To Have And To Hold

A Pleasant Surprise...Part II

Chapter Thirteen: A Pleasant Surprise...Part II

ANABELLE

When Spiros appeared again, his curls were still damp from his shower, waves of brown curls falling all around his handsome face. I beamed at him as he sat down beside me, scooting his chair as close to me as he could before fixing himself a plate.

Leaning towards me as he piled his plate high, Spiros sincerely murmured in my ear mid-way through, “I hope it didn’t make you feel uncomfortable earlier—my knowing about your back injuries. Again, I was impatient to learn more about you, so I pressed Gavin pretty hard, and he told me. You feeling okay? Good and comfy?”

“I happen to be very comfortable—on all accounts, thank you,” I sheepishly replied, “And I’m feeling much better now that you’re here.”

Setting his plate down on the table, his jovial gaze softened, the same heart-stopping enamored look from earlier reflected in his gaze, “Well, I like that answer. A great deal in fact. And I will feel much better when I see you eat a little while we chat.”

I couldn’t eat a lot, as my stomach had grown used to only consuming small scraps of food every couple of days, but I tried the best I could, as it did seem to make Spiros, Luna, and Auntie happy. Chatting with my mate was much easier accomplished. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to talk to him.

While I avoided talking about my time in Igor’s tunnels, I did tell Spiros about my parents and my work with the widowed rogues and children, which seemed to make him very proud. I enjoyed hearing about his life as well. He loved being a warrior and was very dedicated to his family. Spiros was the youngest of four boys, quite a bit younger than his brothers as he was a surprise bundle of joy for his parents.

Before I could find out more, Maxim came through the doorway with his sister, Jade, and her mate, Zayn. He looked so happy, much like I felt—and surprised, much like I was when he discovered I found my mate, exultantly congratulating me and Spiros, who instantly stood up and shook Maxim’s hand, thanking him for all he had done for me in the tunnels and helping me find my way here to Crescent Moon.

I liked his sister and her mate as well, amazed at the similarities between he and Jade, excited for Maxim as it appeared they had already formed a beautiful bond with one another.

Looking around the table, I again couldn’t help but feel eternally grateful for all the unexpected gifts I had been given today in the people I now found myself surrounded by—surprised when I received another pleasant surprise—at the end of our meal, Auntie gave Maxim and I bracelets as a welcome gift.

Maxim’s was a thick leather cuff with a smaller band of leather in the center with imprints of the Crescent Moon and Mystic Fire emblem on each side, a quote in between that read ‘Invisible ties are the strongest bonds that make a family’ and mine was a charm bracelet that held a Crescent Moon medallion that read the same. We both loved them, immediately placing them on our wrists.

My most treasured new gift, however, was my Spiros, who adoringly informed me he would be putting many charms on my bracelet, representing precious memories that we would make together, continuing to look at me like I was the most beautiful girl in the world and for the first time in my life, I actually felt like I was...

After we finished our get-together on the patio, everyone was encouraging me to lay down and rest for a while, but I knew if I did that, Spiros would leave and I wasn’t ready to let him go yet, instead asking if I could see the spot by the lake where Auntie’s bench was with him for a bit, promising I wouldn’t stay long and lay down afterwards.

I was thrilled when they all agreed and elated that Spiros seemed relieved and excited by request as well. As she didn’t want me overdoing it, Auntie used her magic to send us there, a loud gasp escaping from my lips when we appeared as I took in the beauty of it.

Spiros laughed at my response before thoughtfully admitting, “You should really be resting, but I’m glad you asked to come here with me, Anabelle. It felt a little uncomfortable, trying to get to know you with so many people around.”

“Mmmmm,” I hummed out, looking out over the water, quietly admitting, “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. So much has happened today. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

Spiros gingerly placed his hands on the sides of my shoulders, leaning down to softly murmur, “I hope you are as happy as I am, Anabelle. I’ve been waiting for your arrival in my life for a long time. I almost gave up and regret that now. That and not finding you before Alpha Igor did. But I promise you, no one will ever hurt you again. Not my mate—not ever.”

Turning around to face him, I was glad that he only released me temporarily, his hands returning to gently rest on the outside of my shoulders again as I reluctantly confessed, “I almost gave up too. Momentarily forgetting who I was—something I regret. But none of that matters anymore because in the end, Maxim helped me remember, which led me to you. And I’ve never been happier in my life.”

Spiros gently pressed me further about what I meant in my reply, and I told him the truth—the plans I had to take my life the day I met Maxim. I could see the devastation that brought him, but tried to subside that pain, wholeheartedly declaring, “I will always be honest with you, Spiros. That’s why I told you what I had planned, which I realize now would have been the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Please, don’t let it upset you. I believe Auntie’s words are—all will be well—and they will be. I just needed a little reminder to never give up and have hope, that’s all. I’m fortunate—not only did Maxim remind me in the tunnels, but now I have a daily reminder—you.”

Staring deep into my eyes, Spiros was silent for a long moment before taking my hand, walking us over to the bench where he had me sit down, crouching down in front of me, wrapping his fingers around mine as he reluctantly asked in the gentlest of tones, “Anabelle, can I—see your back?”

I hesitated, nervously whispering, “I promise, I’m fine. All that is over now, so—”

“Please, Anabelle,” Spiros emphatically pleaded under his breath, “I need to see what Igor did to you with my own eyes.”

I didn’t say word. I just simply nodded and turned, closing my eyes as I felt Spiros slowly lift my shirt before I heard him take in a sharp breath. His fingers ever-so-gently coming to rest on my sides, Spiros’ thumbs were comfortingly rubbing up and down them before he made the sweetest gesture—leaning forward, Spiros softly pressed his lips against the center of my back...

My eyes popped open, the corners filling with tears as I turned my head, looking down into his despairing gaze, affectionately telling him, “Make sure you wipe your mouth on my shirt. I don’t know what is in the potions they put on. I would never be able to forgive myself if you got sick because that very endearing move.”

I made him chuckle before Spiros did as I asked, devotedly exhaling out afterwards, “You are so beautiful, Anabelle—inside and out. I will always be honest with you as well, which is why I must admit that I’m already falling desperately in love with you.”

Turning my body back around, I smiled at him warmly, continuing to try to ease Spiros’ distress, placing my hands on both sides of his face, “I happen to be falling desperately and hopelessly in love with you too, even if you do make me feel quite small in stature, my handsome, towering warrior. But don’t let my size fool you—while I attempt to always be kind, I can be a spitfire if I need to be!”

Dropping his head towards the ground, Spiros laughed again, but I didn’t let it stay there, slowly bringing his gaze back up to mine before I leaned forward to softly place my lips against his in a tender kiss, which he softly returned. His hands slid up my arms before I felt his fingertips gently gliding up and down my face as my arms wove around Spiros’ neck, losing myself in him as he dropped his knees to the ground to balance himself, never allowing our heartwarming first kiss to break.

After we reluctantly parted from our embrace, Spiros maneuvered himself to sit down beside me, showing me the inscription Jace had written for Auntie on the bench, which I loved, especially after he explained to me that she was indeed a Fairy Queen. Her powers of sorcery more vast than I realized—even giving her magical wings. I couldn’t help but hope I would see that one day as we sat looking out on the water getting to know one another better—everything that I learned about Spiros only making me love him more...

**********

TATIANA

Looking out my window in mine and Horacio’s room, I was incredibly pleased with how things had turned out for Maxim and Anabelle, both finding pleasant, surprising bonds at Crescent Moon. I was also very happy for Faizon and Sarene, both of whom had been quite dispirited by Spiros’ lack of a mate, their surprise later in life baby boy, who was the last of four sons, ten years younger than their next to youngest.

Sarene had linked me several times after word got out about Spiros’ fortune, wanting to give her son space to get to know his mate, but also desperately wanting to know more about Anabelle. While I gave her the details of what happened to her in the tunnels, which both shocked Sarene and broke her heart, I encouraged her to allow Spiros and Anabelle to get to know one another down by the lake instead of what she really wanted to do—join them...

I turned when I heard Horacio come out of the bathroom, a grin of pleasured wickedness crossing my face as I admired him, droplets of moisture falling from his hair onto his bare chest as he lovingly stated, “I must say Carson is right—it really is uncanny the amount of mating that happens at Crescent Moon.”

Lifting me up into his arms, he wryly added, “And I find it rather funny that today’s match made in heaven managed to slip in right under my Fairy Queen’s nose.”

My pout returned in my wary retort, “I don’t find it funny at all, Fury. Nor do I find it funny or wise to provoke your Queen.”

“Uh-oh, I struck a nerve—Queen moniker was utilized, while King was not,” Horacio friskily bantered back, “Good thing I came out with no shirt on. A distraction is probably in my best interest.”

“Oh, you definitely came out here without a shirt on to satisfy your own interests!” I chortled, slowly running my fingers along the lines of his recent portrait tattoo of us on his chest, closing the space between our lips as I sensually blew out, “Not that I’m complaining.”

Nuzzling my nose, Horacio grazed his lips across mine, “So glad you aren’t complaining, love! Promise I’ll make up for my bad choice of words after you seal our door to prohibit any interruptions and fill our room with that wicked mean green of yours!”

Just as I extended my arm out from around his neck to fulfill my gorgeous mate’s request, someone knocked on the door, bringing forth irritation from the King of Fury as I gently consoled, “Hold that thought, love.”

Sweetly pecking my lips, Horacio defeatedly dropped his head down before reluctantly letting me go, frustratedly muttering under his breath, “Hold that thought, she says. If I keep that thought in my head, it won’t be easy to hide what we were up to!”

I laughed, rushing over to open the door, finding Anabelle and Spiros on the other side, looking a bit anxious as I greeted, “Well, hello you two! Is everything alright?”

“Everything is okay, Auntie,” Anabelle sweetly returned, “We just had a quick question for you. I was about to lay down for a bit while Spiros goes to help his brother at the farm and we were just wondering if—well, if you could enable us to link.”

Opening the door wide, I pleasantly returned, “Of course, my darlings! Come on in!”

Horacio grinned and fortunately, greeted them kindly as Spiros walked over towards him, breathing out in awe, “I think you and I may have to discuss tattoos soon, Auntie. Yours are awesome, Horacio, especially the one of you and our Fairy Queen!”

“Thanks, it’s my personal favorite as well,” Horacio proudly boasted, “I will warn you now, though, they can be very addicting.”

Spiros laughed while Anabelle was intrigued, asking me questions about how it was done and complimenting the depiction of my Fairy Queen side. I fulfilled their request afterwards, enabling Anabelle to link not only with Spiros, but everyone in Crescent Moon and our inner circle, which pleased them both as Spiros tried it out.

I decided to test it as well, linking Anabelle, Just making sure we are connected, my darling. I’m so very happy for you and Spiros, but do get some rest for me. And be sure to let me know if your pain returns and I’ll put together something for you.

Thank you and I appreciate you doing this, Auntie, Anabelle delightedly replied, I feel better knowing I can link Spiros now. Can you help me figure out what to wear to dinner after I rest? Lorelei offered to lend me a dress, but I’ve never really felt comfortable in them.

I winked at her, nodding in acknowledgement as Spiros came up to kiss me on the cheek, “Thanks, Auntie. And thanks for your help with Mom today. I get the feeling you will see her at dinner tonight!”

I giggled as they headed back out the door, immediately coating it in green after it shut and engulfing our room in a green aura before returning my attention to Horacio. Walking straight back into his arms, my King of Fury lifted me back up again as I seductively cooed, “Now, where were we?”

Horacio lowered his mouth towards mine, huskily breathing out, “Right...about...here.”

As he firmly took hold of my lips, I parted them, inviting my love to deepen our kiss, which he greedily took advantage of while I slowly traced the defined lines of his back on either side.

Horacio wasted no time in moving us towards the bed, nor did he procrastinate in any way removing all my clothes as we took our own form of afternoon rest. Our aura of connection ceasing any interruptions from everything and everyone else in the world—just life and passion basked in the glory of love—together...

***********

IGOR

As we entered my large living space in the tunnels, I decided to begin my plans to turn Oralia against Maxim. She continued to sniffle as I helped my devastated love sit on the couch, downheartedly stating, “I know you don’t want to hear this, Oralia, but Maxim chose to leave and it is painfully obvious that he has been planning this for some time, which means he has been lying to both of us for some time as well.”

“I don’t believe you!” Oralia defiantly cried out, “He’s lost without Kristoff and undoubtedly has felt neglected by me! I’ve been showing him less and less attention as of late. Maxim is just acting out. I am his mother!”

I decided to plant a different seed, reluctantly breathing out, “What if he found out you weren’t really his mother? I caught him visiting Ursula—and she did help him escape. What if she discovered the truth and told him?”

Oralia’s eyes grew wide and larger tears fell as she inaudibly stammered out in disbelief, “No! No—he couldn’t know—she couldn’t have known! There’s a spell in place that would prohibit it!”

“I’m afraid it’s something we have to consider, my love,” I stoically replied, cupping her chin tenderly in my hand, hoping I had instilled doubt of Maxim’s loyalty to her in case he tried to utilize her to save himself once I had him in my possession again, “You have to prepare yourself if that is indeed the case.”

Oralia sat in a speechless daze as Lucious and Arturo came in, soon standing beside me as I stood straight up, angrily calling out, “Things have gone wrong while you’ve been gone. I don’t care how—Sahar, I need you now!”

Blue light emanated from across the room until my powerful sorceress appeared. Her tall, slender frame standing before us, Sahar peered around with worried look crossing her creamy oval face, “Ursula found a way to escape—and she took two with her.”

Oralia snapped out of her stupor, furiously blurting out her adamant desire, “That b***h took MY SON and then had one of The Council’s witches break your spell on the amulet! Figure out how to get Maxim back to me NOW!”

“I WANT THEM ALL THREE BROUGHT BACK, SAHAR!” I bellowed out, getting to the most important matter at hand, “ESPECIALLY URSULA AND ANABELLE! NO ONE MAKES ME LOOK LIKE A FOOL!”

“That may not be the wisest choice, Igor,” Sahar calmly replied, “Not only do The Council have five sorceresses at their disposal, but two of them are more powerful than a whole army of witches all their own. Even strengthening the protection spell I’ve placed throughout the tunnels, with the powers of the Firebird Phoenix and Fairy Queen, if you bring them back here, you are still taking a chance at allowing The Council armies to discover your underground safehouse.”

“Then we go to a safe location outside the tunnels. If things go awry, you can bring us back here,” I barked back, “Ursula and Anabelle need to pay a price for their betrayal—and Oralia needs her son home!”

“I say cut our losses—Maxim doesn’t want to be here and the other two don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Is it really worth taking a chance like this?” Lucious tried to reason out loud, “Our armies aren’t ready. Why don’t we just work on our battle plan and—”

“I SAY WHAT SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE DONE IN MY PACK!” I loudly growled out, demanding afterwards, “Therefore, you will gather up twenty of our men! NOW!”

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

URSULA

Sitting on Persephone’s couch with she, Reina, and their mates, I was relishing in my freedom. The Council had been more kind and forgiving than I ever anticipated after their questioning. Unfortunately, I couldn’t give them much, as Sahar—the witch who entrapped me to Igor—had delivered me to him unconscious and the powerful protection spell that she put in place on his tunnels left me unable to know exactly where I had been taken.

I was thrilled to hear how well Maxim’s reunion had gone with his sister. And while shocked, I was overjoyed when Reina told me that Anabelle had found her mate not long after her arrival. Things could not have gone any better for them or for me, as I reconnected with beloved old friends that I had thought of often and missed terribly over the many years we had been apart.

It was funny, though—as we talked, it was almost like no time had passed at all. And they had lovely mates, both gentlemen so amiable to our girly chatter. I was glad the girls, along with Maxim, had talked me into coming to Crescent Moon. It was beautiful here and everyone made me feel so comfortable and welcomed here.

Artem had gone to answer a knock on the door, opening it up to greet a friend of theirs, Sarene, who burst in excitedly talking with us about her son, Spiros, who, as fate would have it, was the young man Anabelle discovered was her mate. Sarene was over the moon, animatedly telling Persephone and Reina that she had never seen her son so happy—something that warmed my heart knowing what Anabelle had been put through...

I was enjoying myself, listening to the beautiful details Sarene was sharing, when out of nowhere, a blue aura appeared, wildly circling around me. Instinctively, I began blasting it with my powers, knowing exactly whose magic it was—my yellow light clashing against the blue that was trying to pull me back into imprisonment—as I shouted out, “Girls! It’s Sahar! She’s trying to bring me back!”

“Oh, HELL NO!” Persephone angrily shouted out, “Not in my house! Reina, quick! Help me hold Ursula here!”

Reina and Persephone’s silver and blush powers began swirling around me as I frantically continued my battle, using every ounce of power I had to stop Sahar’s attempt. All the while, however, I was worried that Maxim and Anabelle were in grave danger if Igor got his hands on them...

“TATIANA!” I screamed out, “Someone needs to tell Tatiana!”