Page 35 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

“One, two, three. One, two, three. That’s it. Keep your chin up, Darcie.”

I lift my chin, counting in my head, trying not to get too caught up in Eleni’s commands. It’s my third dance lesson with her, and I’ve improved so much since that first awkward step, but I’m far from perfect.

Eleni, a lesser Immortal with a natural talent for music and dancing, showed up the day after my dress fitting, eager to whip me into shape for the ball. I’m sure she wasn’t thrilled about the one-week deadline, but she’s been incredibly patient and—no exaggeration—magical.

I didn’t believe Bella when she told me Eleni could use her powers to teach me rhythm and musicality. But she did. Her powers make me feel like I could float across the room if I tried.

I keep my hold on Lome light, just like Eleni taught me, letting him guide me through smooth turns and quick steps.

When the song on the stereo hits its final note, Eleni claps. “Well done, Darcie! ”

“Thank you.” I release Lome and dip into a dramatic curtsy with a silly grin.

She laughs. “The Originals will be so impressed.”

My smile quickly fades, but I force myself to say, “Thanks.”

Lome, ever the joker, chimes in. “Yes, well done. You didn’t step on my feet once this time.”

I shove his arm with a scoff. “Whatever.”

“Whoa there, Hercules.” Lome feigns a stumble. “Careful with that strength—you might hurt someone.”

I roll my eyes with an amused shake of my head. I’m beginning to suspect the Immortal doesn't know how to be serious for more than five seconds.

“Alright, you two.” Eleni’s voice cuts through our banter. “Let’s move into the Varsouvienne.”

I can’t help but groan. The bouncing steps make me feel like I’m an uncoordinated rabbit, even with the help of Eleni’s magic and Lome’s steady grip.

Lome splays open his arms with a dramatic flourish. “Shall we?”

I sigh but step into his hold. “We shall.”

While the Varsouvienne isn’t my favorite dance, it isn’t hard. In two counts, Lome and I pick up our pace and match steps with the upbeat music.

“This dance has elements of the polka,” Lome says, guiding me into a turn. “It’s one of Eshe’s favorites.”

“Really? Eshe?” I can’t picture the intense Immortal, so serious and imposing, bouncing around a dance floor.

“Surprising, I know.”

Since the atmosphere is light, I decide to push for more information. “So… you and Eshe get along well enough to dance together? ”

“Sometimes.” His nonchalant tone prompts me to ask more.

“Will you two dance at the ball?”

“I hope so.” He guides me into another quick turn. “In fact,” he adds, “Eshe and I are in one of our upswings.”

“Upswings?”

“A time where we get along relatively well,” he explains with a grin. “It can come or go depending on what is happening around us.”

My feet pivot with another turn.

“As I’m sure you already know,” Lome continues, not missing a beat, “Eshe and I do not have a romantic relationship.” He watches me expectantly.

“Bella told me a little bit of your story,” I confess. “But she didn’t give much detail.”

He shrugs. “It wouldn’t matter if she did. Everyone in our society knows of my and Eshe’s arrangement.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but what is your 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 me with 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 like that. 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?"

His lips curl into a smirk. “I’ll do my best.”

“Thanks.” I lean forward and wrap my arms around him in a quick hug. Not only has Lome saved my dad’s life, but he’s also been generous enough to help me with my dance lessons.

The Immortal stiffens and gives my back an awkward pat.

I step back and stifle my grin when I note his pink cheeks .

“I think I’m going to go back to my room and rest for a little bit,” I tell him. “I’m supposed to call my dad in an hour.”

He nods. “Okay. Will we see you at dinner?”

“Of course.”

Part of my preparation for the ball has included eating with the Immortals at night: practicing table manners, learning how to deal with awkward silences, and figuring out which fork is meant for which course.

Suffice to say it’s not a very relaxing meal.

I say goodbye to Lome and go upstairs, heading towards my room. But I stop in my tracks when I notice a large, brown lump blocking my door.

A smile tugs at my lips. “Argos?”

The big dog lifts his head, his dark eyes locking with mine. His tail starts to wag.

“Hey, boy.” I crouch to scratch his ears. “What are you doing here?”

Argos stands and yawns before dropping into a stretch that inspired the name of a yoga pose, then rises and extends his back legs.

"Where’s Des?" I glance down the hall, but there’s no sign of the imposing Immortal.

Argos nudges my hand, urging me to keep scratching.

I oblige. “Want to hang out with me until he gets back?”

Argos spins in a tight circle and faces the door, looking back at me with wide, expectant eyes.

I laugh softly. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you?”

He lets out a little yip, and I can’t help but grin, wondering if this magical animal is actually smarter than some people.

“Okay.” I open the bedroom door. “Go ahead.”

Argos trots past me, immediately leaping onto the bed like it’s his throne. He turns three times—an oddly graceful move for such a big dog—before flopping down on the freshly laundered blankets with a satisfied sigh.

“You know what?” I kick off my shoes. “A nap sounds perfect.”

I set my alarm for an hour, then climb onto the bed, pulling the covers over myself. Argos shifts, curling beside me before gently pressing his warm body against my legs.

I close my eyes with a contented smile, absentmindedly petting his head as it rests against my hip.

Things have been crazy these past couple of days, and I’m anxious about the ball. But with any luck, Des’s plan will work, and I’ll be back in Maine before I know it. I’ll return to my life, leave behind all this Immortal madness.

Now that Dad’s healthy, maybe I can start college this spring semester. I’ll settle for courses at St. Phillips. It’s better than nothing. In time, this whole mess will feel like a distant dream.

Who knows? Maybe the Immortals can erase the memories of my time here if I ask them to.

Are you sure you want to forget about them? a small voice in the back of my mind whispers.

Des’s face flashes behind my eyelids, and a rush of warmth pulses through me. My heart stutters, then steadies.

I open my eyes, but the image of him lingers.

Stop it, Darcie.

I think about Kevin. I’m excited to go on a date with him when I get back, but I can’t deny the nerves eating at me.

What if I mess it up?

What if Kevin and I go on a date and he decides we’d be better off as friends?

I exhale a shaky breath .

What happens, happens.

That’s been my mantra these past few days; it’s the only way to silence my growing doubts.

Argos’s breathing deepens, a rhythmic, steady sound. I let the soft noise pull me under, the warmth of his body against mine making it hard to stay awake.

My dreams are fragmented, filled with flashes of green eyes—those eyes that have haunted me for as long as I can remember. But now there’s something different. Something heavier in them.

Sadness.

And as the dream stretches on, the urge to alleviate that sadness grows. It’s a deep, visceral pull I can’t quite shake.