Losing The Light Of The Moon

Connections Made Clear

Chapter Two: Connections Made Clear

JACE

Mother’s face had gone totally ashen in her unconscious state as Raven continued to assess her, calmly breathing out, “I agree with your aunts, your mother appears to have been the focus of Miranda’s spell.”

My aunts were at Mother’s head now, Aunt Persephone’s fingers gently running through her curls while Aunt Reina caressed her cheek, breathing out, “Yes, let’s just give her a moment, shall we? No need for panic just yet. She is the strongest of the three of us after all! I’m sure she will be back with us momentarily.”  

Looking over at me, she beamed lovingly, her other hand gently coming to lie on my cheek, “Look how handsome our Jace is, sister! Your mother is going to have to hurry up and come to, my sweet boy. Your Aunt Ro is anxious to hug as tight as she possibly can! But, of course, I cannot go first! It wouldn’t be fair to your mother. But know that I’ve got fourteen years to make up for! It may take a few weeks to feel your shoulders again!”

“You will most certainly not hurt our nephew, Reina!” Persephone sternly scoffed at her, “Or you will deal with me!” Looking over, she winked at me, charmingly stating, “You have no idea how happy my heart is right now, Jace! I too cannot wait to feel you in my embrace again! No injuries will occur, however, I promise you! Or your Aunt Ro will have to deal with me!”

I laughed under my breath as the memories of my aunts replayed and I realized—they had not changed at all, looking up to adoringly greet them, “I can’t begin to tell you how good it is to see you both, aunties!” Glancing back down, I sighed out despairingly, “Now we just need Mother to wake.”

“Mmmmm,” Aunt Reina murmured, “Yes, we most certainly do, dear boy.”  Patting her cheeks lightly, Aunt Reina affectionately called out, “Alright, Tati! Come on now, dear sister! You shouldn’t worry our sweet Jace like this! The wait has been long enough for you both. Tell her, Persephone.”

“Yes, Tati, I agree with Reina,” Persephone followed, her cheery tone singing out, “And you know if I’m agreeing with our sister, then it’s the right thing to do! Wake up, my love—our Jace is quite anxious to see his mother and we are anxious to have our reunion with him too!”

“I can try to help, if you would like,” Remi kindly offered, kneeling down and laying her hand on Mother’s shoulder, “I have been able to help with a few fainting spells, although this is a bit of a different situation.”

“Oh my, sister! Look how beautiful our Remi has grown!” Aunt Persephone affectionately exclaimed, “She looks so much like Amitola! And a healer just as we knew she would be!”

“You remember me?” Remi astonishingly questioned, looking over with a bright smile.

“No one would forget a beautiful heart like yours, my sweet girl,” Aunt Reina lovingly replied, “or that smile! Now tell your favorite auntie, is your gift as we anticipated? Much like your great-great-grandmother, Raya?”

Remi blushed slightly, shyly stating, “I’m still getting the hang of it and have a lot to learn, but that’s what I’ve been told.”

“You are still young, my dear, and your gift quite new,” Aunt Persephone encouraged, “There is always more to learn. Even at my age. But we are all quite knowledgeable with regards to healing and will be happy to help you master your gift. And please know that sometimes you must appease your Auntie Ro in her quest to be everyone’s favorite! You can tell me privately later that I actually have that honor!” 

“I think appease is a rather strong assumption, sister,” Aunt Reina bantered back through a mischievous grin, winking at Remi, who giggled in response, “Especially as I always got the first sweet Remi hugs back in the day!”

Aunt Persephone brushed her off, sighing out, “Only because you made sure to jump in front of me to catch her. For now, let’s bring our focus back to Tati, shall we? That way we can hug all the beautiful children we love. I, for one, am just thankful our spell worked so quickly!”

“If I may, my dear Jace,” Reina curiously questioned as she continued her focus on my mother, “To whom did our spell find?”

“That would be me, Reina, as much as it pains me to admit,” Lorenzo coolly replied, “Though it is good to see you. I also see nothing has changed with you and Persephone.”

Aunt Persephone fell into a fit of giggles, “Oh my, sister! Lorenzo was forced to say the incantation? I would have loved to have seen that!”  Several chuckled under their breath behind me as I couldn’t help but do so myself as my aunts continued their nonstop quips.  

“I imagine it was quite the sight,” Aunt Reina humorously replied, “and I’m sure sounded quite regal!”

“Regal or not, please leave me out of your spells and trickery in the future, ladies,” Lorenzo exhaled out uncomfortably, his tone unusually filled with heavy concern as he added, “For now, I’m incredibly worried about Tatiana, so as Persephone has suggested, let’s continue our focus on her.”

Mother still was not moving, making me even more desperate in return—until my Aunt Reina’s eyes flashed over to me heavy with apprehension as she asked the question that I had dreaded the most, “Jace, my love, when did your father pass?”

I looked up to find both Aunt Reina and Aunt Persephone’s expressions filled with despair—they already knew about father—as I reluctantly confirmed, “He passed away in a fire seven years ago.”

Aunt Reina devastatingly turned her gaze to Aunt Persephone, who stared back at her with tears filling her eyes, placing her hand lovingly atop Mother’s head as she inaudibly murmured, “Tati has already seen it, Reina. I’m afraid the vision came to her immediately...”

My mouth went completely dry as soon as I heard my aunt say those words. I remembered that my Mother was very intuitive and well known for her masterful abilities when it came to conjuring up and receiving visions—I hated, however, that this was how she found out about father’s death. It wasn’t fair to her—none of this was fair—she had been robbed of so much thanks to Miranda’s spell—

Just then, Mother gasped again, her beautiful brown eyes popping wide open already filled with tears. In that very instant, she disappeared from the ground only to reappear directly behind me. My head immediately whipped around to find her heaving for air and looking at all of us, astonishment and relief filling her beautiful face as she lovingly exhaled out, “It really is you, isn’t it? My Jace...”

Slowly standing up, I found myself speechless as I looked deep into her adoring gaze and nodded. Tears streamed down Mother’s face as her fingers pressed tightly against her stunned quivering lips before she barreled straight into my chest, wrapping her arms around me in the tightest embrace as she sobbed out, “How could I not know? All this time! How could I not see it in my visions—they were of my son! My Jace!”

Even in my memories, I didn’t realize how petite my mother was, her head coming to rest just under my chest as I wrapped my arms around her tightly, dropping my chin down to lay a kiss on top of her curls before choking out, “It’s not your fault, Mother. We were all victims of Miranda and Amelia’s vicious spells. I’m just grateful to finally have you home where you belong.”

Gently bringing her slender hands up, Mother slowly tilted her head back to look at me, her eyes thickly glazed over with tears as she lovingly cupped my face, her thumbs tenderly running up and down my cheeks as she softly whispered, “My sweet boy—such a beautiful heart and so very handsome—just like your father.”

“You haven’t changed a bit, Mother,” I affectionately replied, pushing the blonde curls away from her face, “Still just as beautiful with the most breathtaking smile...and the best hugs, of course.”  Mother’s expression filled with pain again before she dropped her head back down, a flood of tears pouring out of her eyes, hugging me close to her once more. Taking in a broken breath as I felt her deep-seeded heartbreak, I gingerly asked, “Are you alright?”

“I am now, my darling boy,” Her soul-stirring muffled voice vibrated into my chest, “A bit overwhelmed, but so incredibly grateful, Jace.”  Lifting her head up slightly, Mother’s beaming smile returned as she sweetly added, “And as I know your aunts are anxiously awaiting their turn, perhaps we should allow them to join us as well.”

Aunt Reina and Aunt Persephone didn’t give me an opportunity to respond, as I immediately felt powerful arms on either side of me. I was completely surrounded and being held in what had to be the most incredible of tight embraces as everyone looked on with bright smiles—watching as an overwhelming amount of love was being bestowed upon me by my Mother and Aunts—the stunning women known as The Power of Three...whose place in my heart and connection to my soul had thankfully been restored.

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

TATIANA

My stolen memories had been returned and visions of what Julien and Jace had endured during my absence replayed. After fourteen years, my heart was filled with joy—I had my Jace back in my arms again. However, I also felt the overwhelming devastation at fate’s intended plans that had taken my mate—my Julien—away from me during that time, completely shattering my heart.  But I wasn’t ready to process that painful fact just yet or the knowledge that Callisto had replaced me in Julien and Jace's hearts…I needed to be strong for my son.  His handsome face lit up looking down at me now, the same heartwarming smile that beamed up at me when he was a young boy…but my son was no longer a child. Jace was all grown up now and I had been robbed of watching him grow into the man standing before me now…

After my sisters finally let go of him, we were able to greet the young men and women that from our last remembrances were rambunctious children—but now had grown up so beautifully into adults. It was hard to comprehend that we had lost so much time with them. But their warm welcomes filled my heart with such joy...as did our gift of once more greeting old friends.

“Well, well, Mahan,” Persephone happily greeted, “I see you have found yourself a fellow enchantress to adore! You can never go wrong with that choice, my dear! For many, many reasons of course!”

“Indeed, Persephone,” Mahan chuckled, “I believe you have said that very thing many times!”

“It is nice to meet you ladies,” the beautiful witch delightfully greeted, “I am Loa.”

“Raven’s aunt,” I cordially greeted her, “How wonderful to finally meet you! Sarika affectionately spoke of you often.”

My words obviously affected Loa a great deal as her gaze held both surprise and deeply held adoration, “My sister told you about me?”

“She did indeed,” Reina smiled brightly, “Sarika always knew of your true heart, Loa.” 

“And Sarika was never wrong when it came to matters of the heart,” I kindly added, “Your sister was one of my dearest friends. I very much look forward to getting to know you better, Loa.”

“I look forward to that opportunity as well, Tatiana,” Loa appreciatively returned, “with all of you.”

“Well, I am personally in hopes that the entertainment you three typically bring has not dulled over the years!” Soren playfully smirked.

“Dull, indeed!” Reina sarcastically scoffed, “You know us well enough to know nothing could ever change the sparkle we bring to any situation, Soren! I believe the question should be if you can still handle it at your age now!”

Everyone laughed at Reina’s response, as did I, laughing softly, albeit a little uncomfortably, looking up at Jace nervously as I felt a bit anxious at his reaction.  While our fun-loving spirit and banter was typical and embraced amongst one another, I couldn’t help but worry that our eccentricities may be a bit much for the young men and women we held so dear and I didn’t want to make Jace feel uncomfortable in any way. Especially before we had a chance to talk about his memories and how he truly felt about everything that happened to him during my absence.

Out of my peripheral, I did notice that there was one person who had not yet made her way towards us, instead remaining a bit to the side. Someone who I adored the moment I looked into her beautiful blue gaze as an infant and held the fondest of memories for as a child—and who I knew well enough to know, she was anything but shy…

Extending my hand out, I flicked my finger to send a gust of wind towards my Tink, causing a dozen red and blue butterflies to swirl up all around her. Leaning back to gaze at her affectionately, my heart filled with happiness as she giggled just as she used to as a child—looking at the butterflies in delighted wonderment before her eyes locked with mine and her mischievous smile greeted me warmly.

Jace had turned to watch my playful action, chuckling under his breath, “I think Tink was as anxious to find you as I was, Mother. I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t come over yet. I guess she was letting me have you to myself for a bit.”

“Give me a moment, my darling,” I lovingly replied, turning to walk towards her, “I’ll be right back.”

Tink bit her lip as I made my way over, causing Beast—who had grown up QUITE a bit—to put his arm around her shoulders supportively, bringing a wide smile to my face as I adoringly breathed out, “Well, I have to admit, it does make me quite happy to see you two together like this again! I always knew you were destined for one another!”   

Winking at her, I continued, “It’s good to see you, my beautiful spunky girl! I have no doubt that my assessment earlier was on the mark—you have always been formidable with a strong spirit and I’m sure that has not changed as you have grown up on your Auntie. I have always adored you and that spirit of yours, my darling!”

Flashing a sheepish grin, Tink suddenly rushed towards me, wrapping her arms around me hard as she pulled me into her tight embrace, anxiously whispering in my ear, “I was worried it would be—you know—different. Me being grown up and all.”

“You, my sweet girl, have grown—quite beautifully in fact!” I breathed out lovingly, returning her warm hug before parting slightly to cup her face, “There was never any need for worry, Tink. The special bond you and I have shared from the day you were born—that kind of love and adoration, while momentarily lost, could never fully disappear from my heart! My love and adoration for you is forever, my darling! ”

Tink’s eyes lit up as she beamed at me, “I can’t wait to tell you everything that’s happened, Auntie! After you spend time with Jace, of course. Beast and I are even engaged! Didn’t see that one coming!”

Looking up at the incredibly large young man, I fondly stated, “Oh, my dear Tink, I saw that one from very early on! You have grown up quite handsome, Beast! It is wonderful to see you!”

“Hi Auntie,” Beast sweetly smiled, “Welcome back!”

“Thank you,” I grinned, winking at Tink before turning to extend my arms out, “I hope you will allow me a much-wished for Beast hug!”

My request had barely been made before Beast rushed over to wrap his enormous arms around me and lift me in the air, making me giggle as I looked down at the ground that was now far below, “Oh my! You have grown, haven’t you? It’s quite like flying from up here!”  

Beast laughed as I turned back to peer into his eyes, which had not changed at all—they were still filled with the tender-hearted love that was always shined so brightly within them, reflecting his beautiful heart, causing me wrap my arms around him tightly as I whispered out adoringly, “There is truly nothing in the world like a Beast hug! I never want to be without them again!”

“You won’t be,” Beast tenderly assured me with a grin as he set me back down on the ground, causing me to send a fit of giggles into the air.

As I faced the large crowd again, watching as they happily mingled amongst one another, my heart filled with such joy knowing I was back home—even though my happiness was also heavily laced with overwhelming sadness that I was attempting to keep inside for now.  The loss of my Julien could so easily outweigh this beautiful moment—but as my eyes connected with Jace once more, I saw the deep concern harrowing his handsome features. I didn’t want to cause him worry. I had to be strong for him—and for me—knowing that the most important thing to me right now was the gift I had been given—I was home—most importantly, I was reunited with my Jace...