Chapter Thirty-Four

August

Putting Nova in front of a mirror, bouncing on my cock, was hands down the best idea I’d had in my life. Seeing my dick disappear in her pussy had been erotic itself, but seeing her watch our bodies through the mirror had been fucking perfect. Spellbound, she couldn’t look away as she moaned and rode me. Gaze hooded, lips parted, she was a sight to behold as she reached her peak. I fell right into Nirvana with her.

I went from contemplating the pace of intimacy with my soulmate to immediately throwing ourselves into a frenzy. There was an urgency inside me to enjoy all that I could. When trouble came again, we didn’t know how long it would stay around.

She sagged against me, and I rolled her nipple between my fingers. I softened inside her, but didn’t feel rushed to pull out. I fixated on her lovely reflection in the mirror, enjoying the contrast of our skin. Her dark skin was fucking beautiful pressed against me. She was right where she belonged.

“Tired,” she breathed out as her head lolled against my neck.

“I’ll let you rest,” I said, and with regret, I pulled out and offered to take her to the bathroom. Instead, she went alone. I watched her ass sashay away and couldn’t keep the smile off my face. When she returned, I materialized a warm cloth and cleaned her up again despite her doing so. I just wanted to care for her. She squealed when I gathered her close to me and buried my face in the crook of her neck.

As we lay there, the peace settled inside me. I didn’t think of what was coming. I hadn’t thought of anything beyond Nova since the moment I dematerialized our clothes. For a little longer, I thought. Just a little longer . Let us have a moment before someone steals another from us . We lost so much because of Harvest. Even as he lay trapped beneath us in the castle, he still took from us as the end neared.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Holding her tighter, I said, “I love you, too.”

_____

I woke up powerless, and that disrupted the peace we had. I rubbed my chest as I stared at Nova, sleeping. Her frizzy hair draped over the pillow, and she had pushed the blanket down, revealing two mouthwatering pert tits. Even though I no longer had powers, I found a reason to smile. I was a lucky man.

Kitty barged into the room. I pulled the blanket over Nova’s breasts and glared at my sister. Before I could ask her to knock next time, I saw her tears and my insides tensed with dread. I knew what was wrong.

“You need to come. It’s Dad,” she murmured. Without another word, she ran out.

Nova sat up slowly, watching me as I stood. “Are you okay?”

I held my hand out for her, and she took it. “We knew it would happen.”

“That’s not what I asked.” Nova pulled away to put on some clothes. Once we dressed, she murmured, “I know how hard it is to lose loved ones.”

I cupped her cheek. “We’ve not lost him yet.”

“August…”

“He’s not dying. He’s fading away.”

Her forehead crinkled . “What does that mean for you guys, exactly?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

But I hoped it differed from death, like Dad believed. To imagine him vanishing as if he never existed twisted my insides all the same. Wasn’t it the same in the end? Gone was still gone.

“Nova, my family can’t fall apart now. We can’t . Reapers don’t get that luxury. This isn’t how it ends. We didn’t get reunited just to be torn apart by my fading away. Dad wouldn’t want any of us to be separated from our mates.”

My chest tightened as I thought of Mom. I witnessed love my whole life because of them. Oh, fuck! I ran my fingers through my hair and tugged until my scalp stung. “How did I never think of what this would do to Mom?”

“You can’t take on every burden. You have a family to rely on,” Nova reminded me, like she knew it was something I needed to hear. “But we can’t stay here. We need to get to your father.”

Taking her hand, we hurried downstairs. The family gathered in the family slash meeting room. Dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he sat on the couch. Crying, Mom sat on the floor in front of him, gripping his thighs tightly. Except for the echoes of heartache and cries, the room was completely silent.

I felt a knot of unease in my stomach as I watched Dad slowly fade away . He was like paper, being blown away by the wind. He shattered into fragments resembling tiny wings. His right side had disappeared. Although most of his face had faded and lost its color, he still gave Mom a half smile.

“It’s okay, love,” he whispered.

“You promised me eternity,” she said through tears and hiccups.

My sisters were sobbing. I didn’t dare blink.

“We never stay apart for long,” he uttered. “Our goodbyes never last.”

Using his remaining hand, Dad gently pressed his palm against Mom’s cheek. “But on the chance that I’m wrong, know that an eternity wouldn’t have been enough with you. I would have wanted more.”

When Mom wept harder, I lowered my head, unable to watch her.

Dad’s voice sounded like thunder even as he scattered to pieces. “I expect you to continue fighting as if I’m still here. I know everyone is tired and hurting, but it’s not just about us. If the Devil walks through that portal when it opens, what’s left of the humans are done for and you’ll just be… gone. ”

With one last smile, Dad added. “Take care of each other and please watch over your mother for me.”

The Grim Reaper faded in front of his family.

Crying, Kitty bolted out the door. Nova’s hug became the anchor of hope I desperately sought. For as long as I had her, I couldn’t let the family disappear.

I didn’t know how long we stood there mourning. Minutes or an hour. The time was up when the castle shook beneath my feet.