Enlightened

by Samantha Britt

  She raised her shoulders. “Let’s just say you don’t really look the dancing type.” Not entirely true, but she enjoyed baiting him.

  Des showed off with another eloquent maneuver, and she couldn’t keep the smile from her cheeks as he lowered her into a quick dip before standing her back up.

  “Alright,” she chuckled, enjoying Des’ behavior. “Clearly, you are a very skilled dancer.”

  “Bella’s doing,” he provided, keeping time with the music. “She insisted the family keep up with modern dancing styles.”

  “It seems to me Bella runs the show around here.” Darcie wondered if the fact had something to do with her husband’s position.

  He nodded. “My brothers and I learned early on it is easier to give in to Bella than argue.”

  Darcie could relate. She often had the same thought regarding her best friend, Marie.

  “How are you handling all of this?” she questioned, her mind moving to more serious topics. Darcie couldn’t help but wonder if his joking nature was a cover.

  “I am alright.” He avoided meeting her gaze.

  “It seems too easy,” she said, feeling the need to share her thought. Moments before entering the ball, Darcie realized things were more serious than anyone led on. She had no idea there were actual threats against her.

  That being said, it seemed she was on guard for nothing. Other than curious looks and lingering stares, Darcie did not think anything of significance was going on behind the scenes.

  “Maybe the threats were empty?” she offered.

  Darcie watched his cheek tighten. He wasn’t telling her something. She could tell.

  “Out of everyone here, you are the only one being completely honest with me.” Darcie let her eyes pierce the side of his face.

  Feeling the intensity of the stare, Des finally turned back to her. His expression remained guarded.

  “Please,” she said, fighting to keep her voice down. “Don’t stop now.”

  Des continued to lead them in the dance. Both ignored everyone outside of their conversation. Darcie could feel the stares, but she was too focused on her partner and his next words. She held her breath, waiting for a response.

  “This is the way it always is,” Des stated.

  She blinked. “The way what is?”

  “Disagreements within The Council,” Des referenced the top nine immortals. “Accusations and threats are made outside the group, but when we are reunited, all involved act as if the issues do not exist. It makes resolutions much harder to arrange.”

  “In the beginning,” Des continued. “My brothers and I were hopeful. We all strived to guide The Council to work in complete collaboration. We believed it was a common goal. After millennia, it became clear we were wrong in our assumption.”

  Darcie had so many questions, but she refused to interrupt the immortal now that he was finally talking.

  “While we might be the strongest of the immortals, I cannot recall a time we used our power against the wishes of group. Understanding the motivation behind the discontent is frustrating as a result.” He paused and glided them past a slower couple. The immortal man lowered his head in Des’ direction as they passed.

  “While no attempt has breached the security Thane and I set up,” he continued in a quieter voice, “our spies tell us they have neutralized three viable threats.”

  Darcie’s pulse pounded in her ears. “Three?” her voice croaked. “Tonight?”

  He nodded, but said, “I do not want you to worry. We have taken every precaution we could think of to ensure your safety. However, I did not wish to lie to you after your specific question.”

  “Thank you,” Darcie swallowed the lump in her throat. “I appreciate you telling me the truth.”

  Des gave the hand in his palm a gently squeeze. “Everything will be fine. Soon, we will put our plan into action, and you will be one step closer to returning home.”

  She let out a shaky breath. Without thinking, Darcie laid her head on Des’ broad shoulder. The weight she carried was just too much to bear at the moment. Resting on his strength while they moved to the beat of the music seemed to calm the turmoil within her.

  Des’ muscles were tense beneath her cheek; he had not seen her action coming, nor did he know how to react to it.

  After a few moments, Darcie felt the tension ease. Des continued to move them around the dance floor. Not wanting to see the immortals’ stares, she closed her eyes and worked to maintain even breathing from her relaxed position, completely trusting her partner would not let her fall.

  A light brushing sensation moved against her lower back. Darcie’s eyes opened, and she registered the feeling came from Des’ hand. The extremity had moved from her hip to the small of her back. His fingers trailed against the silk strands lacing the bodice of the gown together. The movement caused a subtle shiver to race up her spine.

  She picked up her head and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. With hesitation, she slowly lifted her eyes to look at Des.

  What she saw caused her stomach to tighten.

  Des’ green eyes stared intently at Darcie. For the life of her, she could not read anything in his expression, but she knew there was something going on beneath the surface. His fingers continued to move across the ties across her back, eliciting a myriad of sensations throughout her body.

  “You know…” Des began to speak, but trailed off. His eyebrows furrowed slightly in the middle of his forehead.

  Darcie couldn’t resist. “What?” she prompted in a murmur. Her heart fluttered under his gaze.

  He shook his head slightly, but his eyes continued to hold hers. Darcie’s shoulders lowered. She suspected whatever he was about to say had passed. She lowered her chin and looked at the base of his throat as she struggled with disappointment.

  A gentle pressure was applied to her back, causing her to inch forward until there was barely a breath of space between their bodies.

  Surprised, Darcie glanced back up and inhaled sharply as she took in the man before her. Des’ eyes smoldered as he held her practically pressed up against him.

  The body contact made Darcie’s skin feel like it was being licked by flames. The hand he held grew warm and clammy. She knew she should pull away, but she could not find the desire to do so.

  “Des?” She sounded breathless.

  His eyes flashed brightly in response, causing the breath to hitch in Darcie’s chest.

  The pair stopped moving in the middle of the dance floor and stood pressed against each other, staring into the each other’s eyes.

  Days later, when she looked back on the memory, Darcie realized they must have made quite a scene in that instance.

  Anyone observing might have thought they were sharing a loving moment. After all, the event was intended to introduce Darcie to the immortal community. Almost everyone believed she was Des’ soulmate, and their behavior could have easily been construed as verification.

  For the sake of their plan, Darcie was glad Des’ next words shook them out of their unusual state.

  “Des?” she questioned again, waiting for him to respond. The suspense was hard to endure.

  “You,” he hesitated. His green orbs continued to shine.

  “Yes?”

  “You look beautiful,” he finally managed.

  Flattered, a light pink rose to Darcie’s cheek.

  But Des was not finished. “You really do look like… her. Not exactly, but it is close.”

  Darcie felt as if someone poured ice water over her head.

  She didn’t know her body could feel such drastic and contrasting emotions in such a short amount of time.

  She gently inhaled, and used the controlled breathing to calm herself.

  Luckily, the final notes of the song played and the music ended. Surrounding couples moved off the dance floor.

  “Excuse me,” Darcie picked up the edges of her dress. Her bare shoulder brushed against his arm as she moved past him.


  Air. She needed air.

  Darcie didn’t care nearly every immortal watched her hurried exit with open curiosity; she just needed to be outside.

  Quickly, she walked over to the French-doors which led out to the patio. Thankfully, the space was empty. She made her way to the white stone railing and rested her palms against the hard surface.

  With a deep breath, Darcie leaned her weight onto the railing, but tilted her head back to look at the night sky. The light breeze did little to cool her warm cheeks, but the fresh air filling her lungs was refreshing.

  What happened back there? she asked herself and tried to reason through her feelings and emotions.

  Des called her beautiful… like his lost love from years ago.

  “Why did that bother you?” she asked into the night.

  The only response came from rustling leaves in the surrounding trees.

  Darcie could not find reason in her reaction. She knew she did not care about Des…

  That is not to say she did not care about Des.

  In fact, in her short time living among them, Darcie could honestly say she had grown a little attached to the members of the immortal family. Despite the craziness of the circumstance, she cared for all of them as she would any friend.

  But that was it.

  She only cared about Des as a friend… Barely a friend.

  So why was she so hurt when he compared her to the girl in his past?

  Darcie had known there was a physical resemblance. Thane, Lome, and Bella mentioned it often, but she never heard Des confirm the likeness.

  In fact, the distant immortal only fervently denied any and all comparisons regarding Darcie and his lost love.

  Maybe that’s what bothered her?

  She clung to Des’ denial that she was his one. Together, they planned to ensure Darcie was able to go back home.

  She convinced herself she was bothered because his acknowledgement of the resemblance was confusing.

  Nothing more.

  “There you are,” a sleek voice interrupted her thoughts.

  Darcie turned and watched an immortal appear from the balcony’s shadows and approach her.

  Adir looked marvelous in his finery, as did every immortal at the ball. His blonde hair shined in the moonlight when he moved. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  “S-sorry,” she stuttered. “I needed some air.”

  “That is understandable.” Adir finished his approach and stood beside her at the railing. “How are you feeling, now?”

  Darcie blinked back the moisture gathered behind her eyelids. “I’m fine. A little nervous, I guess.”

  “Not about our planned interlude, I hope.” Adir’s eyes glistened as he gave her a wide smile.

  Is there at least one unattractive immortal in existence?

  Darcie fought the urge to turn her back to him. She did not know what would happen if she insulted an immortal.

  “Or perhaps it has something to do with the performance you and Des gave everyone on the dance floor.”

  Darcie’s head rolled forward in embarrassment. She wished her hair was loose to cover her face. “Was it really that bad?”

  “On the contrary,” Adir replied. “It looked like a very intimate moment between you. Then, to have you practically run away following the dance, it was all incredibly entertaining.”

  “It wasn’t a moment,” Darcie contradicted and looked back up at him. “We were just talking.”

  “Indeed.” He set his stemmed glass on the stone railing. “I am glad to hear it. Otherwise, it would make our performance more of a challenge to pull off.”

  Remembering the reason behind Adir finding her, Darcie looked around and noted they were the only people on the balcony.

  “Should we go inside?” she asked. They needed an audience if the plan was going to work.

  “Well,” Adir stepped towards her. “That all depends on something.” He reached out and placed his hand over hers.

  Darcie’s eyebrows rose. She straightened her spine and met his gaze. “On?”

  His white teeth illuminated the dark surroundings. “On whether or not Des lied to me.” Adir’s grip tightened on her hand, lifting it off of the stone. She hissed as he continued to squeeze her bones.

  “So tell me, young Darcie,” Adir’s voice lost all charm and was full of venom. “Is Des lying to me?”

  “About what?” she gritted out. “You’re hurting me!”

  Adir did not lessen the pressure. “On the nature of your relationship. Are you his One?”

  “What?” Darcie could barely process his words. Her hand felt like it was breaking. “No. We aren’t a couple.”

  “You’re lying,” Adir tugged her hand. Darcie tripped forward against his chest. “I know what I saw.”

  “I’m not lying. We aren’t a couple. Please.” She tried to pull away. “Let go.”

  Adir looked like he was debating if he should release her. Imaginary stars shot behind her eyes when Adir finally released Darcie’s hand.

  She stepped away from him and cradled the wounded limb against her chest. She tried to wiggle her fingers, but a fierce pain shot through her hand.

  “What is wrong with you?” she asked in shock and anger.

  Adir ignored her question. “Interesting,” he said. His eyes moved up and down, assessing her. “Very interesting.”

  Darcie did not know what to do. The pain was excruciating and threatened to distract her from the situation at hand. She wasn’t sure what Adir was doing, but she knew she needed to get herself as far away from him as possible.

  Before she could figure out what to do, Adir was at her side. He gripped her upper arm and pulled her up and toward him. “Don’t scream,” he instructed.

  The world began to fade as Adir took her away from the ball and to an unknown location.

  As she realized just how vulnerable she was in the situation, Darcie couldn’t believe she did not shout for help. She’d actually followed his instructions to not scream.

  Always the rule follower…

  22

  The first thing Darcie felt upon waking up was pain. Her head felt like she’d been hit with a bat. The coolness emanating from the floor offered little comfort. Her eyes fluttered open and met a pitch black room. She took a deep breath and tried to remember what happened.

  She was dancing at the ball…

  Des acknowledged her resemblance to his lost love for the first time ever…

  Then… nothing.

  A vague image hopped along the edge of her memory, but she could not coax it into focus. The effort caused a sharp pain behind her eyes. She squeezed them shut and let out a low hiss.

  “You are awake.”

  Darcie shot into a sitting position and frantically turned towards the direction of the sound. Her head did not appreciate the sudden movement. “Who’s there?” her voice croaked.

  “Another prisoner,” the stranger replied. Darcie guessed from the deep tone the stranger was a man. “You were unconscious when they brought you in here. I thought you might already be dead.”

  Fear washed over her. “Where am I?”

  “Adir’s stronghold.”

  An uncomfortable sensation poked at her when she tried to place the name. “I-I don’t know what that means.”

  Darcie heard the invisible stranger release a long breath. “What is your name?”

  For a moment, she debated whether or not she should tell the truth. Was the stranger a friend or foe? She had no way to know.

  After thinking it over, she figured her situation couldn’t get any worse. “Darcie,” she answered. “Yours?”

  “Kaine. Nice to meet you, Darcie.”

  “Same,” she murmured. “Where did you say we were?”

  “In the dungeon beneath Adir’s home in Turkey. Do you really not know who Adir is? He brought you down here himself.”

  Once again, Darcie tried to put a face to the name. Her mind came up blank. “I-I can’t remember,
” she admitted. “I swear it sounds familiar, but I have no idea why.”

  “He probably wiped your memory,” the stranger provided. “What is the last thing you remember?”

  “Dancing with Des,” she replied without hesitation. She could still feel his fingers trace the back of her dress. “At the ball.”

  “Des?” Her fellow prisoner questioned with surprise. “As in, one of the three brothers?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re…” He trailed off, rethinking his words. “You’re her. Everyone has been talking about you. I didn’t know you were her.”

  He continued rambling, more to himself than to Darcie. The stranger stated his surprise that Adir actually managed to take her, and he speculated what the brothers’ reaction would be.

  “How did you end up here?” Kaine asked, his curiosity overshadowing politeness.

  “I can’t remember,” she repeated. “I was dancing with Des, and the next thing I knew I woke up here.”

  “Do you think they will come to rescue you?” Kaine’s excitement was evident. “How long until you think they will be here? Can you insist they take me with you?”

  His elevated voice caused a fresh wave of throbbing in her head.

  “Darcie? Are you there?”

  She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Where else would she be?

  “I’m here,” she spoke quietly. “Can you not shout? My head is killing me.”

  “Oh, sure. Sorry. I didn’t think about that. Is this better?” Kaine switched to a more neutral volume.

  “Yes. Thanks.”

  “Like I was saying,” Kaine continued. “Do you think you can convince Des and the brothers to take me with you? I know I’m just a lesser deity, but I’ve been locked in here for weeks.”

  Darcie barely processed his words. “Sure,” she answered. “If they come, I’ll be sure they rescue you too.”

  “What do you mean ‘if they come’?” She could hear his confusion. “Aren’t you Des’ future wife? Last I heard, the brothers would do practically anything for their wives. No way Des doesn’t find you.”

  “I’m not his wife.”

  Kaine’s sigh filled the dark room. “I know that. I just mean you are special to him. He will come for you.”