Morpheus

She had cried for the better part of the night, finally falling asleep from exhaustion. We all sat gathered in their main hall trying to find a way to save both Brandon and Deimos while she slept.

"He told her to let him go," I told them as I recounted the conversation she had with them. "Deimos doesn't expect to survive this."

"How do we know this isn't just another one of his tricks to lure her to him?" Victor growled. "I know she cares for him, but I can't forget all he's done quite so easily."

I sighed, "He told her how to kill him. When Erebus takes on Deimos's form, he will be vulnerable. With all your combined magic, you can actually kill him, but to do that, you have to bind him to that form. That means Deimos will cease to exist once his form does."

"Wait, he's not going to be trapped in Brandon like you and Sean were, is he?" North asked.

"No, I wasn't trapped, neither of us were," Sean said. "Once you kill Kaylie, Brandon won't be a hollow, and that will cause Deimos to be expelled. He will essentially be a spirit with nowhere to go."

"Where does an incubus go? I mean...is there a heaven or hell for them, like Fae have the Summerlands or we have Valhalla and Helheim?" Nate asked.

I shook my head, "I have no idea. I suppose it might depend on what his beliefs were in his human life. Then again, it might simply be that he just vanishes into nothingness. The possibilities are infinite really."

"What happens to Erebus, his form, I mean?" Owen asked.

"To enter the shell, he has to release his own form. Since he is the God of Shadow and Darkness, it will simply disperse without the host to hold it together. It's essentially what the Void attempted to do to Jewel," Victor told him.

"Couldn't he just reform?" Owen countered.

"If she traps and binds him in Deimos's shell, he dies with the shell. He can't escape," I responded.

"There isn't any way to save him, is there?" Gabe asked solemnly. I looked down avoiding their gazes. "In all the possibilities, you can't even see one, can you?"

"No, I can't."

"Can we give them one more time together?" Luke asked quietly. "With all our magic, is there some way to give them more than just the brief visit they had last night? A chance to say their goodbyes."

"I can create a dream pocket. It might be best if I made two - one for them, and then maybe one for North and Brandon. Otherwise, Brandon might feel a bit awkward," I blushed as some of them chuckled.

"I will never turn down time with my husband, especially now," North said. "What do you need us to do?"

"Luke's right, we will need to pool our magic. It might not hurt to have some of the children stand watch. Their familial bonds will act as anchors for all of you." I snapped my fingers and made her appear in my arms, still asleep. "I will stay in physical contact with her here. Laying in my arms is enough since I can't be killed."

"The kids are on their way and several are already here," Kota said. "Do they need to be in the room or just nearby?"

"Within the palace would be best, but they don't have to be in the room," I answered. "I'm not sure if anyone other than North and I will actually fall asleep, but stay in the area. If you do feel sleepy, please don't fight it. I'll be pulling from all of you to give them time."

One by one they placed a kiss on her head or forehead before settling in. North laid down next to us, his hand holding hers gently as he closed his eyes. I wasn't entirely sure how this would work, but for both their sakes, I had to try.

Deimos

One minute I was talking to Brandon, the next I was in a brilliantly green clearing staring at the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. "Eveleen?" She spun around and made a squeaking sound then threw herself into my arms. Her body shook as she quietly cried. "Shh, pet, it's okay, you're safe," I told her, running my hands through her silvery hair. "Do you know where we are?"

She lifted her eyes to mine and gave a sad smile, "Callieach's grove. Morpheus and the others, they sent us here...to say goodbye." I blinked in surprise. They did this for us? "We can't figure out a way to save you," she sniffled. "I...I'm sorry."

I lifted her chin, "Don't. You have nothing to be sorry for. I on the other hand have so many things to apologize for. I have taken so much from you, and forced your family into this horrible situation because of my own obsession and blind anger. Please forgive me, pet, please." Without saying a word, she slammed her lips against mine. My hands tangled in her hair as I pressed her lips apart with my tongue. Somehow we knelt and ended up on the carpet of soft grass, her body underneath mine. Tears fell from her hypnotic eyes as I covered her skin with kisses. "I love you," I breathed against her skin, trailing my lips lower.

She gasped when my tongue slid across her folds, then moaned, "Daniel."

"Again, pet," I mumbled against her clit, "Say it again."

"Daniel, please don't stop," she whined, her hips bucking, fingers digging into my scalp as I began thrusting my fingers inside her warmth. She cried out, making unintelligible sounds with only my name making sense as if she were praying. Her body began to tremble as she came, filling my mouth as I continued to desperately lap at her. Her fingers tugged, pulling me up to her mouth, "Make love to me, Daniel." I searched her eyes for any doubts when she kissed me then said, "I'm asking, my love, please."

I groaned as I slid inside of her, never looking away from those haunting eyes. I felt my own tears form. I'd spent my entire existence waiting for her and now I had to let her go. Our bodies moved in tandem as we explored every inch. My first orgasm came so hard and fast that it surprised me as I panted. When she giggled and flipped us over, I growled, then slammed her hips down making her take all of me at once. Her squeals were music to my soul. I lost count of how many orgasms we both had.

She was lying on my chest, playing with my hair when she looked up. "I love you. I love you as Deimos or as Daniel. I forgive you." She sat up, straddling my lap, and slid onto my cock. She then placed her hand over the claim tattoo, and whispered, "You are mine. Nothing can take you from me, not even death." It felt like a rush of desire flooding through us. I could only compare it to the way my essence would flood us over the years she spent in my realm. When her hips began to grind on me, I lost all control and felt myself shift slightly. She let out a cry as my claws dug into her skin, and then her gaze met mine as she smirked. Her lips trailed along my neck as I moaned.

Then I yelped...

She bit me.

My eyes widened as I felt a flood of emotions and then my chest hurt as I felt the bond form. This was so much more than the blood bond. It was like I was watching her life - every moment, joy, sadness - everything. Letting my instincts take over, I bit down on her neck and felt a snapping sensation as the soulbond completed fully. We both released our bites as I roared and felt myself flooding into her once again. Her eyes shimmered and I watched as the claim mark exploded with dozens of red blooms surrounding a single white one. "I love you, Eveleen," I breathed as I felt a tugging and realized our time was short. "I'm yours, always yours."

Her tears fell as she nodded, "I love you too, Daniel and I'm yours forever." Our lips met for a few moments longer before I felt the coldness of my current cage return.

I sank to my knees, sobbing as I felt Brandon's hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, man," he said quietly.

"So am I," I choked, "so am I."

Author's Notes:  :(