The sky brightened slowly as Cullen sprawled himself at the foot of the bed, his chin dropping to rest on his hands while he watched that blazing sunrise begin to spread across the rocky landscape. Long strips of red spilled over those short mountains, sending the world into bloody shadows. Cullen found himself smiling softly at the sight, something warm swelling in his chest when he remembered that he’d chosen to stay in this dark, lovely place. This was home now.
But the word still brought back old memories of a dim dorm room with a leaky window and a broken bathroom lock. A warm smile from Dom over breakfast and Walker laughing at some shitty joke from their friends. The power of the heavens rolling through his veins and coming out in powerful bursts of light…
Slowly, he raised his hand in front of him, letting the shadows flow free from him, several of them growing and swirling until they mixed with each other as if they were playing tag. Wild things, shadows. Almost as if they had amind of their own. He liked it much more than the powers of the heavens. It felt…easier. Right.
He let the shadows fall away, tucking his hand back under his chin again as the bloody light spilled across his face.
I think you should talk to him.
Leviathan’s words had been shocking, to say the least. Even if Cullen might have wanted to…might have thought it was important to talk to Walker one last time…to say goodbye… He never would have thought Leviathan would let him. Would encourage him.
And, though they had become quite distracted after that conversation last night, Cullen found that he agreed with him. Whatever was left of that human life…he needed to close it off from his heart. Needed to give Dom and Walker their own closure, he was sure. Even if Walker…
He shook the anger that threatened to bloom away, frowning at the sun. He never would have guessed Walker just…didn’t love him. He’d thought he was a little indifferent, maybe, or just didn’t show things quite as much as Cullen would have liked…but to not love him at all…
It doesn’t matter.He reminded himself silently.We’ve both moved on now.But the tears on Walker’s face had made it obvious that there were still…things that needed to be said. Though he wasn’t quite sure what they were anymore.
And with Dom…Dom who had raised him, albeit haphazardly, darting in and out of his life, away on missions for days or sometimes even weeks at a time… He’d still taken him off the street when his parents had died. When he’d been starving and on the verge of death–or worse, if he’d gotten desperate enough for money. Dom deserved closure too. Cullen had to thank him at the very least…
His chest gave a tight squeeze at the thought of goodbyes. He wasn’t looking forward to them. Wasn’t sure how todothem. But he would. As soon as Leviathan was willing to take him back.
His name brought memories from last night rushing back to him, his face warming at the way they’d kissed, the way they’d fucked. The way that Leviathan had, in his own twisted way, proposed to him. Had bound their souls.
And Cullen had let him. Had wanted it. Had let him scoop his heart right out of his fucking chest and wrap a bewitched necklace around it before shoving it back in… He’d kissed his heart. Had licked it. Cullen had as well, the darkness swooping down over him in a dangerous, intense wave that had made him rock hard and desperate for both sex and blood…
He shuddered away from the thought now, wincing at the memory, at how insane he’d gone at the sight of Leviathan with a pounding heart in his hand. He hadn’t thought he was so…dark. Wasn’t sure why he evenwasso dark, demon body aside. But, clearly, whatever had caused that stain on his soul, it matched Leviathan’s perfectly, so he wouldn’t overthink it too hard.
His hand lowered, moving to rest over his thrumming heart. He could feel it there. That cursed pendant. Could feel the chain squeeze his heart, could feel the thrum of the power that rolled off it and feel the pulse of Leviathan’s own dark soul in his blood. He’d been too blood crazed to notice it last night, that strange staticky connection that sang through his chest, but it was so verytherenow. He could sense Leviathan through it. Sense how very close he was, his body just starting to stir awake. He could feel his soul wrapped around his own, like a warm glove fitted perfectly to his hand.
He could feel the affection and the feelings Leviathan hadfor him through it as well.
It felt very much like…love.
Just as he had the thought, Leviathan’s lips came down at the base of his spine, his body slowly coming down to cover his as he spread slow kisses up his back. Cullen smiled sleepily at the sun, shifting a bit as Leviathan wound his arms around him, his face pressing into his neck with a soft sigh.
“How long have you been up overthinking?” He asked softly, kissing his throat.
“Not long.” He murmured, smiling at the warmth that washed over him. “Just a few minutes really.”
He made a soft sound and nuzzled him again. “Have you made up your mind about going to see them?”
“I have.” He whispered, his smile wilting. “I think you’re right. It is important.” Leviathan nodded and Cullen frowned, hesitating. “You can come with. We could…explain…”
He snorted softly. “Let’s not pretend something like that would work, pet. I will wait for you in the shadows, but I will not play happy family for you.”
“Jerk.” He muttered, though of course he was right. There would never be a way for a civil talk between them all. Besides, a clean break was best. A quick, heartfelt goodbye…with eternity stretched out before him when he came back. “Can we go tonight?”
“As long as you’re ready.” He shifted, rubbing his erection against his ass. Cullen grinned.
“Already?”
“Maybe.”
He laughed and brought his hands down on his, pulling his arms even tighter around him. “I’m ready.”
“For me or for the visit?” He murmured, shifting against him again.
“Both.” He purred.
