After the meal, it felt strange how easily everyone drifted back into laughter, as if nothing had happened minutes ago.
Glasses clinked. Someone cracked a joke. Lyra was already stealing fruit from Elias's plate. Adam was narrating some ridiculous college memory. Even Amara had relaxed, leaning back in her chair.
And somehow… I got pulled into it.
I didn't realize when it happened, but I was answering questions, listening, even reacting. Not smiling. Just… present.
It felt unfamiliar.
And oddly warm.
Amara clapped her hands suddenly.
"Okay guys! Dinner's done."
She picked up an empty bottle from the table.
"We're playing truth and dare."
Everyone cheered.
"But with one rule," she added. "If you choose truth this round, next round must be dare. No switching."
"Deal," Adam said immediately.
"Agreed," Elias nodded.
I just hummed.
Ram's phone started buzzing nonstop. He checked the screen and sighed.
"Sorry guys," he said, standing up. "Emergency. Sam and I have to leave."
Adam hugged him quickly.
"Thanks for coming. Except… you know," Adam glanced briefly toward where Armor had been earlier.
Ram gave a half-smile."We'll see each other again."
Sam nodded at us all, and they left.
Once they were gone, Amara spun the bottle.
It landed on Elias.
"Dare," Elias said instantly.
Isha leaned forward, eyes sparkling."Okay. You have to choose one beautiful girl here you'd go on a date with. No hesitation."
Everyone went quiet.
Without even blinking, Elias said,
"Lyra."
Lyra froze.
"What?"
He shrugged.
"Because I'd love to argue with you more. I enjoy annoying you."
She rolled her eyes.
"Huh. Whatever."
But I saw the faint color rise to her cheeks.
The bottle spun again.
Alex.
"Truth," Alex said.
Ella tilted her head playfully. "So Alex… who would you date at this table?"
Alex opened his mouth—
Then looked at Evan.
The entire table went silent.
Rayan burst out laughing.
"Oh my god. Gay panic."
Everyone giggled.
Evan buried his face in his hands.
Alex muttered, "I hate you all."
Then the bottle spun again.
And landed on me.
I didn't hesitate.
"Truth."
Amara leaned closer, softer this time.
"Nyx… I adore you. You're perfect. So tell me—what's the worst thing about yourself? The thing you hate the most?"
Lyra immediately jumped in.
"Well it's nothing. She's perfec—"
"My voice."
The words came out flat but hesitant .
Dead calm.
The table froze.
Lucien turned sharply toward me and grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at him.
"Say that again."
"My voice."
His eyes darkened.
"Who said that? You?"
Ella blinked ."Nyx, who the hell hates your voice?"
Adam frowned.
"That's ridiculous."
Then he added,
"I think she's so over herself that she picked something she should be proud of."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"She's joking," Amara said. "No way that's real."
I looked around at them.
No one believed me.
Not even Lucien.
I simply said,
"I think my voice is the worst thing a human could hear."
They laughed it off.
"Drama queen," Rayan teased.
"Next round!" Isha announced quickly.
They moved on.
But I didn't.
Lucien leaned closer to me, voice low so only I could hear.
"You don't actually believe that."
I met his eyes.
"I do."
He stared at me for a long second.
Then quietly,
"You're wrong."
I didn't reply.
The bottle spun again.
Laughter rose.
Someone shouted "Dare!"
The game continued.
But Lucien didn't stop watching me after that.
Not even once.