“No! Not Connor! Is there anything I can do—”
Haziel gazed at him with compassion. “I’m afraid not. You, on the other hand, will be rewarded for saving Connor and sacrificing your life in exchange for his.”
“A reward? What kind of a reward?”
“Anything your heart desires.”
Hartwell became speechless for a moment. “Then I’m going to claim my reward now.”
Haziel grinned. “I have a feeling you’ll do that. Speak.”
“Stop Connor. He’s such a gentle soul. I don’t want him to turn into a malevolent spirit, especially not because of me. Let Bridget be punished for her evil deed, but spare Connor from his fate.”
Haziel beamed at him. “Are you sure you don’t want to wish for something else?”
“Absolutely.”
Haziel nodded. “All right. I promise I’ll get Connor away from here. You need to leave, though. The light is waiting for you. Go home to Luna’s embrace. She’s very proud of you, and she can’t wait to welcome you home.”
Hartwell took one final look at the mortal world. Everything and everyone in the forest had been frozen in place. He shed one last tear for Connor. “I love you now and forever, Connor. Live well, my love. I’ll see you soon.”
Then he smiled at Haziel before he headed into the bright light. After that, he couldn’t remember anything else.
* * * *
Harley opened his eyes, and was taken aback to realize he was crying for real. He also inhaled Connor’s unique scent, a mixture of lilies and something earthy. He found himself resting in Connor’s embrace, with them lying face to face and on their sides. Well, it wasn’t exactly face to face. After all, he was a short man. His face was pressed against parts of Connor’s neck and hairy chest. He almost snickered in amusement when he felt Connor’s hard cock pulsing as precum leaked onto his legs, even though his boyfriend was asleep.
He and Connor had returned home from the auction the day before feeling strangely lethargic. As a result, they had spent the remainder of the day at home, cuddling on the couch and watching some of their favorite TV shows. He had informed Gina about the successful acquisition of the athame, and she had been ecstatic. He had also told her about the final price before the two of them discussed his fees for the assignment. Unfortunately, she was in Austin, Texas, and wouldn’t be able to get the athame from him until she returned to San Francisco the following week. He agreed to keep it safe until she could take it home.
“Why are you awake, baby?”
Connor’s raspy, husky voice startled Harley out of his reverie. “I had a weird dream.”
Connor immediately looked more alert. “What dream?”
“I saw the angel of death, but it didn’t make sense. She claimed her name was Haziel. It was a bunch of bullshit. Death is a man, isn’t he?”
Connor’s eyes widened further. “No. The angel of death is a woman, and her name is Haziel.”
“The angel in my dream had huge white, feathery wings, but the tip of each feather was black, and glittered. They reminded me of—”
“Shining stars in the midnight sky.”
Harley gaped in surprise. “Uh, yes. Something like that. She was extremely beautiful. It’s the kind of pretty that can be considered as unearthly and ethereal.”
“I know.”
Harley was greatly astonished. “Haziel is the real angel of death?”
“Yeah.”
“Holy shit! Wow!”
“What or who else was inside your dream?”
“Bridget.”
“The witch in the story?”
“Yes. She was gorgeous, but for some reason, she felt ugly. I think it was her personality that turned me off. Oh, and Hartwell was stabbed by the athame in the chest. Then you…” Harley hesitated for a second or two before nodding. “You were there. I think…I think you and Hartwell were lovers.” Harley’s heart ached. “Is it possible that you and Hartwell used to be lovers for real in the past?”
Connor eventually shook his head. “Impossible. I would have remembered something like that.”
Harley wasn’t fully convinced, but Connor was an angel, and Harley didn’t think an angel would ever lose his or her memories, especially when they were associated with such a traumatic event. “You’re right. I’m probably overthinking.”
“Of course,” Connor said before waggling his eyebrows. “But now that we’re both awake, I think we need to do something to pass the time.”
Harley gulped. He knew what Connor wanted. “Like what?”
Connor chuckled before he pressed his lips against Harley’s. Soon, they were lost in the taste and feel of each other as their tongues dueled for dominance. The kisses deepened as the passion mounted higher. Harley pushed all thoughts about his dream to the back of his mind and focused on Connor. Making love with him was so much more pleasurable anyway.
* * * *
After lunch, Connor suggested they spend the afternoon cuddling on the couch while enjoying a few episodes of their favorite television series. He was delighted when Harley agreed to it immediately. But his delight came from the knowledge that while Harley was focused on the shows, he could think about what he had learned earlier that morning.
They were almost done watching another two episodes when Harley abruptly spoke up. “Babe, I have a question about Cynthia, Rose, and Gary.”
Connor, lying on his side and behind Harley, kissed the top of his head before tightening his embrace. “What about them?”
“They had been sent to the underworld, right? So are they being judged at the moment?”
“Not yet,” Connor replied, wondering where the conversation was leading. “The journey will take forty-nine days. I’ve told you that before.”
“Right, but let’s assume they’ve all arrived in the underworld. And let’s also pretend each of them has committed only one wrongdoing in his or her entire lifetime.”
Connor snorted. “Extremely unlikely, but I’ll play along.”
Harley scooted backward and fidgeted as he obviously tried to get into a more comfortable position while sticking close to Connor. “Who will be punished more heavily?”
Connor snickered. “I don’t know for sure, babe. See, here’s something you need to understand. You can’t compare karmic retribution to the kind of justice humans are used to. Gary has a negative karma for murdering Cynthia, but so does Rose for avenging her lover by taking her husband’s life. Killing someone will taint your karma. It doesn’t matter what your reasoning is, according to the mortals’ standards.”
“So, Cynthia is the innocent party—”
Connor scoffed. “As if. When she was alive, she had an affair with a married woman.”
“She might not have known that at the beginning.”
“But more than likely she would have known about it later. So Cynthia will be punished in hell for a whole different reason.”
Harley turned toward him, a horrified expression on his face. “Is there no forgiveness for her based on the way she died?”
Connor shook his head. “The idea of divine mercy is a mortal way of consoling him or herself. Karma is absolute. Trust me, babe. I’ve existed for thousands of years. I know what I’m talking about. Karmic retribution is a matter of timing. If a human doesn’t get his or her comeuppance while alive, they will in the underworld.”
“What if the soul tries to escape?”
Connor laughed. “That’s the most hilarious joke ever. When a soul reaches the underworld, there’s no way to get out before all of his or her karma has been accounted for and the subsequent reward or payback has been doled out.”
“The underworld sounds terrifying.”
“Not if you’ve been living like a saint. Or if you have more positive karma than negative. Only bad people should be frightened of hell.”
Harley nodded before inhaling deeply. “I think we need to change the topic. This is getting depressing.”
Connor chuckled. “O
kay.”
“Should we go on a date tonight?”
“Aren’t we doing that now?” Connor countered with a teasing tone.
Harley narrowed his eyes. “Funny!”
“Were you being sarcastic?”
Harley rolled his eyes. “Duh!”
Harley’s reaction amused Connor. “You can be a little shit at times. Do you know that?”
“It takes one to know one.”
Connor guffawed. “Asshole.”
“Jerk.”
“But you love me anyway.”
Harley’s cheeks reddened. “You must be delusional.”
Connor pretended to look wounded. “You don’t love me?”
“Never said that.”
“So, you’re in love with me then?”
“Never said that either.”
Harley’s shy expression tickled Connor. “It’s fine. You just have to remember that I’m very much in love with you.”
Harley gaped. “You are?”
“With all my heart and soul.”
Harley didn’t react for a few seconds. Then he shifted around his whole body and buried his face against Connor’s chest.
Connor couldn’t catch what sounded like a single word Harley had mumbled at a rapid pace. He rubbed Harley’s cheek before pushing his boyfriend’s face away from his chest. “Babe, I didn’t understand you. Speak slower, please.”
Harley blushed even worse than before, but he took a deep breath before he uttered the words, “I’m also in love with you.”
Pleased, Connor kissed Harley’s forehead. “That wasn’t so hard. Right?”
“It wasn’t difficult at all.”
“Besides, we’d confessed our feelings during the lantern festival.”
“Of course. I’m just…shy.”
Connor loved this bashful side of Harley. It was charming and adorable. He pressed a couple more kisses onto Harley’s forehead. “Babe, I have an idea.”
Harley glanced up at him. “What?”
“What do you think about riding a boat?”
“Bay area?”
“Sure.”
Harley seemed to hesitate. “Where are we supposed to get a boat—”
“Don’t worry about that,” Connor interrupted, and added a small smirk for good measure.
Harley looked suspicious now. “I hope you’re not planning on robbing someone’s boat or something.”
Connor snorted. “I have something else in mind. It’s going to be fun.”
“But—”
“Come on, babe. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Fully intact, along with my common sense.”
Connor grinned. “We won’t be committing any crimes. I swear.”
“Fine.”
“Yes! You won’t regret this. We will have so much fun.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Great. Now, I think we have time to watch a couple more episodes before we have to get ready.”
“Sounds good to me.” Harley returned his attention to the television.
But Connor was too excited by the ideas churning inside his mind to concentrate much on the show. He was determined to make it a memorable night for both of them. Harley would be so impressed.
Chapter 12
The sun had already set. Harley and Connor were standing next to the water at the bay area. It was foggy that early evening, and Harley had no doubt Connor must have done something magical to the weather. That was the least of his concerns, though. He was now staring at the tiny boat, floating on the surface of the water close enough to the shore. He estimated he could probably sit comfortably on it, but that was it. He wouldn’t be able to move at all. There simply wasn’t much space. He wondered how both he and Connor were supposed to fit.
“Connor.”
Connor had a mischievous expression on his face. “Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“But I’m worried about your sanity,” Harley said, pointing at the boat. “Have you lost your mind or something? How are we—”
“Patience, babe,” Connor interrupted, smirking at Harley.
Connor reached for Harley’s hand and held on tightly. Then he dragged Harley toward the boat. Harley was panicking deep inside, but he trusted Connor. He knew Connor would always protect him. However, he was a mere mortal. He didn’t see how this particular excursion could end well. Ever. His trepidation grew rapidly as he observed Connor climbing onto the boat. Then he was taken aback when the boat remained steady on the surface of the water even with Connor’s additional weight.
Connor chuckled. “Your turn, babe.”
Harley darted his eyes back and forth between Connor and the boat. “Are you kidding me? Don’t take this the wrong way, babe, but you’re a huge mountain of a man. You and all of your bulging muscles have taken up almost every available space. Where am I supposed to—”
“Just get on it. One foot at a time. Everything will make sense afterward.”
Harley hesitated, but he was also curious. He glanced downward at the boat and attempted to squeeze one foot into it. Then he lifted his second leg and placed it next to the other. He used to dislike the fact that he was such a short man who couldn’t bulk up no matter how much time he spent at the gym. Now, he was grateful for it. He wrapped both arms around Connor’s waist as they stood really close together.
“This is ridiculous,” Harley mumbled.
Connor snickered. “Are you ready?”
Harley snorted as he tilted back his head to make eye contact with Connor. “Do I have a choice?”
Connor seemed even more amused now. “This is going to be so much fun, babe.”
“What do you—shit! Connor, what’s happening?”
The boat abruptly started moving on its own at a breakneck speed toward the deeper end of the water. Harley gasped in shock when a massive hole appeared in front of them. He shut his eyes as he clung onto Connor’s waist. He had no idea why the angel was whooping and laughing. He was scared, and he felt as if he wanted to puke. When this terrifying ordeal was over, and he ended up dead, he would kick Connor’s ass. Hard.
He hugged Connor even harder as the boat continued to fall. He couldn’t comprehend why or how he and Connor were still standing as the boat dropped deeper into the hole. Terrified beyond words, he could focus only on the feeling of Connor’s warm body against his.
Then, all of a sudden, the boat started floating. Harley opened his eyes and saw that the water was crystal clear. He could look at the sand and stones beneath the water, and he judged that the water level wasn’t deep. He got another surprise when he realized he and Connor were no longer on board the tiny boat. Instead, they were on a wooden ship. He slowly relinquished his hold on Connor as he glanced around. The ship wasn’t gigantic, but it was much larger than the first. Another noticeable difference was the lack of fog. He gazed upward and became instantly amazed by the amount of twinkling stars in the dark evening sky, a truly incredible view.
“Do you like it, babe?” Connor whispered into Harley’s ear while wrapping both arms around his waist from behind.
Harley nodded. “Where are we?”
“Welcome to the river of the dead.”
Astonished, Harley opened his eyes widely as he turned and gaped at Connor. “You’re kidding?”
Connor chuckled. “Nope.”
“Babe,” Harley said, and he tried to sound annoyed, but his tone of voice came out whiny and frightened. “This isn’t time for one of your morbid jokes. I know you’re a soul collector and all, but—”
“I’m serious.”
Harley gasped. “Am I dead?”
“Of course not!”
“Why am I—”
“I’ve brought you into my world, and don’t be afraid. Nothing will happen to you. I’ll lead you back to the mortal realm when our date for this evening is over.”
Harley didn’t quite know how to respond. In the end, he simp
ly smiled at Connor, but it probably came off as a grimace.
Connor beamed before leading him toward a table in the center of the deck. “Our dinner is served.”
Harley stared at him. “Uh, is the food real?”
Connor snickered. “Yes. You have to trust me, babe. Nothing can harm you. Not as long as you’re with me.”
Harley sat on the chair, and with his right index finger, poked at the steaming baked chicken thigh on the plate in front of him. It felt real enough.
“Try it, babe.”
He cut a small piece of the chicken and put it in his mouth. He made eye contact with Connor, who had a smug expression on his face.
“This is delicious.”
“Glad to hear that. Let’s eat.”
Harley was about to continue eating when a violinist appeared next to the table. He was startled, but he didn’t think the violinist was a ghost since the man looked like an ordinary human. Hence, Harley didn’t think about it anymore. He enjoyed his dinner with Connor as they chatted about the river of the dead.
“So, this is the final barrier between the mortal realm and the underworld?”
Connor nodded as he chewed and swallowed some food. “The souls have to walk for forty-two days, passing through fields of reeds before reaching the edge of the river. The final seven days of the trip into the underworld will be done on the boat.”
“That’s a really long journey.”
“Not to the dead. Time passes by at a different rate in this dimension. The souls will feel as if they’ve traveled for only a few hours.”
“I see.”
Then Harley was taken aback when a beautiful woman stood next to him and offered him another plate, this one holding a thick slice of moist chocolate cake. Harley accepted it gratefully, and so did Connor. The woman had a delighted expression as she moved away from the table. Harley was more focused on the cake, though. It looked really incredible, and he had a strong feeling it would also be delicious. However, before he could dig into it, he noticed the woman gliding farther away, which astonished him. He stared at her back for several seconds.
Connor snapped both fingers in front of Harley’s face. “Babe, what is it?”
Harley gaped at him. “That woman! She…she…”
Now and Forever Page 9
