To Have And To Hold

The Frailty Of Life And The Reluctant Reprieve

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Frailty Of Life And The Reluctant Reprieve...

JACE

Our family was scattered about, remaining close to Mother’s cocoon as I was anxiously pacing back and forth, my eyes glued to protective green enclosure on the ground. Aunt Reina and Aunt Persephone had just arrived, standing just at the edge of Mother’s green aura...

Reina was wringing her hands together, anxious as she tearfully questioned, “What are we going to do to help our poor Horacio, Sister? And our Tati? I can feel her anger and suffering. I fear she has something up her sleeve with her request that Ursula stay behind until Tati calls upon her.”

I froze, pressing my aunts further, “Why did Mother ask Ursula to stay behind at Crescent Moon?”

Incredibly distraught, Aunt Persephone despairingly admitted, “Tati didn’t give a reason, Jace, but she was adamant that Ursula remain there for now. Honestly, I don’t know who I’m more worried about—Horacio or Tati. For it to be taking this long is not a good sign. If Tati loses Horacio, she’ll never forgive herself and there is darkness in her Fairy Queen side that does give me cause for concern. She may seek vengeance, starting with annihilating the two instigators of today’s tragedy.”

Aunt Persephone’s words were the same as my thoughts—and had affected my Goddess, who began shedding more tears, “We aren’t losing Horacio—I will not lose any more of my family! And Mother is not annihilating anyone. She will not give into the darkness. I refuse to believe any differently!”

Rushing over to her side, I grabbed hold of my Goddess, who broke down in my arms, leading both her sisters to run over, Tink anxiously blurting out, “What’s happened? Did Auntie link about Horacio?”

“No,” I desperately returned, protectively encasing myself around her, “Constance is just tremendously overwhelmed.”

“We all are,” Charlotte sadly exhaled out, her head leaned back on Carson’s chest while his arm was firmly around her waist, “Auntie has been in there a long time, Jace.”

“The hit was bad,” Beast devastatingly murmured, his arms wrapped around Tink’s shoulders, resting his chin on her head, starting at the green light, “Really bad.”

“Still blows my mind, though,” Carson despairingly sighed, “Horacio is always—invincible, you know?”

“I’m afraid no one is invincible, my dear Carson,” Aunt Reina empathetically told him, “But if our Horacio is anything, he is resilient and he loves my littlest sister more than anything. He will always fight for Tati.”

“There’s no denying that,” Vivian heavily exhaled out, her next words crushing me to my core, “I just wish they didn’t have to constantly face adversity. Their long path has never been an easy one.”

My devastating thoughts about the truth of Vivian’s admission were momentarily diverted when Umar, Guntur, and Cassius slowly walked up, their gazes filled with deep sorrow and regret as Umar hesitantly stated, “Fortunately, like I told Guntur, Horacio has a hard head. He has faced death numerous times, but he is as stubborn as they come.”

“Unfortunately, while true, that still may not be enough to save Horacio this time, Umar. I just hope our Winged Angel arrived in time,” Alastor worriedly murmured, his fingers distractedly running through Vivian’s long auburn hair as she tightened her arms around his waist, “For all our sakes.”

I watched as Guntur carefully sat down between Caelus and Mattias, who were anxiously plucking up blades of grass from the ground. Guntur’s eyes were glued to Mother’s cocoon again as Umar and Cassius crouched down behind him, both placing a hand on one of Guntur’s shoulders to comfort him.

Suddenly, Raven’s voice filtered through my mind, Jace, can you have Charlotte and Tink take care of Constance for a moment and meet me by the tree line? I would like a word, please.

Kissing the side of Goddess’ head, I had Charlotte take hold of her while I did as Raven asked, heading over towards the tree line. When I reached her, Raven calmly murmured, “Like the aunts, I’m worried about Auntie, Jace. Nicholas and Madeline had me try to break her spell so we could temporarily send Sahar and Arturo to one of The Council prisons, but I can’t. We have to calm Auntie before she awakens them.”

“She was undoubtedly and understandably upset when she first arrived, Raven,” I defensively replied, “Knowing Mother, she is blaming herself for not seeing all this beforehand, especially Horacio’s injury.”

Peering back up at the sky, Raven coolly murmured, “That’s just it, Jace—those two haven’t just provoked Auntie. They’ve provoked everyone and there are several I worry may follow Auntie’s lead if she chooses to take Sahar and Arturo’s lives. Things could get very messy for our family.”

Taking in a deep breath, Raven slowly blew it out, “Believe it or not, Sahar and Arturo have even tempted me to join Auntie to make them pay for what they’ve done.”

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

NICHOLAS

Madeline squeezed my hand as we continued to wait for word on Horacio, sadly stating, “I should have told Auntie about my dream, Nicholas. Everyone that was present in it. The trouble that was coming. Auntie should have been here instead of Mystic Fire today.”

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I softly comforted her, “Don’t start thinking this is your fault, Madeline. It was a dream and none of us would have ever dreamed of what happened here today.”

Just then, Auntie’s cocoon emitted a powerful green burst of light before dissipating to reveal her kneeling beside a still-glowing Horacio, tenderly kissing his forehead before turning her attention to us with a shaky smile, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long, but Horacio is stable now. His rib injuries, while numerous, are healing nicely, but I’m afraid his broken arm and head injury are quite severe.”

Lorenzo bolted over towards his Beta from the opposite side of the forest where he had been talking with Soren to stand beside Auntie, with Alastor and Vivian rushing over as well, crouching down on both sides of Horacio. Umar, Jace, Constance, and Tink raced over too, just as Guntur and Caelus pushed themselves up from the ground to go closer, Guntur’s expression fallen at the sight of his Uncle reflecting the immense pain and guilt he still carried inside.

Lorenzo placed his hand gently on Horacio’s chest as Auntie softly told him, “I would like to send Horacio to Crescent Moon to remain under Talon’s care, if that’s alright, Lorenzo. Please.”

“Of course,” Lorenzo heavily exhaled out as Raven kindly told them that Talon would be waiting for him. At Lorenzo’s request, Raven sent Priscilla to wait for Horacio’s arrival as well. Mattias then asked if Jillian could be brought forth to Crescent Moon, as she was worried about Horacio as well after hearing what happened.

Auntie thanked Lorenzo, Mattias, and Raven for their kindness and assistance before leaning down to softly kiss Horacio’s lips, lovingly whispering, “I’ll be back by your side very shortly, love. I just need to take care of a couple of things here first. I love you.”

Standing up, Auntie whisked her hand across Horacio’s body, this soft green glow around it sparking before he disappeared. The softness in Auntie’s gaze vanished too—replaced with deadly fury as she thrust her hand out, emitting two large beams that swiftly wound around the orbs in the sky—the bubbles Sahar and Arturo were being held in bursting from the potent force as she seethed, “Now then. Let’s see what these two have to say for themselves, shall we?”

“That’s a scary look on Auntie’s face,” Carson inaudibly breathed out, “Not going to lie—I wouldn’t want to be Sahar or Arturo right now.”

“I don’t blame Auntie one bit, Carson,” Tink lowly murmured, “I’d be sounding just as murderous if my big guy got hurt today. In fact, I still wouldn’t mind a crack at those two myself for what they did to our family, especially Horacio.”

Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled it out slowly, gently reasoning, “Auntie, I understand that you are upset, and you have every right to be. But we need to get as much information as we can out of Sahar and Arturo. If they can help us find Igor, then—”

Lorenzo interrupted me, reaching out to gently take hold of Auntie’s arm, his tone full of adoration, quietly encouraging her, “Tati—they need to stand trial with The Council. There can be no harm brought to them now.”

“I believe Arturo has already received a death sentence,” Auntie steadfastly returned.

“Exactly! Why does Arturo suddenly get a reprieve?” Guntur furiously spat before Caelus, Umar, and Cassius proactively surrounded him, each attempting to calm him.

“I have the same question,” Mattias seethed, glaring at his mortal foe as Soren sent his subtle warning to the future Alpha, clearing his throat.

Aunt Reina and Aunt Persephone came up behind her, resting their hands on Auntie’s back as Aunt Reina soothingly urged, “The Council have their reasons, Tati. Let’s just bring them down and awaken Sahar and Arturo so we can get the information needed to find Igor. That way you can get back to taking care of our Horacio. You already have the shackles in place—allow another source of sorcery present here to make sure they are sent wherever The Council would like them held. We’ll take care of it for you, Sister.”

Their encouragement seemed to have little effect as Auntie’s eyes continued to show her inner-turmoil and fury, silently nodding as she brought Sahar and Arturo down while taking slow, methodical steps towards them. Jace followed closely behind, as well as myself and all the members of The Council, all of us hearing her mutter in irritation under her breath, “For their sake, they better be willing to talk—provoking me further would be deadly decision to make.”

As she came up to Arturo, Auntie’s eyes hardened further—although we had discussed her interrogation, a murderous look taking hold of them that made me incredibly anxious. Slowly bringing her hand up, Auntie irritatingly flicked it in front of his deeply scarred face. His blue eyes filled with hatred as they popped open, looking all around before Arturo smirked, wasting no time in antagonizing her, “Seems there’s no Horacio in sight and the Fairy Queen is highly displeased! Tell me, Tatiana, did I achieve victory in my main goal today without having to lift one finger? How bad was Horacio’s skull crushed in from the hit he took from the Moon Stone warrior?”

Her jaw tightening, I saw Auntie begin to quiver slightly, sneering, “I’m afraid no victories were achieved today, Arturo, as no lives have been lost. But have no fear, I preserved your black roses so I could return them to you when you lose your life for your crimes.”

Mockingly clicking his tongue, Arturo then sneered, “You can’t fool me, Tatiana. I saw the satisfying moment when Horacio was taken down. Even with your magic, if he isn’t dead, Horacio is gravely injured. If anything, you only prolonged the inevitable. With the vicious blow he took to his head, I highly doubt his brain will ever recover. It’s his own fault, really—that arrogant son of a b***h should have made sure I was dead!”

“Watch your damn tongue!” Lorenzo infuriatingly bellowed out, “You happen to be in front of The Council, Arturo. A quick trial can be performed right here, right now!”

Slowly extending out her hand, Auntie sent up small streams of green that she began weaving around her fingers, her tone lethal as she murmured under her breath, “Yes, provoking The Council is never a good call, Arturo—nor is provoking me—the consequences can be quite deadly, especially where I am concerned.”

Arturo let out a maniacal laugh, peering over Auntie to continue his torment, “Fine, I’ll provoke an old friend of mine instead. How’s my Jillian, Mattias? Thinking I should have taken care of her first, especially as she made victory so easy for me, plus it would have been more fun! I have missed Jillian’s presence in my bed. I bet she’s missed me too—boy!”

“Mattias, stand firm and do not allow Arturo to get inside your head,” Soren steadfastly encouraged before coldly warning, “And as for you, Arturo, I would advise you to refrain from this little game you are playing or my vote will be casted for an immediate quick trial as well.”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather, I’ve have plenty of experience with Arturo’s games,” Mattias indignantly spat, his bulky muscles tensing while his blue eyes filled with hatred and spite, “I had to play quite a few of them during my captivity.”

“Mmmmm, yes. Boys will be boys, won’t they, Mattias?” Arturo chuckled, “I believe I bested you on many occasions—including the fact that I took Jillian’s virginity and had your mate in my bed enjoying her body while you were stuck all alone in that cell. She may have told you the s*x was one-sided, but the pleasured moans—oh, I can still hear them!”

“You son of b***h!” Guntur furiously shouted out, about to charge forward, but protectively pulled back by Caelus, Umar, and Cassius.

“ENOUGH, ARTURO!” I furiously yelled out, my gaze darting over to my cousin as I saw motion out of the corner of my eye.

Mattias’ entire body was furiously shaking beside Guntur—his short blonde hair whipping about and broad shoulders hunching slightly as he began to shift despite Caelus reaching out to try and grab hold of him, calmly urging, “Don’t do it, Mattias. Arturo is purposefully doing this—it’s what he wants.”—when suddenly, an explosive crack echoed out stopping him cold—Auntie viciously slapping Arturo across the face, a dusting of her magic expelling out, forming into two miniature snakes that slithered around his neck tightly, causing him to gasp for air.

I had just linked The Council members to tell them about this part of my talk with Auntie and that all was well when Carson’s anxious reaction rang out in my head...

If you want Arturo alive, we need to do something, Nicholas, and quick. Auntie looks like she’s about to fall off the edge of no return. Reminds me of the look we saw on Jace’s face when he rallied against us after Amelia put her spell on him.

Give her a minute, I calmly returned, hoping Auntie was true to her word from earlier about keeping Arturo alive, That move was more about protecting Mattias.

If you say so, Carson doubtfully replied, but you and I both know, this is not our Auntie right now. This is a scorned Fairy Queen, which is a very dangerous combination!

“Listen to Caelus, Mattias. Deep breaths, my darling,” Auntie slowly drawled out, her next words making me incredibly anxious as Carson’s words were proven in her veiled threat, “But you and Guntur keep our lines of communication open. If Arturo doesn’t cooperate, be ready shift and I will place Arturo in an open spot for you both—even give you a boost of power to end Arturo’s life.”

Bringing her hand up to Arturo’s neck, she wickedly grinned, “Horacio has even marked the spots for you to take aim at in your well-deserved lethal strikes.”

Peering around at all The Council members, Arturo accusingly hissed out, his words forced as he was still fighting for air, “She—just—threatened me. I—wasn’t part of—the battle—just protecting Sahar—entitled to—fair trial. You are bound—our laws—if I die—prosecute Tatiana—for murder!”

Her smirk unfaltering, Auntie giggled, “Not that you are entitled to make that demand considering all the crimes you committed in the past, but you continue to underestimate me, Arturo. I already have two votes for a quick trial right here where we stand.”

Turning towards him, Auntie sweetly inquired, “Mahan—would you make it three?”

An unusual wicked smile crossing his face, bringing more worry to my mind as Mahan earnestly replied, “You can always count on my support, Tati—especially in this circumstance.”

Her attention turning back towards our prisoner, Auntie playfully scrunched her nose up, her tone amused, “I’m afraid that three votes without even asking my Crescent Moon and Mystic Fire Alphas—though I should warn you, I always have their support too. Which means I can have you sentenced to death for all the crimes you committed with your previous partner in crime, Amelia, before allowing Mattias and Guntur to carry out your sentence.”

Taking two steps forward, Auntie loosened her snakes, allowing Arturo a little more air. Her eyelids flickering with satisfaction, Auntie’s tone filled with even more intense lethal intent, “I would advise you to cease your retaliatory attacks of torment in your irritation at being captured by me. Instead, concentrate on helping your own case by giving us the information we seek. Where can we find Igor and the rest of your army?”

His bound hands coming up in a futile attempt to grab hold of Auntie’s translucent green snakes to rip them off—Arturo’s fingers simply reached through them to touch his scarred skin as he snapped back, “Go to hell, Tatiana!”

His face turning bright red in his building rage, Arturo tilted his head back then before thrusting it forward to send a large ball of spit flying onto Auntie’s face, forcibly choking out, “You might as well kill me now, because I’m not going to tell you a damn thing! At least Horacio will join me in hell soon, you b***h!”

An incensed Jace immediately charged forward, his arm flying back, fist formed, ready to be fiercely thrown at Arturo’s face as Lorenzo, Alastor, Soren, and Mahan also protectively and furiously lunged towards the former Blood Horizon Delta, with Caelus, Mattias, Guntur, Carson, Beast, and Tink breaking out into a run, bringing up the rear in their irate reaction—chaos and uncontrollable melee about to break out just as Auntie threw up a green shield in front of Arturo while harshly commanding, “ALL OF YOU! STOP!”

Everyone came to a screeching halt as Auntie directed the snakes to swiftly weave tighter around a smug Arturo’s neck, as her tone softened, lovingly exhaling out, “I appreciate everyone rushing to my defense, but this pathetic excuse for a man is not worth it.”

Rendering Arturo unconscious again, Auntie turned towards me, harshly wiping his saliva off her face, her tiny hand slinging it towards the ground as her tone turned infuriated again, “At this point, I’m afraid this is the only way I can promise you that Arturo will live, Nicholas. Perhaps we should see if Sahar will be of more use to us.”

“Agreed,” I dismally replied, “I’m afraid it was as we both feared with Arturo, though neither of us anticipated him spitting in your face. I appreciate the restraint you are showing, Auntie. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

Auntie’s responded with a low, cross hum, “Mmmmmm” before she turned back to glare at Arturo.

“Any chance Guntur and I can convince you to ask for that Council vote now, Auntie?” Mattias growled out, completely enraged.

“That gets my vote,” Guntur icily seconded, his gaze square on Arturo, filled with hatred and hostility.

Auntie’s eyes and voice were chilling in her reply, “Be patient, my darlings. I assure you—knowing Arturo, your wishes will be granted soon enough—his own arrogance will be his downfall.”

Taking several slow, methodical steps towards Sahar, Auntie turned her head towards her, tilting her head up to look at the witch with narrowed eyes, clicking her tongue before muttering out under her breath, “Let’s hope round two provides at least a little more insight to finding our enemies.”