Losing The Light Of The Moon

Eyes Wide Open...

Chapter 40: Eyes Wide Open...

MATTIAS

My wolf was growling so loudly, my head was starting to pound from the deafening sound. Arturo had his hands around Jillie’s neck—she looked so frightened—both my wolf and I were struggling to stay calm and struggling to understand why it was okay to still talk so openly with her after I read the top of her note. But currently, I had bigger problems...

Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled out heavily, despairingly staring at Jillie, “Just tell me what I have to do for you to let her go. I’m the hostage. If you want to hurt someone, hurt me.”

“From what I can see, I am hurting you,” Arturo snidely remarked, “Good information to have—and speaking of information, that’s how you can help our Jillian—tell me all about the witches working with Raven and Loa.”

I had been given plenty of time to think alone in my cell. And during that time, I thought about my conversations with Nicholas—the advice he gave me should I find myself in different types of dangerous situations—and I remembered what he told me...utilizing truth makes for more convincing lies in desperate situations...

“I haven’t been around them much,” I told Arturo, forcing myself to put my full attention on him, “There are three of them.”

“What are their names? Where are they from?” Arturo pressed, his blue eyes intently on me, scrutinizing every word I said.

“Everyone calls them Aunties, even though they aren’t related,” I confidently answered, deciding to pack in a lot of information—convincingly, “They are all older and always call everyone ‘the young’ or ‘the children’, so I guess that’s why. They call each other Sister and lived in some hidden cottage in Crescent Moon territory alone and away from everyone. They were friends with Raven’s mother, so they are helping her aunt, Loa, train her with her new powers.”

“Well, you do care about Jillian, don’t you?” Arturo pleasingly drawled out, “How about their powers? Ever see them?”

“Howling Wind isn’t exactly a fan of witches,” I truthfully told him, “My great-grandfather drove them out of our territory years ago. But I saw one of them—she helped put some power behind a few wolves in a training exercise and threw out shields. She was impressive, but I had never seen a witch in action before, so I can’t give you any comparison to others as far as her powers.”

“M-Mattias?” Guntur faintly mumbled, causing me to snap my head towards him, muttering in panic under my breath, “Guntur?”

He let out a low moan before slowly bringing his hand up to his head, feebly murmuring, “Headache—hurts—bad.”

Whipping my head back around, I protectively barked out my order, “Get a doctor for him! Or that witch—Amelia! NOW!”

Arturo laughed, his fingers gripping even tighter around Jillian’s neck, killing me inside as I forced a rigid, unrelenting stance, snickering, “You don’t give orders here, would-be Alpha! But I’ll see what I can do since you so kindly cooperated with me!”

Thankfully, he dropped Jillian from his hold, her hand immediately flying up to her neck as she took in sharp breaths. Grabbing her by the arm, Arturo dragged her away from me—my wolf howling desperately as she turned to look at me with desperate, tear-filled eyes. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her, watching until Arturo tore her away from my sight.

Taking two purposeful steps forward, I gripped two of the bars between us firmly, calling out to my best friend, “Guntur! Say something! Talk to me!”

“B-Blood H-Horizons?” he brokenly exhaled out in a labored breath, his face going completely ashen, obviously in a lot of pain.

“Yes,” I devastatingly replied, “I’m so sorry, Guntur! This is all my fault, but we are going to get out of here! Do you here me? We are going home!”

His eyes were closed as Guntur reached out to weakly wrap his fingers around his wrist, inaudibly mouthing out, “B-Bracelet.”

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

HORACIO

I wanted to slam the door in their faces, but then I thought about how it would upset Tati if I did, instead reluctantly choosing to allow her sisters into my room... Oh, the changes my Fairy Queen has made in me!

“What do you two want?” I harshly greeted them as I shut the door, turning to heatedly glare at them.

“We are going to have to earn forgiveness from him, aren’t we?” Reina nervously murmured under her breath, “Not going to lie, Sister—I can clearly see the King of Fury reference. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea.”

“I disagree, Sister,” Persephone cordially stated, “However, extending an olive branch may be in order.” Slowly bringing her arm forward, I looked down to see one of Tati’s green paper fairies in her hand.

“What’s this?” I coldly questioned.

“I noticed you admired it greatly earlier,” Persephone kindly replied, “So, I thought I would gift it to you. We have many of them and actually gave Jace one earlier as well. As they do her sisters, the fairies seemed to mean a great deal to both of you as we divulged our sins of the dark past.”

Instantly understanding her reference, I scoffed, “Is that supposed to make me less angry with you for what you did to Tati? My dark past? You must not know me at all!”

“Oh, we do,” Reina uncomfortably breathed out, “More than you think. But please...accept our gift. It would mean a great deal to us.”

I locked my jaw, furious at myself for giving in because, in truth, I wanted it—badly—I was reluctant to give it back in the first place. I still tried to hide it, however, bringing my hand up ever so slowly to slide it into my grasp, claiming it as my own, muttering under my breath, “Thanks. Why does it mean so much to you that I take it?”

“I know my littlest sister well,” Persephone softly boasted, “and I can tell when she is multi-tasking, even when it is in that ingenious mind of hers. You two were carrying on quite the conversation while you sat as close as you could to her following Tati’s return. You were being very protective of her, which pleases Reina and I a great deal—because we love her very much as well.”

Looking down at the intricately cut paper in my hand, I reluctantly asked, “If I can ask—how obvious was I?”

“I think everyone knows of the close friendship you two have, but nothing else,” Reina quietly comforted, “and as you know, all of Auntie’s army were in a fit thanks to the bond all of you share now, so it only appeared as the same protectiveness they felt. In fact, we understand that a vote was taken and unanimously approved—Sister can no longer be without any of you in the future. Another thing that pleases us, as she is incredibly headstrong, independent, and stubborn. But we should warn you, Tati may make that very difficult to accomplish at times, especially if she is determined...trust us from experience.”

“I already know that from my experience,” I irritatingly sighed out, gazing back up at them curiously, “So, is this a talk about my intentions with your sister, then?”

“Not exactly,” Persephone benevolently grinned, “More of a dose of encouragement and approval, not that you need our approval or even desire it from us currently. But I have always seen the love you carry for her—the way your aura changes, turning so very bright when she is near you—reflecting the long-standing love you have carried in your heart for Tatiana. She can’t see it, because she is the recipient—but we can see it because of our powers and connection to her...and we have always seen it, Horacio.”

I swallowed hard before admitting through bated breath, “She has always been my light. Tati. She is my light through my darkness.”

“She is, just as she has always been ours,” Persephone lovingly replied, “And you are both good for one another, Horacio. I have no doubt you mean a great deal to Tati, more than she will even admit to herself, because it makes her feel guilty, like she is betraying what she held so very dear in the past—her love for Julien. She hasn’t realized yet that she isn’t betraying him—that her heart is so vast, she has room—for both of you. And we can already see that you respect what was between them with no desire for her to forget Julien. You simply want to love and cherish her as well. So, our message to you now is—don’t give up on our sister.”

Reina adoringly continued, “You both deserve the happiness and love to be shared with one another, even if it isn’t by the Moon Goddess’ choice. Sometimes, I think she is so busy with all the connections to be had that she misses the ones that are right in front of her. But you and Tati have always done things your own way—and knowing how brilliant she is, I think Tati will see that as well.”

Her whole face lit up as Persephone emphatically relayed, “I can see it when she looks at you now and her aura—the change happening inside her. After all the obstacles and tragedies, more than anything, Reina and I want our exquisite Fairy Queen to be happy in every way, Horacio. We want her to be loved by a man who will push her and argue when she is headstrong and stubborn, like we know you do. One who will protect and cherish her as Tatiana should be cherished and cared for—always.”

I was speechless—astounded by their words—and most of all—I was filled with hope—my wolf even reacted excitedly to them even though it wasn’t the connection I had come to privately wish the Moon Goddess would bestow on me—and I could reluctantly admit to myself, though part of me still felt unforgiving—that I was grateful Tati’s sisters came to see me. Looking down again at my Fairy Queen’s note, I was also incredibly grateful for their gift—my own reminder from her when I felt lost, especially her favorite quote about—timing.

There was only one problem now—knowing Tati was beginning to feel differently—patience isn’t exactly in my forte when it comes to something I really want, especially when I know there is a good chance to have it. I had accepted that what Tati and I shared was friendship, but now that I know her feelings may be changing—that made me driven to succeed in claiming something else as my own—my Fairy Queen.

“We can see that mind of yours working, you know,” Persephone giggled out, “and we know you can be just as ingenious as our sister. Just tread carefully and try not to push too hard, hmmmm?”

“And hopefully, you can find a way to forgive us and consider us an ally,” Reina sweetly added, “Because in the end, Horacio, we all want the same thing! You and Tatiana, together as one!”

*********

TATIANA

I tried resting after Mahan left, but I continued to be anxious—about many things. Amelia and how she devastatingly took away everything that meant anything to me, just like Frieda—though in a different way. And then there was my battle today, getting the end result we needed, but not in the way I had planned, ending with Frieda forcing me to take another life, even if it was an evil one. I’ve never enjoyed doing that, though it has been necessary many times...and I had no doubt it was going to be necessary this time too...

My conversation with Mahan came to the forefront of my mind as I stared out at the brightly lit moon above me, the dark clouds outlined by the light of the large round surface behind them—setting me more at peace as I continued to stare at them in awe replaying Mahan’s words. I always enjoyed our philosophical conversations and the ease at which the words always flowed between us. But the meaning behind his words this evening had struck a chord like never before—words that had a singular name filter into my mind...Horacio.

All of a sudden, his voice popped in my head, making me jump slightly in a startled state...Do me a favor, will you, Fairy Queen? Open your door. I can’t knock. My hands are full.

Letting out a humorous laugh, I hurriedly went to my door, opening it to find my King of Fury holding a very large tray of food.

“What in the world is all of this?” I amusingly asked, stepping back as he entered the room, “Are all of Auntie’s army about to infiltrate my room for a continued discussion of my new security detail?”

“Nope, I’m starving and want to or not, you need to eat, so I raided the kitchen in the main house,” Horacio mischievously grinned, setting the tray down on the table before turning back towards me, “How’s that hard head of yours?”

“Getting there, but suddenly my headache has started raging again!” I retorted, shutting the door before walking towards him, my heart skipping a beat as I found myself captivated by his smile, “My worst issue currently is I’m still freezing!”

Walking up to me, Horacio gently took my hands in his, chuckling out, “I’m sweating to death, and you are a human popsicle!”

The warmth of his hands instantly felt like heaven wrapped around my cold fingers, as Horacio firmed his grip on them slightly, pulling me with him as he walked backwards towards the table, sarcastically continuing, “So, my pint-sized little pixie, I took the liberty of choosing things to warm you up—your first choices are Zahlia’s vegetable soup or a massive pile of her hot starchy mashed potatoes and gravy that I really want. Which one?”

I let out a quiet evil laugh through my wicked humored grin as I bantered back, “First things first—if you ever use the words pint-sized little pixie in reference to me again, you will find all the hair on your body singed from my fiery wrath!”

Quirking my brow, I continued, “And two—why this humor of yours all of a sudden? Boastful about this little vote that was had earlier? Do you really think Auntie’s army can outsmart me moving forward? I am your leader, you know, and quite sneaky when I’m forced to be!”

Walking around the table, Horacio picked up a small bowl on the side of his tray, extending it out to me, softly urging, “Sit down beside me and warm up. I’m not asking you to eat a lot, I just want to see you eat something, please.”

Stepping around the other side, I took the bowl from his hand, sitting down on my couch, “Well, since you have finally asked nicely and I do love Zahlia’s soups, I suppose I can appease you—slightly.”

Holding his plate in his hand, Horacio plopped down heavily beside me, sending me slightly airborne for a moment as I attempted to balance my bowl, eyeing him warily in return as he laughed under his breath, continuing to display his good humor, “How was tea with Mahan?”

“Enlightening as always. Two wise old souls we are,” I pleasantly returned, taking a bite of my soup, pleased by the delicious taste and the warmth it gave me inside—but finding myself even more pleased by the warm firm body pressed against mine, “I always enjoy my conversations with Mahan.”

I looked over at Horacio’s plate of mashed potatoes, stunned by the amount of food on his plate—and how good they looked. In fact, they looked so appealing, I extended my spoon out, scooping a small bite of them up before slowly bringing the utensil back towards me while silently grinning in delighted satisfaction. All the while, as he watched my action, Horacio’s mortified expression of horror suddenly had me in good humor—it was PRICELESS!

Dramatically placing the bite in my mouth, I playfully made my eyes light up as I hummed in sheer and utter delight, “Mmmmm! Those are good! Want to trade?”

“Uhhh—n-no,” Horacio muttered in a stupefied daze, his grey-blue eyes completely wide, continuing to look quite frightful.

Flashing him an expression of mocking shock, I innocently teased, “Oh my! I hope I haven’t offended you! Are you one of those that tend to be possessive over their plates of food?”

Extending my spoon back out, I sweetly continued as I took the back of it and smoothed out the potatoes, “Fortunately, my bites are small—there we are! You can’t even tell where I dipped my spoon in!”

Swallowing hard, Horacio croaked out, “Uh, Tati, you know that thing with the—uh—p-s-p words of endearment? I’m like that—with food. Not a good idea if not offered—ever—not even you. It’s—you know—my thing.”

I had never seen Horacio like that—ever—immediately sending me into a fit of laughter that lifted my spirits so high, I forgot all my troubles—I LOVED IT!

And that’s when I felt a different kind of blow hit me—I loved it—my heart was swelled, I felt so happy in that moment—I forgot all my troubles—with something so simple as sharing a meal with him and our fun banter that I had come to love so very much—stealing a bite of his food...all these warm feelings I felt now, Mahan’s words...could I truly love two very different men passionately?