Page 24 of The Immortal's Trick
“Eshe!”
I stop mid-step. That voice… I would know it anywhere, even over thunder. Its owner tugs at my soul in ways I have yet to understand fully.
I turn, and there Lome is, weaving through the crowd with quick, graceful steps. His smile falters the moment he sees my face.
In an instant, he is at my side. I flinch, shocked at how fast he manages to reach me.
“Eshe?” His eyes roam over my entire body, searching for any sign of hurt. “What is the matter? Are you harmed?”
I try to answer, but the lump in my throat is too thick. My eyes fill, and this time, I can’t stop it. The tears fall freely, racing down my cheeks. I try to breathe, but it only makes the sobs worse. My chest heaves.
Gods, this is mortifying.
Strong hands cradle my face, guiding my gaze up to his.
“Breathe,” he murmurs. “In. Out. Like this.”
His chest rises and falls in a slow, steady rhythm. I try to match it, hiccupping and gasping as I cling to his elbows for balance. My face flames with shame.
But Lome stays. He doesn’t flinch or pull away. He holds me steady until my breath comes easier.
Only when I’m calm enough to see clearly do I realize we’re no longer in the market. He must have pulled me between two stalls, shielding me from the crowd.
I drop my hands and step back, bumping into a wooden pole.
He asks cautiously, “Feeling better?”
“Y-yes,” I croak.
His gaze searches mine. “What happened?”
I shake my head.
“Eshe,” he presses. “What happened?”
There’s no escaping his eyes, no running from the weight in his voice. And maybe… maybe I don’t want to run.
“My father has accepted Benipe’s suit,” I sniff and pat my cheeks to clear away the moisture. “Nebet will marry him within the month.”
His jaw tenses, but he remains still. “How did she take it?”
“She’s… resigned.” Another tear rolls down my cheek. “She says she’s happy to be able to save our family.”
He leans in. “Save you from what?”
“Debt.” I swallow hard. "Our last harvest disappeared. Was stolen, actually. Without that income, my father says this is the only way.”
“I am sorry to hear it.” His fingers reach up and brush the hair gently from my face. The gesture is so tender, so intimate, it takes my breath.
A new tear escapes. “He didn’t even ask Nebet before he made the deal. He didn’t care about her feelings. He just... traded her.”
Lome’s thumb brushes away a lingering tear from my cheek. “You say she’s resigned. Perhaps helping your family brings her peace.”
I jerk my head violently. “No. I won’t let her do it.” The words burn in my throat. “Ihaveto stop it. Therehasto be another way.”.
He opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, then closes it again.
“What?” I ask. “What is it?”
