Chapter 10
DES
Months ago - Athens
Darcie and I walk in companionable silence through the National Gardens after leaving behind the two tourists who tried to get her attention.
From the corner of my eye, I watch her observe the artifacts and statues we pass.
Seeing an opportunity to make conversation, I ask, “You are interested in art?”
“A little,” she responds, casting an assessing glance before adding, “but I am more interested in the architecture. The ancient temples and buildings are so beautiful.”
“Indeed.”
Of all of the ancient civilizations, my brothers and I enjoy Greek culture the best.
Everything, from their community to their philosophy, intrigues us. It is the main reason we decided to settle in the region all those years ago.
“Are you here for your studies?” I ask, wishing to learn more about my young American soulmate.
Even if I can’t have her in my life.
“My studies?”
“Are you at the university?” I clarify.
“Oh.” Her cheeks color, and she turns her blue irises to the greenery around us. “I’m not in college.”
I don’t understand her embarrassment. “So, you are on vacation?”
She continues to avoid eye contact. “Sort of. I am here with my dad. He is working with a colleague at the university.”
“Your father is an academic?”
She bobs her head. “A professor. He is on a sabbatical,” she explains.
I process the information.
“Does your father’s work keep you in Athens?” My mind has already started to wonder when I will be able to see her again.
Stop it.
I take control of my thoughts.
You will not meet with her again.
This is the only time you will risk her safety.
Darcie, unaware of my silent struggle, responds, “No, we don’t stay in one spot for long. My father is reaching out to local historians to meet and discuss his research. We are only in Athens for a few days.”
“It is nice of you to journey with your father,” I comment.
Though it does not surprise me to learn my One is family-oriented.
She always is.
We reach the end of the path, back where we started.
Darcie turns to me, and before she can speak, I blurt, “Have you toured the Parthenon yet?”
She blinks. “Um…no.”
“Would you like to?”
My heart hammers in my chest as I wait for her response.
When it comes in the form of a shy smile, triumph jolts through me.
“Sure,” she says.
Not giving her the chance to change her mind, I lead us out of the National Gardens and onto the main road.
Vehicles and cyclists rush past us, creating a noisy atmosphere too loud to hold a conversation. It isn’t until we turn onto another pedestrian path that I finally try to alleviate the awkwardness that settled during the short walk.
“I’m twenty-five,” I tell her the age I always use when speaking with humans. “And as you know, I live in Greece. And I am also a fan of architecture.”
I make a show of looking lost in thought before adding, “Let’s see... what else might I tell you about myself? Oh, I know. I am a Gemini.”
Darcie stares at me with wide eyes before I finally earn the laugh I had been aiming for.
She shakes her head and grins. “Thank you for all of that riveting information.”
“Of course.” I grin back. “Your turn. What interesting information can you share about yourself?”
Darcie continues to chuckle but soon begins talking.
We spend the remainder of our walk exchanging low-risk facts about ourselves. I learn Darcie is twenty and from Maine, a state in the northeastern part of the United States.
I listen intently as she briefly recounts the events that led her to leave her home two years ago to travel with her father.
“I’m impressed you manage to take courses even while traveling,” I say after she tells me of the courses she’s completed since leaving the States.
Darcie tilts her head forward, letting the long blonde bangs fall into her face. I resist the urge to reach out and tuck them behind her ear.
“It’s not like I really have anything else to do. I’m eager to get back home and start college full-time.”
A pang strikes my chest.
I ignore it.
“When will that be?”
“Not until next fall.” She releases a heavy breath. Then, she changes the subject. “I think I see it.”
She points toward the distant buildings where the top of the Parthenon peeks above their roofs.
She picks up her pace, and I am forced to lengthen my stride to keep up.
We maneuver through the crowd of tourists and walk up the winding path toward the ancient temple. Darcie’s face illuminates as she takes in the ruins ahead of us. The sight of her happiness threatens to stop my heart.
“I’m going to buy a ticket.” She points to the building at the bottom of the hill. “Do you want one?”
“Allow me.” Before she can object, I jog down towards the kiosk selling entrance tickets to the historic temple. Thankfully, the line is short.
Conversing in fluent Greek, I purchase the tickets from the middle-aged woman working the stand.
Minutes later, I return to Darcie’s side. She stands on the far edge of the walkway. I hold out her ticket.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she says. “I can pay for my own ticket.”
She’s still as independent as ever.
I smile. “Consider it a thank you for saving me from touring on my own.”
Thankfully, Darcie does not insist.
We proceed up the mild incline toward the ancient temple. Once or twice, I have to reach out and keep Darcie from slipping.
“Careful. The stone is worn down and slick.”
She steadies herself by grasping my arm tightly. I work to conceal my resulting shiver.
“Thank you,” she breathes with a slight grin. “That would’ve been embarrassing.”
At this distance, I can make out the tiny brown spots freckling her nose. They are unique to Darcie as far as my soulmates go, and I find them adorable.
She clears her throat and drops her hands.
Unwillingly, I release her and take a step back. “Shall we?”
She nods eagerly and proceeds to lead me further up the hill toward the Parthenon.
Our time in the ancient temple is enlightening.
I notice every time Darcie stops to examine something. Even if it is the smallest detail, her keen eyes observe every carved line or speck of marble.
Whereas other tourists focus their attention on the recovered mosaics or statues, Darcie spends a significant amount of time assessing the structural columns and foundations.
Her interest in architecture is obvious. The two of us maintain a decent conversation about the artifacts and structure around us, but I am more than happy to stand back and simply be in her presence.
When the sun reaches its peak, beads of sweat form on Darcie’s forehead. She stands up from her latest surveying stance and wipes the moisture away.
“Ready to go?” I ask, even though the idea of going our separate ways is agonizing.
“Actually…” She gives me a sheepish grin. “Do you mind if we go inside the gift shop? I want to look for a souvenir.”
“Of course not. Lead the way.”
I follow her toward the small building, mesmerized by the sway of her ponytail. The long yellow hair shines in the sunlight. I yearn to reach out and touch the smooth strands.
Enough!
Pull yourself together.
By the time we enter the souvenir shop, I have gained control of myself.
My soul vehemently opposes my restraint, but I refuse to listen to the instinctual part of myself.
It will do more harm than good.
All I want is the chance to get to know Darcie, and I will only permit myself one day to do so.
So, why not make the most of it?
Darcie faces me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “What should I get?”
“Hm…” I move closer to her and pretend to observe the rows of tacky keychains.
My eyes land on one that is a miniature of the Parthenon.
“This one.” I point to the keychain.
Darcie reaches out and grins. “Good choice.”
I step aside as she moves to purchase the trinket.
Surprise hits me as Darcie converses in Greek with the shop employee. Her accent is a little off, but her grammar is flawless.
When she returns, I lift my brows. “You speak Greek?”
“A little.”
“That sounded like more than a little.”
She shrugs. “I’ve been in the country for a while. I thought it would be a good idea to learn.”
With every new thing I learn about Darcie, my admiration and interest continue to grow.
I play a dangerous game by staying around her. With regret, I acknowledge I need to make my exit before I make a mistake I cannot take back.
Dragging my fingers through my hair, I say, “I just remembered that a friend is expecting me in the city within the hour. I completely lost track of time.”
“Oh.” She doesn’t hide her disappointment. “Okay. Well…thank you again for the ticket.”
“Of course.” My eyes flitter over her face. I want to remember every single detail down to the last sun-kissed freckle. “It was nice to meet you.”
“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.”
“Why?”
My gaze trails over her, my eyes starting at the top of her head and ending at the tips of her tennis shoes. “Because you are breathtaking.”
She huffs a self-conscious laugh. “Yeah, right.”
Suddenly, I want nothing more than to convince the young woman in front of me just how lovely she truly is.
I might not be able to cherish her, but I need to know that she will someday be loved by another.
Even if the idea causes acute agony in my soul. I want nothing but the best and fullest life for my One.
I train my steady gaze on her deep blue eyes. “I speak the truth, Darcie. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
You always are.
Her lips part.
I do not regret my words.
I’m happy I got to tell her she’s lovely.
If only once in this lifetime…
Fuck that.
“Would you like to grab a drink with me?” I ask.
Forget leaving.
I told myself I’d allow us one day.
And one full day is what I am going to have.
She licks her lips. “A drink?”
“Or a coffee,” I offer. “Whatever you want.”
I don’t care as long as I get to be around her.
“What about your friend?” Her knowing eyes stare into mine.
“He can wait,” is all I offer in return.
She crosses her arms and looks out toward a crowd of tourists.
Uncertainty swirls in her expression.
I fear she might turn me down.
Then—
“Okay.” Her lips curl shyly. “Let’s do it.”
And my soul soars.