Chapter 885 Punishment

This chapter is dedicated to @Edenn! Thank you so much for the supergift!

Zeres and Iryz were brought to a gazebo not too far from the stage. It was surrounded with flowers and… candles. Its four pillars were also decorated with fresh and fragrant flowers and lit up with tiny fairy lights. The whole set up was perfect – as romantic as a pair or lovers would like.

Lilith and Kyle on the other hand, choose the circle that was just next to the gazebo. It was obviously prepared as a back-up just in case there would be two couples who needed to dance there. The circle was also surrounded with beautiful flowers that reacted to the moonlight that was shining down softly. It was also as romantic as the gazebo, if not more. It gave off a wilder feel compared to the gazebo, a feel that was similar to one that was earthy and somehow woodland-ish.

Everyone else were looking at the two pairs as they prepared for a slow, romantic dance.

"How come that is considered as a punishment?" Alex was the first to complain, of course. "Tsk. I should've purposely lost too. Then we could skip this next game and gone off for a romantic dance, just the two of us." He added enviously, holding Abi's hand and kissing her knuckles lovingly.

As Charles started the second game for the remaining couples, a soft music finally started echoing in the gazebo.

A slow song echoed out and since the two witches were asked to use magic to control the noise from the stage, there were no more background noise.

Suddenly, they felt like they were in their own world.

"I never danced before." Zeres said, a bit stiff. "Do you know how to dance?"

"I do. I've practiced before, for our play back at school. Don't worry, it's a slow song so it's not really that hard at all. I'll show you how, alright?" Iryz beamed at him. She was relaxed now. Somehow, being alone with him felt much better for her because the presence of the others in their group really was a bit too overwhelming for her. After all, this was her first time meeting such mighty and immortal creatures. Zeres' presence with her alone was just something she had already gotten used to, and she finally felt her stiff muscles relaxing now that they were some distance away from those powerful people. Not that Zeres was not one of them though. But still… He was somehow different.

"Put your hand here. No, don't grip so hard, just relax… our feet should move like this… oops… ouch!"

"I'm so sorry…" Zeres quickly apologised as a faint dusting of red coloured his high cheekbones.

"No, it's fine." Iryz could not help but chuckle as she continued instructing him, ignoring his blush and pretending as though she had not seen it. Until Zeres began laughing at himself too – at how clumsy his feet were.

"Damn. I didn't know I am so bad at this. I hope those guys aren't laughing at me by now." Zeres muttered lowly, but Iryz heard it anyway and she laughed softly.

"They're busy with the current game. So you don't have to worry." Iryz told him as she winked.

"That's good then. Tell me if I'm doing it right this time, Iryz."

"Much better. Now let's move in sync with the music. Yeah, just like that… Just take it easy and sway to the beat." Iryz was patient and her instructions were neither rushed nor too slow.

Iryz took the lead and soon the two of them finally found the right rhythm. They also stopped laughing softly at their own expense and were now staring into each other's eyes as they danced and swayed to the beautiful music.

"I hope… you're enjoying yourself here, Iryz." Zeres said in a soft voice.

"I am. Well… I had to admit that I was nervous as hell earlier, but your friends seemed to be really such amazing people. Seeing you holding a baby also made this totally worth it! I've never seen you so flustered and happy like that." Iryz replied with a chuckle as she remembered the picture of Zeres so awkward in holding a baby. Though she really felt out of place for some time there, she had already prepared herself for that possibility. It was just natural to be feeling that way when meeting with a group of strangers for the first time.

His ears seemed to redden. "I… I didn't expect it. I didn't know that holding a baby could give one such a warm and fuzzy feeling inside."

Iryz smiled, her green eyes gleaming against the lights that were around them that Zeres suddenly could not bear to look away from them.

Outside the gazebo. The other couple in comparison, did not have any problems at all with their dancing skills as they were both quite experienced in this matter, most especially Kyle as he is the youngest prince of the vampire kingdom. It was a given that he would be trained from young to know how to hold his own in a dance.

Unlike Zeres and Iryz, the two immediately started dancing the instant the music started.

Neither of them spoke. They just danced. Stared at each other in the eyes, felt the texture of each other's palm on palm, listened to each other's breathing and heartbeats.

Unlike the blissful and warm atmosphere between Zeres and Iryz, there was heaviness, pent up emotions, and questions hanging between these two. And yet, they both remained silent for a long time until Kyle finally could no longer hold it in and broke the silence abruptly.

"I want to speak with you once the party's over, Lilith." He whispered to her ear. "Just the two of us. Please."

It took Lilith a while to respond.

"Okay." She said and their slow dance continued.

On the stage.

The second game was finally done. The winner this time was Lucas and Mia. And the loser was, unexpectedly, Zeke and Alicia.

Alex had his brows raised. Even Kai and Lucas looked like they were in complete disbelief that Zeke had actually lost. The perfectionist had lost?! Was the world ending?? There was only one thing in their minds. Zeke must have had lost on purpose. This guy! Can he not be that obvious?! Oh damn, who the hell is this guy? Could it be a changeling?! Is this really Zeke, thought Kai and Lucas.

Alex tsked playfully as he muttered. "Darn, and I tried so hard to lose so we could get a romantic punishment too."

But the moment he heard what Charles said, not only Alex seemed to be struck by lightning, Zeke too, had gone completely catatonic as he stood there on the stage.

"The male partner must sing a song for his female partner." Charles announced.

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A/N: Don't forget to vote ^^