Page 299 of The Wishing Game

They twirl around the middle of the dance floor for the first few minutes before other couples join in.

"Let's dance," I suddenly say, grabbing Ze's hand and pulling him toward the dance floor. Maybe this will help him take his mind off those rude assholes.

A look of pure horror crosses his face.

"Are you mad, human?" He hisses. "I do not know how to dance!"

"Neither do I. But we can follow what others are doing. Come!"

He releases a deep sigh, but he follows me.

We take our place among the many other dancers, and Ze pulls me to his chest, fitting one arm against my lower back. We move slowly to the music. We may be slightly inept, but no one's laughing—and if they were, who cares?

The heat from his body is intoxicating, speaking of safety and comfort despite the danger he poses to my senses. It's an odd dichotomy, but whenever I'm with him, I feel untouchable.

A smile pulls at my lips as I regard him affectionately, my heart as warm as his embrace. His scent infiltrates my nostrils, a combination of musk and leather and a hint of an oriental scent, spice and smoke—all making for a tantalizing combination. I breathe him in, and a deep calm settles over me. The same spell that's messed with my mind before is starting to sink its claws into me again, making me lose all willpower when it comes to this man—all ability to say no.

"See, we can do it?" I murmur, tilting my head to the side.

His pupils are dilated, his cheeks sporting the merest hint of red. His lips slowly curl up to reveal a boyish smile as he lets himself go, enjoying the moment without a care for the world, for his reputation or how people perceive him. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, though. Unfortunately, just like before, adangerzone forms around us. People avoid getting too close, and the mutinous stares abound.

"Just say the word, and I will destroy them." He leans in to murmur in my ear.

"W-what?"

"If they insult you, they insult me."

"And ifyouare the one they insult?"

"I do not matter," he replies evenly.

"Why would you not matter?"

"Because I do not." He shrugs.

"You matter to me." I smile at him.

His eyes widen. He ponders my words for a moment.

"Then I matteronlyif I matter to you."

We stare at each other for moments on end, the music an insignificant pulsation in my ear as the beat of my heart—ofourhearts—becomes deafening. So much so, I have trouble breathing, a myriad of ant-like creatures furrowing under my skin and making me infinitely restless.

"I quit the Game," I blurt out, afraid of this moment and his effect on me.

He doesn't seem surprised. If anything, his smile deepens as he nods in appreciation.

"You have made a fine decision."

"You don't want to knowwhy?"

"Because you are a sensible female." He nods.

"I clearly remember you calling me senseless," I add drily.

"Nonsense," he scoffs. "You are merely young and inexperienced."

I raise a brow at him. I guess this is a step up from senseless and foolish.

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