Forbidden Request

Chapter Twenty-Two: Truth Or Dare?

A wave of nervous laughter spread through the circle, people exchanging glances, avoiding direct eye contact, as if afraid they might be called out. The firewhisky had worked its magic by now—everyone was tipsy, bordering on drunk, the room hazy and the inhibitions all but gone.

Poppy was pressed into Ominis' side, her cheeks pink as she shook her head. "Not me!" she giggled, hiding her face in his shoulder, though the closeness between them wasn't exactly innocent. Ominis, though more reserved, smiled quietly, clearly enjoying the attention.

I felt Sebastian's gaze on me, his arm casually resting along the back of the sofa, close enough that his hand nearly brushed my shoulder. There was a heat to the air, something unspoken between us, and I wasn't entirely sure it was just the alcohol. My heart was racing, but I masked it with a smirk.

"I'll go first," Eleanor said confidently, tossing her hair over her shoulder as if she were taking the lead in some kind of performance. Tobias, sitting beside her, chuckled, his hand already on her thigh.

Imelda's smile sharpened, her voice dripping with mischief. "Truth or dare, Eleanor?"

"Dare," Eleanor replied without hesitation, her eyes daring Imelda to push her.

Imelda leaned back, thinking for a moment before she grinned. "I dare you to give Tobias a kiss he won't forget."

There was a ripple of laughter, and Eleanor wasted no time, turning to Tobias and pulling him in for a kiss—slow, deliberate, and way too heated for just a dare. The room burst into cheers and whistles, and when they finally pulled apart, Tobias looked a little dazed, his hand still gripping her thigh.

"That enough for you?" Eleanor teased, wiping the corner of her mouth, not at all bothered by the eyes on them.

Sebastian snorted beside me. "That was almost tame for her," he whispered, leaning closer. His breath was warm against the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I tried to ignore the way my skin prickled, instead laughing along with the others, even though my mind was spinning with all the possibilities this game could throw my way.

Eleanor dared Finn, resulting in him having to down his full cups contents, then Finn asked Imelda whether it was true that she was seeing someone outside of hogwarts. Imelda's face went bright red as she mumbled in response.

Imelda's eyes fell on me next, a wicked glint in her gaze. "Your turn, Jude. Truth or dare?"

I hesitated for just a second before deciding. After Eleanor's dare, I wasn't sure I wanted to push my luck too far. "Truth," I said, my voice steady, even though I could feel my pulse quicken.

Imelda's smirk grew wider, something wicked dancing behind her eyes. "Alright then," she said slowly, clearly savoring the moment. "Are you a virgin?"

The room seemed to still for a moment. The question hung heavy in the air, and I felt my cheeks flush. A few people laughed drunkenly, awaiting the answer.

I could feel Sebastian's presence beside me, his shoulder brushing mine, offering silent support. His fingers tapped lightly against his leg, the only sign that he, too, was feeling the weight of the question.

Clearing my throat, I met Imelda's gaze head-on, refusing to let her see any hesitation in me. "Yeah," I answered simply, trying to sound casual, even though the heat had crept up my neck. I wasn't going to let her or anyone else make me feel embarrassed about it.

Imelda's smirk only grew wider when I answered, the firewhisky clearly fueling her confidence. She leaned in slightly, her eyes glittering with curiosity—or maybe it was just the alcohol.