Page 40 of The Immortal’s Mark

“It was nice to meet you, too.”

For a moment, we both stand there, neither one of us inclined to leave.

I force myself to muster up the willpower to walk out of the souvenir shop.

But my struggle doesn’t end there.

It takes everything I have to not look back and permit myself one last glimpse of my destined One.

No matter how much my soul yearns for Darcie, we will never achieve a happy ending.

I’ve endured too many tragedies to believe otherwise.

Darcie is the epitome of youth. She has her whole life ahead of her. I refuse to risk it by yielding to my own selfish desires.

I’m halfway to the main road when a musical voice calls my name.

I halt, my pulse skyrocketing in my veins.

Darcie hurries down the incline, arms spread wide to keep from falling forward, until she stumbles to a stop about three feet away.

“Des,” she says, breathless. “Wait.”

My traitorous heart pounds while my stomach falls to the floor.

Nothing good will come of whatever she plans to say. I need to leave.

Just as I open my mouth, Darcie blurts, “This might sound weird, but I feel like I know you. Have we met before?”

The agony is acute.

I don’t want to lie, but I cannot possibly tell her the truth.

“I do not believe so,” I answer smoothly. The only sign of my discomfort is the subtle tick in my jaw.

Darcie’s face falls. “Oh. Really?”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. It must’ve just been my imagination.”

Her discomfort colors her cheeks once more.

The urge to alleviate it compels me to confess, “But I will never forget your face now that we have met.”

Shock highlights her features. She blinks, and her blush deepens as she murmurs, “I know what you mean.”

Her boldness surprises me.

It stokes mine to life. “Do you have someone, Darcie?”

“Someone?”

“Someone special,” I elaborate, ignoring the pain the thought causes me. “A boyfriend?”

“Oh…um, no.” She clears her throat and shifts her feet. “I don’t have someone. I mean, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

My relief is undeniable.

“That is very surprising.”