Page 84 of One Last Wish

There was still so much to do tomorrow. I was thankful Malcolm had agreed to close Bookends a little early to give everyone the chance to get everything ready.

“So much is resting on this for future events,” I muttered, looking around at the beautiful bookshop. “I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“Stop stressing.” Darce took my hand in his. We were alone, making our way back to my apartment. I had wondered why he hadn’t portaled us back, but now I understood. The walk was meant to calm me. “I’m looking forward to dancing with you tomorrow.”

“Oh, I can’t dance.” I snorted. “I have two left feet. Sorry to disappoint you.”

“You probably need a better lead. Dancing is an art that not many have mastered. You have to maintain a certain amount of connection, no matter the dance. There has to be trust between the lead and the follower, too.”

“Are you telling meyoucan dance?”

“I’ve been to a few balls in my time.”

“A low foot soldier at a ball?” Instantly, I regretted my choice of words.

“How do you...” Darce gave me an alarmed look.

“I dreamt about it a few weeks ago. I have no idea what army you served or what era the dream was, but you referred to yourself as a foot soldier.”

“Mmmm...it seems you might know more than I realised.” I studied his face. Was he amused? “What else do you know that youhaven’ttold me?”

“You know most of it, but I know you’re over three thousand years old, and that you are destined for a Noxlin female named Charna. The one that tried to kill me in my dream.”

“Ah...” I left Darce pretty speechless. “You already mentioned that you knew about Charna.”

“I also know I’m half your age, which would make me over fifteen hundred years old.” My arms began to glow, and within a second, Darce had transported us back to the safety of my bedroom.

“I happen to think we both look remarkably amazing for our ages.”

“I need honesty, not jokes right now. What are we?” I pleaded with his dark, universe-flecked eyes. “Am I evenhuman? You have no idea how exhausting it is to second guess everything. Is any of this real? Was my father even my father? Did I steal this body? Am I some dangerous God that might set about the end of the world? What. Am. I!”

“You’ve had fourteen lives in this veil.Earth Veil.” My mouth fell to the floor at the fact that Darce was opening up, telling me what he could. I knelt in front of him as he slumped on my bed, taking in every word he spoke. “The first few lives I barely checked in. It was difficult for me to watch you build a life without me. By life number six, I was constantly watching. My need for you overruled any logical thought. I convinced myself that you needed protecting. It was the worst form of persecution, though. You were untouchable. I wasn’t allowed to interfere out of fear that our enemies would discover you. Watching you love, build a life, and grow old over and over again...it was unlike any torture I had ever endured before.”

“Darce, I...I had no idea....” Tears trickled down my cheeks as I watched the pain ebb on his face. “Why would you put yourself through that?”

“Alora, I would endure a thousandlifetimesof that to keep your immortal soul safe and protected. Do you haveanyidea what you mean to me?”

“I’m starting to understand,” I whispered, taking his hand in mine. “What’s so different this time? Why did you show yourself to me in this life?”

“I couldn’t fight it any longer. You were becoming more isolated with each reincarnation. When you explained that your powers were manifesting, it all made sense.”

“What did?”

“You were breaking your bonds.” Darce caressed my face. “We will only have a small fraction of time once your binds break. Our enemies will sense you and...” Darce fumbled with his words, which was unlike him. “Alora, I have no idea how this will end for us.”

“Hey,” I soothed, realising Darce had done all of this to save me. Whatever we were, our races would never allow us to be together. That was why I had somehow been reincarnated into human form for the last...fourteenlifetimes. That had to be what...athousandyears at least? Had Darce been waiting for methatlong? My chest ached at the pain he’d had to endure because of me. “Whatever happens, we’re in this together. I might not remember, but I know you’re endgame for me. Okay?”

“Endgame?” Darce huffed. “All these present day adjectives get really tiresome.”

“Hey, I’m in a twenty-four year old body withnomemories from my past. I’m doing the best I can.” That got a chuckle from his beautiful lips.

“We should change the subject for a little while. I’ve probably told you more than I should.” A playful smirk crossed his face. “How about some dancing lessons?” Ugh! This was going to be embarrassing.

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