Page 2 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

Fatigue weighs down my eyelids as I stand inside the Brunswick public library on Friday, staring at the paranormal and fantasy display at the end of the aisle. The vibrant covers blur together.

Suffice to say, I slept terribly last night.

Visions of green eyes, almost as familiar as my own, had starred in my dreams—just like they always do. But last night, they were accompanied by unsettling images, more vivid and troubling than usual.

A grand palace with a torn dress.

A toga smeared with blood.

A nightgown charred black.

Terror gripped my chest each time my subconscious hovered over the damaged clothes. My heart, pounding like a drum, yanked me from sleep after each scene, only for a new one to play when my head hit the pillow again.

Even now, the memory sends a chill racing down my spine. I need something to distract me from my lingering fear. Hence, I’m here, searching for escape in a book .

A shadowy image catches my eye. I pick up the cover of a novel titled Shadowed Strength and read the blurb on the back. It’s a shifter romance—one of my favorite genres. There’s just something about alpha males and strong heroines that gives me all the feels.

I add the book to my pile and then walk over to sit on one of the plush leather chairs tucked in the back corner of the library. Aside from the toddler story time in the community room and the library staff, I’m the only one here.

Not one to miss an opportunity to dive into a book, surrounded by the comforting smell of paper and ink, I tuck my legs underneath me and settle in for a relaxing read. This one tells the story of a mortal woman and her Fae love interest—yet another favorite genre.

I open to the first page, but a flicker of movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention. When I glance up, I'm startled to see someone sitting in the chair across from me.

Where did he come from?

A thick book rests on the man’s knee, his ankle crossed over his other leg. His chin rests in his hand as he skims the pages, absorbed in the text. But as if sensing my gaze, he lifts his head, and my breath hitches in my throat.

With rich auburn hair and piercing brown eyes, he's nothing short of striking. A subtle smirk tugs at his lips, acknowledging my stare with a confidence that leaves no doubt he’s fully aware he’s attractive.

I offer a polite smile, then drop my eyes to my book, hoping to hide the blush creeping up my neck.

A loud, jarring ring shatters the silence. I fumble my book, nearly dropping it, but catch it just in time, letting it settle onto my lap. My face burns as I scramble for my cell phone, which isn’t on silent despite the fact I could have sworn I switched it before entering the library.

I slide the phone out of my back pocket to silence it. Just as I’m about to hit the ignore button, my eyes catch the name flashing across the screen.

Kevin!

My heart leaps into my throat.

Be cool, Darcie.

I tap the green icon, bring the phone to my ear, and whisper, “Hello?”

“Darcie?”

My stomach flips. “Hi, Kevin. What’s up?”

“Nothing much… Why are you whispering?”

“I’m in the library.” I glance at the man across from me. His attention has returned to the thick book in his lap.

To avoid being rude, I close my book, stand, and gently place it on the chair. Then, I make my way to the far corner of the cozy seating area, keeping my belongings in view.

“Oh, right. Kayla mentioned you like to go to the library on Fridays.”

The fact that Kayla and Kevin talk about me makes me giddy, though it really shouldn’t. If anything, I should be embarrassed by how I’m reacting.

Kevin is Kayla’s older brother and a senior at the University of Maine. He was my second-closest friend growing up— was , being the keyword. That was before I turned thirteen and my feelings shifted from innocent friendship to an all-consuming, hopeless crush.

“Yup.” I press my lips together, mentally telling myself to play it cool. “So… why’d you call me?”

I wince inwardly. That came out sounding more like an accusation than I intended .

God, I’m so freaking awkward.

Kevin doesn’t miss a beat. He’s always been that way, confident. Nothing ever fazes him. “I just got off the phone with Kayla. She said you turned her down when she invited you to the movies this weekend.”

“Oh.” I clear my throat, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “Um… yeah. I did.”

“She said you thought you’d be intruding?”

I didn’t use those exact words, but the sentiment is close enough. I shrug even though he can’t see me. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, I told Kayla that was crazy, and she insisted I call you myself and set things straight. So… here I am. Calling.”

My lips twitch with a smile. “That’s nice of you.”

“So, you’ll come?” There’s a quiet hope in his voice that makes my heart skip a beat. I’m glad he wants to spend time with me, but it’s not in the way I wish he did.

“I would…” The words sound hollow as they leave my mouth. I hate lying, even if it’s a little white lie. “But I’ve already got plans this weekend. Maybe next time?”

“Okay, I’ll hold you to that.” His voice is warm and teasing. I picture that boyish grin of his.

My heart skips another beat. “I’m sure you will.”

Silence hangs between us until it’s Kevin’s turn to clear his throat. “Well… I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing at the library. I hope I get to see you soon.”

“Me, too.”

“Bye, Darcie.”

“Bye, Kevin.”

The call ends, and I lower the phone, a tight knot of emotion forming in my chest. I return to the sitting area, pick up the book from the chair, and sink into the well-worn cushion. I try to focus on the pages in front of me, but the words blur, refusing to come into focus.

You’d think after all this time, I wouldn’t be so affected by a simple conversation with Kevin. But that’s the thing. My feelings haven’t diminished one bit over the years. If anything, they’ve only gotten stronger as he’s grown into a confident, driven, and undeniably good-looking guy.

I never told Kevin how I felt. I didn’t want to risk our friendship by making things awkward, and I held onto that decision like a lifeline. Not even Kayla knew—until the day everything changed—when I found out Kevin had invited Hannah Hastings to his senior homecoming.

Even now, I still can’t explain what happened. Kevin had dated other girls before, and I’d been fine. But sitting in my homeroom, hearing one of Hannah’s fellow cheerleaders gossip about Kevin’s big promposal, something inside me just… shattered.

It wasn’t just jealousy. It felt like the last thread of control over my emotions snapped, and everything rushed to the surface.

That was when I finally confessed it all to Kayla, needing to spill the secret I’d buried for so long.

I couldn’t keep pretending anymore. I was heartbroken, and I had to let someone know.

Yeah, big mistake.

I’ll never forget Kayla’s face when she found out I had a crush on her brother: pure disgust. And then, of course, the teasing started. It didn’t stop for weeks. She’s better now that we’re older, but back then? It was brutal.

“Trouble in paradise?”

My eyes lift from the book in my hands. The stranger in the other chair watches me. “Excuse me?”

He gestures to my phone, now resting in my lap. “The phone call. You seemed excited at first, but your body language shifted toward the end.”

So much for thinking he wasn’t paying attention…

“That usually means there is trouble in paradise,” he finishes.

“No.” I shake my head. “There’s no trouble in paradise. That was just a friend.”

“Good.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Good?”

"Good to hear you're not having trouble in paradise." He grins, flashing a smile so bright it could light up a room; one of those smiles that would have most women weak in the knees. Unfortunately, only Kevin’s ever managed to get that kind of reaction out of me.

Still, I can’t deny the guy in front of me is undeniably attractive. He’s easily one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.

I’m not sure how to respond, so I give an awkward shrug and turn back to the book in my hands.

“You look familiar.” Once again, his words pull me away from my futile attempts to read the page in front of me. “Have we met before?”

“I don’t think so.” There’s no way I’d forget a guy who looks like that .

“How strange.” His gaze deepens as he continues to study me, an almost contemplative look on his face.

I fight the urge to fidget.

“I’m Thane.” He stands up, steps forward, and leans over the low table between us, extending his hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

I blink, then scoot to the edge of my seat, leaning forward to shake his hand. “I’m Darcie. ”

“Darcie? That’s an interesting name.”

Not as interesting as yours.

“My mom had a thing for Mr. Darcy,” I find myself explaining. “She wouldn’t let me being a girl stop her from naming me after him.”

Thane laughs. “Well, good for her. I think Darcie is a lovely name. Very unique.”

“Thanks.” He might be ridiculously good-looking, but talking to him is surprisingly easy.

“Are you new in town?” I ask the question even though I’m confident I already know the answer.

I may have been away for a couple of years, but Brunswick is a small place. Kayla would have mentioned if someone as striking as the man in front of me had moved here while I was gone.

“No, just visiting.” He steps back and sits down in his chair. “Here for the lobster and all that.”

“Really?” The winter months in Maine are brutal, and most seasonal shops and restaurants closed months ago. “This isn’t exactly tourist season.”

He shrugs. “I also have work to do.”

“Oh.” That makes more sense. “So, how do you like Brunswick?”

“I like it very much. The city has its charm.”

That’s an odd phrase for a guy who can’t be older than twenty-five. My phone vibrates in my lap before I can think about it more.

I look down and see a text from my dad that has me jumping to my feet.

“I’m so sorry.” I close the book and shove it into my canvas bag, along with the other books I plan to check out. “I’ve got to go. ”

Thane stands as well, his lips curving down. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” I tuck my phone into the bag and sling the strap over my shoulder. “Just some family stuff. It was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you, too.” His voice is kind but tinged with curiosity. “Maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah, maybe.” I offer a clumsy wave, shuffling sideways as I try to keep eye contact while inching away. “If not, I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.”

“Thank you, Darcie. I hope so, too.” His gaze holds mine, lingering with an intensity that’s hard to place—a mix of something I can’t decipher. Curiosity? Recognition?

With a stiff nod and another quick wave, I turn and make a hasty exit toward the checkout counter.

Thane intrigued me. Part of me regrets not staying to talk longer, but I can’t figure out why.

Sure, he’s handsome, but I’ve never been the type to be drawn to someone just for their looks. And I wouldn’t say I was drawn to Thane, not in that way. Not romantically.

But his eyes… there was something about them. The green is striking, almost otherworldly, and it stirred up a faint, elusive memory I can’t quite place.

Maybe Thane was right. Maybe we had met before.

But the harder I try to remember, the more it slips away, like smoke through my fingers.