Long Awaited

Chapter 5

I blinked a few times, not fully grasping if Ajak's words had reached my ears correctly. How could soulmates possibly explain my presence here? "Soulmates? You mean the person you're destined to be with. Why on earth would you bring that up?" I stammered; my confusion evident.

Then, as if a mental switch had finally flipped inside my head, the pieces clicked together, and I found myself realizing the inconceivable. "No, no, no. This has to be some kind of a joke," I muttered in disbelief. In an instant, I shot up from where I had been leaning on Ikaris's chest, ready to bolt for the exit if need be.

Druig shot me a smug look and chimed in, "Well, if you're envisioning a romantic triangle with you, Ikaris, and wedding bells..." I responded with a not-so-subtle vulgar gesture, desperately hoping he'd get the hint and keep quiet. "Aww, that's cute, but I don't think Ikaris wouldn't like the two of us to-you know," he added with a smirk.

In a blink, Druig found himself slammed against the wall, a soft whine escaping him. Ikaris wasted no time lifting him off the ground, his expression far from jovial, and I couldn't tell if it was a mere jest or if Ikaris was genuinely ready to unleash his fury upon Druig.

The liquid gold glow in Ikaris's eyes intensified. "Touch what's mine, and you'll never find your soulmate," he growled, leaving me momentarily stunned. Before I could even protest about being claimed as 'his' once again, Gilgamesh and Sersi intervened, attempting to defuse the escalating tension.

"Druig, you're not helping, and it's a tad more complicated than that, Freya," Sersi explained, while Gilgamesh tried to persuade Ikaris to release Druig from his grip.

"I don't know. I think Druig managed to succeed in making Ikaris royally pissed," Sprite remarked casually, as Druig sat in silence, ignoring any reprimands or acknowledgements thrown his way. "I would have to agree with you on that Sprite." Dane and Kingo merely laughed at Druig's defeated face.

"Indeed, I would also agree," Thena chimed in, a laugh bubbling up from within her.

Ajak chuckled, setting the stage for her tale. "You see, we Eternals each have only one soulmate – our other half, if you will. Someone to love, care for, and protect with our lives. But it's not just about loving someone after getting to know them; it's a challenge to put it into words..." Ajak paused, and Ikaris joined us on the couch, pulling me close once again.

I wanted to shift, but he had different plans, leaning into my neck, surprising me with a deep inhale of my scent, all while continuing for Ajak. "The feelings are profound, deeper than common love. When we find our soulmate, it's all-consuming; we adore everything about them – their scent, the sound of their voice – instantly recognizing it's them. Just being near them feels like floating on cloud nine."

"That's why being apart from our soulmates can be agonizing, especially if they're hurt or in need," Sersi's voice snapped me back, realizing she was in Dane's arms.

"But, as you just witnessed with Ikaris, we're fiercely protective and defensive about our soulmates," Gilgamesh declared, chuckling. "Men have always been more so then the women."

"Yet, we'd do anything to make them happy and please them. Plus, Eternals can't harm their soulmates or each other's. Oh, and we can spot each other's soulmates with just a glance," Kingo chimed in from his seat.

Almost forgetting the fact that Ikaris was practically breathing down my neck, he moved back up toward my ear, a smile playing on his lips as he whispered, "And if you hadn't figured it out yet, love, you just so happen to be my soulmate – my perfectly beautiful and better half."

"No! No, no, no, and no." I jumped to my feet, attempting to clear my head from what this man was saying and the unfamiliar feelings he stirred. Dating and love had been foreign concepts to me, always deemed pointless amid my studies and career.

But there was something about this man, Ikaris, that awakened feelings I had long forgotten. It was the kind of connection I used to daydream about—a soulmate, like those characters in fantasy romance novels I devoured in my youth.

As I sighed, I turned to meet Ikaris's gaze. His deep blue eyes locked onto mine as I shared my honest thoughts with him. "You know, when I was younger, I used to dream of finding a soulmate. Someone who would sweep me off my feet, whose love would endure, and who would cherish me with all their heart. Someone who wouldn't just walk away. But now... Now, I couldn't care less. I had to grow up and face the reality that I might never find him."

Ikaris's eyes looked pained, and whether it was for me or because of me, I may never know. Just as he was about to speak, I turned to address everyone in the room. Despite the nervous knot in my stomach, I spoke my mind without any hesitation finding my emotions deep within, as I always had, or I'd probably be sobbing in a little ball on the floor right now.

"Look, I can't focus on soulmates and Eternals or whatever you call this right now. I moved to London to escape from things like this..." Inhaling deeply, I continued, "I have to go home in a few hours for my dad's wedding, which I would also have to get through." Groaning at the mere thought of my dad coming to the UK to search for me—if he wasn't already here. "Dane, phone, please. I need to call my dad." Dane fished through his pockets until he handed me the device.

"Freya, I don't think you should tell your dad..."

"Don't worry, Sersi. I doubt anybody would believe me about any of this." I gestured to everyone in the room. "I hardly believe it myself."

I dialed my dad's number and brought the phone to my ear as it began to ring. However, I was met with my dad's voicemail, which I promptly ended before it could start. Taking a deep breath, I entered another number—the one of somebody who always seemed to subconsciously answer his phone.

Bringing the phone to my ear for the second time, I hoped it would be answered. And it was, within less than the first ring. "Hello, who is this?" The familiar voice on the other end made me sigh in relief.

"Hi Happy, it's Freya. I don't suppose my dad or Pep is next to you right now?"