Strange Fates

Chapter 3: What Now?

The four of you walked back to the house together. Haley and Jackson had taken the lead while you had fallen back to walk beside your soulmate. Elijah kept his hands behind his back and would occasionally smile in your direction. Haley kept smirking over her shoulder and between the two of them you were feeling more than a little self-conscious.

Once you arrived back at your house, the Kenners left after promising again to get you the estimates in a day or two. And after one last smirk from Haley of course. Suddenly alone with the stranger that fate said was yours, you felt more awkward than you'd thought possible. Perhaps he was just as uncertain as you as he wasn't speaking either. You sucked in a breath and grasped onto every thread of courage you possessed.

You licked your lips. "Would you like to come in for some coffee?" you offered.

He smiled. "I would love to be invited into your home."

You nodded and led the way to the door. After unlocking it, you stepped inside and left it open behind you. "You can come in," you offered without looking back. You preferred some distance between the two of you in case your protections on the house kicked in. When he entered unscathed, some of the tension flowed from you. At least you could be sure that he meant you no harm.

You didn't say a word or even look at him while you prepared coffee for the both of you. Only when you sat the mug in front of him did you meet his gaze. "Cream or sugar?"

He shook his head. How had you known he was the black coffee type? "We should discuss where we go from here," he said after taking a sip from his mug and giving a nod of approval.

Your attention shifted to your fingers where they traced the rim of your mug. "To be honest I was beginning to wonder if this was even in the cards for me. My life hasn't exactly been normal."

Elijah chuckled and you looked up in surprise. "I assure you that however long you have been awaiting me, my wait was infinitely longer. I have been waiting a very long time for you."

"Why do I feel like I should apologize? I have a feeling I'm not what you were expecting." He had no idea what he was getting himself into with you.

"On the contrary, I think you will be so much more than I even hoped for."

His words had heat rushing through you. You couldn't remember someone ever saying something similar to you before. Over and over you were told you weren't enough. That you didn't measure up. And here was this gorgeous specimen sitting at your table, drinking your coffee and telling you that you were more. Damn, if you hadn't already been attracted to him, that would have done it for sure.

"Thank you," you managed to get out though the words were quiet.

He made a sound of agreement as he reached over and covered one of your hands with his. Your eyes were once again drawn to his now complete soulmark. "May I see?" he asked.

You frowned, not sure what he was asking.

The corner of his mouth kicked up in a smirk. "Your mark. I have wished to see my mark on another's skin for many years."

You bit your lip as you fought the desire to refuse him. After all, it was a simple request, but as with everything else in your life, nothing could be simple with you. You turned your arm so the completed mark was clearly visible along with the extra dots. You kept your gaze on him, waiting for his reaction.

His eyes softened and his tongue traced his bottom lip. He traced the mark with his fingers, back and forth. A soft smile crossed his face and you couldn't help smiling in response. After a bit, he looked up, still smiling. "What does it mean? The extra dots?"

You shrugged, feeling embarrassed though you weren't certain why. It wasn't your doing. "I have no idea. No one has been able to tell me with any certainty though there have been many guesses."

"Such as?"

"Some think it means my mate will die, others that I will have multiple mates, and still others that think my soulmate will reject me so I am in need of backups."

Elijah huffed. "Not bloody likely. I have waited a millennia for you. I don't intend to let you go now."

Relief flooded through you even as you tilted your head to study him. He seemed so sincere, you weren't certain if he was exaggerating the timeframe or not. Your instincts were screaming not and they tended to be accurate. Well, this soulmate thing could prove to be far more interesting than you thought it would be. "So, what now, Mr. Mikaelson?"

"I would like to take you on a date. This evening if you're available." He leaned back in his chair, removing his touch from your arm as he did so. You couldn't help feeling a tad disappointed at the loss of contact.

"I would like that."

He nodded and stood swiftly. "Six o'clock then. I will pick you up here."

"Of course." Almost as soon as you had finished speaking, he was up and out the door. You blinked after him for a moment then pulled out your phone to text Cami. Busy?

***

It didn't take you long to find the shopping center where Cami agreed to meet you for lunch and shopping. Even still, she was already seated at a table when you arrived. The two of you made small talk until you ordered your food. Once the waiter left, she turned to you and clasped her hands together on the table. "Okay, you literally just got to town. How do you have a date already?"

You cleared your throat. "I, um, I kind of met my soulmate."

Her brows shot up as she bounced a bit in her seat. "What? That's amazing. How did you meet him? Where? Who is it?"

Unable to help yourself, you chuckled at her enthusiasm. "He stopped to talk to Jackson and Haley this morning and the rest, as they say, is history."

"Okay," she drew out the word. "What's his name?"

You shook your head, not certain if you wanted to tell anyone yet. Or if he wanted you to. "His name is Elijah." Surely the first name wouldn't hurt. What could she get out of that? There had to be dozens of them in the city.

Cami suddenly went very still. "Mikaelson?"

Or maybe she'd know exactly who you were talking about the moment you said the name. "Yes, actually."

"Your soulmate is Elijah Mikaelson? The Elijah Mikaelson?"

"You're starting to worry me here. Is there something I should know?"

She shook her head. "No. Nothing like that. I'm just surprised is all. The Mikaelsons...well, I should let you form your own opinion. But Elijah, he's the best of them all. You could have done much worse in that family, trust me."

Her words played through your head as the two of you ate then did your shopping. What exactly were you getting yourself into here?

***

By the time you finished spending the day with Cami you didn't have nearly the time you wanted to get ready for your date. At least you didn't have to decide what to wear as that was the whole point of your afternoon with your new friend. It was just before six when there was a knock on the door. You finished swiping on your lipstick, smoothed your hands down your dress and took a deep breath.

You opened the door with a smile on your face. Elijah had his back turned as he looked out over the street. He turned when he heard the door. His smile morphed into something more genuine as his gaze ran over you from head to foot. "You look amazing."

Your face heated and you dropped your gaze before meeting his eye again. "Thank you. So do you." And he did. He was wearing a perfectly tailored three piece gray suit with a burgundy tie and looked even more stunning than he had earlier. You weren't certain what you had done for the fates to decide that this was the man for you but you were super grateful for whatever it was.

Amusement flashed through his eyes and you wondered if your thoughts were that evident. Or maybe you were drooling. You wiped a thumb along your lip on the pretense of checking your lipstick. No drool. Thank God. You didn't miss the way Elijah's gaze followed the movement. He cleared his throat and offered you an arm. "Shall we?"