Chapter Thirty-eight

What? Morrisey had been through what humans called hell and expected to just keep going. Farren scowled, folding his arms over his chest. “Like hell you will until you get some rest.”

Morrisey met Farren’s obstinacy in kind, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. Which would’ve worked better if he hadn’t been swaying on his feet. “I can’t rest right now I—”

“You’re falling down exhausted. You can’t accomplish anything without a clear mind. Trust me. I understand the urgency, but we’re both running on fumes and need our wits about us. We’ve got his office bugged, and we’ve got people watching the compound and looking for Asher.”

“I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” Jessa chimed in from her place by the war room TV where she monitored local news. “Remember, I’ve been to Asher’s house of horrors. I know what you’ve been through, as well as what you’re up against. You can’t expect to win against the bastard if you’re not one hundred percent. You might be more powerful, but he’s had a lot more time to practice his skills. Do you even know what skills you possess?”

No. And Farren worried about what they might be. Humans always suspected travelers for their potential. Morrisey could meet and exceed all expectations. Princeps were secretive about their abilities. No telling what Morrisey could be capable of.

“C’mon. We’re sharing a room,” Farren said. “They’re at a premium right now.” He guided Morrisey with a hand on his back. The poor guy stumbled, barely staying upright.

But he allowed Farren to guide him.

Their assigned room was small, possibly used as a craft or bonus room by former tenants, and contained only a mattress placed directly on the floor. Someone had found sheets somewhere, though they were far too large for the double mattress. Who needed luxury just to sleep? Morrisey collapsed onto the mattress, staring at the far wall.

“Get some rest,” Farren said. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

For a few moments, Morrisey remained quiet, then, in a barely audible whisper, said, “Stay.”

“But they need—”

“So do I.” The anguish in Morrisey’s eyes nearly broke Farren’s heart. So much happening, so quickly.

Farren could spare a few minutes. He sat on the mattress beside Morrisey, letting out a groan.

Morrisey cupped Farren’s face in his hands and brought their lips together in the faintest hint of a kiss. Something deep and unfathomable lurked in his dark eyes when he retreated. He gave a brief smile, then returned to Farren’s mouth, tongue plunging inside with unbridled intensity.

“You need rest,” Farren disengaged to say.

“You can be my rest,” Morrisey murmured against Farren’s lips.

Together they sank onto the mattress, Morrisey lying on top. He laced their fingers, placing their joined hands on either side of Farren’s head. “You were right. I am darkness. That’s why my life has been one great big clusterfuck until now.” He kissed Farren again, sweetly, briefly. “I’ve always thought the line ‘you complete me’ was a crock of shit.” Morrisey gave a throaty chuckle. “In our case, it’s literal.”

“The council told you?”

“Light and dark. You’re supposed to keep me from becoming a monster, I think.” Morrisey eased off Farren and turned onto his side, propping his head on his hand. His eyes were clouded—by fatigue or grief? “What if I do? Become a monster, I mean. All this time… Fuck, I’m not even human. I only recently found out about travelers, and when I did, I thought they were evil. But… but I’m one. I’m having to look at everything differently. Instead of thinking about my parents, I’m mentally saying, ‘My human parents.’ It’s so fucked up.”

Farren offered what reassurances he could. “Shh… I’ll help you. Light and dark, remember? You won’t become a monster because I won’t let you.”

“What if something happens to you?”

“Nothing will. Because while I’m looking out for you, you’ll be looking out for me.” The misery in Morrisey’s was heart-wrenching. If only there was some way to ease the burden. But like Morrisey, he’d never been trained to be half of the whole that made up a light/dark pairing. No one had in generations.

“I’m… I’m not human.” Morrisey words came out choked.

“Can I ask a question?”

“Yes.”

“You were adopted young, were you not?”

“Yes.”

“By a couple named James?”

“Yes. It’s all in the records someone looked up on me.”

Oh, so Morrisey knew about the blatant disregard for his privacy. Farren wouldn’t mention Leary’s name now. “The Jameses raised you. Took care of you when you were sick, fed you, clothed you.”

“Yes. They were wonderful parents.”

“Do you consider yourself any less a James because you weren’t born one?”

“No. I…” Morrisey frowned.

”You were brought up as a human, one of the reasons you’re so important to us. Between your upbringing and the implanted memories from the council, you understand each side better than anyone else. Asher might have brought you here for selfish reasons, but in the end, you’ll help us all.”

Morrisey gave a half laugh, half snort. “If it’s up to me to save our race, we’re screwed.”

Farren slowly shook his head back and forth. “Have some faith in yourself. I do.” And so did the other occupants of the house.

“I don’t want to think anymore.” Morrisey rolled back on top of Farren. He devoured Farren’s mouth in a bruising kiss, reaching down to cup Farren’s ass in his hands.

Farren responded in kind. If Morrisey needed rough, Farren could give him rough.

He arched up, pressing his growing hardness against Morrisey’s equally hard cock. He shoved at Morrisey’s shoulder, urging him up.

Confusion in his eyes, Morrisey rose onto his knees.

Farren followed him, yanking the shirt over Morrisey’s head.

With a tired smile, Morrisey kicked off his shoes and wriggled out of his jeans. He’d gone commando. With the weight of two worlds pressing down on them, Farren craved Morrisey’s callused touch, his warm mouth, his lanky body, his tall, thin cock, and the fur on his chest.

Barely taking his eyes from Morrisey, Farren stripped off his own clothes, abandoning them in a pile on the floor. If they’d been meeting for a date, they’d both have showered, not come to bed grimy.

Some things couldn’t be helped.

He and Morrisey came together in a rush of grunts, groans, thrusts, and grinds. Farren kissed every inch of Morrisey’s skin within reach while Morrisey’s held their cocks together in one large hand.

Nothing existed outside of this moment but the two of them. Their auras wrapped around them and each other, light and dark, two incomplete parts meant to form a whole.

Farren gripped Morrisey’s shoulders, losing himself in the feeling of being with someone he actually wanted instead of a pick-up intended to temporarily scratch an itch.

If only he’d thought to bring condoms and lube. As much as he enjoyed the contact, Farren would enjoy Morrisey filling his body even more.

And then their minds connected, Farren losing track of what was Morrisey and what belonged to him. He caught bits and pieces of what must be Morrisey’s thoughts, a maddening swirl of emotions.

Farren no longer felt his body. Morrisey filled him, surrounded him, covered him.

Completed him. A small part of Farren’s consciousness screamed at him to stop, that Morrisey didn’t know what he was doing, didn’t understand the significance of leaving his mind so totally unguarded. Another part of Farren hoped Morrisey did know, for there was no way to stop, no way to deny the marvelous intimacy Farren craved for much longer than he’d realized.

Farren and Morrisey joined as completely as anyone could—human or traveler. In those moments, nothing remained hidden. Farren saw Morrisey’s captivity, felt the soul-wrenching fear, while Morrisey likely saw the moment Aluxi became Farren Austen.

Nothing hidden.

Pressure built, bringing Farren back to his body, Morrisey’s stubble abrading Farren’s face, muttered near-words spoken in a chant, the way Morrisey sped his thrusts.

They both hovered on the edge. “Let go,” Farren murmured.

Morrisey squeezed his eyes closed. He grunted, thrust one more time, and held. Farren’s body convulsed, his cum mingling with Morrisey’s on his abs.

Darkness descended, clutching Farren in a nearly painful grasp. “Morrisey?” Light burst around them, enveloping them in its glow, driving back the sudden darkness.

Images played in Farren’s mind, bits and pieces of Morrisey’s life, his childhood, and on back to memories Morrisey likely didn’t consciously remember of his time in Domus. Two Princeps held a spawn, their wings outspread in a protective gesture. Tenebris, one hissed.

Slowly, Farren came back to himself, the fully realized bond now pulsing between him and Morrisey. The glow faded, though a low, thrumming energy remained. Farren’s parents had tried to communicate what a bond felt like, but nothing prepared him for this rightness, like he’d found a part he’d been missing.

He rested in Morrisey’s arms on a mattress on the floor, catching his breath, while Morrisey ran gentle fingers along Farren’s spine.

To men, two travelers, a Magestra and a Princeps, joined for all eternity.