Page 117 of The Immortal's One
My stomach tightens, my heart pounding in anticipation. “What?”
“I…” He stops, his lips pressing together in frustration. He jerks his head once. “You look beautiful.”
The words are soft, almost reluctant. I bite back a smile, the compliment wrapping around me like a warm blanket on a snowy Maine day. “Thank you.”
But then he adds something that makes my heart drop. “You really do look like her.”
The comment hits me like a slap, cold and unexpected.
Her.
That single word echoes in my mind, bouncing around, wreaking havoc like a bullet ricocheting against my skull.
A sharp chill settles deep within my core.
Des’s eyes remain fixed on me, but I know now that he’s not really seeing me. He’s seeing someone else, someone from his past. And that thought cuts deeper than I want to admit.
Des has said I’m not hisOne. Multiple times.
Hepromised.
The song's final notes swell around us, and as the violin plays its last chord, I step back, eager to put distance between us.
His fingers flex for a brief second before he releases me.
Did he not want to let me go?
Who cares?! Get out of here.
“Thank you for the dance.” I force the words, barely hearing them above the pounding of my heart. “Excuse me.”
“Darcie, I?—”
I lift my skirt and hurry away, my eyes locked on the open patio doors ahead.
Air… I need air.
I move quickly, desperate for distance from the man who confuses me more than I care to admit.
The weight of Des’s gaze presses into my back, but I don’t turn around.
The stone patio beyond the open doors is blessedly empty. I step outside, grateful to be alone. I reach the railing, my fingers trembling as I rest them against the cool surface. With a deep breath, I press harder into the stone, the chill grounding me as I tilt my head back to stare at the endless stretch of the night sky.
A soft breeze brushes against my warm cheeks, but it doeslittle to quell the fire blazing inside me. My chest tightens, my mind spinning in circles. I exhale slowly, wishing I could just exhale all the confusion and frustration within me.
What in the world happened back there?
Des called me beautiful. He compared me to his lost love.
I whisper into the night, my voice a quiet confession. “Why does that bother you so much?”
The leaves in the trees below rustle. They don’t have an answer to give. They’re not burdened by human emotions or the strange pull of a brooding Immortal who won’t let me figure him out.
I’ve only known the Immortals for a short time. Once I got over the shock of accepting they exist, I can’t deny that I’ve enjoyed my time here. It’s exciting to hear details about the history from people who experienced it firsthand, and it’s intriguing to learn about their pasts and the magical world I had no idea existed.
And, dare I say, I consider Bella and Lome friends. Even Eshe, though a bit standoffish, has shown me kindness.
I care about them. I hope whatever rebellion is brewing will not cause them too much trouble. I don’t want them hurt. I’d help them if I could.
