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Chapter 78: After-Party (IV)
Zayn barely had time to reach where Bran was before Elisse’s soft hand wrapped around his own, her grip hesitant but firm.
Her fingers were slightly cool, trembling just the slightest bit against his skin.
Kara had already stepped back with a knowing smirk, her sharp eyes flicking between them.
"Go on, hero," she teased, folding her arms. "Don’t keep the lady waiting."
Zayn exhaled, glancing at Elisse. Her face had taken on a rosy hue, her violet eyes looking up at him expectantly.
The magic ball hanging above them slowed for a moment, dimming as the pace of the music shifted.
She bit her lip, then asked, barely above a whisper,
"Will you dance with me?"
The melody swelled, and all around them, the atmosphere in the guild hall had changed. The soft, romantic tune that played before had faded, giving way to something more energetic.
The tempo picked up, and with it, the enchanted sphere above them spun faster, scattering lights across the wooden floors and stone walls.
There was no saying no now.
With a small nod, he squeezed her hand gently. "Alright, let’s dance."
Elisse’s expression brightened instantly.
Her lips curled into a small but eager smile as she pulled him onto the dance floor.
This dance was nothing like the slow, measured steps he had shared with Kara.
It was wild, spontaneous, filled with excited chatter and bursts of laughter as people moved in sync with the music.
Elisse was stiff at first, moving cautiously, her hands unsure of where to go. Zayn guided her, watching the way she reacted.
When he placed his hand on her waist, she flinched, her shoulders tensing slightly — but she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she took a breath and followed his lead.
He moved carefully at first, letting her get used to the pace.
She stumbled slightly, her steps offbeat, but she was quick to recover.
Her blond hair swayed with every motion, catching the flashing lights. She looked almost ethereal beneath them.
Bran was nearby, his arm draped lazily around an elven woman’s waist, a stupid grin on his face as he downed another drink.
Kara was speaking animatedly with a beastkin, though her sharp gaze flicked toward Zayn and Elisse from time to time, as if making sure they were getting along.
Elisse’s breathing grew heavier as they moved, her previous nervousness fading away.
She was smiling now, enjoying herself. Zayn hadn’t expected this — hadn’t expected her to want to dance, in front of everyone, she was just that shy!
She suddenly tripped on a misstep, her balance shifting toward him.
Zayn caught her instinctively, his grip firm around her waist.
Their bodies pressed close for just a second, and in that moment, he could feel her warmth, hear the small, surprised gasp she made.
"Sorry," she murmured, looking down.
Zayn shook his head. "You’re doing fine."
She looked up at him again, her violet eyes glimmering under the flashing lights.
The song swelled, and they moved once more, this time more naturally.
As the music eventually slowed, Elisse’s hands relaxed in his, and for a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, without warning, Bran’s loud voice broke through the moment.
"OI!" he bellowed. "WHO WANTS A DRINK?"
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd.
Zayn exhaled, shaking his head with a small chuckle. The moment was over.
Elisse seemed to realize it too.
She stepped back slightly, her fingers slipping from his.
"Thank you for dancing with me," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Zayn nodded. "Anytime."
But he had barely taken a step toward the exit when Kara appeared at his side, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief.
"And where do you think you’re sneaking off to?" she drawled, looping an arm around his shoulder.
...
"You said you’d let me leave after that dance," Zayn muttered, downing another cup of ale.
The warm, slightly bitter liquid burned down his throat, but it didn’t hit him nearly as hard as the first few rounds.
A familiar ding rang in his head, and the words flashed before his eyes:
[Skill Leveled Up: Alcoholic Resistance - Lv.2]
He exhaled through his nose, setting the cup down.
That explained why he wasn’t feeling lightheaded yet, but he still wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Across from him, Kara smirked, tilting her head as she took another slow sip from her own mug.
"I changed my mind," she said casually, licking a stray drop of ale from her lip.
Zayn narrowed his eyes.
He should’ve expected that. She was the type to change the rules whenever she felt like it.
She leaned in suddenly, her golden eyes gleaming under the dim glow of the enchanted lanterns.
"You looked like you were having fun, anyway," she teased. "Didn’t even try to escape once."
Zayn didn’t respond. He wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.
Her face drifted closer, and for a moment, his breath hitched.
She was so close now that if he even tilted his head forward, he would —
But then she pulled back just as quickly, an amused chuckle slipping from her lips.
"That’s a reward for later," she murmured, her voice a low hum. "If you earn it."
Zayn exhaled, shaking his head.
Kara grinned.
She waved a hand, signaling to one of the beastkin bartenders for another drink, but before Zayn could decide whether he was actually done for the night, a voice called out from across the room.
"Zayn!"
He turned his head, spotting the familiar figure of the half-elf twin approaching.
This one — the nice one, as he had now classified them in his mind — walked with a certain grace, her soft golden eyes focused on him.
"The Guild Master wants to see you," she said, stopping at the edge of the table.
Zayn frowned. That was... unexpected.
He wasn’t sure what the old man wanted, but if he was being summoned now, it had to be important.
Kara let out a mock sigh, leaning back in her chair. "Looks like you’re getting out of the after-party early after all."
