Losing The Light Of The Moon

Hope Makes Anything Possible...

Chapter 41: Hope Makes Anything Possible...

TATIANA

Horacio and I continued our fun back and forth conversation, enjoying time together as we ate—well, while Horacio ate—I lost count of the courses he consumed and was continuing to demolish through. Horacio was magnificent with his firm, well-defined muscles—but his voracious appetite and metabolism were astounding!   There was enough food on that tray to keep me fed through at least seven winters! It did please him greatly, however, when I finished my small bowl of soup and then ate a small spoonful of his spice cake—that he offered to me, of course—though the act of him feeding it to me was quite unexpected...

I started getting anxious after that, deciding to walk over to the window while Horacio and I continued to talk, looking out at the bright moon to help bring back the calm. Horacio must have noticed something was off as I heard him set his plate down—and then it happened—his first question...I saw this moment coming...

“Can I ask you something?” Horacio quietly inquired from behind, instantly jarring me with the realization.

“Of course,” I kindly replied, continuing to longingly gaze out the window as I braced myself, knowing his next words, but realizing a decision had been made somewhere along the way by someone—or two people as I eventually deducted—as his declaration from my vision changed slightly...so beautifully changed...which caused mine to change slightly as well...

There was a long pause before Horacio brokenly asked in the softest, most earnest tone I have ever heard from him, “You and I—we’ve spent a lot of time together—time that I cherish more than you will ever know. And—I don’t know—I’m impatient—always have been, especially when I want something this badly—and I’m filled with so much hope, knowing that—when we are together—that you may be feeling—”

His words stopped as another long pause passed between us, before he wholeheartedly declared, “Tati, I’ve already told you how much I care for you—I love you! I’ve been through the darkness—you are my light, you always have been! Your heart—it’s so beautiful and so big—let me share a space inside of it, even if it is just a little piece—that sliver of your heart is where I want to live forever—I want to be your light after all the darkness you have overcome!”

Horacio’s words were some of the most beautiful I had ever heard and brought back memories of old. The quote about darkness and light that I would recite to my sisters when I delivered their fairies were now being used in the most touching of ways...I was Horacio’s light out of the darkness, and he so desperately wanted to be MINE! Slowly turning to face him, I dumbfoundedly mumbled in my stunned state, “W-What?”

His expression fell as Horacio’s jaw tightened before he harshly replied, “I’m an i***t. I did push too hard, didn’t I?”

Slowly shaking my head side to side, I inaudibly whispered out, “No, it’s—it’s not that, Horacio. I have feelings for you, but—”

His bright blue-grey eyes full of anticipation, Horacio resolutely interrupted, “No—No buts, Tati.”

“Horacio,” I softly pleaded, wanting desperately to tell him of my vision—that he didn’t have to continue with the words I knew were coming next, “I need to be truthful with you now—”

Holding his hands up, Horacio steadfastly interrupted, “You know me, Tati. I always do things my way—and so do you, by the way—so whatever argument your ingenious mind is trying to come up with—I don’t care. There is a slight age difference, but I don’t think you know how to age and I’m getting greyer by the day, so I’ll look older than you soon. If you want to remain here at Crescent Moon? Fine, we will work it out. Fortunately, you can pop me in and out of here quickly—but it would be nice for you to spend some time at Spirit Walker too. Lorenzo and Priscilla would love it and, with you there, I could survive dinners at the main table.”

I couldn’t help but smile, holding back my laughter at his cute ramble. The Horacio standing before me was like nothing I had ever seen before—definitely different from my vision—had so many changes occurred in him between then and now?  

The words utilized in my original vision continued to change, as did the earnest intensity of his tone as Horacio took in a deep breath before steadfastly continuing, “The fact that both of us could be given second chance mates—I don’t care. I only care about you! People have chosen to love who they want without any help from the Moon Goddess, you know. Look at Dusan—she chose—for self-serving reasons thankfully, as I look back on it now—but she chose and plenty of other people have too!”

While his fierce expression and balled up fists reflected his King of Fury moniker, the heartfelt passion behind Horacio’s every word reflected the opposite, “To hell with the tradition of fated mates being the only source of true love and connection! You want the truth? I’ll do anything—and I mean absolutely ANYTHING—for you! And I’ll tell you right now what I’ve told the Moon Goddess several times. After what I went through and all this time, I should be allowed to choose who I love—who I want to spend eternity with—and that’s you!”

“Horacio,” I desperately breathed out, tears forming in my eyes as I was unable to stop my vision from fully and touchingly playing out in real life...

Walking towards me, Horacio lovingly declared, “I meant what I said, Tati, I respect the connection you had—I want you to remember Julien and love him always. But I also hope if you feel the same way I do, you will give us a chance too. Your heart—Tati, you can love us both! I didn’t know my heart was capable of real love before you and I won’t—I can’t—deny it any longer—I love you, Tati. Spilling my guts and sounding completely idiotic right now or not, everything I have said, everything I do moving forward, I do it—for you.”

Tears streamed down my face—my breath stilled in my chest as I anticipated the voice from my vision—Julien’s voice—would it too replay in real life? I quickly received my answer...

Listen to him, Tati, Julien’s deep voice rang out just as before and still causing my heart to stop, I love you and I want you to be happy.  I’m sorry that we were robbed of our lives together.  You deserve to be happy and deeply loved, my darling.

I was shocked, however, that even Julien’s part of my vision changed as he unexpectedly continued, There are few I would be willing to share part of your heart with—but Horacio is one of them. It brings me peace to know he is there...protecting our beautiful fairy. Be safe in what lies ahead.

I made the decision not to change the next part of the vision—I silently stared deep into Horacio’s blue-grey eyes for a long moment before my lips curled up in a wide grin and a burst of my deep green glittering aura appeared beneath my feet, swiftly lifting me up to wrap my arms around his neck, crashing my lips down upon Horacio’s in a long, hard passionate kiss—which he responded to with an elated chuckle before releasing his own deeply held fervent passion.

I felt the musculature of his biceps touching my sides as Horacio wrapped his arms tight around my body, his lips tasting of spice cake, making me giggle before deepening our kiss, a deep moan of desire passing from his chest as our tongues touched for the first time, vibrating against my mouth as I slowly reeled our kiss back in, much to his reluctance. 

“Can I speak now?” I sensually whispered against his lips.

“Is it going to be a long conversation?” He huskily breathed out against mine, a broad grin crossing his face afterwards, “Thinking King of Impatience might be a better nickname.”

Leaning my head back slightly, I laughed out, “Let’s just see where it takes us, shall we? What I’ve been trying to tell you is that I saw this coming, kiss and all—in a vision—only I thought it was a dream—not a vision. And then I wasn’t sure—” 

Horacio’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, confoundingly asking, “H-Hang on, you saw this coming? B-But thought it was a—a dream?”  I silently nodded, sheepishly grinning as he softly thought out loud, “Not that I don’t like the fact you dreamed of kissing me, because I’ve dreamed of kissing you a million times—but when it was playing out—you—you could have changed it—stopped it—if you really wanted to...but you didn’t. So—you really do want this—you want us?”

“Well,” I slowly squeaked out in a high pitched tone, before teasing, “I did—but I’m not sure now after our first kiss—it didn’t quite live up to the vision—I’m afraid there may be no—chemistry between us.”

Horacio laughed out, gently pressing his forehead against mine as I grinned, rubbing his nose against mine, rasping out, “LIAR!”

“Hmmmmm,” I hummed out, sensually teasing, “Perhaps I should test the theory a little further. I’ve worked with many a potion over the years...sometimes it just takes the right...mixture.”  

Flicking my finger, I was instantly pressed against Horacio’s extraordinary bare chest—his shirt on the floor—dropping one of my hands to run my fingers down his gorgeous pectoral muscles before tracing their sexy outlines, licking my lips before murmuring, “Mmmmmmmm, there it is! Maybe there is a little...p-c-p...perfect chemistry potential! Trust me, that fiery wrath is one that you not only want but will never forget!”

I felt Horacio’s desire rapidly starting to overwhelm him as he breathed out sharply, “Please tell me your sisters and Jace don’t tend to pop into your room unannounced. I really want to take advantage of this side of your wickedness, Fairy Queen!”

***********

MATTIAS

I quietly filled Guntur in on everything that had happened since we were taken from the Forest of The Vines, including what I had informed Arturo about and Jillie...

“Shocking...turn...of...events...” Guntur choppily breathed out, attempting a broken humored response.

Reaching down in the band of my jeans, I pulled out Jillie’s note, stealthily keeping it hidden in my hand as I ran my thumb along it, turning my head to the side, making sure the coast was clear before carefully unfolding the small, weird feeling parchment to read the tiny words she wrote...

Magical paper—will disappear in five minutes.

We ARE MATES—but they think it’s a spell Amelia placed.

I did it to protect us both, Mattias.

Avoiding Amelia to keep our secret.

I’ve been forced to do things with Arturo.

Things you could and should hate and refuse me for!

I didn’t want to, but had to, Mattias, to survive.

I have to do it now to save you and Guntur.

It’s the only way! I’m so, so sorry!

If you hate me, I understand.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME! 

BE CAREFUL WITH ARTURO!

YOU ARE AN ALPHA! I BELIEVE IN YOU!

I love you, Mattias, always,

Jillie

“You okay? Got quiet.” Guntur unevenly exhaled out, looking over at me, trying to focus and clearly failing miserably.

“I’m okay,” I devastatingly whispered back, feeling completely broken as I reread the note again, my wolf furious as hell, tearing me apart inside...snarling, growling, and fighting so hard to be released with one purpose and one purpose only—to KILL ARTURO! 

HE WAS A DEAD MAN! Putting his hands on our mate! Touching her in ways—MINE! JILLIAN WAS MINE! What was I going to do now? How could I hide my fury when I saw him again? And I will see him again!

Jillie—MY Jillie—what she has had to do to survive—what she is doing NOW—not only with Arturo, but now with Amelia! Just the thought of her deceit being found out—she is in so much danger and everything she is doing is to save us—because of my mistake, my stupid choice! But if it weren’t for that stupid choice, would I have found her? I didn’t know...but if this is what I had to go through to find my mate, I knew—it was worth it—she was worth it!

I wasn’t lying when I said I saw the real Jillie—I do see her—she is beautiful, loving, smart, and so kind, and I love her, no matter what—I WILL BE AN ALPHA!  FOR HER!

************

TATIANA

Snuggled up against my intensely hot King of Fury, I let out a long, pleasured, and satisfied sigh, leaning up to sweetly kiss Horacio’s neck while laying my hand on his heaving chest as he continued to gasp for air...

“Okay—so—I’ve heard the insatiable rumors and controlling nature of—you know—all the Crescent Moon women,” he hoarsely exhaled out, “But—how—how are you that tiny—and that damn—powerful. You’re not—hell—you’re not even—breathing hard!”  

Tilting his head down to face me, he breathlessly exhaled out a chuckle, “And how long ago was this—dream, vision—whatever the hell it was? Think I should be mad I had to wait!”

Giggling as I leaned up on my elbow, I pouted my lips, “Does that mean no round two for you? Pity! I really think I found the perfect mixture of wicked and pleasure I was hoping to explore more.”

“Just give me a minute,” Horacio humorously replied in hastened breath, “If it’s the one I’m thinking, I give you permission for a full and complete exploration!”

I beamed at him, giggling again as I admired his large biceps, unable to stop my fingers from their voracious appetite to run over the spectacular outline of them, grinning as I allowed Horacio a moment to catch his breath. 

“While I’m attempting to remember how to take in a full breath of oxygen,” Horacio coarsely stated, “I’ve decided on my tattoo, if you want something to distract you until round two.”

“You have?” I laughingly questioned, “And where do you plan on placing this tattoo of yours?”

“The left shoulder you are toying with now,” he replied, pointing to a high area in the center, “Where I can hide it, but see it when I want.”

“Alright,” I grinned, “Let’s see if we can make it appear. Envision it clearly in your mind for me, please.”

Closing his eyes, Horacio smiled, sighing out, “Got it.”

“One, two, three...let’s see what your tattoo will be!” I excitedly stated, placing my fingers on the area just below his shoulder and emitting a dusting of my green light from my fingertips.

Slowly, the dust began to form a shape, a rapidly spinning flat circle pressing down onto his skin. As I saw his tattoo begin to clearly reveal itself, I gasped, awestruck at what I saw—a darkly shaded delicate fairy elegantly sitting sideways, head tilted up and shapely legs tucked slightly beneath her with small feet that pointed perfectly down, wisps of curls blowing up with several flowing against wide, tall wings that looked like the sideview outline of a beautiful swallowtail butterfly, light grey and outlined in black, her arm held up high in the air with the only part that contained any color—a tiny red and blue butterfly—gracefully sitting on her palm... 

“H-Horacio!” I lovingly breathed out, blown away at the reflection of an embodiment of me upon his skin, “It’s—It’s BEAUTIFUL!”

Opening his eyes, Horacio looked at his tattoo in deep reverence, murmuring in gleeful adoration, “My Fairy Queen.”   Running his finger along the outline, he affectionately asked, “Will it stay there?”

“It will—and it will do more than that!” I proudly boasted in a soft tone, “When you place your hand over it, it allows you to find me, no matter where I am—my own little mark on you—our own private connection.”

Horacio’s eyes went wide, flabbergasted, “Really? So—you marked me?”

Flashing him a wide smile, I devotedly told him, “I did! A new little trick I’ve created...for the man I love.” 

Taking his hand in mine, I laid it across my mark. As soon as he pressed down upon his tattoo, a green light emanated from my body, swirling around me as our loving gazes locked on one other—connected—the King of Fury and his Fairy Queen—two lights coming together as one out of the darkness...lighting the way to what was now appeared to be a bright future...

A second gasp escaped from my lips as another future did appear—my green doors opening slowly this time—small billows of what was to come revealing themselves in slow motion. It was an occurrence that has happened several times since I received my first vision at eight—played out at a snail’s pace—so I could see and imprint every detail because I would need to remember them when it occurred in real life.  It was also a vision that had to be kept as a secret until just the right time.  

“Tati?” Horacio worriedly called out, “What is it? What do you see?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out...allowing the vision to finish before I replied in a daze, “I need you to be patient for me right now, Horacio, and most of all—trust me. I promise all will be revealed to you—just not right now. Do you remember my quote about timing?”

“I trust you more than anyone else in the world, so I’ll force myself to be patient,” Horacio faithfully replied, “Timing is everything...when you are really ready for it, it will come.” 

His huge, gentle fingers came up to my cheek, the back of them softly grazing along the ivory rounded exterior. Tenderly turning my face to look into his deeply enamored gaze, Horacio’s voice was thick with unwavering love and dedication as he softly pleaded, “Just—if there’s danger—please promise to tell me before it’s too late—before you have to face it alone?”

“I love you, Horacio,” I softly breathed out, laying my hand on top of his closely kept salt and pepper whiskers before leaning down to softly press my lips to his for a long, lingering kiss that reflected how deeply I felt for him. Slowly allowing our lips to part, I peered deep into his blue-grey eyes that reflected more tenderness than I ever imagined could be contained in them.

Pressing his powerfully toned naked body against mine, Horacio brought his arm around for balance as he slowly maneuvered himself to hover over me, looking at the healing wound on my forehead that was finally merely a lightly discolored bump, bending down to lay a soft, sweet kiss upon it before dipping his head down to lay additional endearing pecks along the bruises on my neck, his hot breath blowing out against my skin, sending arousing shivers down my spine, “I love you—you are forever my Fairy Queen!”