He takes a deep breath before he nods, turning away from me.

"Ze. Can you tell me what brought this on?" I ask as I pull on his sleeve, willing him to face me.

He doesn't, merely staring ahead. But slowly, he signals around us with his hand, pointing to the danger zone. It takes me a few moments to realize what he means.

My heart is in my throat, my mouth suddenly dry.

He was trying to distract my attention from the fact that people are openly insulting and avoiding him.

Just at that moment, the orchestra changes its tune, going into a melody that resembles a waltz as Wyn and Cer slide onto the dance floor, their feet moving gracefully to the sound of the music. Far from the tense look he sported previously, Cer is gazing upon his sister with brotherly adoration.

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, a danger zone 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.