Enlightened (Immortal Chronicles Book 1)

by Samantha Britt

  “Just wondering why I hadn’t received the third degree yet,” he stated. “I figured you would have mentioned something.”

  Darcie blinked at the screen. “What would I have mentioned?”

  She watched him shrug. “I don’t know. That you and I are talking.”

  “She already knows we are talking.”

  Kevin sighed, shook his head, and gave her a patient smile. “I meant that you and I are talking about dating.”

  “Oh.” Duh, Darcie. “No. I haven’t said anything to Marie about that.”

  “Any reason why?”

  Geez, talk about the third degree.

  “The conversation may be a little awkward to mention,” Darcie pointed out. “She is your sister, after all.”

  “I know,” he allowed. “But it might be good for her to know you and I are interested in one another.”

  Alright, now she felt completely confused.

  Darcie stared at Kevin’s image, trying to figure out what motivated the topic. He did not keep eye contact for long and shifted repeatedly in his seat.

  Realizing she didn’t have a clue, but wanting to figure it out, Darcie asked, “Why would that be good for her to know?”

  This time, it was Kevin’s turn to blush. His reaction confused Darcie even more.

  “Kevin?” She questioned, tilting her head to the side. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s nothing,” he said unconvincingly.

  “I’m not buying it.” When did Darcie get so bold?

  Kevin cleared his throat. “It’s just that… I overheard Marie talking on the phone with Josh the other day.”

  “Okay…” Darcie trailed off, waiting for him to continue.

  “And they were planning a double date with you and… some other guy.”

  The news completely surprised Darcie. “With me? With who?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t remember the name. I think it’s one of Josh’s teammates. Anyway, they were talking about how they needed to cancel the double date until you came back. It seemed like they were pretty set on hooking you up with this guy.”

  Darcie rolled her eyes but not with amusement like earlier in their conversation.

  She had no clue her friend planned on arranging a date for her, and the knowledge made her uncharacteristically annoyed with her best friend. When was Marie planning on telling her about this so-called “double date?” When she tricked Darcie into the car and drove them to it?

  I wouldn’t be surprised.

  “You look upset,” Kevin observed.

  She tried to gain control of her expression, but she didn’t lie. “A little bit.”

  “I take it you didn’t know about the date. You aren’t seeing anyone else?”

  Is that was this is about?

  Darcie stared at Kevin, willing him to believe her words. “No. I’m not seeing that guy. I don’t even know who Marie and Josh were talking about.”

  Kevin looked sheepish, but it didn’t stop him from continuing. “So you aren’t interested in anyone else?”

  Darcie parted her lips to reassure him, but something caused her to falter.

  There was no doubt Darcie’s interest remained dedicated to Kevin. Her feelings for her childhood friend continued to bloom now that they were no longer hidden.

  So why did she hesitate in telling Kevin he was the only guy she wanted to be involved with?

  Darcie couldn’t put her finger on it.

  As if on cue, light green eyes flashed into her mind. Darcie saw Des smile down at her while she pet Argos beside the pond. She watched as his guard seemed to drop, and he acted like a normal person for the first time since she arrived at the home.

  Darcie’s heart gave an involuntary thump.

  “Darcie?” Kevin interrupted the memory.

  Darcie refocused her eyes on the screen. Kevin looked back at her with a frown. “Did you hear me?”

  She was stuck. What could she do? What could she say to not have to explain her lengthy pause to his question?

  Darcie said the first thing which came to mind. “No, I think the reception cut out.”

  Darcie made a show of moving the phone around, acting like she searched for a better connection. “Can you hear me?”

  If Kevin suspected her of lying, he did not show it. Instead, he nodded and replied, “Yeah, I can hear you.”

  “Good.” Darcie donned her sweetest smile. “What did you say a second ago?”

  Her charm worked. Kevin grinned back, looking completely smitten by Darcie. She took a moment to acknowledge how much Kevin seemed to like her. His feelings still surprised her.

  “Nothing,” Kevin told her, exposing his sparkling white teeth. “Just know I can’t wait for you to come back.”

  Darcie smiled and moved the conversation forward. All the while, she tried her best to ignore the pang of guilt settling at the pit of her stomach.

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

  Darcie quickly raised her chin and tried to keep time with her steps as she followed Eleni’s instructions.

  It was her third session with the pretty deity, and Darcie thought her formal dancing skills were much improved since their first meeting.

  Darcie nearly laughed in Bella’s face when she told her of the impending dance and etiquette lessons. It didn’t take long for her to realize the brunette wasn’t joking. Apparently, the ball was fancier than Darcie anticipated. Thane’s wife introduced her to Eleni, a lesser deity who had a knack for dancing.

  Initially, Darcie felt wary to be around another immortal. She wasn’t sure how other immortals would treat her. Outside of the brothers and their wives, Darcie’s only interaction with another eternal being was Evetta. Needless to say, that encounter didn’t go so well.

  “Well done, Darcie!” Eleni praised as the music struck its final chord. She clapped happily at the girl’s progress. Darcie gave a mock curtsy in response. The movement earned her an amused laugh from the friendly instructor.

  As it turned out, Darcie’s worry over interacting with Eleni proved to be pointless. From the moment they met, Eleni was nothing but kind and supportive as she tried to teach Darcie the complicated dance numbers. The eternal woman worked tirelessly to ensure her student knew every intricate detail, not only regarding the dance movements, but also the protocol and etiquette for interacting and dining with various immortals. The effort seemed to pay off. Darcie believed herself to be adequately prepared for the upcoming event.

  In approximately seventy-two hours, she would be led across the dance floor by Des. Their every interaction under the scrutiny of the entire room, and the two had yet to practice together. Despite her increased confidence with the newly-learned skills, Darcie’s nervousness grew more and more as the day of the ball approached.

  “Yes,” Lome, her practice partner, tacked on to the instructor’s praise. “You did not step on my feet once this time.”

  Darcie leaned over and playfully pushed Lome.

  “Woah there, Hercules,” Lome feigned losing his balance. “Control that upper body strength before you hurt someone.”

  Darcie shook her head at his cheesy joke. “You really are ridiculous.”

  Her interactions with the less serious brother always progressed to a joke at some point. Darcie was beginning to wonder if there was a serious bone in Lome’s immortal body.

  Lome held up his hands in mock surrender. “Whatever you say, Muhammad Ali.” He proceeded to laugh at his own jokes.

  “Alright you two,” Eleni brought them back to the task at hand. “Let’s move into the Varsouvienne.”

  Unable to control herself, Darcie released a loud groan. She absolutely despised the dance. The bouncing steps made her look like a hopping rabbit. Eleni pretended to not hear the disapproving sound and moved to the music player to start upbeat track.

  Lome opened his arms, and Darcie stepped into his hold. It might not be her favorite dance, but the Varsouvienne was
relatively easy to master. The pair picked up their pace and matched their step with the music.

  “This dance has elements of the polka,” Lome offered as he led them into a ninety degree turn. “It’s one of Eshe’s favorites.”

  “Really?” Darcie couldn’t see the serious woman enjoy bouncing across a dance floor.

  “Mmhmm.” The pair transferred weight to their opposite feet. “Surprising, I know.”

  Seeing an opportunity to learn more about the relationship, Darcie asked, “So you and Eshe get along pretty well?”

  “As well as we ever have,” Lome provided. “Some times are better than others.”

  Darcie followed his turn, holding back another prying question.

  Luckily, Lome freely offered more. “In fact, Eshe and I are on one of our upswings.”

  “Upswings?”

  “A time period where we manage to get along relatively well,” he explained. “It can come or go, depending on what is happening around us.

  “As I’m sure you already know,” Lome continued, not missing a single beat of the dance. “Eshe and I do not have a romantic relationship.”

  He stopped, waiting for a reply.

  “Bella told me a little,” Darcie admitted. “But she didn’t share details.”

  Lome appeared unbothered. “No matter if she did. Everyone in our society knows of our arrangement.”

  Interesting word choice.

  “Not to be rude, but what is the arrangement?” If Lome didn’t seem so cavalier discussing the topic, Darcie wouldn’t have been able to voice the bold question.

  “We are what you would consider married,” Lome stated. “However, the marriage is more of a business arrangement. Eshe agreed to marry me during a time where it was not uncommon for women to marry someone they were not in love with.”

  Darcie watched Lome release a tired sigh. “I hoped to win her over with time, but several events diverted us from that path. Eshe and I are fortunate we found the resolution we did. Otherwise, I have no doubt we would have spent centuries feeling bitter and alone.”

  Eshe’s stoic image floated into Darcie’s mind. Something told her the Egyptian woman still harbored some bitterness.

  “Do you two have relationships with other people?” It was a question her nosy side had been dying to ask.

  Lome dropped Darcie into a dip before lifting her back onto her feet. The music ended a few notes later.

  “Why do you ask?” Lome’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Interested?”

  Once again, Darcie gave Lome a playful push. “Not a chance.”

  The immortal laughed and bowed to his partner. “I believe you are ready for the ball.”

  “I agree,” Eleni approached, clapping in approval. “You are a fast learner.”

  Darcie beamed, happy with their praise. She put a lot of energy into learning all the dance moves. She stayed up until midnight the past evenings, practicing in her bedroom. She really didn’t want to embarrass herself.

  Almost immediately, her smile dimmed as Darcie remembered all the other aspects of the ball. Besides dancing, she felt completely unprepared for the event. Knowing she had to socialize with various levels of immortals, and the plan she and Des arranged, Darcie struggled not to cave under the pressure.

  “Hey,” Lome reached out and placed a reassuring palm on her shoulder. He could see her internal distress. “It is going to be alright. My brothers and I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  Darcie offered him a weak smile. “Can you keep me from using the wrong fork?”

  The immortal man chuckled. “I will do my absolute best.”

  “Thank you.” Instinctively, Darcie leaned forward and wrapped Lome in a quick hug. He really was a great help the past couple of days. His diligence, coupled with his lightheartedness, managed to ease some of the weight pressing on Darcie’s shoulders. Lome might act like a player, but he was a genuine person at heart.

  Lome stiffened. He didn’t know what to do with her gesture. The immortal gave her back an awkward pat before Darcie finally released him.

  She tried to hide her amusement when she noticed his pink face.

  See? Not really a player.

  “I think I am going to rest in my room for a bit,” she informed Eleni and Lome. “I’ll see you two later.”

  Lome excused himself as well and left through the ballroom’s back door. Eleni and Darcie proceeded towards the main entrance.

  “Any last minute questions?” Eleni asked right before they were about to part ways. “Before tomorrow?”

  Just knowing the impending event was so close caused a fresh wave of panic to flow through Darcie’s veins. “Not unless asking for a way out of attending is still out of the question?” She gave the instructor an expression full of both hope and resignation.

  Eleni looked sympathetic, but she breezed past the question. “Would you like to do a quick review of everything tomorrow morning? Before Bella and Eshe begin working on your appearance?”

  “No, I think I am alright.” If she didn’t know the moves by now, practicing last minute would be little help.

  Eleni nodded. “I will see you at the ball then. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  Darcie waved goodbye and stood watching until Eleni disappeared around a distant corner. Once she was out of sight, Darcie let her shoulders slump. Holding proper form for the dances was killing her back. She contemplated seeking out Bella’s company, but thought better of it. Her mind and body were tired after the lessons. It would be good for her to go back and rest in her room.

  Darcie climbed the large staircase and walked to her bedroom on the third floor. It might have taken almost two weeks, but she finally felt comfortable maneuvering through eighty percent of the mansion.

  Darcie turned around a wall and stopped in her tracks. There was a large, brown heap directly in front of her door.

  She was trying to figure out what the object was when a furry head popped up from the pile.

  Argos’ brown eyes met Darcie’s.

  “Hey boy,” Darcie called out and continued her approach.

  Argos rose to his feet and leaned back to stretch; his tail wagging the entire time.

  “Whatcha doing?”

  Argos responded by nudging her bedroom’s door handle.

  Darcie chuckled. “You want in my room?”

  Argos’ tail wagged more furiously, and his tongue rolled out as he began to pant.

  Even if she wanted to, there was no way Darcie could say no to that face.

  Resigned to forgo her nap, Darcie opened the door and walked in her room.

  “Come on,” she called to Argos where he waited patiently by the door for an invitation.

  Once given the command, Argos trotted into the room and immediately jumped onto the fluffy bed. He circled a couple of times before finally making himself comfortable.

  “You read my mind.” She told him.

  Darcie kicked off her shoes and joined Argos on the bed. The large dog took up the majority of the space, but there was plenty of room for Darcie’s skinny frame.

  Rolling onto her side, Darcie observed Argos. The mythical animal already closed his eyes and appeared asleep.

  Looks like I won’t be losing my nap after all.

  Darcie burrowed into the comfortable mattress, enjoying the feeling of not being alone. The sound of Argos breathing lulled her into a restful doze.

  Chapter 19

  The crisp night air swirled around Darcie as she stood on the high balcony. The sensation soothed her overheated skin. As the clock ticked closer to the start of dinner, Darcie consciously reminded herself to remain calm. She leaned against the stone railing and gazed into the darkness below.

  You can do this.

  “Come back in, Darcie,” Bella’s voice carried from inside her massive suite. “We’re ready for you.”

  With one last lungful of the clear air, Darcie straightened and walked back through the French-style balcony doors. She braced herself
and put on a brave face.

  As Darcie entered, she blinked against the room’s bright lights. They were more overpowering than the soft moonlight. Regaining focus, Darcie turned her attention to the women in the room with her.

  Bella stood next to her personal vanity; its surface covered with various types of cosmetics. She motioned for Darcie to have a seat in front of her.

  Eshe stood just behind Bella. She offered a small, encouraging smile as Darcie approached and settled into the elegant chair at the vanity.

  Maybe Darcie didn’t look as brave as she thought.

  Darcie watched as Bella turned to the cluttered vanity. She picked up a tin case and a fluffed brush.

  “How would you like your makeup?” Bella asked, still facing the many products. “Are you wanting something subtle, or something that will stand out?”

  Darcie shrugged. Makeup was Marie’s department. “Whatever you think.”

  “You are naturally pretty,” Eshe offered over Bella’s head. “I would say less is more.”

  Darcie was surprised when Bella laughed.

  She tilted her head. “What’s so funny?”

  Bella waved a hand in the air. “Oh, it’s nothing. I am simply amused to hear Eshe recommend less cosmetics to anyone.”

  Eshe shook her head but couldn’t hide her own amusement. “I can acknowledge my makeup style is not for everyone, Bella.”

  The petite brunette snickered. When she saw Darcie’s continued confusion, she offered an explanation. “Eshe really likes eye makeup,” Bella stated.

  Darcie turned her attention to Eshe. After giving it some thought, she realized she never once saw Eshe wearing makeup.

  “Really?” She asked Eshe.

  Bella answered for her sister-in-law. “Really. Bright blue eyeshadow, fake eye lashes, thick eyeliner… If you can put it on your eyes, Eshe uses it.”

  “It was the style when I was growing up,” Eshe offered.

  Darcie imagined the Egyptian beauty with the intense cosmetics. With her dark, almond eyes, she was sure the highlights made Eshe’s features incredible.

  “Well, it’s not like you guys need makeup,” Darcie interjected. “You are both gorgeous.”