Page 34 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

The next day, I stand on a six-inch platform in the middle of a parlor on the third floor, trying to ignore the discomfort of stiff fabric and sharp needles covering my body. Eshe walks around me, pinning the cloth draped over my shoulders with practiced precision.

“Remind me again why I’m letting you poke me with pins?” I ask.

“Because this ball is your first introduction to our community,” Bella answers for her sister-in-law, her tone light as she steps away from the window where she’d been watching Thane and Lome practice archery on the back lawn. “And first impressions matter.”

I bite my tongue to refrain from saying I have no intention of attending their ball.

Less than an hour after I spoke with Des in the forest, Bella came to my room to tell me about the holiday ball.

She’d been shifty, nervous. No doubt, she expected me to react poorly to the news.

After all, I’d just had the whole reincarnation information thrown in my face.

No one in their right mind would be “okay” after that.

But I put on the performance of a lifetime, pretending I knew nothing about the Council’s plan to throw a party and introduce me as Des’s One to the rest of their community.

Kayla would have been impressed with my acting skills.

With Des’s promise to find a way to use the event to our advantage, I agreed to go along with preparations for the ball. But I needed to play the part of an unwilling participant to avoid rousing suspicion.

Which isn’t hard to do when every time I try to scratch the itch on my nose, a pin pricks my ribs.

I stare at Bella through the reflection and frown, ready to put on another show.

“A party seems reckless. I thought you guys were keeping me here so I could avoid other Immortals.” A cool needle brushes my hip. “Hey! That was too close!” I wince.

Eshe rolls her eyes, removing the pins between her teeth. “I’ve done this before, Darcie. Relax. You don’t need to be so jumpy,” she says dryly.

“Yeah, well, I’m not used to people jabbing sharp objects at me.”

Eshe’s lips curve as she mutters something under her breath, her tone more amused than annoyed.

I wouldn’t say I have the Egyptian Immortal figured out, but I think she hides a lot of her personality behind a beautiful mask. She has a sense of humor. And she’s honest. Under different circumstances, I believe we could be friends.

Bella stands next to Eshe, watching her work as she answers me, “Thane believes introducing you to lesser Immortals will demonstrate trust on our part. Rumors are circulating about you. He hopes to contain them. ”

I press my lips together to refrain from saying we both know Thane wasn’t the one who came up with the idea for the ball.

Eshe pulls the fabric at my back. I roll my shoulders back to straighten my posture. She hums in approval, her eyes scanning her work, adding more pins.

I take care not to move and ask Bella, “Do any of the rumors say how Des denies I’m his One ?”

Her lips turn down. “Something like that.” She walks over to the tea cart in the corner of the room and pours herself a cup. I know avoidance when I see it.

I chew the inside of my cheek, watching her stir sugar into the brown liquid, debating whether to press her for more information.

Before I decide, my phone rings on the side table. Since finding out Des was the one who gave me the phone, I’ve stopped hiding it. So far, only Eshe and Bella have seen me with it, and neither questioned me for having it.

The phone is placed with the screen down, but I recognize the ringtone of the incoming call right away.

I move to grab the device. A sharp prick lands on my upper thigh. “Ow!”

“Don’t move.” Eshe scowls, pinning the fabric once more. “Or I’ll have to start over.”

I groan but comply, holding still in the center of the platform as the phone buzzes again, taunting me with the insistent sound.

“I’ll get it for you.” Before I can object, Bella picks up the phone and flips it over. Her brows lift. “Who’s Kevin?”

“No one,” I say too fast.

“Hm.” She holds out my phone with a knowing grin. “Doesn’t seem like ‘no one’ to me. ”

I take the phone without meeting her eyes.

I decline Kevin’s call before typing a short message.

Sorry, I’m studying. I’ll call you later.

I hit send and then press the phone to my side.

When I look up, Bella and Eshe stare at me through the reflection.

My cheeks heat. “What?”

Bella wastes no time. “Is Kevin your friend?”

“Yes.” I keep my voice even though my blush deepens.

Eshe’s sharp gaze misses nothing. “He is a close friend.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because your heart rate spiked when Bella said his name,” Eshe remarks before dropping her eyes and leaning in to adjust the fabric at my waist, adding yet another blasted pin.

My denial starts to form on my lips, but it falls away after I process what she said. “Wait… you can hear my heartbeat?”

A smirk plays on Eshe’s lips as she glances back at my reflection. “Immortals have incredible hearing.”

Of course, they freaking do.

Mentally, I kick myself for not realizing it sooner.

All those times I’d huddled in the corner of my room to talk to Kevin… it was pointless.

I’m an idiot.

“Oh.” I clear my throat. “Cool…”

Eshe chuckles.

“So…” Bella’s voice fills with meaning. “You two are close?”

I take a deep breath. “Well, yeah. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

“I see.” Her stare is unwavering. “And do you want to be more than friends? ”

My stomach flips. “I… no? Why would you ask that?”

“Because, like Eshe said, your pulse spiked. And your cheeks are flushed,” Bella notes, tilting her head with a knowing smile. “Is Kevin the reason you want to go home? Are you two romantically involved?”

I swallow hard, fighting to keep my face neutral. “No. I want to go home because that’s where my life is. It has nothing to do with a guy.”

Not even one as incredible as Kevin.

“Are you?—”

“Good for you,” Eshe cuts Bella off, her dark eyes fixed on mine through the mirror.

Taken aback, I blink. “What?”

She lowers her hands, her expression serious. “I’m glad you’re sticking to your goal to return to your life. Despite everything. This life may be a dream to some, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

She’s said as much multiple times.

What happened to Eshe to make her so… unhappy?

“It isn’t a difficult decision for me,” I say quietly. “After all, I’m not destined for this life. Des has made that clear.”

Her eyes narrow. “No matter if you were destined for it or not, I’d advise you to think carefully before committing to anything anyone suggests.”

Bella laughs uneasily, trying to brush off her sister-in-law’s heavy words. “Don’t mind Eshe, Darcie. She’s always so grim.”

The two Immortals exchange a long, silent glance, their eyes locked in unspoken conversation. It’s intense. And heated. Seconds pass, stretching into what feels like minutes. Then, without another word, Eshe breaks the stare and steps back, her expression unreadable .

“I’m finished,” she says. “Please take care when removing the dress. I’d hate to have to start over.”

She spins, and the swish of her pants fills the silence as she walks out, leaving without a backward glance.

What was that ?

Bella clears her throat. “Let me help you out of that dress.” She smiles, but I can tell Eshe’s words rattled her, too.

Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the door. My heartbeat falters as Des steps into the room.

“Des,” Bella greets smoothly, all evidence of her earlier unease disappearing in a flash.

I remain silent, lost in the sudden, sharp awareness of his presence that overwhelms me.

He’s dressed casually again—dark blue jeans and a fitted white V-neck that shows off his muscular build. His hair is windswept, much like it was when we spoke in the forest yesterday.

Was that really just yesterday?

Why does it feel like it’s been ages since I last saw him?

“What are you doing here?” Bella asks, more curious than alarmed.

“I need to speak to Darcie.” Hearing Des’s deep voice say my name makes my stomach flutter.

Don’t read into it.

Des is attractive. We’re pseudo-allies, for now. And his voice is objectively sexy. It’d be weird if I weren’t flustered hearing him say my name…

Right…

“Of course.” Bella’s voice rises an octave. She coughs. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it.”

I ignore the pointed look she shoots my way as she hurries out of the room. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving me alone with Des. My body electrifies with awareness.

“Well, that was subtle,” I joke with an awkward chuckle.

“Bella’s never been good at being discreet.” Des smirks, his eyes slowly tracing over me. The warmth of his gaze heats my skin. “Is Eshe making you a dress or a suit of armor?”

I glance at the metal needles poking through the fabric and huff out a laugh. “Both? Honestly, considering I’ll be in a room full of Immortals, some who could be part of the rebellion, armor might be a good idea.” I shrug.

It’s meant to be a joke, but the thought of being surrounded by people who want me dead makes my throat tighten, straining the words.

Des’s expression hardens. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Darcie.”

The intensity in his voice catches me off guard, and my heart squeezes. “I believe you.”

For a moment, we stare at each other. I don’t know what to make of his expression. He seems determined, but there’s a trace of something… else. Resignation? Maybe a flicker of sadness?

“I have a plan,” he finally says, breaking the silence.

I blink, clearing away the disoriented feelings coursing through me. “You do?”

He nods, his jaw set. “I do.”

“Well, let’s hear it.” I try to step down from the platform, but my foot catches on the skirt. Before I can right myself, my arms flail back in a futile attempt to keep my balance.

“Careful.” Des lunges forward, gripping my arm to steady me and help me step down.

“Thanks,” I exhale, acutely aware of how his fingers linger against the fabric covering my arm .

When he lets go, I miss the warmth of his touch.

Stop it, Darcie , I chastise myself.

“So…” I take a breath and push the unusual sensations to the back of my mind. “What’s your plan?”

Des stares. “What?”

“Your plan?” I raise a brow. “For the ball?”

“Oh. Right.” He takes a deep breath. Then… he lays it all out.

At first, I nod along, encouraged by his calm demeanor. But when he gets to the crux of his plan, my jaw hits the floor. Des sees, but he doesn’t stop talking until he’s shared all the nitty gritty details of his ludicrous idea.

Only then does he stop talking, watching me as he waits for my response.

“Well?” He tilts his head to the side. “What do you think?”

I gape like a fish out of water. “You can’t be serious.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

“Why not?” I scoff, my tone rising in disbelief. “You want me to—” I pause and glance around the empty room, lowering my voice to a whisper. “You want me to kiss Adir at the ball?”

The thought of that war-hungry Immortal being even remotely involved in this plan makes my stomach turn. Something about him doesn’t sit right with me. He’s the last person I want to rely on. Not to mention kiss .

But Des’s confidence doesn’t falter. “I do. But it doesn’t have to be in front of everyone. We only need a couple of lesser Immortals to see the kiss. When they do, the gossip will spread like wildfire.”

And I’ll be the one burned.

I shake my head, trying to make sense of both Des’s plan and my unease. “I don’t understand how this is going to work,” I admit.

Des repeats the details he’s already shared. “Adir will ask you for a dance at the ball. Once the dance is over, he’ll escort you to a semi-private area to talk. That’s where he’ll kiss you.”

The plan sounds just as ludicrous the second time around.

My mind rebels against it.

“Why would Adir want to help us?” I don’t know much about Immortal politics, but I know the blond Immortal didn’t act friendly to Des or his brothers in that meeting I crashed.

Des doesn’t hesitate. “Because Adir believes me when I say you’re not my One .”

“Why?” Why does Adir believe him when his own brothers don’t?

Des’s stare doesn’t falter. “Because if you were my One , I would jump at the chance to solidify my position as the strongest Immortal. Or so Adir thinks.”

An ugly emotion twists my chest.

I refuse to give it a name.

Des continues, “Since I haven’t claimed you, Adir believes me when I say you aren’t my One . And he’s pledged his support.”

“His support?” I repeat, casting my gaze to the floor.

“In my desire to return you home.”

I don’t hide the doubt on my face.

Des’s shoulders tense. “I know this is a lot to take in, Darcie. I understand if you’ve changed your mind about using the ball to arrange your return home.”

He doesn’t offer empty reassurances or attempt to convince me. Des has shared his plan. Now, it’s my choice whether or not to follow through with it .

I close my eyes, weighing my options.

I don’t trust Adir, but despite everything, I do trust Des.

We’re stuck in a situation where no one’s listening to us. The Immortals believe in prophecies and destiny, and no one can see beyond that.

What better way to convince them I’m not Des’s soulmate than by being seen entangled with another Immortal? According to Des, a soulmate would never be able to do that without consequence.

Once the news spreads, the rebellion will have no reason to target me. I’ll be able to go back to my life, back to Maine, as if none of this ever happened.

And yet, despite the logic, my palms grow sweaty. Something feels off, ominous, like the calm before a vicious storm.

I exhale a slow, heavy breath and open my eyes.

Des’s gaze snaps to mine, his focus intense.

A flush rises to my cheeks. Did he just check me out?

It doesn’t matter.

“Okay.” My voice sounds firm despite my inner turmoil. I clear my throat and ignore the unsettling tightness in my gut. “I’ll do it. I’ll kiss Adir.”

I inhale a tiny gasp as a sudden jolt of pain pricks my stomach, but it’s not from the pins. I glance down, trying to pinpoint the source of my discomfort, but the sensation fades before I can make sense of it.

What the hell was that?

“Great,” Des says, yanking my attention back to him. His tone carries an edge—the kind that comes when you say something you know you can’t take back. “It’s a plan.”