Losing The Light Of The Moon

In My Mind And In My Heart

Chapter 24: In My Mind And In My Heart

HORACIO

At first, I was a bit uneasy after Tatiana’s vague hint at our surprise, but after Raven and Umar showed up to my room and Tati revealed her gift, I was feeling very excited about it all, especially as one aspect opened a new door in my small circle...

“Well, Celestia may not be too thrilled with this,” Umar chuckled, “but I’m all in! It will come in handy in battle and at home.”

“Ohhhh, Celestia!” I humorously breathed out, “Any chance Umar and I can include her in this or does she have to be here?  It would be fun to get inside her head!”

“Honestly, Horacio!” Tatiana chortled, “Your first thought is torment? No wonder Umar is worried about Celestia’s reaction!”

“This shouldn’t come as a shock, Tati,” Umar chuckled, “And truthfully, I’m on Horacio’s side on this one—it would be fun.”

Raven softly laughed out, “Although it’s overall use is for battle, I think that can be arranged through Umar. Are you both ready?”

“Ready when you are,” I wickedly grinned.

Smiling, Raven expanded her bright pink aura around both Umar and I. Weird tingles flowed throughout my body as her magic quickly went to work. Within just a few moments, it dissipated, however, and I wasted no time in trying out my new line of communication—

Alright, Fairy Queen, I teased, grinning at her, I’ll start with you. Coming in loud and clear?

You are, Tatiana chided, laughing under her breath, Try opening your link up to all of us please!

I immediately complied, musing, So, Umar, ready for me to say good morning to your lovely wife?

I made that a private caveat that you and Umar can share, Raven politely said, Enjoy, you two.

Umar slyly grinned and nodded as I linked out, Good morning, Celestia! Guess who can distract your husband at any given moment now!

H-Horacio?  Celestia’s stunned voice replied, pausing for a moment before she retorted, Well! It would appear my mate got his wish! Though, I’m not sure I like the fact you are in my head now too—much less Umar’s...I know you—there will be boundaries and a schedule so I will have Umar's attention at some point during the day! 

Liar! You know you love it! I enthusiastically told her, Think about it, you don’t have to guess what I want for dinner when I visit now. I’ll just request it!

Sorry about this, love, it was Horacio’s idea—I’ll try to get him to keep it to a minimum, Umar half-heartedly apologized, But, you are right, I did get my wish. Raven just gave Horacio and I the same benefits as the others. I can shift back and forth without worry about changing into clothes anymore!

You were hoping for that, my love. Be sure to thank Raven for me for making you so happy,  Celestia lovingly replied, and as I think of it, you may have another benefit to this—I’ll start nagging Horacio more!

Ha-ha, I’ll just block you, see?  I bantered back, folding my arms in front of me as I satisfyingly stared at Umar, who rolled his eyes and brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Narrowing her eyes at me, Tatiana knowingly admonished, “You’ve just left Umar to deal with your mess with his wife, haven’t you?”

Avoiding her gaze, I directed mine at Raven, who had her hand over her mouth—but even still was unable to hide her amused grin, “In all seriousness, thank you, Raven. I appreciate what this will bring not only to our demonstration, but to battle as well. Please excuse my playfulness, but I do enjoy getting under Celestia’s skin from time to time! Keeps life interesting for my best friend here.”

Cutting his eyes, Umar muttered, “Tati, please allow me to go up against this jerk at some point in practice today.”

Folding her arms in front of her, Tatiana immediately assured him through her wicked grin, “Consider it done, Umar. It’s the least I can do!”

***********

NICHOLAS

A crisp cold breeze blew across the field as I stood with Jace watching the Power of Three working with everyone, I had to admit—Auntie not only did well in her choices for her army, but her training tactics were impressive the initial maneuver workout already had me excited to work with all the aunts in our integration.

“While I am appreciating the cooler weather,” Jace worriedly murmured, “Mother is probably freezing at this point.”

“You wouldn’t know it from looking at her,” I appreciatively replied, “All the aunts seems to be enjoying themselves, your mother especially. Though I’m both curious and concerned that she has already informed us we can’t see certain aspects of her plans, I can’t wait to see this in the ring. I also can’t wait to work with them. I’m glad they all eagerly agreed and will join us tomorrow afternoon.”

“Mmmmm, they are impressive, aren’t they?” Jace thoughtfully replied, “I’m looking forward to tomorrow myself. Raven is excited as well to execute some new things. She’s mastered several new skills in her training with them.”

Nicholas laughed under his breath as we watched Umar sling Horacio so hard that he tumbled thirty feet before bouncing back up with a wide grin expanding across his muzzle, “Is it just me, or is Umar a bit more aggressive with Horacio than expected?”

“According to Mother, that was to be expected,” I chuckled, “Apparently Raven has allowed Horacio to link with Celestia and he had a little too much fun with it.”

“Ahhhhh,” Nicholas humorously breathed out, “That would explain it. But, I have to say, it’s been nice to see Horacio lighten up some.  Alastor and I are hoping he and Umar will be open to working with us more if this four horsemen idea works out with Tink and Beast.”

Just then, as if on cue, Tink, Beast, Umar, and Horacio’s wolves jumped up onto the center platform, charging towards the back before rounding around to leap high into the air just as Mother, who was standing on the ground below them, took her hand and gently eased it forward—the burst of green that exited her palm, however, sent a powerful jolt behind them, thrusting the four forward towards the wolf dummies at the front of the field. 

Tink powerfully brought her intimidatingly large auburn wolf above the other three and in perfect sync, landed her hind legs on Horacio’s muscular hind end just as he kicked it up hard, sending her into a triple flip. All four of them slammed ferociously into the dummies with Beast, Horacio, and Umar landing deadly strikes with their front paws in the chests and Tink completely destroying hers with lethal front and back paw strikes, all the dummies landing well out of the ring—and unable to be used again—as all that remained were piles of cotton.

“While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I believe you may want to work a little on the control of your strikes, you four!” Mother chastised as all their muzzles grinned mischievously at her, “Soren wants lessons learned, not hospitalizations! You know that better than anyone, Umar! Behave out there! Last thing I need is for you to be overzealous with your own men! Soren would not be pleased!”

Covering my mouth to hold back a roar of laughter, I snickered, “While I know they will reel it in, Soren may end up regretting this decision of his.”

“Maybe, but honestly, I don’t think so. My uncle is feeling the strain of a young army,” Nicholas thought out loud, “He’s lost a lot of experienced warriors and feels they need to be reeled in, which I have no doubt will be done. But, after watching this, I definitely feel like those four will be a tremendous benefit to our team, so I may have to do some maneuvering myself to get Soren to allow me the use of one of his best and most devoted warriors if he is willing.”

“Alright, Badru, Lorelei, Gavin, and Remi, you’re up!” Mother called out, rubbing her hands together before clasping them together in a fist and blowing into them as another cold gust of wind blew through.

“It seems our timing is perfect!” Madeline excitedly stated from behind us. Turning our heads, it appeared she, Luminara, and Zayden also decided to take an early peek at the workout.

“I’m excited to see Badru in action,” Luminara beamed, “We are both looking forward to this new challenge, but him especially—and I do love watching him in specialized maneuvers like this!”

As I turned back towards the field, I noticed Mother mouth expanded into a knowing grin, folding her arms tightly in front of her as she mockingly asked her group, “How did I know all of you were going to ask me that question?”

“Well, Sister, they have all excelled quite well,” Reina sweetly stated, “One moment of fun won’t hurt.”

“I agree,” Persephone giggled, “Let them show off a little. I see we have a few extra spectators now—a little preview for tomorrow, perhaps?”

After letting out a long exhaustive sigh, Mother exclaimed, “You are as bad as they are!”  

As everyone looked at her with pleading eyes, Mother defeatedly exhaled out, “Oh, alright! You have worked hard today. I will give all of you ONE extra burst of fun! But afterwards, back to focus, please. I do have a rule as most of you have not tried this before—don't try any special flips or tricks, just straight annihilation please! I don’t need any of you injured for our demonstration. Agreed?”

“Did she just say straight annihilation?” I dumbfoundedly asked.

“Yes, I think she did,” Madeline breathed out in disbelief.

Their eyes full of excitement and anticipation, everyone on the field quickly nodded their heads as Mother motioned them to jump up to the back center platform before setting up eight wolf dummies towards the front again.

Clasping their hands together, their eyes colorfully gleamed as the Power of Three’s powers intertwined, coming together as one as our all of our eyes widened with Zayden anxiously voicing the question we all had, “Are they about to do what I think they are about to do?" 

“I believe they are,” I slowly breathed out, just as Mother and the aunts pulled their arms back, directing their multicolored auras to extend out behind them, flowing underneath the platform before rising towards the top on the other side as Mother loudly bellowed out, “NOW!”

All eight wolves took off on their mighty charge forward, just as eight magically pink, silver, and green glittering mammoth sized wolves instantly formed just behind them, vigorously following them step by step as they powerfully leapt from the platform towards their designated targets. As they hovered mid-air, Mother swept her arms back up until they were above her head, her eyes zeroed in, concentrating on everyone’s positions. 

As they closed in on the thick stuffed wolves, Mother quickly flicked her wrists back before throwing them forward again, her first two fingers sending the magical wolves bolting forward to meld around each member of Auntie’s army, who had their front paws reared back to strike.  The force of the magic as it combined with their bodies propelled them forward with so much velocity that when their tricolored paws struck the dummies, it shot them violently over the hill yards away from the field, tumbling hard towards the house after they hit the ground.

My jaw dropped as I watched everything unfold, hoarsely whispering at the end, “Well, I’ll be damned!”

His eyes turning back towards the group, Nicholas muttered out, “That would be an understatement.” Madeline followed his gaze, inaudibly murmuring, “No kidding!”

Okay, Jace, don’t take this the wrong way, Carson linked out to all of us, but Lottie, Constance, and I have been watching from upstairs and I gotta tell you, man, you are related to some WICKED WITCHES! That was AMAZING!

“No offense, but that is an understatement too,” Zayden heavily exhaled out in a stunned stupor, “So is straight annihilation, I think. Man, my Remi was stunning!”

“Wow!” Luminara breathlessly breathed out, her eyes wide as she stared at her mate, whose eyes were filled with stunned elation, “I have to agree with Zayden. I have watched my Badru on the field many times over the years, but that was the most beautiful display of his incredible strength I have ever seen!”

Still in a daze, I looked over at my mother and aunts—all three of them flashing their bright white smiles as Mother’s eyes were on her little army, who had all turned to look at the Sassy sisters in stunned astonishment. Folding her arms in front of her again, she humorously chided, “You aren’t the only ones who can show off a little!”

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

TATIANA

Our practice went splendidly, though I believe the favorite part for my little army was their foray into the benefits of the Power of Three. I smiled as I replayed everyone’s reaction to our display of the combined strengths of wolves, she-wolves, and witches. It obviously made an impression on all of them, especially Nicholas who is even more excited to get to work with my sisters and I tomorrow afternoon. I had to admit—it was nice to be so busy after so many years of remaining hidden and idle.

The only thing I did not enjoy about today was the weather—I was still freezing! Standing in Aruna’s kitchen, my whole body was shaking as I finished making some hot tea. 

While I was spooning in some sugar, Horacio’s deep laugh echoed out from behind me, “I can hear your teeth chattering all the way over here!”

Stirring my cup, I countered, “As cold as I am, I’m sure they can hear it all the way back at the main house! Do you have any idea how fortunate you are to stay so incredibly warm?”

Just then, I felt my favorite thick fuzzy blanket being wrapped around me, as well as an immense heat radiating through it as Horacio’s body stood directly behind mine, kindly stating, “I heard you in here making your tea. Thought you might want this to help you warm up.”

Tilting my head back, I appreciatively peered up into his softened blue grey gaze as he towered over me, “Thank you, Horacio, that was very sweet of you.” As the heat from his body continued to filter through the blanket, I laughed out softly, “As much as you have warmed up the blanket, I may have you stand here for a few moments to assist in thawing me out.”

Horacio grinned before wrapping his arms around my shoulders, pulling me backwards until my petite body was pressed against his bulky muscular frame and I was completely enveloped in his warmth, “I hate seeing you so cold. Drink some tea. Hopefully between it and this, you will warm up soon.”

As I wrapped my chilly fingers around my cup and lifted it to my lips, I felt my body completely relax within Horacio’s cozy embrace, my eyes closing as I murmured, “You are so very warm, Horacio.”

Leaning his head down, Horacio’s arms tightened around me slightly as he whispered in my ear, sending a different kind of chill down my spine, “Don’t tell anyone.”

I let out an uncomfortable giggle against the rim of my cup, making my tea ripple from the vibration before I took a tiny sip and replied, “I’ll add it to our list of private secrets—like the nickname you enjoy using now—another inside joke between just you and I.”

“I like the sound of that, Fairy Queen,” he lightly chuckled against my ear, “Thanks for agreeing to help keep my reputation intact.”

Before I could stop myself, I voiced my inner thoughts out loud, quietly stating, “Opening up and allowing others to see your heart isn’t a bad thing, Horacio. It’s meant a lot to me, seeing the heart you try to hard to hide. I don’t think I will like not seeing you every day when you go back to Spirit Walker after the demonstration.”

I felt his muscles tense around me momentarily as Horacio fell silent, his hold on me softening as he stood straight up again, hesitant in his reply, “I don’t think I will like it either, Tati. At least we can still talk whenever we want to now that we can link with one another. Plus, Alastor has been talking with me about playing a bigger role in the integration, especially as I am so comfortable working with you.”  Laughing under his breath, he added, “Seems he’s grateful that you make me more open to working with witches, Fairy Queen.”

“So, you will do it then?” I asked him, my tone more eager than I anticipated or meant to relay, “Come work with us as part of the integrated army?”

Horacio seemed as surprised as I was at my response, leaning down to whisper softly, “I’ve already told him yes, Tati.”

Turning my head to the side, I peered deep into his eyes as I excitedly said, “Well, as we are starting the integrated workouts tomorrow, it would appear you and I get to spend much of the day together! That makes my heart very happy!”

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, Horacio grinned ear to ear, his gaze reflecting a joy that was undeniable, a look that brought a feeling inside me that I had not felt for quite some time—a feeling that was both alarming and heartwarming—a feeling I had felt earlier during my early morning visit with him—the beauty of his bare chest making my heart skip a beat and his kind words about Julien—leaving me both confused and not wanting to move. A warm feeling inside that left me wondering—am I feeling this way because of my dream? Or could my dream have been my heart telling me that my heart was opening up...to the man who touch felt so incredibly warm and wonderful to me right now...