Page 22 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

“He was disappointed, but he married my younger sister, Rosie.” Bella leans back in her chair with a soft chuckle. “The two of them had a big family and shared a very nice life.”

I hug my knees.

A happy ending for everyone?

Talk about a great story.

A thought pops into my head. “Did you know about Thane before you were married? The immortality thing, I mean? ”

She shakes her head. “No. I didn’t learn the truth until we were already married.”

I frown. “So you didn’t have a choice?”

“Of course I did.” She meets my eyes with a serious expression. “Marriage was not what triggered my change in mortality. Thane told me everything shortly after the wedding, and he gave me the choice about whether or not I wanted to become Immortal.”

She had a choice?

I press for more information. “And how did that go?”

Bella pauses, biting her lip. “It wasn’t easy,” she confesses. “I was raised in the Catholic Church and only believed in one higher power. I thought Thane, Des, and Lome might be demons.”

She laughs, finding her old thoughts funny. But I think they’re reasonable. If I’d been raised in a religious household, I probably would’ve thought they were demons, too.

“What convinced you they weren’t?”

“I lived with the brothers for a few months as Thane’s mortal wife,” she says. “In that time, I witnessed their true character. They are fiercely loyal to one another, and the other Immortals respect them.

“And I realized I loved Thane more than anything else,” she adds with a wistful sigh. “More than my mortal life. I couldn’t imagine not wanting to spend the rest of time by his side. It was an easy decision to make after that.”

In terms of what could influence someone to make such a drastic choice, love is the one motivator that makes the most sense.

“I know Des hasn’t found his One ,” I say. Bella’s expression tightens just a little. I keep going, not giving her a chance to interrupt, “But what about Lome? ”

Bella purses her lips. “Lome is bonded with Eshe.”

I blink, caught off guard. Eshe? That’s the last person I would have guessed. They don’t act like a couple, not even close . If I had to describe their dynamic, I’d call it icy.

“Eshe and Lome are married?”

“Yes.”

My brows furrow. “Not to be nosy… but they don’t seem like a happy couple.”

She sighs. “Lome and Eshe have an understanding. They respect each other… but they are not in love.”

That… sucks.

“So, she is his soulmate?” I’m unable to stifle my curiosity. “She has the second half of his power?”

“She does.” Bella leans forward and sets her cup next to mine on the table.

“Eshe was the first One found. She has lived with the brothers for over a thousand years, much longer than I have. But…” She trails off, shaking her head.

“I don’t know the full story of what happened between them, and I don’t ask.

It’s not something that’s talked about.”

My mind spins. A thousand years? How does someone agree to a bond like that without love?

Maybe immortality itself is the draw. It is a pretty irresistible offer, but that makes me feel bad for Lome. He doesn’t strike me as the type who would settle for a cold, distant partner.

“Wait.” I lift my head. My spine straightens. “Did you just say a thousand years?”

“Yes. Lome and Eshe met outside of Alexandria—around the 400s, I believe.”

My breath catches. Ancient Egypt?

Dad would lose his mind if he were here. Ancient civilizations and myths are his passions. He’s always been fascinated by how different cultures, with no contact between them, shared similar stories about gods, myths, and legends. The existence of Immortals would blow his mind.

I picture him, grinning like a maniac, firing off endless questions. He’s always kept an open mind, even about the wildest ideas. He’d help me make sense of everything I’m learning. He’d help me feel like I’m not losing my mind.

My chest begins to ache, like a piece of my heart has been cleaved in two. I miss him.

“Darcie?” Bella watches me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I sniff, willing the tears burning my eyes to go away. “I just wish I could talk to my dad.”

Her delicate features soften. “I know this is hard, Darcie, but Maskings are delicate. Speaking with you could undo Lome’s work and make your father worry about your absence. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

Except, he should be worried about me … I’ve been attacked twice.

I bite my tongue and keep the words to myself. They won’t get me anywhere.

I can’t tell Bella I want to talk to my dad to find out if Lome kept his end of our bargain and healed him. Lome told me to keep our deal between us, but that doesn’t mean I can’t play the worried daughter card.

“I get what you’re saying, but do you think there’s any way I can check in with my dad? I wouldn’t tell him anything about what’s really going on. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

Bella chews the inside of her cheek, her gaze drifting to the lawn over the balcony. I follow her gaze. A figure moves across the grass in the distance—tall, broad. Even from here, I know it’s Des. His posture, the way he carries himself, something about him that makes him stand out.

The broody Immortal and I haven’t spoken since the day I arrived. We haven’t even been in the same room together. He’s holding to what he told Thane and Lome. I’m their responsibility. Not his.

Though, neither Lome nor Thane have bothered to speak with me much either. At least I have Bella.

Even though it’s only been two days, I’ve warmed up to the friendly Immortal. Bella won’t share information her family wants kept private, but at least she’s here and willing to answer most of my questions.

A brown blur races out of the trees, charging towards Des.

A shout rises, but I swallow it when I realize it’s just a dog. The furry animal bounds towards Des, skidding to a halt at his feet. The Immortal bends to pet the creature.

I try to imagine his hazel eyes warming with affection for the animal, but I can’t.

“I will speak to Thane for you.”

I jerk my gaze away from Des and the dog. My heart stutters for a moment as I process what Bella just said.

“Really?” My voice trembles with a mix of hope and disbelief. “You will ?”

“I can’t promise he’ll agree, but I’ll ask. If there’s a way for you to speak with your father, I’ll find it. After all…” Her voice softens, sadness flickering in her eyes. “…I know too well what it's like to miss your family.”

Bella has lived hundreds of years without her parents and siblings. Sure, she has a husband she loves and seems fond of her in-laws, but that doesn’t erase her love for her family.

That’s just one more reason I know I’m not Des’s One .

Through Bella, I’ve learned about the bond between the brothers and their One . The overwhelming, undeniable pull is a connection that never lets go, no matter the cost. Time only makes it stronger.

When my memories from the club returned, I’ll admit that I felt an instant attraction to Des. And who could blame me? The man is gorgeous. His surly demeanor only adds to the mystery and allure of those flawless, masculine features.

Then there’s the way his touch sent shockwaves through my body…

But as much as my body reacted to Des, my heart didn’t follow.

I could never choose a life like Bella’s over the one I’ve known. My dad, my friends, my future—they’re my anchor, my reality. That life is what I want; what I need to return to.

I don’t belong here. I don’t belong to Des.

Now, I just have to convince the Immortals.

If I don’t, whether or not their enemies remain a threat to me, I’m not confident they’ll ever let me go home…