To Have And To Hold

Late Night Talk...Part II

Chapter Forty-Six: Late Night Talk...Part II

ARUNA

Both of us rushing towards her, Alta and I both threw our arms around her as Priscilla broke down in our arms, tears incessantly pouring out of her eyes onto our dresses as I soothed, “I’m so sorry, Priscilla. I didn’t mean to upset you. Everything is going to be alright. Like you said, Horacio is strong and resilient, just like Tati.”

“What can we do, Priscilla?” Alta softly asked, “How can we help?”

“You’re doing it now,” Priscilla brokenly said, “But someone should probably go check on the kettle. I don’t want my silly breakdown to burn Aruna’s wing down.”

Alta immediately ran towards the kitchen as I continued to hold my old friend, thickly relaying in a hushed whisper, “I understand, Priscilla. We have both been through several losses of a child. But we have been blessed too with those who love us so deeply in their hearts. And we have so many children to love, and who love us in return now. And I know of Horacio’s love for you—he will fight to come back to you, just as much as he is fighting for Tati.”

My son's timing as always was perfect as Nicholas’ worried voice suddenly rang out, “Mother? Priscilla? Is everything alright? Should I get Lorenzo?”

Turning to see him hurriedly coming towards us, Priscilla sniffed, choking out, “No, please don’t worry Lorenzo about me anymore than he already is, Nicholas. I’ll be fine. Momentary lapse.”

“I'll do as you wish, but I think this is a bit more than a momentary lapse,” Nicholas empathetically replied in the softest of tones, reaching out to bring Priscilla into his large, comforting arms, hugging her close, “I hope you know that I love you, Priscilla, and we will do everything we can to make Horacio well again.”

“Oh, Nicholas, you have always had the kindest soul,” Priscilla gratefully whispered, “Your mother was right. How blessed am I that you are standing here now and saying those sweet words, especially as I know that I'm not the easiest person to love.”

“Well, you’re wrong about that,” Nicholas tenderly argued, “I’ve always loved you, Priscilla. I looked up to you when I was a child and even more so when I took over as Alpha. You and Lorenzo gave so much of your time to me and taught me a great deal. In you, I learned immense perseverance and dignity. Not to mention, proper etiquette. I still remember your lessons on silverware. I even corrected Madeline at the last big dinner we held here at Crescent Moon. She tried to use the salad fork on her main dish, and I won’t even go into her butter knife faux pas.”

My sweet boy had Priscilla laughing then, her reply muffled into his chest, “I think you and Alastor are the only two that retained that knowledge. He corrects Vivian all the time. And I’ve seen the rest of our children eat. I cringe often.”

Leaning back, she affectionately told him, “But thank you for the rest of what you said. I love you too—always have, always will. You and Alastor are the best gifts Tati ever gave me.”

His fingers gingerly smoothing out her mussed hair, Nicholas adoringly stated, “I have full confidence that Horacio will find his way back, Priscilla. Keep your lovely head up, hmmm?”

Clearing her throat, Priscilla smoothed out her long black dress, her elegant tone returning as she held her head up high, “I may have gone soft as of late, Nicholas, and had a momentary lapse, but that is one thing you can always count on with me.”

***********

ALASTOR

Raven and Talon brought another bed into Horacio’s room before turning in for the night. Afterwards, Jace, Constance, Vivian, and I rearranged a little sitting area in the corner of the room. Vivian’s presence did appear to be helping Constance, who was still protectively gazing often at Horacio and Auntie resting together as we sat and talked but seemed more at ease in her expression.

All our heads turned when the door slowly opened to reveal an anxious Caelus, who crept over, hesitantly whispering, “I know all of you are planning on staying tonight, but I was wondering if I could stay too? I promise I’ll stay out of the way. I can sleep in the chair—or if you think it will be too crowded, I’ll just stay out in the waiting room.”

“Nonsense, you can stay in here,” I kindly replied, “I was expecting your arrival. I know how close you are to Auntie and your Unc.”

“Thanks,” Caelus gratefully returned, the young man continuing to impress me with his heart—something I knew would bode well for me in the future—though I hoped it would be well into the future—my decision to have him as my Beta-in-line made even more evident. That fact further solidified by his next statement...

Quietly pulling up a chair, Caelus earnestly stated, “So, I’ve been thinking. I know you, Vivian, Alpha Lorenzo, and Priscilla want to stay here by Unc’s side. And I do too, but if you think Brady and Devlin could use some help at Spirit Walker in your absence, I would be happy to have Raven or Auntie send me over there for a few hours every day to make sure everything is running smoothly and report back to you, so your minds are kept at ease.”

“Truth be told, I’m planning on going over for a few hours every day myself, Caelus,” I appreciatively told him, “But having you come with me would be a tremendous help if you wouldn’t mind. I’m sure Brady and Devlin would also appreciate your assistance. You’ve already impressed them both with your quick mastering of our daily routines. Thank you for your kind offer.”

“Whatever I can do to help,” Caelus warmly returned, looking over at Horacio, “I think Unc would want me to—although, he will probably thank me by telling me to quit trying to take his job early.”

“Guarantee those words will be said,” Jace chuckled, “Though more cynical in eloquence as our Horacio does love banter. But like me, he will greatly appreciate the initiative you’ve taken, Caelus.”

“And we appreciate it as well,” Vivian pleasantly chimed in, “You are a tremendous asset to Spirit Walker. Thank you, Caelus, and make sure you take some time to visit with Ayla. She’s incredibly worried about you. Perhaps she and Kishi can return with you tomorrow. I think Maxim could use a visit—he is taking all of this very hard, especially after learning Oralia spearheaded the attack. Jade is worried about him.”

“We all are,” I sighed out, “I think Maxim is going to need all the support he can get from our family right now—especially, his mate.”

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

BADRU

Luminara was resting comfortably beside me, despite the fact that our children were rambunctiously moving all around, their little hands and feet pressing against my hand that gingerly laid on top of her beautiful protruding belly.

“Calm down, little ones,” I lovingly murmured, “Mommy needs some sleep.”

Sleep was something I wish could accomplish, but the events from today were making it impossible. I felt grateful to still be with my family after Igor’s vicious plans for my demise. But I also continued to reel from the toll it had taken on so many, in particular Loa, Horacio—and Tarkik.

Cassius had linked me earlier, heavily concerned after Guntur relayed that his youngest son was contemplating quitting our army. Something that would devastate me completely if it came to fruition, as in my mind, Tarkik’s talent and character were invaluable to our future. The question was—how do we fix it?

I hope I’m not waking you, Badru, but I wanted to check on you and Luminara, Mahan’s soft voice echoed out in my head, Loa is finally resting as she should be, but unfortunately, my mind is unable to rest.

Luminara is resting. I’m currently trying to keep the children calm, I replied, I’m having trouble sleeping myself. While we were fortunate, Igor did inflict quite a bit of damage, Mahan, in many ways. I’m very thankful that Loa is alright and hope that the same can soon be said about Horacio. But Tarkik—

Cassius informed me of young Tarkik’s continued struggle when I checked in with him earlier, Mahan sadly relayed, Together, we will make sure that Igor does not achieve victory by destroying our Tarkik’s bright future, Badru. We will figure out how to help him recover.

I hope we can, I honestly replied, I had thought at one point having Auntie help us, but after Nicholas told me of her breakdown tonight, I’m worried about her too.

As am I, which is why I am even more in agreement with Loa’s request that we make our way to Crescent Moon tomorrow, Mahan sadly returned, There is much for us to figure out, Badru, including working with our family to finally put an end to Igor’s reign of terror. I refuse to allow him to tear apart our family like this. No matter what it takes, Igor and The Blood Horizons must be stopped!

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

TATIANA

Talon’s mind-numbing potion had forced me into a dark, endless sea of black sort of slumber. I was still aware as the Fairy Queen aura around Horacio and I kept me informed, which is why I knew five of my favorite loved ones had remained in the room—and Lorenzo and Priscilla were struggling greatly...

Suddenly, however, I found myself at one of my favorite places, the pond at Spirit Walker. A hope like I’ve never known filling every ounce of my spiritual being as I looked around for Soloman—but found someone else waiting for me instead.

“Hello, my tiny firecracker,” his deep, loving voice called out, his stick-straight coarse red hair as wild as my blonde curls, “Don’t worry, Soloman will be here soon. I may have pushed my way to the front this time in my protectiveness of you and that beautiful heart of yours.”

“Hello, my handsome handful,” I affectionately replied, hesitantly continuing as his words brought fear, “It’s good to see you, Julien. No offense, but I hope that your protectiveness is because of my meltdown earlier—and not because of the news you bring.”

“I’m afraid my protectiveness of you is because of both as I have no news, Tati,” Julien cautiously relayed, “Horacio’s fate is still being decided and unfortunately, we are all as much in the dark as you are currently, which is why I’m also worried about you.”

“I see,” I devastatingly murmured, my tone turning hopeful as I pressed further, “So, have you seen him? Horacio?”

“No. He is being held in a flux of sorts—unreachable—and knowing him, Horacio is arguing like hell about it,” Julien hesitantly informed me, “When the decision was made for the attack, Horacio wasn’t supposed to make it, Tati. He was supposed to die in the clearing. You and your Fairy Queen powers—your incantation and your aura—it did, in fact—save him.”

While it wasn’t the answers I wanted, Julien did provide answers, but they were ones I feared. Fate was dealing Horacio and I another hard hand, which in turn, utterly devastated me again...

Defeatedly dropping my head back, I pleadingly shouted out at the top of my lungs towards the black sky, “Did I save him? Or is fate going to prove Arturo right? Have I only prolonged the inevitable?”

Dropping my head back down, I angrily cried out, “Why, Julien? Why does fate hate me? First you, now Horacio! What have I done? What do I need to do to atone for to finally end this battle with fate?”

Rushing forward, Julien grabbed firm hold of my hands, emphatically countering, “Stop, Tati! This is why I pushed to come forth first! I don’t know why you continue to be challenged by fate, but you haven’t done anything to deserve anything that’s happened to you. None of this is your fault in any way, my love!”

“I can’t lose you both, Julien! I just can’t!” I uncontrollably cried out, “I would have reacted the same way had I been here with you during that fire. I would have fought for you, just as I fought and am continuing to fight for Horacio. I would have used every ounce of my powers—even released my Fairy Queen powers—to bring you back. If I could turn back time, I would want you both, Julien. I know that I’ve said it before, and it sounds just as selfish now—but it’s true. I chose Horacio, just as I chose us—to come home with you to Crescent Moon. Even then I feared what fate had planned for me, but I was determined to fight for us. And as it turns out, what I should have been fearing all along is what fate had planned for both of you, because you love someone who is cursed.”

Julien continued his steadfast resolve, “Come on, Tati, this is not you—you don’t give up! You have always fought for what you believe in—you are a survivor!”

“I’m tired, Julien,” I exasperatingly exhaled out, “I don’t know what else to do to prove to fate that I’m worthy of life.”

“Remaining true to yourself, who you are—that’s what you must do,” Julien softly replied, “I don’t know why you are being tested again, but please—for me—do that, Tati. My protectiveness, my love for you is fierce because from the moment I saw you—you represent life. Our Jace is proof of that. Nicholas and Alastor are proof of that. All the lives you have saved over the years—including mine and Horacio’s on several occasions—all of it, Tati, is proof of that.”

“Listen to him, my Winged Angel,” Soloman’s gentle voice interjected, walking out from behind the large oak tree towards me, “I’m also proof that you have always represented life. I know it’s not fair, but fate has its reasons for your trials and the outcomes, both in the past and in the intended future. Believe that—believe me, my darling girl. Just as I have always believed in you.”

“Soloman,” I breathlessly greeted, “Why does it sound as if you know something you aren’t telling me?”

“You keep thinking you have failed everyone, Tati,” Soloman lovingly deflected, “But there is no failure except in no longer trying. Heed our words to you—heed Jace’s words to you about Horacio—and heed the words of those who are surrounding you, supporting you in their love for you both. Soon enough, I promise you—all will be made clear.”

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, Julien curiously asked, “Why do I now feel you know something you haven’t told me, Soloman?”

“As always, you are protective over our girl, Julien,” Soloman warmly smiled, “I dare say that while I’m thrilled my Tati is mated to a Spirit Walker, you too deserved her in every way.”

Peering down at me, Julien knowingly murmured, “He’s not going to tell either of us, is he?”

As always, my beloved Spirit Walker father brought calmness in me as I affectionately replied, “No, he isn’t, but that is one of the reasons I love him so. While encouraging my path, Soloman has always pushed me to find my own way in the end, trusting that I will make the right choice.”

Releasing myself from Julien’s arms, I slowly made my way towards where he stood by the oak tree, embracing Soloman tightly, “Keep up the good fight and remain true to the Winged Angel you know and love, right, Father?”

“Nice to see my girl is still in there,” Soloman devotedly replied, bringing his arms around to hug me, “It’s one thing for my son to finally express his true heart, which has been quite enjoyable to see, but you, my darling Tati—you need to not only stay true to your heart that you express so beautifully, but remain headstrong and resourceful. While I cannot tell you what Horacio’s outcome will be, I know that by doing that, you stand a greater chance at the outcome you both want, and we all feel that you deserve.”

My voice sounded so childlike as I implored, “Can you both stay with me for a while? Sit by the pond for a bit?”

“I know my answer, but yet again, Soloman has the final word as this is his pond,” Julien mockingly chided, “Funny how I seem to end up here to talk with you now, Tiny. It’s almost like Soloman is making sure he has home field advantage or something. We were mates, Soloman, and married. It’s a little late to be an overprotective father.”

I giggled, surprised by Julien’s sarcastic reply as Soloman eyed him warily, “Yes, I’m well aware of all that, Julien, but I will always be protective of my daughter.”

His arms securing me close to him, Soloman mused, “I must say, my darling girl—I’m beginning to wonder if there is something in the Spirit Walker water that brings this out in our men. It would explain a great deal about Lorenzo, Alastor, and Horacio. It’s a good thing I seemed to be immune to the effects—most of the time, anyway.”

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

My eyes opened to find everyone sleeping in Horacio’s darkened room, the only light being that of our green aura. Caelus was sleeping in a reclining chair in the corner, Jace and Constance on a bed to the side, and Alastor and Vivian asleep in their chairs—a smile on my face as I knew they had just nodded off—a request I made of Soloman when he was giving me messages to tell everyone.

Peering up at my Horacio, I smiled, inaudibly informing him, “Soloman is visiting Alastor and Vivian, while Julien is checking in with Jace and Constance in their dreams. How is my King of Fury doing currently, hmmmm?”

Closing my eyes again, I ran my little assessment, finding that Horacio’s injuries continued to be healing well, including his head wound, exhaling out in a breathless whisper, “While I know my love’s strings of life are in your hands, hear my hushed words loud and clear—I will not give up on him or our destiny together. I will rise above and face whatever challenge you feel necessary to keep those strings whole. After the many sacrifices he has made for others, Horacio not only deserves a chance to live the life he has always wanted, but he deserves a better ending than this—something not even you can deny.”

Reopening my eyes, my love continued to look incredibly pale, but I didn’t allow it to dishearten me this time, running my fingers along the lines of his face, murmuring my incantation again, changed a bit thanks to my new resolve, “With the vast powers I’ve been bestowed, heal my passion, my life, my Horacio. Change the course of plans once made, make fate see it is not time for him to go. My love for my King of Fury is now and forever for eternity. I refuse to give up on us—or the life that is our destiny.”

A burst of green brightly lit up the room, waking Caelus in the process. His eyes fearful, he jumped out of the chair, hurriedly coming up beside me, asking in a hushed whisper, “Is Unc alright, Auntie? And how are you feeling?”

Turning to smile at him, I quickly assured him in a muted tone, “Just a little extra boost of healing for your Unc, who is continuing to heal well. And I’m much better after some much needed rest, thank you, Caelus.”

Another blast of green appeared, but this time, only in my mind—a vision of Tarkik, giving me great cause for concern...

Caelus noticed my distracted look, alarmingly inquiring, “Everything still okay?”

“With your Unc, yes,” I quietly returned, making plans to link Mahan as soon as the sun rose, “But it seems there is still a bit of devastating fallout at Moon Stone from Igor’s vile attack.”

**********

MAHAN

The sun had barely risen when I woke from my short sleep, looking down at Loa, who was still sound asleep on my shoulder. Just after I lightly kissed the top of her head, I received an unexpected link...

Good morning, Mahan, Tati’s voice softly echoed out, I hope Loa has been resting well. I’m sorry for my early morning link, but I’m worried about my Moon Stones. Particularly you, Badru, and our dear Tarkik. I’ve seen Tarkik’s struggle following yesterday’s events—among a few other things. Mind if we have a little chat?