Chapter 19 19- Do Not Ask Him To Dance
LEXI
“Hopefully, I… Oh! Just a second.” I pause. My phone vibrates insistently in my pocket. I dig it out and see Mum across the screen. Of
course she would check in already, she’s probably been pacing since 6 a.m. I quickly answer.
“Hey Mum!” I say, maybe too brightly, but whatever, I’m in a good mood.
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“Morning sweetheart, how are you today?” She asks.
“I’m good, having breakfast with Blake.” I say it casually, like it’s totally normal for me to be having meals with a gorgeous dragon shifter
who gave me a diamond bracelet this morning.
“I have to go to class soon though, so I can’t talk for long. How are you and Dad?” I ask.
“We’re fine, just fine hon. I’m about to do some grocery shopping. I just wanted to ask if you’re coming home this weekend.” She prompts.
“Oh, um… I think so? I don’t really know what my plans are yet.” I admit. Out of the corner of my eye, Blake lifts a hand to get my attention. When I glance at him, he leans slightly forward and speaks in a very low voice meant only for me.
“Check your schedule.” He murmurs. Right. Because apparently schedules here obey no physical laws. I dig the folded sheet from my pocket and open it, expecting Tuesday’s schedule. Instead… The whole week appears.
“Oh.” I breathe softly. During weekdays, it just says ‘Classes until 4 P.M.‘ Which is vague but workable. Friday, however, is different.
FRIDAY – Classes until 1 P.M.
ACADEMY WELCOME DANCE!!!
There are several exclamation points. Maybe the schedule is excited for me? That’s weirdly adorable. I go back to the phone.
“Hey Mum, you still there?” I check.
“Of course.” She replies dryly. I can practically hear her rolling her eyes.
“Okay, well…” I trail off as I scan the page again.
“There’s some kind of school dance on Friday, so I probably want to stay for that. How about I come home Saturday and stay overnight?” I
suggest.
“That sounds great, Sweetie. You can invite your friend to come visit it you like, although I guess he probably wants to go visit his own family.” She adds. I can practically hear the pout in her tone. I look up at Blake. Ils expression is… Priceless. Shocked. Bemused. And
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somehow like he’s trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the universe. I tilt my head in question, and he just gives me that wide–eyed ‘did
that actually happen‘ look.
“I’m not sure, Mum. I’ll let you know soon, I need to ask Blake about it. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your shopping. Talk later. Love
you, bye!” I say goodbye. I barely lower the phone before Blake starts talking.
“Did your mum really just invite me over?” He asks doubtfully. I shrug.
“Sure, why not?” I answer. Blake stares at me. Not blinking. Like I just told him gravity reversed.
“No one invites me over.” He says bluntly. He says it flatly, no self–pity, no expectation of disagreement. Just a simple statement of fact… The kind you only develop after hearing ‘no‘ your entire life. Something hot and irritated twists in my stomach. Not at him. At them. Everyone who’s treated him like a monster without even knowing him.
“Well, you’re welcome to come. Unless you’d rather go to your own home, that is.” I say with a shrug. Blake’s eyes sharpen, something bright and intense flickering there for a second.
“I’ll come.” He says, firm, decisive, no hesitation at all. He meets my eyes without looking away. I seriously wonder if he has ever had an
invitation to… Anything.
“Yes! It’ll be fun. I can’t wait.” I say excitedly. My grin feels too wide for my face, but I can’t help it. Then a thought hits me.
Also, what’s with this dance thing? I didn’t know we HAD a dance.” I point out. Blake groans like I’ve personally offended him.
“You didn’t know?” He mutters.
“It’s an Academy tradition. Beginning and end of each year. Welcome dance for new students, farewell dance for the ones leaving. The theme changes every year. People dress up, there’s dancing, music, food… That kind of thing.” He says. The words are positive but his tone implies that it would be hell.
“That sounds awesome! I’m actually really excited.” I gush, leaning forward.
“What about you?” I prompt, eyes narrowed. He looks away so fast you’d think the question physically pained him.
“I wasn’t really planning on going. He trails off. His answer is blunt. His tone flat. I frown. Hard.
“What? Why not?” I demand. He exhales, annoyed, not at me, but the situation.
“Because I don’t want to. Besides, you’ve heard what the other students say about me. I’m not exactly welcome. He points wat His Bark pokes half–heartedly at his bacon.
“I don’t go to parties. There’s no point going to a dance if no one will dance with you.” He adds. I roll my eyes so dramatically I’m surprised they don’t fly out of my skull.
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“Well you should come to this one. I’ll dance with you.” I insist. Blake goes very still, eyes narrowing like he’s trying to assess whether I’m joking or deeply unhinged. He looks… Reluctant. Digging his heels into the earth reluctant. So I deploy my strongest weapon. It works
on my parents at least. Wide, desperate, sweet cartoon–protagonist eyes.
“Please! You’re the only friend I’ve made. I don’t want to go by myself.” I plead. He winces like that physically hurts him.
“I’ve never been to a party with Supernaturals before.” I continue dramatically.
“I’ll probably make a fool of myself if I go alone. Please please please!” I beg. Blake groans, a long, drawn out, resigned to his fate sound.
You would think I was asking him to cut off a limb, not go to a party.
“How does anyone ever say no to you?” He mutters. Then, glaring at me like it’s MY fault he has feelings (which it might be), he finally
gives in.
“Fine. I’ll go. Just because you asked.” He reluctantly agrees. My grin explodes back onto my face.
“The theme should be announced soon. Probably tonight.” He adds grudgingly.
“Yay!” I cheer, clapping my hands, unable to help myself.
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“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m so excited! I haven’t been to a party in forever!” I say gleefully. Blake watches me gush, and his expression softens in a way that would probably terrify the rest of the campus. But right now? He looks almost… Pleased. Even if he
doesn’t want to go to the dance.
“It’s been a long time for me as well.” He admits quietly.
“Still… It might be fun… If it’s just the two of us.” The way he says it, careful and deliberate… It sends a warm flutter through my chest. Just the two of us. Yeah… Okay, I’m okay with that.
Blake sighs heavily.
“I’m glad you’re excited… But we can talk about it more later.” He grumbles. He straightens, like he’s forcibly shutting the topic away
before it can get too sappy.
“It’s getting late. We should probably get to class. What do you have first?” He asks. I glance at my schedule, it’s back to the daily version
again.
“Uh… Basic Potion Making. That sounds kind of fun? What about you?” I asks. Blake grins, REALLY grins, and his eyes flare with that
molten gold that still startles me.
“Defence Skills.” He answers. He says it like he’s just won a lottery.
“You like defence skills?” I ask, because honestly, this is the most enthusiastic he’s sounded about anything except hoarding and setting things on fire… Blake laughs, bright and sharp.
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“Well, yeah. It’s basically a class on who can fight the best.” He answers as if this should illuminate the whole universe for me. It doesn’t.
“So?” I prompt. He gives me an incredulous look.
“So, I always win fights. I don’t mean to brag, but I’m basically the biggest, baddest predator around.” He clarifies. I snort. I can’t help it.
“If you say so.” I tease. Biggest? Maybe. Baddest? Well that’s extremely debatable.
“Still, defence skills seems like something everyone should be taking, doesn’t it?” I continue. Blake shrugs, a lazy roll of his shoulders.
“Maybe. But it doesn’t come naturally to some people. Some people are made to fight. Others are made to heal. Everyone is good at different things.” He answers. I chew my lip. It doesn’t sit quite right with me.
“That just sounds like training the strong to be stronger and the weak to be weaker. Shouldn’t everyone be able to protect themselves? I
mean… Personally, I would like to be able to protect myself.” I argue. Blake’s response is not verbal, not at first. A low growl thrums in his
chest, quiet but unmistakable, and his eyes flare gold again, brighter this time.
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“You don’t need to.” He says, voice low and edged with something possessive.
“That’s what I’m for. I’ll keep you safe.” He says firmly. I blink at him, startled.
“Thanks… I guess? But I’m not your responsibility. I can take care of myself.” I insist. He raises an eyebrow at me.
“I didn’t say you can’t take care of yourself. Just that you won’t need to.” He counters immediately.
“But J-” I start. He cuts me off, stepping closer, tone suddenly sharper.
“Do you WANT to punch someone? To hit them? Potentially cause them pain?” He asks bluntly, almost harshly. I shudder so visibly I see
his expression soften by a fraction.
“Okay, I guess not.” I admit.
“I don’t want to attack anyone. But I would like to be able to take care of myself.” I clarity. Blake nods, but it’s the slow, calculating kind.
not agreement so much as strategy.
“Think about it this way. I can’t heal. It isn’t possible for me. I don’t have the power, and I definitely don’t have the temperament of
patience required.” He starts. Understatement of the century.
“There isn’t time for every person to learn to be great at everything. So doesn’t it make more sense to learn what comes naturally? It’s
about balance. Some people heal. Others fight.” He explains. He holds my gaze with unnerving intensity
“So the real question is, would you rather split your focus and be mediocre at fighting and passable at beating, on become an incredible healer and keep someone you trust at your side to defend you if needed?” He questions. As he speaks, he taps his chest once. lightly. That
tap is a promise. I can’t help but smile.
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Chapter 19 19- Do Not Ask Him To Dance
“I’d much rather fight. Especially if I know someone will care for me if I’m hurt.” He finishes simply. I swallow. Hard. His argument is…
Honestly very convincing. And very Blake.
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“I suppose… I wouldn’t find fighting natural.” I say slowly.
“No. You wouldn’t.” He agrees firmly, smiling at me, his tone is not mocking, not condescending. There’s a pause. He can see that I’m
clearly still not totally happy with the answer.
“You can always learn to fight later. There’s no hurry. You didn’t know how to fight before now, and you’re just fine. Focus on one thing
at a time. There’s nothing stopping you from learning something new further down the track. No need to overwhelm yourself with
everything right now. Just do the things you want to do.” He clarifies. The way he says you’re just fine… It feels like more than
reassurance. His tone is certain. It’s like a decision he’s already made.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
