Losing The Light Of The Moon

Home Is Where The Heart Is, Part II

Chapter 50: Home Is Where The Heart Is, Part II

JACE

Mother wasn’t in her room at the cottage or anywhere to be found—she was gone—another jolt of panic-stricken fear streaking through my entire being. Had she decided to go into hiding again? And if she had...how were we ever going to find her?

“Maybe she went down by the brook to read, I’ll go check. Be right back.” Aunt Persephone desperately sighed out, disappearing right after, as my angst escalated, a feeling obviously shared by Horacio, whose eyes were wild as he darted them out the front window in despair.

“Well, while we’re waiting, I do have to say, this is a lovely home,” Priscilla tensely stated, nervously smoothing back her silvery white hair before adjusting her bun in the back, “Very warm—no offense, Reina, but it’s very Tati.”

“None taken, Priscilla,” Aunt Reina pensively replied, “Tati had most of our cottage decorated by the time we arrived. Instantly put us at ease—the comfort and love she put into it—although currently, I’m feeling quite the opposite.”

“Hopefully, she is simply by the water. That always seems to calm her,” Luna apprehensively stated, sounding incredibly concerned herself now as she and Nicholas were both captivated by a watercolor painting of a brook against a field of wildflowers, “That must be why she was drawn to this painting. The peace and serenity in it.”

Mahan was looking at a painting as well—a multicolored vase of purple lilies on the wall near the kitchen—admiring out loud, “This one is lovely as well. It has a wonderful contrast of vivid colors—quite beautiful.”

Though her soft round face was expressing restless thoughts, Aunt Reina’s tone was full of devotion, lovingly stating, “Another hidden talent of our Tati’s—she’s quite the artist—I believe she painted both of those when she was sixteen or so. There’s a whole attic full of beautiful canvases. She alternates them every so often. It made Persephone and I very happy when she gifted us several of our favorites for our new homes at Crescent Moon.”

I was stunned at this new knowledge about Mother—she could paint? And so beautifully—looking all around the room now, every canvas was expressive and engaging. Luna reacted the same, gasping out in amazement, “You’re kidding me! Tati did these? I’ve never known she could paint—especially not like this!”

As he gazed upon several more of Mother’s paintings, Nicholas admiringly exclaimed, “I can’t believe Auntie did these! They should be seen, not hidden, especially in an attic! She should bring them all home with her to Crescent Moon.”

“As well as some of the beautiful furniture,” Altalune appreciatively stated, looking closer at the upholstered chairs, “She has such lovely taste. It’s a pity to have them just sitting here collecting dust!”

“Why haven’t you brought any of your belongings from here to Crescent Moon?” I curiously asked my aunt.

“Persephone and I have brought most of our belongings to Crescent Moon, Jace, but your mother hasn’t,” Aunt Reina reluctantly replied, “Even when we first joined all those years ago, it was incredibly important to Tati to keep everything intact here. She carried very few of her possessions from here with her, then or now. I don’t know if it’s because she wants to preserve this part of her life as this is the one place Tati can always call home or just have everything in place should she ever need to hide away from the world again.”

“It’s one thing if Mother wants to preserve her past,” I fervently stated, “But she will never have to hide away from the world again, Aunt Reina—none of you will—and when we find her, I will make sure Mother knows she will never hide from me—from any of us—ever again!”

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

TATIANA

Walking through the Spirit Walker cemetery, I arrived at the large granite marker I had been seeking, sweetly breathing out, “There you are! For once, you were the one hiding! I’m sorry it took me a moment to find you, Soloman. It’s been many years since I’ve been here.”

A warm smiled crossed my face, continuing, “I couldn’t help but feel you were reminding your Winged Angel that we were well past due for some time together when your cherished gift jumped out of my box of hidden treasures. I found myself drawn here, though that shouldn’t come as a surprise. I have always been closely connected to Spirit Walker—because of you, my beloved Soloman.”

Sitting down in front of his headstone, I ran my fingers over his etched name, the warmth and love I hoped to feel enveloping all around me, “You are here, aren’t you! I’m afraid I didn’t bring any cookies, but I did bring this...”

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the envelope, softly murmuring, “This meant as much to me you know, that you loved me so unconditionally. I remember the day you gave it to me—not far from here in fact. In our favorite place. It still pains me the heartbreak I saw in your eyes, but you forgave me instantly...you always did. I still treasure every single moment we shared together.”

Wrapping up in the blanket I brought with me, I leaned back against Soloman’s headstone, snuggling in for our talk, a smile crossing my face as I told him, “I hope you knew—I hope you know now—you are home to me, Soloman. You knew all my secrets and you supported me—loved me—in every way...knowing exactly who I am and accepting the decisions I made—I am forever and always your Winged Angel.”

Laughing softly, I clutched the envelope in my hand, humorously whispering out, “So, where would you like to begin, hmmmm? The good, the bad, or the ugly? I haven’t decided which one Lorenzo is currently—bad or ugly, but it doesn’t matter. I will forgive him. You already know I love him dearly—I always have.”

Tilting my head up, I smiled brightly at the sky, holding the letter up as I continued, “I will keep the promise I made to you when you gave me this—like I have kept all my promises to you. You always told me that you expected for Lorenzo and I to bicker from time to time, but always make sure in the end, all stayed well between us. It was important to you that your family were always there for one another—including me.”

**********

HORACIO

Persephone came back upset and empty-handed—Tati was nowhere to be found—and panic was quickly setting in all around me. I was going insane inside, and again, surprisingly—so was my wolf. It was unnerving—since the moment I realized Tati left Crescent Moon, my wolf has been overwhelmingly intense and reactive about Tati—the all-consuming anxious feelings I felt inside were killing me!

I needed some fresh air—it was getting harder and harder to breathe—my chest felt like it was caving from the fear consuming me not knowing where Tati was. Stepping outside, I walked around the side of the house, stopping at Tati’s garden bursting with colorful blooms. I plucked two large purple irises before walking down towards her beloved parents’ graves.

Once I found my Fairy Queen and was able to function normally again, that pint-sized pixie and I were going to have a talk! Maybe after that I could really appreciate being able to see where she lived—hid—for much of her life. The warmth in every aspect of Tati’s home, her incredible collection of books, the beauty of her paintings, and her colorful garden reflected every ounce of comfort and love Tati embodied. I couldn’t help but think how nice it would have been to visit the cottage for the first time with Tati—something I would have been perfectly willing to do if she hadn’t run off...

But right now, all I wanted—what I needed more than anything—was to see my Fairy Queen, know that she was alright, bring her home to Crescent Moon, and threaten her within an inch of her life to never, EVER do anything like this AGAIN! Especially take away my ability to always find her...

I placed an iris in front of each headstone before running my hand under the sleeve of my black shirt to place my fingers on top of my tattoo, clearing my throat before quietly and respectfully greeting, “Mago, Vesta—though I wish it was under better circumstances, I thought I would introduce myself. I’m Horacio—Beta of the Spirit Walkers. I’m also the man who is completely and desperately in love with your daughter, Tatiana. I’m a werewolf, hope you don’t mind that...and while Tati isn’t my mate—hope that’s okay with you too—she is the one I’ve waited my whole life for, which is why I’m here talking with you, I guess—you see, I’m struggling to hold it together right now and could use some guidance, if you don’t mind.”

Swallowing hard, I hesitatingly continued in a desperate tone, “It’s killing me inside, Tati vanishing like she did—leaving me instead of leaning on me—and taking her gift back. I guess she felt like we betrayed her—like I betrayed her—and I swear, that’s the last thing I would ever do. I know I can be an ass—sorry, but I can be and I’m honest—but Tati should know when it comes to her, I’m different...her love makes me different.”

Taking in a deep breath, I sighed out, “That beautiful pint-sized pixie of yours is completely ruining me—but I love her—I love her more than anything else in this world. I have for a long time. And I want to protect her—I promise you, I will protect and love Tati always. But I can’t do that if I can’t find her. And something new for me—I’m petrified we aren’t going to find her. And if we don’t find her, it could get very ugly for me. So, please...help me find my Fairy Queen.”

“Please help us find our Fairy Queen,” Jace softly corrected, startling me as he walked up to stand beside me, continuing, “Hello Grandmother, Grandfather. I too wish I was visiting you for the first time under better circumstances but know that I feel the same way as the very honorable man standing beside me now. Though I should be honest—his nickname is the King of Fury. I can assure you, however, his intentions are good. And I can vouch, he does love and cherish Mother very much—in every way she deserves to be loved and cherished.”

Embarrassed that I had been caught in my desperate moment, I sarcastically muttered under my breath, “Thanks for your show of support, Jace—though maybe you could have left out the King of Fury part.”

Leaning towards me, Jace murmured, “Think they have probably seen it, Horacio and I happen to be their grandson and a werewolf too—think you’re good.”

Nodding silently, I devastatingly admitted, “I need to find Tati, Jace—I need to know where your mother is.”

Before Jace could reply, my shoulder suddenly lit up, sending a green glow through my sleeve, his eyes widening as Jace choked out, “Horacio? What is happening?”

I immediately exhaled out in relief, grabbing his arm, and pulling him towards the house, “I KNOW WHERE SHE IS!” I linked Devlin, just to make sure as we hurried towards the house, receiving my answer almost immediately, my wolf and I both elated that we found her, but as Devlin described Tati’s state, I also came to a new realization...

Jace urgently replied in his stunned state, “Where is she, Horacio? And what the hell just happened?”

“There are several things you and I need to talk about later!” I excitedly shouted out, completely staggered by where Tati was, “But right now, you have to play along with my excuse of how I know, and we need to get to Spirit Walker!”

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

LORENZO

Horacio startled all of us when he burst into the house to tell us he had found Tati. But I was grateful for my Beta’s intelligence and intuitiveness—stating how he remembered that Tati seemed to get very emotional talking about my father, leading him to wonder if she possibly went to visit his grave just as she had visited her parents. He immediately messaged Devlin, who went to the cemetery and found Tati—leaned up against Father’s headstone wrapped up in her blanket—asleep.

I can’t describe the immense relief that flowed through me when it was confirmed Tati had been found at of all places—home at Spirit Walker—and had not done as I feared—vanished from our lives again. That had been done too many times already—and I wouldn’t have been able to bear the guilt if I had been the reason that it was done again.

I insisted that Jace, Horacio, and I go to Spirit Walker while the others waited at the cottage. I needed the opportunity to make amends with Tati, while protecting the knowledge of this magical connection between her and Horacio.

While it was unexpected—this relationship between two people who meant more to me than they would ever realize—I was glad Tati and Horacio had fallen in love. They both deserved the happiness they seemed to bring to one another, both of them as they had been wronged by fate in so many ways. I liked to think this was fate’s way of apologizing for what they had been put through...

However, before our departure, Reina asked if we could chat outside for a moment. I wasn’t thrilled with the request—I wanted to get to Tati—but appeased Reina—reluctantly...

Standing in the middle of us, Reina lovingly warned, “I know you all want to get to Tati, but I’ve been through this many times with her—you will need to go about this gently. Not only because of the disagreement this morning, but because of where she is. Tati has always been very protective of her time with Soloman.”

“She and Father were both protective of their time together,” I astutely stated, “No one was allowed to disturb them during her visits, not even me. I would have to wait until I received word from Father before I was allowed to join them, and he would never divulge any of their conversations. Truthfully, there was a time I was a bit jealous of their relationship—all the secrets they shared together.”

Sighing heavily, Reina solemnly continued, “Tati never talked about it with us either. Persephone was much like you—a bit jealous, but I didn’t mind, because Tati was always so happy and content when she returned home.”

Biting her lower lip slightly, she tentatively continued, “She would be furious with me if she knew I told you, but Tati’s heart was completely shattered when Soloman passed—she was shattered—even more than you realize, Lorenzo. She eats very little as it is but ate nearly nothing at all for well over three months afterwards. Barely came out of her room. She was so pale and looked very sickly. Persephone and I were both incredibly worried about her.”

I was dumbfounded by this new knowledge Reina bestowed on me. I knew she was devastated the day of Father’s funeral, but I truly had no idea how deeply Tati suffered, brokenly murmuring, “What? I never knew that.”

“Mmmmm,” Aunt Reina sympathetically murmured, “Honestly, even now, Tati still mourns him. You saw her—just the mere mention or even thought of him brings our littlest sister to tears. So, please—do be gentle or I’m afraid Tati may actually take drastic measures to do what she thinks needs to be done.”

I nodded, suddenly appreciative of Reina’s request—I would be gentle and I would fix this disagreement between Tati and me, especially as I knew Father would want me to...he wouldn’t want their to be ill-will between me and his beloved Winged Angel...

***********

There were no words to describe what I felt when I saw Tati’s beautiful face—she looked so peaceful sleeping against Father’s headstone. It had been a while since I have visited him, but I could feel him all around me now. I guess he was protecting Tati until I got here...

As we all quietly walked towards her, I noticed a folded envelope on the ground beside Tati’s stilled hand. Jace and Horacio crouched down on either side of Tati, both of their relieved faces warmly smiling at her—Horacio’s soft gaze staring at Tati with a love and devotion in them I had never seen from my Beta. It was quite touching, truthfully, making it even more clear that he truly did deserve her.

I kneeled in front of Tati as Horacio picked up the envelope and read the top of it before shooting me a curious look. After he handed it over to me, I understood why—I knew the perfectly written script on the worn envelope—reading it, I found myself confused and touched all at the same time. Whatever was contained inside was Father’s last act as Alpha?

And at the end, he had written such loving words to Tati—My heart is always and forever home to you. Almost immediately, I fell into a dazed state, looking at his headstone as I breathed out in wonder, “Father.”

Tati stirred then, her eyes fluttering open as Horacio lovingly exhaled out, “Any idea how worried sick we’ve been about you?”

“I told Aruna where I was,” Tati drowsily replied, “There was no need for worry—at least on your part—I am a bit worried, however, that my cloaking spell disappeared somehow, and I was discovered. Even if I did fall asleep, that is a rare occurrence.”

Reaching out to take her tiny slender hand in his massive mitt, Horacio softly admonished in return, “Tati, after what you said and the very dramatic way you left, how could we not worry? Especially when you cut off communication with everyone!”

Jace wrapped his long, thick fingers around Tati’s other hand, shamefully admitting, “I won’t lie, Mother—we all wondered if you weren’t using it as a ruse to actually fulfill the promise you made before you left—disappearing again. Don’t ever think about doing that to me or blocking me like that again, do you understand? I don’t care how angry you are!”

A tremendous wave of guilt flowed throughout my body as Tati’s tears were instant, falling down her face as she sobbed out, “So, even after I said I wouldn’t break my promise of not leaving none of you trusted me? None of you! Everyone just assumed I had abandoned all of you!”

Placing my hand atop her small feet, I delicately comforted her, “Tati, you have to understand that based on your past actions, the things that were said, and the way you left, our first thought was fear that the past was repeating itself. Not to mention your last statement to Aruna about temporarily changing your stance.”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t understand—I will admit that I was still incredibly angry, and my leaving Crescent Moon was an emotionally driven action, but the last part was your fault!” Tati emphatically retorted, “I just needed to take a step back for a moment to calm down and everyone’s first thoughts were that I betrayed you all! Honestly, I—.”

I saw Tati’s eyes drift down to her letter I was holding in my hand, a fear-stricken gaze crossing her face as she stared at it for a moment, before looking back up at me—opening her mouth to speak, but appearing unable to form any words. What was this secret mysterious last act my Father did as Alpha? And why did Tati appear so afraid for me to find out about it?