. Kerym walks up to me.

He was a huge help in getting the ceremony together, and I know that I would not have been able to make Harper happy without him.

“Thank you.” I tell him, taking his hand in mine and shaking it.

He smiles broadly, then pulls me into a one-armed hug.

“We have come too far to simply shake one another’s hands, Demethys.” He whispers, then pulls away.

“Yes, I suppose so.” I cannot help being flustered. Dark elf men are not famed for showing one another affection.

“I am proud of you.” Kerym says, a smug smile on his face.

I roll my eyes. “What have I done to deserve your pride?”

“You’ve finally taken the plunge! You’ve found a mate and settled down.”

My eyes drift over to where Harper is standing with Layla. She looks radiant, breathtaking, in her gown.

When I answer, I speak distractedly, my words simply echoing the thoughts that tumble slowly through my mind.

“Only for her. Only for Harper.”

When I turn back to Kerym, I am almost dazed. As though looking at Harper got me sucked into a momentary trance.

He is looking at me with an annoying smirk on his face.

“What is it now?” I cannot keep rolling my eyes the entire night.

“No, I am just looking at you and seeing myself.” Kerym’s smile becomes more genuine then.

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