Page 99 of The Immortal's One
“I don’t mean to be rude, but whatisyour arrangement?” I wonder.
We bounce in quick steps and turn twice before Lome answers, “Eshe and I are what mortals would consider married. However, we were sealed when it was not uncommon for a woman to marry a man they were not in love with.”
The words hold no emotion, but the flash of sadness crossing the lighthearted Immortal’s expression is impossible to miss.
My heart squeezes with sympathy. “Did you love her?”
“In a way.” He looks over my head, and his eyes grow distant. “Our history is messy. Despite that, I’d hoped to win Eshe’s affection in time. But circumstances diverted us from that path.” He sighs and shakes his head, looking back at mewith his signature grin. “But we found a resolution that works for us. That’s better than nothing.”
I nod, but the Egyptian Immortal’s stoic face flashes in my head, making me think Eshe might disagree about how well their “resolution” works.
“Do you two date other people?” I remember how he’d flirted with the waitress at The Bean Bazaar in Brunswick.
Lome dips me back and holds me there, ignoring Elene’s bark of protest to the spontaneous maneuver. “Why do you ask?” His eyes gleam with mischief, and he waggles his eyebrows. “Are you interested?”
I snort a laugh. “Not a chance.”
As much as Lome jokes, I know in my gut he’s not interested in me likethat.His teasing reminds me of Kevin and Kayla. He definitely gives off a big-brother vibe.
Lome grins and pulls me back up, then drops my arms and bows low. “I believe you are ready to dance the night away at the ball,” he drawls.
“I agree!” Eleni crosses the dance floor, beaming. “You’re a natural, Darcie.”
“Thank you.” I blush from the praise, even knowing it’s not true. “I appreciate all of your help.”
“Of course.” She smiles before gathering her belongings and bowing to Lome before she exits the ballroom. Once we're alone, I turn back to Lome.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you… my dad got his scans back.”
This seems to pique his interest. “Oh?”
“Yes.” Emotion swells, and for a second, I can't speak. I swallow thickly and say, “They're clear.”
Lome grins. “That’s fantastic news.”
I nod, wiping away a tear. “I can't thank you enough for helping him.”
He gives a slight shrug, but his eyes are warm. “You don't have to thank me, Darcie. We had a deal.”
“I know,” I say, my voice catches slightly. “But I’m still thankful."
I don’t mention the days I spent wondering if he’d lied to me—if he’d tricked me into staying here for his own gain.
Dad and his doctors are dumbfounded by his recovery, calling it a medical miracle. They don’t know what could have caused it.
But I do.
And I would agree to stay in this mansion one hundred times to guarantee his health. To guarantee he has a future.
“How do you feel about the ball?” Lome tucks his hands behind his back. “Are you ready to meet most of the lesser Immortals in existence?”
I huff a laugh. “Well, when you put it like that… no.”
I’m also not ready to kiss an Immortal whose power thrives on death and destruction caused by human wars. But Lome isn’t privy to that part of the evening’s entertainment.
He chuckles, oblivious to the depth of my worries. “It’ll be alright. My brothers and I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” he promises.
I offer him a weak smile. "Will you stop me from using the wrong fork at dinner?"
