Page 115 of The Immortal's One
Des’s arms, strong and confident, hold me close, anchoring me amidst the turbulent storm brewing all around us. One hand grips mine, while the other rests on my waist.
I press my fingers into his shoulder as we move in time with the music, but my attention drifts to the pulse at the base of his throat. My thoughts scatter, each one slipping through my fingers like sand.
Des is just a handsome guy. There’s no reason I should be this affected.
But then his eyes, thosegreeneyes, pierce through me.
They mean something. I know they do. But I am so close to going home. As curious as I am to understand why Des’s eyes resemble those that have haunted my dreams for most of my life, I can’t demand an answer here.
It could ruineverything.
The hand on my waist shifts, and in one fluid motion, Des pushes me into a spin before reeling me back in. Without breaking rhythm, he picks up the tempo and effortlessly leads me across the floor.
I raise an eyebrow.
The corner of his lip twitches. “What?”
“You’re pretty graceful.”
He chuckles, low and warm. “Did you think I wouldn’t be?”
“I didn’t know what to think.” The words slip out sharper than I intend, but I quickly add, “You don’t really look like the dancing type,” hoping to soften the sting.
“Don’t I?” Des replies with a smirk, executing another smooth move that leaves me laughing when he unexpectedly dips me. He pulls me back up, and his eyes are alight, a glint of amusement dancing in them. “How about now?” He smiles widely.
The breath rushes out of my lungs.
Who is this guy, and what has he done with Des?
Try as I might, I can’t look away. His smile is so damn disarming.
He moves me through the next steps without missing a beat, seemingly unaware of the effect his charm has on me.
“Okay. You win.” I chuckle awkwardly. “Clearly, you’re a skilled dancer.”
“Thank you.” We spin twice more with the other couples, the movement graceful as we glide across the floor. “But I have to give credit to Bella. She’s the one who insisted we all learn modern dances. It’s a passion of hers.”
My eyes slide back to him. “Really?”
He nods, his attention flicking over the other dancers. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but my brother’s wife runs the show around here.”
Except for the part where she and Eshe aren’t invited to meetings with the Original Nine.
I force a polite smile. “How’s your night going?”
“Fine.” His lips twitch. “Better now.”
My heartbeat stutters.
What is going on here?
I need to change the subject. And fast. Otherwise, I might do something stupid. Like let myself get lost in the intrigue that’s slowly starting to overcome my resolve not to feel anything for the Immortal in front of me.
“What about the rebellion? Have there been any threats tonight?” I expect him to say no, but my stomach drops when his expression darkens. “Des?” I choke out his name.
“Yes?”
I wait for him to answer my question.
