The Grey God

Darian had never seen anything half as beautiful as the pale, exhausted warrior in oversized clothing she must've borrowed from the beefier Guardians who lived at the station. She glowed from the inside out.

"I couldn't Travel. Still can't. Have had this headache since-"

The spell broke. He was frozen in disbelief that bordered on horror then suddenly swept her up into his arms. Darian bear-hugged her, lowering his head to breathe in her scent. Jenn laughed at the tickling sensation as his nose brushed her neck and squeezed him back. He looked as tired as she felt, his hair disheveled and dark circles beneath his blazing golden eyes. Even so, she'd never seen anything that made joy spring up within her.

"We made it," she murmured, marveling in his scent and warmth.

"Jenn, I love you. I should've said it sooner," he whispered. "I love your spirit and your strength and that look you give me when I say stupid shit."

"I love you, too, Darian. You are the strongest, most honorable person I've ever known."

"Next time my twice dead ex-wife comes back to try to kill me again, you'll know better than to freak out," he teased.

She laughed, unable to contain the emotion bubbling within her. She lightly kissed his cheeks and forehead and lips. Darian met her gaze, and her heart sang at the emotion in his eyes. She'd lost a family and a world, only to discover the other half of her soul in the man before her.

"Take me home," she told him, touching his face.

"Not sure I know where home is anymore. Damian moved it again."

"Take me somewhere," she replied. "I got some things to teach you."

"Hot damn," he said, grinning. "I've got an eternity to learn." He wrapped his arms around her tightly again. "Never letting go this time."

"If I knew this is what love felt like, I wouldn't have fought it for so long." Jenn breathed in deeply. She melted against him. His warmth and magic filled her, flowing between them in an indication that they were one. "You know what this means?"

"What?"

"I get to go with you to hunt Others. No more leaving me behind."

"I'm the Grey God. I still outrank you," he said.

"If I've learned anything from watching Sofi and Damian, it's that the mate of a god is truly the one with rank."