Losing The Light Of The Moon

Celebrating Deep Connections

Chapter Five:  Celebrating Deep Connections

ARUNA

I was surprised when Lorenzo returned to my wing and told me that Tatiana asked that I come by her room prior to dinner, though I was grateful for her request as I continued to be worried about her following today’s earlier events at the lake. As they both had dealt with many challenges dealt to them by fate, watching them interact with one another, it became very clear to me—Jace needed Tati just as much as Tati needed Jace...

I had barely knocked on her door before Tatiana opened it, looking beautiful in her dinner attire—a long soft shimmering beige dress that reflected a multitude of light pink, blue, and silver in the light bringing a stunning sparkle to her already beautiful features, especially the glimmering hazel within her brown eyes and a wide bright smile. Her beige heeled sandals held a glittery hue as well, matching perfectly to her dress while providing her a bit more height to her petite frame.

“You look lovely, Tati,” I admiringly breathed out, gazing at her from head to toe, “As always, you light up the room!”

“As do you, Aruna,” Tatiana sweetly replied, reaching out to take my hands in hers, extending them out as she took in my long flowing dress as well, “Pastels, in particular this beautiful light pink, have always been your color. Of course, you know my favorite part is the intricate sparkling scrollwork along your sleeves. Though your inner-beauty always makes you shine!” Squeezing my hands, she giggled, “And as I have always told you, I do envy your height!”

Entering her room, I laughed softly, “Thank you, Tati, and as I have always told you, there is nothing wrong with being petite!”

“Yes, should trouble find us, I believe our agreement is you hit high, and I hit low,” Tatiana humorously countered, “That way no one stands a chance!”

“I had forgotten about our agreement,” I laughed out softly, “Thank you for reminding me of that plan!”

As our humored state faded, Tatiana’s gaze softened dramatically as tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Motioning for me to sit on the edge of her bed, Tatiana sat down beside me, “Thank you for coming to see me, Aruna. I have been quite anxious to speak with you privately.”

“Is everything alright?” I worriedly asked, wrapping both my hands around her small slender fingers.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she passionately replied, “Everything is more than alright and much of that is thanks to you, Aruna. How am I to ever repay you for loving my Jace and caring for him as you have for all these years? You have been there for him every step of the way during my absence, helping him navigate through every challenge, every painful moment…”  

Her eyes diverting from mine again to fall onto our clasped hands, her voice filled with overwhelming emotion, “And as if that wasn’t enough, you came to the lake today to help me in my own despair as I was miserably attempting to come to terms with everything.”

“Oh, Tati,” I slowly breathed out, my eyes glazing over, “You know I have always loved Jace as my own, just as I have always loved you from the moment we met! Aldric loved you just as dearly and was so happy that you and I bonded as we did, a bond much like he and Julien shared together. He would always say together, we were the Power of Four, remember?”

“I remember, Aruna, and I have always loved you as well…and our Power of Four,” Tatiana earnestly replied, falling silent for a moment before hesitantly continuing, “We have both suffered devastating loss, Aruna. I’m so sorry about Aldric. He always expressed his love for you so beautifully—and I treasured the gift of love and heartwarming friendship he bestowed upon me.” 

Taking in a sharp breath, Tatiana unevenly exhaled out, “You appeared to me in another vision of the past as well, Aruna. I know of the burden you carried following Aldric’s passing—the secrets regarding the children after the battle. It breaks my heart to know you had to go through that alone. To have that weigh on your heart for so long was incredibly unfair to you. I wish I had been here to help you somehow.”

“While I wish I had one of your beautiful lanterns to assist me along the way, I feel very fortunate that the children have helped me make peace with that, Tati,” I warmly informed her, before playfully tilting my head up proudly, attempting to lighten the mood a bit, “Speaking of the children, I hope they know how fortunate they are now to have among them now several wise and stylish women who are always there in times of need and thrive on bringing balance and joy to those we love, as well as bestowing our wisdom as often as we can to the young.”

My tactic worked as Tatiana let out a roll of soft laughter, “Oh, Aruna! Although I have only just had my memories returned, I still feel that I have missed you so desperately all this time...and we are still young ourselves, thank you very much! No matter what the very young think!”

“I feel the same way on both parts,” I delightedly returned, patting her hand, “I do have to warn you, however, we have our hands quite full with our abundance of very young. Truth be told, I appreciate the help I will have with all of them now…and I wouldn’t mind turning the tables on them now and then with a little mischief of our own!”

“Have no fear, my dear Aruna, your Power of Three are here!” Tatiana slyly grinned, “We always bring mischief with a slight hint of wickedness wherever we go, especially my sisters as you well know!”  

As our laughter filled the room, there was a rap on Tatiana’s door before it was opened, revealing a humored-appearing Jace and Constance. Eyeing us wearily, Jace cautiously asked through a smirk, “While I am overjoyed to find I’m fortunate enough to escort my three favorite ladies to dinner, I heard the word mischief with laughter following. Should I be worried?”

A fun-loving grin crossing my face, I charmingly teased, “Yes, as a matter of fact, you should be!”

“Nicely done, Aruna!” Tatiana giggled, flashing Jace her own playful smug grin, “Oh, Jace, my love, you had best prepare yourself! You have no idea the amount of mischief your Luna and Mother are well-known for!”

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

JACE

The happiness I felt was immeasurable escorting Constance, Mother, and Luna down to the dinner party. All three women looked stunning, especially my Goddess, who was wearing a long light blue silk dress that accented every magnificent curve of her tall frame with a high slit on the side showing off her long shapely legs. However, while I was appreciating her alluring attire, it seemed Goddess was enamored with Mother’s gorgeous dress...

“I have to ask you, Auntie,” Constance excitedly inquired, “Do you still create most of your beautiful wardrobe? That dress is absolutely exquisite!  You and Luna look so radiant this evening!”

“Thank you, Constance, and yes, I do,” Mother sweetly replied, a wide grin crossing her face, “You know, you and Charlotte gifted me with that same brilliant smile every time I visited Mystic Fire. Both of you filled with anxious anticipation as you eyed my large bag filled with goodies for everyone. I always enjoyed making dresses for both of my little fashionistas! It would make my heart very happy to create some new dresses for my girls again!”

“And old friends too, I hope!” Aruna kindly exclaimed, “I have always loved your eye for color and fashion!”

“Of course!” Mother laughed out softly, her hand gently wrapping around my bicep, “You look very handsome this evening, Jace. I hope we are not boring you with all this girl talk about fashion!”

Chuckling under my breath, I replied, “Your conversation isn't boring me at all, but I’m afraid my black dress shirt and pants look very plain compared to you lovely ladies!  Truth be told, I’m quite happy and content having all of you with me right now. I am wondering, however, if I need to make plans to build Goddess another closet!”

All three women burst into a melodious laughter as we made our way outside towards the large round table where several of our friends and family had already gathered to celebrate the return of our Power of Three.

TATIANA

The table was beautifully set and several of our loved ones already gathered, including my sisters, as Jace escorted us outside. 

“Well, Jace,” Nicholas humorously laughed out, walking over with Madeline on his arm, who was wearing a stunning long black sleeveless lace dress adorned with gleaming multi-colored gems perfectly spaced far apart to highlight her small fit waist, “Apparently, you are trying to make us all jealous by escorting three beautiful ladies to dinner tonight!” Leaning down towards Aruna, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, “You look lovely, Mother.”

“Our Jace takes after his Auntie Ro,” Aunt Reina playfully gushed as she and Persephone followed behind them, “Always a favorite!”

Persephone rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh, “You realize if you keep that up with the children, Reina, it’s only going to make Tati lecture us and recite that quote of hers again!”

Shaking my head in mocked disbelief, I lovingly replied, “If you are referring to the fact that you both should know that favorites are not necessary, Persephone, you would be correct. Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving and sharing it with others!”

“That is a beautiful quote, Auntie,” Madeline admiringly said, “and a beautiful dress, by the way!”

“Yes, beautiful and eloquent as always, Tati, though I believe your sisters have always had a penchant for being favorites,” Mahan amusingly stated as he, Loa, Luminara, Badru, and Lorenzo came to stand beside us.

“Thank you both for the compliments and I’m afraid you are correct, Mahan,” I softly laughed out, “It has been a lifelong battle, I’m afraid!”

“Well, at least we got our lecture out of the way early!” Reina mischievously grinned, hugging me tightly, “And while Mahan is correct, I will try to behave, dear sister, at least for tonight!”

As soon as Reina released me, Persephone immediately took her place, warmly wrapping her arms around me, “Note the word ‘try’! But never mind all that! You, my dear Tati, look stunning as always!”  Her eyes moving up to fondly gaze at my tall, handsome son, she added, “And you, my darling Jace, look so very handsome!”

“Everyone looks quite dashing and stunning this evening!” Reina eagerly gushed, “It’s been so long since we’ve been a part of such wonderful festivities! I am quite looking forward to this evening! I dare say I might even compliment Lorenzo this evening instead of the usual teasing rapport we typically share!”

“And break with tradition, Reina?” Lorenzo coolly replied with a humored undertone, “Have you softened in your older years?”

Lorenzo and Reina had always shared a bit of an adversarial trait to their relationship, taking jabs at one another when given the opportunity. For Lorenzo, this was in large part due to his protectiveness over me and wrongdoings he felt my sisters had inflicted upon me in my childhood—something I had let go of long ago—but Lorenzo was not known for his ability to forgive easily.  As we began working with Aldric and Crescent Moon, however, I was relieved that over time, Lorenzo was able to discover an appreciation of my sisters.

For Reina, like most, she found Lorenzo to be cold and arrogant.  But knowing what he meant to me, over time, she developed an appreciation of Lorenzo in return  Persephone, on the other hand, had always admired Lorenzo and respected him as an Alpha. She always appreciated his protectiveness over me, her wisdom in being older than Reina and and internal guilt over the past and what I went through driving her feelings…

Reina’s jaw ticked slightly before she let out an evil giggle, retorting, “Perhaps tradition is better! To me, old age is always ten years older than I am! How old are you again, Lorenzo, dear?”   Several covered their mouths in response to hide their snickering, which is something that typically occurred when Lorenzo and Reina were together.

Persephone found little humor in our sister’s words, however, flatly stating, “The same age as me, Reina. Tread carefully, Sister!”

Her eyes widening, Reina snapped her head around, quickly backtracking, “Sorry about that, Persephone. Lost myself in battle for a moment, dear! At least you’ve aged incredibly well, Sister!”

“Pay them no mind, Persephone, except for the aged incredibly well part—you still reflect a stunning youthful beauty, Sister,” I gently comforted before pointing my finger at my other beloved sister and friend, lightly chastising, “And as for you two, while I can appreciate this feels like old times, I want both of you to behave this evening, please!” 

“Agreed,” Aruna kindly concurred, sending a wave of appreciation flowing through me as she motioned them forward, “To your separate sides of the table, both of you!”

Nicholas and Jace flashed humored grins leading me to chuckle under my breath as Jace escorted Constance and I to the table. A few moments later, everyone else was taking their seats to join us. 

Persephone had left two seats between she and I, looking over and giggling as Carson led Charlotte towards the chairs. Grinning from ear to ear, Carson immediately attempted to sit beside me as my sister amusingly warned, “I believe you and I both know that move is not wise for you, my dear boy!”

“Auntie P is right, Chatterbox,” Tink sarcastically warned, walking down the pathway beside Beast with her arms folded in front of her, an playful accusatory glare across her face sending yet another fit of snickering delight into the air, “Last time you tried that, you ended up with a face full of whipped cream, remember?”

“I do,” Carson deadpanned, “You ruined a perfectly good coconut pie that day, you know.” Flashing her a wicked grin, he added, “But hey, lucky me! No desserts on the table yet!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, my head slowly moving side to side as I was deciding which troublesome two were worse…the elders or the youth…

Right on cue, Reina laughed out loud, “Ahhhhh, traditions! Carson, you and Charlotte come sit by your Auntie Ro, dear. We can plot together like the old days!”

“There’s a dangerous notion,” Lorenzo flatly responded through a tight grin as Alastor and Vivian sat down beside him wittily shaking their own heads.

Turning to look at Jace with a helpless and humored gaze, I murmured under my breath, “Ahhhhh, traditions! The reason for party punch!”

“I get the feeling you may have to bring that out sooner than expected, Mother” Jace chuckled as Tink gleefully sat down beside me before shooting Carson another mischievous warning glare, as he continued, “Although I must admit, it is nice to see that not much has changed over the years!”

“Mmmmmm,” I merrily hummed out, wrapping my arm around Tink’s shoulders, “Absolutely nothing!”

“I’ll try to behave, Auntie,” Tink half-heartedly promised, leaning her head back on my shoulder, beaming up at me, “But I promise nothing! Luna says this is kinda like mine and Chatterbox’s love language.”

“It has always been yours and Carson’s love language, so I would expect no less, my darling, but those two are old! They should know better!” I whispered almost inaudibly into her ear before kissing the top of her head as she giggled under her breath, warming my heart completely, as I continued quietly, “The Power of Three aren’t the only ones who keep things interesting! One of the endearing parts of you I love! As well as your penchant for nicknames! You will have to update them for me over dinner.”

“I’ll update you on a bunch of other stuff too, if you want,” Tink excitedly murmured, “But I’ll go ahead and tell you now, Jace is Smooth Talker.”

“Smooth Talker, hmmmm?” I humorously hummed out, looking over at Jace adoringly, “I suppose that doesn’t come as a complete surprise—Jace is very much like his father, who also always had a way with words.” Returning my affectionate gaze, a wide grin crossed Jace’s face. 

As expected, the air filled with laughter all throughout dinner as the banter continued between Reina, Lorenzo, Carson, and Tink.  But in between, many stories were told as well. My sisters and I were given all the details of what happened following the battle and how they all reconnected before their memories were returned.   

As I looked around the table at all the beautiful faces and felt the closeness and connection radiating so beautifully between all around the table, I found myself wishing we could stay in this moment forever, but there was a growing part of me deep inside that knew there was a fight ahead of us—and while it continued to be unknown, I was to play a large part in this fight—a battle to hold onto everything I held dear.