A Dance with Zypher

He leaned away from the back of the bench slightly, his forearms coming to rest atop his knees, "I… like this version of you tonight." He finished with a smile curling his lips. "Is that so?" She replied, her tone light as she felt butterflies bouncing around her stomach from his words. Relax, now. He doesn't like you, this is how his character is! He was known for his charm in the novel.

Zypher is an incredibly attractive man, in fact, when she read the novel she questioned why Alaric was the male lead in the first place. Zypher was more mesmerizing in every way imaginable.

"You're different tonight. More... genuine." He continued, his voice taking on a tone that sounded flirty.

"Maybe you've simply never taken the time to truly see me," she replied just the same.

"An oversight I intend to correct," he said, his eyes glinting with interest.

Delphia felt a warm flush on her face but maintained her composure, "Then I look forward to your efforts." Oh my god! What am I even saying! Shut up!!

He took a sip of his drink before chuckling, "Careful. I might hold you to that."

She paused, tilting her head a bit. "Oh, wouldn't that be terrible for you?" She asked, arching an eyebrow, with a lilt in her voice. The logical side of her brain currently had its mouth taped shut so the emotional side could have some fun.

"On the contrary," he said, his voice dropping slightly. "I find the prospect quite appealing." They held each other's gaze for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken possibilities.

Breaking the silence, Delphia gestured toward the dance floor with a nod. "Do you dance, Lord Thorne?" She needed something—anything, to get out of this topic. Retaining all of Delphia's muscle memory, she knew that she could dance well—better than what she could in her first life.

He glanced down at the swirling couples then met her gaze again, "It's not a skill I often practice."

"Well tonight does seem to be a night for new experiences," she said.

He considered her suggestion, pausing. "Are you offering to teach me?" Zypher sounded like he wasn't sure of the words coming out of his own mouth, looking at her with an adorably intrigued expression.

She rose to her feet and held out her hand to him. "Shall we?" Her smile was bright and inviting. "You could even accidentally step on my toe, and I wouldn't mind." She playfully added.

Zypher looked up at her, shocked, a genuine smile crossing his features then. "It would be my pleasure." He took her hand with a firm grip, as if confirming that this person really wanted to dance with him, and together they descended the staircase to the main floor; Looking absolutely stunning as a pair.

As they moved onto the dance floor, the orchestra began a new piece, the melody both elegant and invigorating. Delphia could feel the beat in her chest, the rhythm thrumming through the soles of her shoes. They faced each other, and Zypher stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on her waist while she rested hers on his shoulder, their other hands intertwining with a subtle warmth.

The first few steps were tentative, a quiet negotiation of movement.

Zypher's grip was surprisingly steady, and Delphia matched his rhythm easily, allowing her body to follow the elegant turns of the music. For someone who claimed little practice, he moved with a natural grace. A few uncertain moments passed between them before their steps truly began to synchronize—and once they did, it was seamless.

The way he guided her was gentle but assured, as if he'd danced with her a hundred times before.

Delphia was acutely aware of the curious eyes upon them, the whispers that began to ripple like a current through the crowd.

"Is that Lady Vosswell… dancing… with Archmage Thorne?" A voice murmured behind a jeweled fan. "Have we ever seen them together before?" Someone else asked quickly in response.

"Don't they hate each other?" Another chimed in—Delphia was almost certain that one was Seraphina.

But all of that melted into the background. The world narrowed to the rhythm of the music and the magnetic man before her.

"You dance well for someone who claims to lack practice," she remarked, her tone deliberately casual, but her eyes keenly observing the controlled grace in his steps.

He grinned, a flash of boyish charm lighting his face. "I've always been a quick learner," he replied glibly, tightening his hold on her hand ever so slightly. "Especially when motivated."

His hand slid lower, resting now just above the swell of her hip, fingers splayed in a way that was bordering on improper—but not quite enough to draw reprimand. A deliberate test.

She didn't pull away.

"And what motivates you tonight?" She asked, her voice velvet-smooth, keeping perfect step even as the dance quickened.

"Things not playing out as I thought," he said, tilting his head slightly. Then, without warning, he turned her smoothly into a spin beneath his arm, their fingertips brushing in a lingering trail before he caught her hand again and pulled her close—closer than before, his chest brushing against hers.

The scent of sandalwood and a whisper of spice curled around her senses. She inhaled without meaning to, and the resulting smile on her lips was slow and unguarded.

"Some mysteries," she said softly, "are better left unsolved."

"Ah, but where's the fun in that?" He teased, eyes locked on hers as if they shared a secret. His hand dipped fractionally lower again, testing the limits of their proximity. It was a calculated move—delicate, but suggestive. Still polite enough to be dismissed as artistic interpretation; Barely.

Delphia's smile turned wicked as she leaned into him, letting her chest graze his in a way that could be passed off as part of the dance—if one was feeling generous.

The curve of her décolletage caught the glint of a chandelier overhead, drawing his eyes briefly before he met her gaze again. "Maybe it's the chase that makes things more exciting," she whispered, her lips close enough to send a spark along his jawline.

"Spoken like someone who enjoys a good challenge," he murmured, smirking just before dipping her low. The crowd gasped softly at the sudden flourish, but Delphia didn't flinch—she let herself fall back in his arms, eyes never leaving his.

When he pulled her upright again, her hand briefly brushed along the line of his lapel, then glided across his collarbone, a slow slide of fingers that settled finally on his shoulder.

"Maybe… I… do," she said slowly, each word like silk drawn across skin.

Something flickered in Zypher's eyes—curiosity, desire, perhaps a twinge of confusion—but it was wrapped in amusement and delight. He hadn't expected this version of her. And he clearly wasn't ready to let it go.

"Then we have that in common," he said, spinning her again with graceful ease.

They fell into the music now, not just following it, but weaving into it—bodies responding to each other with a language beyond words. Every step, every subtle shift of touch, was part of a conversation only they understood.

Her skirts flared as he turned her, her laughter light and breathless as he caught her again. He dipped his head slightly closer this time, lips brushing near her ear as he said, "You're full of surprises tonight."

She smiled without looking at him. "You'll have to keep up, Lord Thorne."

"As long as you keep leading me astray like this," he said, "I just might."

As the piece reached its crescendo, he spun her one final time, catching her elegantly and pulling her into one last intimate turn before the music faded into its closing chords.

They stilled. Applause erupted around them—whether for the musicians or the magnetic, unexpected pair at the center of the floor, Delphia didn't know. And didn't care. They stepped back slightly from each other, still close enough that neither had to raise their voice to speak.

"Thank you for the dance," she said softly, but genuinely meant it, whether he would think so or not.

"The pleasure was all mine," Zypher replied. "I hope it's not the last."

She gave him a coy smile, "That depends on how intriguing you continue to be."

He inclined his upper torso slightly, "Then I shall endeavor to keep you fascinated."

"Good luck," she teased. "I can be quite difficult to impress."

"I'm beginning to sense that," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Until next time, Lady Vosswell."

"Until then, Lord Thorne."

He took a decent step back, holding her hand and brushing a light kiss across her knuckles before turning and disappearing into the crowd, presumably to mingle and manipulate.

Delphia made her way back to the upper level, her hand now tingling from the feeling of his lips on her skin, and she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement deep inside her.

Even though her back prickled from having countless eyes upon it—no doubt from her 'family' at the least—the evening had taken an unexpected turn, and she was eager to see where this new path might lead.