Page 13 of The Immortal's Trick
His frown deepens. His worries are not so easily alleviated. “Who are they?” he asks again.
I hate the question because I don’t really know. Because I can’t explain what draws me toward Lome, what still pulls at me even now.
“I told you,” I look away from his inquisitive gaze. “They are Greeks visiting Alexandria. The one who returned my purse made a worthy impression on Father. He and his brother are attempting to make friends in their new city. Their intentions seem honorable.”
Ani’s laugh is dry and humorless. “They’restrangers.”
“Even so, Father has approved the venture. So I do not believe there is anything more to discuss.”
Ani physically recoils from my cold tone, as if the words slap him from two feet away.
Guilt prickles at the back of my throat. Ani’s only trying to protect me, but his gaze feels like judgment, and I’ve done nothing to be judged for.
Still, a slight ache opens in my chest as I watch his face. He’s hurt… and worried. Maybe more than worried.
Before I can think of what I’m doing, I step forward and lightly place my hands on Ani’s shoulders. I lean forward and brush my lips above the light shadow covering his cheeks.
I linger for a moment before quickly dropping my arms and stepping back. I offer a small smile. “Don’t worry, Ani. We will be alright.”
Heat flickers in his gaze. He reaches forward.
I take a quick step back.
“I need to go inside to check on Father,” I blurt, then clear my throat. “Can we wait to tell him about the lost buyers? He’s had a rough day. I don’t want to worry him tonight.”
Ani opens his mouth but promptly closes it tight. Eyes dazed, but jaw tight, he manages a small nod in reply.
It’s enough.
I slip inside the house, pulse thudding at my throat.
I glance back once, just once.
Ani walks down the path, back to his horse tied to the post in the distance, head bowed, feet dragging in the dirt. He doesn’t look back.
Still… I swear I feel eyes on me, even after I close the door behind me.
6
The clatterof hooves against cobbled stone sets my nerves on edge as the cart rattles through the bustling heart of Alexandria. The sun has begun its descent, casting slants of light over the buildings, bathing the city in an almost sacred glow. Everything looks softer, more magical. More dangerous.
“I am pleased your father allowed you ladies to join me this evening,” Lome calls over his shoulder.
I sit stiffly on the back bench, the fine blue linen of my dress creasing beneath my clenched hands. Nebet beams beside me, her energy practically humming. Her shoulder brushes mine as the cart jostles. It’s a small comfort—something solid to cling to amid the strangeness of this entire evening.
“I am, too,” Nebet answers brightly, bristling with excitement.
Lome turns slightly to glance at me. “And you, Eshe?”
“I’m glad to finally see a play,” I say, keeping my voice as neutral as possible.
It’s a half-truth. Iamglad… but I also feel like I’ve stepped into someone else’s life. Riding through the city in a cart with gleaming wood, delicate carvings, and the leather reins stitchedwith silver thread is not something girls like me do. It screams wealth, foreignness, and status. I am none of those things.
And then there’shim.
Just being near Lome clouds my head. His presence coils around me like incense—intoxicating, heady, and oddly familiar.
I clench my hands to stop them from trembling. I don’t know why I feel this way. I don’t like it.
