Moonbloods Season 1
Chapter 1

I had always thought the day my parents died was the worst day of my life. Their ship had capsized at sea when I was just seven years old. I had never really feared anything. Not until I herd my parents had parishes at sea in the middle of the night. Only my fathers body had been recoverd and burned at the Negera Temple. After that, I had developed an immobilizing fear of the sea. After that, everything changed. I wasn't sure how to tell the Prince this because I was expected to be able to travel , an almost two week long voyage? Impossible!

I had prayed the day would soon come. I was positive that the world outside Summercrest was dangerous and full of monsters. However they didn't scare me. It was the monster behind the very walls of my home that I was trying to get away from. And I knew this morning that I would look out my window to see the black sales of the Halcro family and know my life as I knew it was officially over. I would see the world, I would live. Away from the monster that was my Uncle .

In truth it was one shitty situation traded for another shitty one. I was to be married to the future King of Azga. The only problem?

I was Mortal. He was Dark Fey, a Demon. He was immortal.

I would be whisked away up North, to a frozen rock, surrounded by snow, mountains and deathly cold waters of ice and I would die there. I wasn't sure how. I didn’t know when. But I knew I would die there. It was simple. Mortals couldn’t survive the birth of a demon child. And i was about go marry a Demon Princeand i would die, very soon. My uncle had told me as much. Taunted me, really. That I would soon no longer soil the Crast name. That I shouldn't have been given the name to begin with.

My twin, who moved eight years ago, had been removed from Hiram's Court and taken to Mosswood for training. A year later, just one year after the death of our parents, when we were eight, news had reached Summer Crest that Jon had died in a tragic training accident and his body was not able to be recovered. Hiram had kit a candel to the gods and left it at that. That was the last time I had thought of him.

Until today.

Jon was heavy on my mind. I missed him and wished he could have been here today. With the very public arrival of Prince Emris Halcro, I was officially no longer Lady Crast and all eyes would be on me today when I emerged from that carriage. My brother shouodbhave been here to see me off.

I was now Nalia Halcro, Princess of Azga, Lady of Vendera. No longer tied to Crast name.

I shuddered and looked down at the long, jagged scar on my hand. A reminder of what would happen if I messed up or disobeyed my Uncle in any way. No magic in the world could heal Eaglefire wounds. They were almost always fatal. The angry red scar wrapped around my palm and around half of my wrist. The last time I had seen Prince Emris, my left hand had been wrapped in a bandage, healing from the Eaglefire wound that Hiram had inflicted on me for not being ready on time. I frowned and rubbed my hands together, listing for the footsteps of my aunt Gracie. She would be happy to see I was already dressed and brushed and presentable.

It had been a week since I had received a rider from the far and distant north informing me that Prince Halcro would be arriving in Summercrest by the end of the week.

My Uncle's house had been thrown into a frenzy trying to prepare for the Prince's arrival. My Uncle Hiram Crast was my ward now and he was away, settling a conflict on the other side of Summercrest, a days ride from here, leaving Aunt Gracie to prepare for the Princes arrival alone.

Hiram Crast was my fathers brother. He hated my mother for taking his only living family and getting them killed. Hiram was then left with me, duty bound to teach me right from wrong. To educate me and make me into a proper lady. That included the regular beating and humiliation, even in front of his Court if he saw so fit.

I watched as the storm cloud like sales drew closer and closer to the harbor. I sighed and turned away to look in the mirror. Aunt Gracie knocked on my door and I waved my hand at it.

The locks slid back and the handle turned down and the door swung open.

"Good you are up," she said as she walked in, cigarette in hand. When she took me in, dressed in my riders cloak and boots, she frowned.

"You plan on meeting the Prince like this?" she asked me, looking me up and down. I looked down at the soft leather of my tunic, not understanding. This was one of my best outfits. Hand made, the stitching was elegant and perfect. I raised and eyebrow and shook my head.

"The Prince has come all the way from the North. I'm sure me dressed in regular cloths won't offend him."

Aunt Gracie waved for a Maid who brought in a long, silk, cream colored dress. "You mother left this for you."

I despised the idea of marrying the Prince. A shudder passed through me. The Halcro family. They were the strongest of the Dark Fey World, their bloodline unparalleled to any other. And there were powerful families out in the world. It was said that I would be the Princes third wife, that he had killed his first two. As the deal was already done, made before I was born, I had little to no say in the matter. I would be married to the Prince in just a few short weeks.

"If my mother were here, she would not make me go!" I reminded Aunt Gracie.

She sighed. "Your Uncle will return any moment," she reminded me, as if I hadn't spoken. "Best be ready before he does. You know what will happen if you don't."

I looked down at the angry red scar on my hand, knowing what he would do it me if I was anything less then perfect. I reached up and pulled at the lace strings of my vest and stripped it off. Aunt Gracie nodded for the Maid to help me. "It's time you became a real Lady, anyway," she said as if to remind me. "No more riding like a man. No more using your powers! The Prince will be offended if you do! You are untrained in magic!" She stepped away looking me up and down when the dress was in place. "You uncle will be looking for something to fuss over! So you best be perfect!"

I stopped and looked down at my hand. I knew what he would do if I messed this up. Before I could answer, loud, ringing bells sounded through the air and I leaned against the window. The bells sounded the return of a rider.

"Uncle Hiram."

Gracie walked to stand beside me and we watched as my Uncle and his men trotted on horse back through the open gate and into the court yard. Butlers and Maids rushed around, stable boys hurried forward to take the leads of the riled up horses. "He certainly made haste, didn't he?"

I turned away from the window and looked down at my mothers dress.

"Fine," I said, deciding not to give my uncle any more reason to embarrass me. Aunt Gracie hurried forward and began to dress me herself, shooing the Maids away.

If my uncle decided to humiliate me before the Prince, it would be my fault if the Prince decided not to marry me. I knew I needed the prince to get away but that didn't mean I liked my opinions. If I was stuck on the boat until we reached Vendera, I would die there. My life would be short. And I couldn't allow that. As much as I wanted to get the away from him, I wasn't ready to risk my freedom for it. If I married the prince...

"Nalia!"

I looked up to see Aunt Gracie, her red hair beginning to frizz in the early morning humidity. I blinked and looked at myself in the mirror. My long, raven hair was pulled back into a braid, ending just above my tailbone.

"The Prince is said to have long hair," said Aunt Gracie in a disapproving tone. "It is said to be as long as yours. To see such a thing!"

I shrugged as Gracie slid some red flower pins into my hair. "Prince Emris is of the Halcro bloodline. Magic is in his blood."

Gracie nodded. "As it is in yours, dear niece of mine," she reminded me.

I shook my head and gazed at the stranger in the mirror before me. "I can move a small object with my mind," I mused. "Big deal. Compared to Emris Halcro I am nothing."

Aunt Gracie shook her head. "Were your beloved parents alive today I know for a fact they would be proud of the woman you are. And over joyed with pride to know you are following through with their wishes!"

I closed my eyes, tears tickling my nose. But it was also regret that struck at my heart. "None of that now, else you ruin your face, Nalia," Hiram said in a disapproving tone from the doorway. I felt my heart sink and my fingers clenched into fists crunching the delicate fabric of my mothers dress. The falling feeling that swelled up within my belly and chest each time I herd his voice choked off my lungs. I forced a small smile on my face and turned to face him.

"White?" he scoffed at me. "No. Black."

I shook my head, gripping the fabric of the skirts. "Please, Uncle Hiram, it was mothers and-"

Aunt Gracie stepped up now. "It was Joana's. Perhaps we could-"

"I said no."

I really should have known better. I'm not sure what I was thinking. He said no twice. "I just thought-"

I never really saw him move, but suddenly his hand flew out and he struck me, hard, in the face. I stumbled backward, an arm flying out to catch myself on the vanity behind me. Then, without any warning, something solid and cold struck the back of my legs. I crumbled the ground, a pained cry leaving my lips.

"Do as I say and these things won't happen. Now I have put a lot of time and money into your being married to the Prince and you will do well not to sabotage it! Do I make myself clear?"

Blood pooled on the inside of my cheek and I sniffed. Tight fingers wrapped around the back of my neck and knotted in my hair. "Do I make myself clear?"

I nodded best I could. "Yes, Uncle."

Hiram grunted at me as he released me, shoving me away from him. "Go on, then!"

I turned my back to him and let the maid undress me, pulling the delicate silk fabric over my dry skin. Some bruises were still visible from last time and I did my best to ignore them but the shame was making my movements stiff. "The girl is already nervous enough, Hiram. Perhaps we should let her ready herself in private?"

Hiram didn't move. Only after he had his fill did he walked away, back toward the door, slamming it closed behind him. "Bitch Moonblood!" he snarled back down the hall at me.

I watched as Aunt Gracie followed Hiram from the room. As soon as the door closed, my knees buckled and I sank to my knees in a pool of tool and skirts, my quite sobs filling the room.

I sat in the carriage with Greta, my Maid, staring out the window. The fresh bruise was already blooming in my cheek and I was glad for the overcast weather. Perhaps the Prince would take no notice of my marked up face. It was to late to go back and fix it now. I had ushered one of the Maids to fetch me my cosmetic clip but my Uncle had hurried us out the door as soon as he has the Maid dress me in the dress of his liking.

It wasn't an ugly dress. In fact it was rather beautiful. The silky soft material was light and cool against my skin, the deep black, purple and blue blending perfectly together, almost creating the illusion of storm clouds. My hair, as he had put it was, as always, worse then a Mortal. I hadn't enough time to fix it the way he liked. So now, it hung down in waves down my back, a silver, rose studded metal headband holding my thick locks back. All the while, Uncle Hiram glared at me.

"I will be glad to be rid of you," he snarled at me. "You have been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day you arrived. This day could not come soon enough! With the silver I get from this agreement, I can the price of land I have now for a better one-"

I frowned. "But you can't do that," I reminded him and I herd Aunt Gracie groan. They both should know this already. My father left Summercrest to to me. Hiram glowered at me.

"The estate is mine by right-"

Hiram scoffed at me. "The hell it is!" he snapped. "You owe us this! You owe us this, Nalia Crast - you will give us Summercrest-" I cut him off.

"Only the king can do that-"

My uncle sighed. "Perhaps I should do it myself!" he agreed. "You tend to mumble. At least you have your looks because your mouth should only be used to please your husbands ears."

He looked me up and down once more, but this time his gaze lingered. Turning away from his disgusting grimace, I gazed out the window. Since the letter from Prince Emris had arrived, my uncle hadn't been to my bed chamber. I was grateful for the arrival of a piece of paper. How pathetic am I?

We were already half way through the village. Hiram continued to mumble about how selfish I was and how Summercrest belonged to him. On one thing we could agree. As much as I would miss Summercrest, I was happy that today was my last day. As we headed to town, Maids and Butlers were packing up my belongings. Books, letters, pictures, some cloths, not that the light and woodland like style clothing would do me much good up in the North.

I shuddered again when I thought about having to sail on open sea and it filled me with dread. My hands clamped together on my dress. What if Emris already found a wife and he was doing his duty to me because of a contract between him and my dead father? What if he decided not tobtake me as his wife? The treaty between our families was old. My uncle sounded relieved when he spoke again.

"There, Prince Emris' ship."

Considering the ship had been at the open, frozen sea of Azga for most of its voyage, it didn't look to bad. It looked rather intimidating, really. The goth like carvings and arches of the ship, and the hand crafted cherubs and wooden gargoyles that looked like they would take flight any second. I watched as a fierce looking one, uncleaned its jaw and turned its head to look at me. I swallowed. I had herd rumors of the Princes ship.

The Maiden of Death they called her.

Everybody feared Emris. Since the war had ended, everyone did well to keep out of the Royal families way. They Royal Military was not to be trifled with. In addition to the beautiful craftsmanship of the vest ship, the vessel was decked out with enough cannons and fire power to take out any fleet in the Northern Azgadian Sea. No one dared tried it. It was a fools folly. As the carriage rolled to a stop, my uncle turned to look at me, his face disapproving.

Ladies and gentlemen let the show begin.

"Speak only when spoke too," he reminded me.

I nodded. "Yes Uncle."

"If the Prince asks you a question-'

Hairam never finished. He was interrupted by a loud pounding on the side of the carriage. "Open up, in name of his Royal Highness Prince Emris Halcro."

I felt my heart slam in my chest and the side of my mouth throbbed where my teeth had cut the inside of my cheek as the door was ripped open and light flooded the carriage.

"We have come of her highness, Princess Nalia Halcro."

Hiram laughed at them as he stepped from the carriage. "My niece is not going anywhere until I speak with the Prince." Hiram looked around, not seeing the Prince. "Where is he?"

The guard ignored him and reached inside the carriage again and gripped my wrist, pulling me out. I squealed in surprise. "Let me go!" I demanded as swatted at his hand but to no avail. All of my weak protests left the man bored looking. "Please, Princess Nalia, the Prince awaits you in Asga."

I herd my uncle splutter for words. "You mean to say the Prince is not with you?"

"As I am sure you are aware, the Vendarien do not like to travel much-'

Hiram scoffed. "Yes, yes, the only reason your family has been in power for so long-'

The man stepped forward.

"Careful now, the Princess is now in my care," he said as if it remind Hiram that I was no longer his to abuse. No longer his to do with as pleased. "There for I get to defend her in all matters as I see fit." I would never again be his to use. I felt my head swim for a moment as the realization of that particular fact sank in. The man turned back to me and bowed before me.

As he spoke, I realized I knew the man. He was tall, tanned skinned, with a thick brown beard was finely kept and oiled, braided and adorned with metal beads and stray strings of silver.

"My name is Niko. Prince Emris sends his deepest regrets that he was unable to be here in person to receive you but he was needed at the Capitol. He will meet you on the was Vendera, a city a days ride from Asga. Can you ride?" I just nodded.

Niko nodded to one of the Arcadian guards beside him. "He also sent this. He had it made for you, to keep you warm upon your arrival in the North."

I watched as the two guards opened a big trunk. Inside was a cloak with pelts and furs adorned the hood and shoulders. I forced and smile on my face, the fear rippling in my chest as I glanced at the ship behind Niko. "Prince Emirs has also ordered me to offer my services as your personal advisor and body guard."

I blinked. Advisor? Body guard? "I'm sorry, I don't believe I understand-"

Niko bowed his head at me. "Forgive me, Princess, I forgot you do not know much of Vendarien customs. I will do my best to counsel you in any way I can. However, for now, we should truly be on our way-"

Hiram cut him off. "I will need my gold first!"

Niko turned to look at him and smiled, pulling a piece of paper from his cloak. "Prince Emirs here by concludes his business with you, Lord Crast," he said and handed the scroll to my uncle who scolded it immediately and scanned it. I watched his face tune sower.

"This is not even half of what we agreed upon!" he said outraged.

"What?" Aunt Gracie demanded as she snatched the scroll away from her husband. "How?"

I looked up to see Niko shrug. "We are just coming out of a war, Lady Crast, surly you understand that the King can not give you the agreed upon amount right away?" he reasoned. "There are other Lords and Ladies of Vanaheim that need help after this war too!"

My uncles face turned bright red. "You realize the position your are putting us in, don't you?" Aunt Gracie asked Niko. "She can not leave here unless she is paid for!"

I felt my heart break a little. Aunt Grace had never really been cruel to me like Hiram. She had always been somewhat kind. She never screamed or beat me. So it came as a shock to hear she was really upset about the loss of her gold. I watched as the Arcadien guards curcled around and me and Niko came to stand beside me. "We should go, Princess."

I looked back at my uncle who was glaring at me. "You get back here, child," he warned me and motioned with his hand for me to come stand beside him. I was only a few feet away from him. When I didnt move, Hiram turned to look at me.

"Get over here, now, or else you will regret it!"

My feet began to move on their own accored. But not in the direction of my Uncle. I moved, stepping up and over the curb to stand behind Niko now who crossed his arms over his chest.

"Now, I hope you were not about to do anything stupid!" he said in a deadly tone, pulling a dagger from his back pocket. I hadnt relized he was carrying a weapon on him until he had produced on in his hand. Hiram screamed in raged and charged at Niko. I watched my uncle go down into the dusty road and I felt my stomach turn. "Stop it!" I protested. "Don't kill him!"

Niko, at once stood to his feet, pulling Hiram back, pushing his arms behind his back and then forward, causing him to go face first into the dirt. "You are a lucky man!" Niko hissed at Hairam and strightened himelf up. Without missing a beat, Niko stepped over my uncle and headed back toward me. Hiram grabbed Niko's boot, stopping him. Niko sighed, and then with a quick flick of his wrist, Niko ran his blad through my uncles wrist, severing his hand from his body. Hiram's screams filled the square and I felt my heart sink. What had I done? To late to go back now, I suppose. I'm dead either way once they find out I am a Moonblood. Thankfully and unfortunately the last of the marks of the Moonbloods had had died out with my mother. Moonbloods have unique Marks on their bodies, Marking them as a Spiritual Anchor to the Underworld. Since I didn't have the Mark anywhere on my body, I was safe from being hunted. No one could tell I was a Moonblood.

"Please, Princess, we should be on our way."

I swollowed. "Is by sea the only way to each Azga?" I asked him.

Niko frowned. "No, but it is the fastesr!" he said. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"How long would it take by horse?" I asked him.

Niko shrigged. "A month?" he mused. "Even so, Princess, we do not have the men to escort you safly. The ship is the fastes way back to Vendara."

I felt tears gather in my eyes as I stepped off of the dirt road and onto the wooden docks of the board walk. I had tow choices.

I could stay here and live with my aunt and the abuse of my uncle, knwoing that it would kill me one day. Or I could board that ship and sail away to place where Hiram would never touch me again, I could go to a place where this Warlock Prince could kill me.

I turned back to look at Hiram. "Goodbye, Uncle," I said and turned to follow Niko down the dock and toward the ship. I didn't know what I was doing or where I was going. I only knew I was going to meet the Prince. My future husband.

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