Page 154 of Gift from the Source
She finishes with a much more elegant dismissal than I would’ve given them. It’s only then when they curtsy with low murmured “My ladies,” do I realize I never spoke a word to them.
“You four are as bad as the boys, I swear,” Aurora says with a cocked brow and a small smile.
“I didn’t even say anything,” I say, faking offense by mimicking how Vicki and Kellie acted.
They all laugh at me, even my fathers-in-law as they come up behind Aurora. “You didn’t have to. Your face and body language screamed ‘Try me.’”
That may be true.
“Come on, Rory. We’ve done our duties of entertaining the council. Time to dance,” Roye says so boredly it makes his words confusing. The gleam in his eye as he stares at her smile says he’s doing this to make her happy.
“Finally. Now I can shake this anger out,” Oakly says, hip bumping me.
“Ready, little dragon?” I startle at the sound of my brother’s voice right behind me.
Whipping around, my Nexus is standing around him as is Oakly’s, the rest of Aria’s, and Keeper. At the same time, the announcer sounds overhead, announcing us coming to the dance floor.
Lyker strolls up to me and offers me his arm, which I look at suspiciously. “Are you offering me a dance?”
He snorts. “Obviously.”
“I thought you weren’t too keen on dancing?” I ask as I slowly release Gaster.
“I’m not. I’ll suck it up tonight,” he says with a wink.
I take his arm and shoot my men a victory smile. I’d already told myself not to expect him to be excited about the festivities, so this is a wonderful surprise.
Or my men are making him. Either way, I’ll take the win.
“Not forcing him.”Tillman chuckles.“Aunt Rory is going to insist on dancing with us, so this won’t be a Nexus dance. Expect a round of surprise dance partners, little warrior.”
That’s so exciting.
I was already planning on asking Gaster and Keeper if they’d have a dance with me. I have no clue if Keeper’s learned the steps to the dances here, but we could’ve winged it for a good time.
If I thought when we were presented the crowd went wild, it’s nothing now that they’ve got some food, drinks, and fun in their system.
Everyone is all smiles, surprise, and warm welcome as we make our way through them to the center floor. It doesn’t shock me whatsoever that everyone out here is what the elite and five consider beneath them.
Apparently, to them having fun is hoarding around the thrones and looking their noses down at everyone else.
Not a single person we pass attempts to touch one of us, demand a dance, or even remotely come off in any ill way. It’s no wonder that Aurora said these are the people she most enjoys spending time with.
These are normal people.
The ones who make this realm what it is.
The announcer’s booming voice has the crowd clearing the center for all of us, but they partner up all around. The song that will be playing first is called and I smile at the giddy girls and flirting guys.
To them, this night is probably a dream.
The pulse of excitement is contagious.
“Don’t step on my feet and ruin my new shoes,” Lyker mutters.
“Same for you, Alphahole,” I tease just as the music starts.
I can’t help but laugh at how he bounces between paying attention to me, searching for Aria, and scanning the crowd. So vigilant.
