Ch.97 May I have this dance

Ch.97 May I have this dance

They set up in the middle of the City Square where the festival of the Goddess was held. The festivities were all for celebrating the Goddess Iyomelka.

People lined the streets and cheered as the party began. There were several large tents with tables laden with food, drinks, and entertainment.

The surviving soldiers were treated as heroes once again and were given free run of the city.

Everyone was in high spirits, especially those that escaped death thanks to Rya's healing.

It was a relief to be alive.

Baron Zellin stood up and held his beer stein out to his men. "Gentlemen, Ladies, and Dwarves! Thanks to your warrior pride, we were able to show the world that we are indeed the strongest of the strong! To show the Crown Prince, Quinus Meredydd that we are his loyal subjects and will stand by his side in times of war! And to show the people that no matter how hopeless a battle seems, we will not give up! Let's drink to the glory of our victory!"

His men roared their approval.

Zellin held his stein aloft, "To the Heroes of Ironside and the Kingdom of Fiafyr!"

He downed the contents of his beer in one gulp and then slammed it on the table."Prince! Join us won't you? Please, share your appreciation of the effort put forth by our brave men and women!"

Quinus made his way towards Zellin and nodded. He took the offered stein and drank down the contents.

Rya, Nieren, Dalia, Percy, and Sir George watch Quinus down the beer like it was water.

"Gah! I can't believe anyone drinks that stuff!" Nieren said with disgust.

"Huh? How long have you lived in Ironside, Nieren?" Rya asked curiously.

Noreen paused to think for a second, "Hmm... I think we have been here for 15 years now."

"So, what did you do when someone offered you a ale?" Percy asked curious.

"I would simply slip the beer in my cup into there's without them knowing," Nieren replied with a serious face.nÊw stories at no/vel/b/i/n(.)com

"What do you like to drink then?" Rya asked.

"Wine of course. Frankly, I can't imagine why you touched the stuff in the first place, Lady Rya. It tastes awful."

"So you've tried dwarven ale?" Dalia asked.

Nieren shook her head, "No, I never have before. I mean, it smells horrible! Why would they serve something like that?"

"Hold on. You have not tried dwarven ale yet? Oh, Nieren you have to give it a chance. It's the best-tasting beer I have ever had." Rya said excitedly.

"Hmmm... well, it does smell good. But why would anyone want to drink something so terrible looking? It's like rotting water."

Rya smiled at Nieren, "Well, isn't wine rotten fruit juice?"

"Umm..." Nieren gulped, "Yes... yes, it is. But wine is more dignified compared to beer!"

"What if it was ale crafted by elves? Would you try it then?" Percy asked curiously.

"Ahh, I-I..." Nieren was speechless.

"Oy! Leave the poor woman alone will ya! If she's not interested then leave her be!" Sir George said after he chugged down his second beer.

"Thank you, Sir George. I'm glad there's someone that will come to my defense," Nieren said sarcastically.

They all laughed out loud at this. Then Dalia turned to Percy, "You know, I think it might be time for me to get some sleep. Do you want to join?"

"You're tired? Hmm... I appreciate the offer, Dalia. You should go then. I'll stay here for a bit longer before joining you." Percy said as he gently kissed her cheek.

"Hmm. I was trying to use one things you humans like to call, being discreet. So I'll say it again. I want to have sex with you. Are you coming with me or am I dragging you, little wolf?" Dalia asked coyly.

"Oh... uhm... I mean... yes! Yes, please drag me! No, I mean I'll come with you, Dalia" Percy stuttered.

Dalia giggled, "Good boy. Now let's go and Alpha, claim your man. Or you might miss your chance."

'Huh? Jeez, she is persistent... Well, she is my friend. I guess I don't mind it.' Rya thought to herself.

"T-Thanks Dalia. Just don't beat up your boyfriend too much,"

"Hey! I can still hear you, you know," Percy said after finishing his drink.

"Not at all, Alpha. I'm just going to tease him a little bit, right?" Dalia replied with a wink while grabbing Percy's hand and leading him back to the palace.

'Awe, those two are cute together. I'm glad I got Dalia to hook up with Percy,' Rya thought.

"Tch! There they go again. I can't believe Percy abandoned me and my teachings for her," Sir George muttered to himself.

'Oh boy, the love guru isn't taking Percy's love life with Dalia well at all. Maybe I should step in?' Rya thought.

"So, what's on your mind, Sir George," Rya asked innocently while walking beside him.

George pounding down a third beer.

*Clunk*

Was the sound of his stein slamming into the table.

'Oh thank god! I thought it was me for a second. Haah... This is your time to shine Rya. Because I'm going to sweep you off your feet,' Quinus thought to himself.

"Rya. Do you trust me?" he asked

"Y-Yes."

"Then follow my lead. It's easy. Just move with my body. I'll guide you along. Okay? Alright!"

"Alright... But don't blame me if I trip over my feet," Rya said with hesitation as she followed him.

He took in a breath and cleared his mind before leading her onto the dance floor.

Quinus looked around the room to see if there were any others that wanted to join them on the dance floor but it was just the two of them.

"It's alright. We're here now so we might as well enjoy ourselves," he said as she moved closer to him.

Rya looked nervous as she took his hands, 'CRAP, CRAP, CRAP! I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I'M DOING THIS! GOING TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF US! I-I should stop this now!'

But she couldn't. So instead of stopping they moved forward, close enough that their bodies brushed each other.

"Just relax and trust me. That's it... You're doing great," he said to her as she looked up at him.

She couldn't help but stare into those two beautiful golden eyes of Quinus. They were intense and soothing, and they made her feel safe in a way that no one else ever had.

'M-Maybe he's right. Mayb—Whoa!' Rya was interrupted as the music started and Quinus took the lead. As he guided her hand above her head and caused her to spin backwards while he followed behind her. It was surprising how gracefully it felt being spun like that.

As he led her through the dance steps his hands traced light circles across her back, making her shiver from the feeling.

'Fuck! He feels good. I can feel every single muscle in his hand. Augh! I have never been led in formal dance before!' Rya thought to herself as her breathing became labored as she tried to keep her footwork clean and smooth while moving along the floor.

"You're really good," Rya said to him with a blush across her face.

"Thank you."

Quin sped up the pace of their movement as if to prove her wrong. His movements were fluid and precise as he danced with her.

"This is fun!" Rya admitted to herself as their bodies touched more and more.

Their flowing movements exude grace and poise as couples glide across the dance floor even though Rya had no clue what she was doing. But she couldn't help of feminine she had become as she felt her hips, butt, breasts, and hair shift with the rhythm of the dance.

'God! I never knew a woman could feel so amazing when dancing,' Rya thought as she leaned into his body.

'No wonder my girlfriend always wanted to dance with me! It feels so, so sensual. I feel so desirable,' she thought to herself as her heartbeat quickened while they moved together.

Everything was going so well until Rya's toe bumped into Quin's and she began to fall.

'CRAP! Augh!? Huh?'

Before Rya could hit the ground Quin caught her in his arm which caused her to be leaning back like a professional dip position in dance. Her heart stopped for a moment as she was suspended in his arms.

The effect of him holding her against him sent electric shocks down her spine as she felt all of her senses on fire. As he stared at her with a passionate glance.

'I've never felt this way about another person!' Rya thought to herself as her chest rose rapidly.

"Are you alright?" Quin asked as he held her closer.

"Ugh... Y-Yeah... Thanks for catching me there," Rya replied to him nervously.

"It's my job." He pulled away slightly to look down at her.

His hand reached out to touch her cheek, and his thumb stroked across her bottom lip.

'Augh? W-What's he doing!?' Rya thought to herself as she looked into his eyes.

"Do you want to share my bed tonight?" His voice was low with a purr as his fingers caressed her cheek.

'Angh! He's asking me to sleep with him!' Rya thought to herself as a flush swept across her face.

Dalia's voice replayed in her head.

<Are you going to claim him?>

'Y-Yes! Ah! I-I mean yes. It's for research. And it's with a friend I trust. Plus, it's not like it will change me.' Rya lied to herself as she smiled up at him and gave him a nod.

Quin blushed as he set her down on her feet.

"Then let's go," He said as he grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor.

The dwarves and humans that witnessed the prince and the saint dance couldn't help but cheer.

"OY! Show her a good time Prince Quinus!"

"Saints are meant to be loved!"

"I'll bet your sainted lover is moved by your rescue too, isn't she?"

Rya shook off her embarrassment and followed after him through the crowd.

'Hold did I forget that I was dancing in front of all these people! Am I losing it? Or am I just a little excited?' Rya thought to herself as her cheeks burned red.