Moonbloods Season 1
Summer Crest

The sea was calm, thankfully, only cause a slight queasiness in my belly as the ship occasionally jumped and dipped with a random wave. We had been sailing for two days and I wished we had been able to ride to Summer Cresy. But it was only accessible by ship. The small island of Summer Crest was so small that small ships from larger ports brought in the goods for the people.

I should have known it would be a commotion when we arrived. People lined the streets, crowded together to get a glimpse of the new Princess of Azga. I felt very nervous and extremely uncomfortable. And that bothered me because Summer Crest was supposed to be my home. Before Emris, when I walked the village, people greeted me, talked to me and conversed with me. Now they all lined the streets to gawk at me.

Emris squeezed my finger gently. You can do this, he assured me. Since Jon was away from the Manor, no one was home. Just the Servants. "How long would you like to stay?" Emris asked me.

I looked around as we entered the Manor Courtyard. Servants lined the far side of the wall, waiting for us. One of them stepped forward, bowing before us.

"Welcome back, My Lady," she said and waved for the other servants to get out trunks off of the back of the carriage. Emris cleared his throat.

"It's Princess now," Emris reminded them as he looked around.

The woman bowed again. "Of course, Your Majesties, my apologies."

I sighed, looking around the courtyard. "Has there been any word of my brother?" I asked aloud.

The same maid stepped forward and bowed. "No, Princess, I'm sorry."

I sighed. "How many men do we have available?" I asked.

A guard stepped forward and bowed. "Fifty seven," he said after a moment. "Thee of them are out looking for Lord Crast. Once we saw your ship appear we called everyone back."

I sighed. I hated that Jon would be stuck with the Crast name. And it wasn't like he could change it to his actual family name. Vincro.

The one name that had been scrubbed from history. Now that I knew who I was, I feared what Jin could do. He was technically the soul heir to the throne of Azga. He could make a claim for the throne if he wanted to to. I sighed.

Emris looked down at me, pulling me inside as thunder and rain clouds rolled in began to darken the sky. I breathed in a deep breath, the smell of the fresh salty air filling me. I missed this. But I wouldn't want to return here to stay. I was Venderarien now, as Emris had said. "Looks like we will be stuck here for a while," he said as he stopped by a window. Dark storm clouds rolled with thunder, the air having gone dark and gloomy.

"Where is your room?" Emris wanted to know. I looked up at him. His silver eyes were glowing from within and I felt longing wash through me. Longing that was not my own. I shuddered.

"Don't you want to see the rest of the Manor?" I asked him, hoping he would forget about going to my bedroom. Emris shook his head and pulled me closer.

"I'd rather rest," he told me.

I chewed my lip, trying to come up with an excuse to not have to go to my old bedroom. "Are you not tired?" he asked me.

"It's not that," I said not sure how to explain. My old bed room was nothing compared to the rooms I'd stayed in since I'd gone with Emris. And of course, I knew there was another reason he would want to see my room. We were married now. I guess it was only natural for him to want to bed his new wife. Emris followed me down the hall where my bedroom doors were already open. Maids we're hurrying about, getting my bedding ready. I'd been away for a few weeks now. The bedding had been sitting for weeks in a humid room. Emris followed me into the room, a deep frown on his face. "Tiny," he said.

I nodded. "We aren't the richest of families, as I'm sure you know,"

I reminded him. Emris sighed.

"I'd been to your Court before, but I don't remember it being like this. I don't remeber it being so... bare."

I shook my head. "That's because Hiram sold off a lot of things over the years. Things belonging to my parents, my brother. Thing that were supposed to be hand down to him. I wouldn't be surprised if the wedding dress is gone too."

Emris pursed his lips and looked around. "Where did you have it stored?"

I shook my head. "Aunt Gracie held in to all the family heirlooms and hand me downs-"

Emris reached up and touched my face. "I can always have another dress made for you," he reminded me. "Any way you like it."

"How long would you like to stay?" he asked me. "After your brother is found, of course."

I eyed him. "Can you be away from Vendera much longer?" I asked him. I knew he had duties and responsibilities to attend to. And he knew I would not leave this island without any information on my brother. Emris sighed and smirked at me. "I would have to leave you," he admitted. "The longer I am away, the more I run the risk of someone trying to move on someone else's border."

I nodded. I'd almost forgotten, that as Lord of Vendera, Emris also had duties to his surrounding villages and hamlets. He was needed there more then he was here. "Then you should go," I assured him.

Emris raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Yes, I am," I assured him again. He frowned and reached to pull me closer, his hands plaiting through the fabric of my dress.

"I will leave in the morning then," he said in a low voice. "So have dinner with me tonight."

I nodded. "I'd like that," I told him.

Emris bowed swiftly. "I shall leave you to get ready," he said as his eyes turned to scan the room once more. His face turned sour in distaste. "What say you we camp out by the lake tonight?" he asked me in curious voice.

I smiled. Lake Gryith was extremely beautiful at night. The Moon Lilys were spectacular. Emris laughed and I turned to face him. He was watching me, his face relaxed and a soft smile on his lips.

"Sounds perfect," I told him.

Emris smiled. "I will have it arranged at once!"

His eyes went back to the bedroom around him, his face disapproving.

"I'm sorry I didn't take you with me back then," he whispered.

I shook my head. "We were in the middle of a war and I was six years old, Emris. What would have become of us?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "I should have sent for you-"

I reached up and touched his face. "Emris, it's not your fault," I reminded him. He sighed, reaching to press my my hand more firmly to the side of his jaw and neck and sighed. "Make the arrangements for the search of your brother. My men and I are at your deposal if you need us."

I blinked. "What?"

Emris smiled. "My men are your men," he told me. "Command them."

I looked over my shoulder at the foyer full of rugged looking men. "It would help if you got to know them a little." I looked back up at him, his eyes looking around the room. "They will do as you say because you are my wife but the respect of a Knight goes a long way."

I nodded. "And how do you suggest I go about doing that?" I asked him.

Before Emris could answer, Hali appeared beside us. "Your bath is ready, Princess," she said in a low voice. Emris smiled at me. "Go," he assured me. "I have some tings to see to back at the ship. I will meet you back here at dark."

Emris pulled me in slowly, giving me every chance to stop him but I couldn't replace it in me to do so. Emris pressed his lips to mine gently, his breath warming my face. It was a small peck, subtle. Almost as if we're habit.

My heart thumped in my chest. I felt I should be questioning this connection... this yearning I had for him. The picture of me standing above the roaring armies flashed before my eyes and pain suddenly lanced through the side of my head causing a startled gasp to leave my lips.

"Nalia." I looked up to look at him again. He was staring at me. "What is it?"

I shook my head. "Nothing," I assured him and turned to head for the door. Emris turned to watch me.

"If this is going to work, we need to be honest with each other," he reminded me. I felt my heart sink and I stopped. "You are part Demon, Nalia. That means you could be-"

I turned to face him. "No!" I hissed at him. The air around me rippled, causing Emris to step back in surprise. "I can't be immortal, Emris! This isn't how it was supposed to be! All my life I was told that I would die... I'm trying to view things differently but now that I know who and what I am- it changes everything!"

Emris scowled. "It changers nothing!" he assured me.

I felt my face go blank. "But-"

His hand shot out and gripped my neck, the force of his movement caught me by surprise as I was pushed back into the wall. My breath left me in a soft grunt as my back hit the wall behind me.

"It. Changes. Nothing."

His voice had gone cold, deep. All playfulness was gone from his features.

His silver eyes bore into mine as we stared at each other. The uneasiness in my belly was spreading to my chest. I waited for him to calm my anxiety but no such relief came. This wasn't a reminder. It was a threat. Erik blinked, his face suddenly overcome with surprise.

"My apologies," he whispered as his fingers loosened from around my neck. "It's been a long day and we bother are weary from our travels." Emris leaned forward and pressed his lips to the top of my head. His lips trembled on my skin as they brushed my forehead. My heart beat erratically as his warm, addicting scent filled me. Longing washed through me l despite the mixed feeling of anger and longing as he leaned forward and I shuddered uncontrollably. Emris noticed my reaction.

"What?" he asked me. "Does my touch still frighten you?" His voice had become concerned. Confused. Almost irritated.

I shook my head. "It's not that," I assured him. "This connection..." I wasn't sure how to form my question. Emris sighed, his hands wandering to my hips.

"Perhaps you should take some time and get yourself ready," he mused as his fingers pulled gently at my hip, pulling me closer. "Meet me at the moon bridge at dark."

His lips glanced along my cheek.

I smiled. "Yes, your Majesty."

Emris smirked again, dropping his hands from around my neck and turned turned to walk down the hallway. My heart thumped loudly in my chest and ears, my breathing was heavy in my lungs, constricting my airways. I turned to my empty bedroom, trying to get myself together. "Hali?" My voice was hoarse and unsteady.

I waited for her as she hurried to my side. "Ask the Maid's to look for my mothers wedding dress," I told her as I pulled my closet doors open. Inside, my dresses hadn't even been packed away or covered with sheets. I sifted through the dresses inside and suddenly nothing seemed good enough. The hand made fabrics and embroidery of the Vanderien tribe's was so elegant and incredibly precise. These dresses were plane and thread-less, the fabric was plane and thick and bare, not appealing at all. I sighed. I knew Emris would be expecting a certain amount of...

Exposure?

I stopped, staring at myself as I stepped in front of my old, cracked dresser mirror, staring at myself, my normally blue eyes were glowing red. I shuddered. "What is this?" I gasped in a soft voice. "What's happening?" Fear filled me, numbing me. I looked in the cracked mirror and watched as my eyes turned amber. "Princess?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed them vigorously. With a glance in the mirror, I saw my eyes were normal once more. A soft, relieved sigh left me.

I turned to see Hali along with a Maid. "We could not replace the trunk you requested, Your Majesty."

I felt my heart sink a little. "That's alright," I assured them. "Thank you both."

Hali frowned. "Are you sure, Princess?" she asked me in a low voice. I nodded.

"Yes," I assured her.

The Maid stepped forward. "Your bath is ready, your Majesty."

"Hali, please get the best dress out of my trunk and get it ready please." She curtsied quickly and vanished through the door as I walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind me, suddenly unable to keep myself from wondering what was to become of me now that I knew I was immortal and apparently Emris had plans of his own. What were they? Would he still kill me after I have a him a child? Could I even have children?

Hali helped me undress and then left me alone to bathe.

I'd never gotten pregnant over the years. I felt my heart sink as I lowered myself into my bath. What if I couldn't have children? Would Emris change his mind about me? My mind would only go in circles if I never asked him any of my questions.

What would Emris do since he'd known all along I was a Moonblood? The thought of him turning me away came to mind. It was a possibility, of course. If I survived childbirth, I could go on to live a full life... if I died...Well that would be a good way out too, I suppose. I am completely devout o you. That's what he had said. But what did that mean?

I sighed. My bath water had grown cold already. And Emris would be waiting. I smiled, my fingers brushing my neck. I missed him already. "Hali," I called, ready for her to help me out of the tub. I waited but no one answered. "Hali? Anyone?" I called aloud.

No one answered.

I chewed my lip. I could sit here in the cold water or I could risk running across the room for a towel. I shuddered and then jumped violently at the knock at the door.

"W-who is it?" I called.

"Emris."

Assurance washed through me and I sighed. "May I come in?"

I forced myself lower into the tub, the cold water washing up against the back on my neck. "I'm not ready!" I reminded him.

"No one else is around," he pointed out. I sighed. I would need help getting dressed. I'd been dressing myself for years. Except for recently. "I'm coming in."

Before I could protest, Emris opened the door and stepped inside, he was dressed casually. A white shirt and a pair of simple cotton pants. He had a waist length cloak around his shoulders and a dagger at his waist. "You are still in the bath?" he asked me surprised but not really looking at me.

"I called for a Maid but no one came," I said sullenly. Emris grabbed up a sheet and walked closer to the tub, spreading it out as a blanket and holding it up. I watched him turn his head away and wait. I hesitated, my heart pounding away in my chest. I stood up slowly, my arms folded over my chest as Emris reached his arms forward and wrapped the sheet around me without really touching me, all the while staring to the left of him. "Thank you," I whispered embarrassed. I hugged the sheet around me as Emris lifted me out of the tub and set me down, again, not really touching me. He looked down at me now, his silver eyes almost transparent from the warm glow that had taken over the room. The sun had officially set.

Emris looked like he was holding himself back, struggling. I leaned away a little. "I should get dressed."

Emris immediately stepped away and walked from the room. As soon as he crossed over the threshold, Hali entered the room, carrying a lush lavender nightgown.

"I found this in a box in the cellar," she said and held it up. I felt my heart sink.

"That was my mothers," I said. "I have seen paintings of her in this dress." I reached and touched the dress. It was soft I could smell my mother on it. "I will ware this."

The way to the Moon bridge Gardens was a simple stone path leading from the main house into a small garden and across a small lawn. Before the bridge was an great willow tree, it's vines touching the surface of the lake.

Four guards escorted me the short distance and it was rather annoying. This was my home. Who would want to hurt me here? I glanced over my shoulder at Niko.

"This is silly!" I insisted.

He smiled. "Well, Princess, the silliness of ends here," he said and gestures to the narrow, earth beaten path. The bridge itself was made of old brick, wet and covered in moss. I looked down at my lavender colored dress, wishing I'd had some thing better to ware. This wasn't flattering at all. What if Emris didn't like it? I lifted the long skirts, looking at them, wondering if I should have worn the red one?

"Princess?"

I turned to face Hali. "Go," I told them. "I will be fine."

Niko nodded and bowed before me, the rest of the guards and Hali followed suit, bending at the waist to bow in respect. I watched them go, disappearing around the side of the house that was just visible through the thicket.

I sighed and turned to face the bridge. Emris had appeared at the top of the bridge. His dark hair gleamed softly in the bright moonlight. He turned when he herd me approaching. When he faced me, I watched his lips part in surprise, a lust filled wave of emotion rippled through me and I watched the black aura I'd only seen once surround him like smoke. And then he was beside me, his hands locked around my waist. "Good evening," he whispered, looking me up and down. "You look lovely."

I blushed a deep crimson and Emris laughed, his hands wandering to my face, his fingers brushing my cheeks. "Follow me."

His warm breath washed my face and my mouth watered. But he had already leaned away, his fingers grabbing up my hand as he led me down the other end of the bridge, away from the way I had come. There were lanterns that lighted the way, the path overgrown with ferns and plants. The forest was alive with life as we walked deeper and deeper into the vibrating ambience of the wild around us.

We walked for only a few moments before Emris pulled me closer, suddenly seeming like he was unable to help himself. His fingers grazed the exposed skin of my back causing electricity to dance across my skin as he urged me a little faster. He laughed.

"We can be ourselves here," he told me. "So relax."

We rounded the end of the trail, the lake coming into view. The flowers gleamed in blues and purples, reflecting off the moonlight, frogs and crickets echoed through the quite air, fireflies glowing in and out of existence. Under a tree in the middle of the meddow was a small fire, some pillows and blankets and a table filled with food.

"I hope this is to your liking," Emris told me in a low voice as we came to a stop at the edge of the blanket.

I looked up at him and smiled.

"It's beautiful."

He smiled, his lips pulling into that perfect grin that made my heart race. I watched him pull the cloak from around him and toss it to the side. "Would you like to go for a swim?" he asked me.

I raised an eyebrow. "I can't swim," I told him. Emris laughed, his face creasing with disbelief.

"Are you serious?" he asked me. I frowned and he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you can't swim, Nalia. But all the same, come get in the water with me."

I sighed and shook my head. "I won't let you drown," he assured me. I smiled because I knew he spoke the truth. I let him pull me forward to the edge of the water. The water was black, an eternal abyss of darkness. It could swallow me whole and I'd never be seen again. Tempting.

I felt his fingers brush my chin. "Keep you mind here, with me," he whispered as he leaned forward to press his lips to the side of my neck. A shudder passed through me and I felt him catch his breath against my skin. I froze, worried that the same anger and the same demon from before would appear again. Emris' hands gripped my shoulders and he leaned away to look at me, his face unreadable. Somehow he knew what I had been thinking just now.

"That was a mistake, what happened before," he said in a low voice. I blinked not understanding. "I slipped. A temporary lapse of control." I shook my head.

"I don't understand!" I told him as my hand reached forward to grip shirt. Emris growled, a deep, animalistic sound that rumbled in his throat. Fear suddenly filled me, choking off my breath.

"I am demon, Nalia." His hand wandered over my naked shoulder and down the front of my shoulder, his finger stopping at top of my dress. "I long for you. And I yearn for the feel of you." His his whispered words were like a trail of fire, burning away at my skin. I shuddered and leaned into him. Emris sucked in a breath through his teeth as his hands turned hard, lifting me up into his arms to straddle him. His mouth found mine, his lips opening mine. I tried to turn my head but his lips were just so warm and inviting. I couldn't resist. A small whimper left my lips as his fingers began pulling at my dress. That's when ice bloomed in my chest, hard and piercing. My lips parted from his when I herd his belt buckle. "E-Emris- wait!l

He stilled under me, his lips leaving my skin, the breath of his sigh warming my suddenly chilled skin.

"Only ask me to stop if you really want me to stop," he whispered against my ear, his warm breath was a fire of euphoria that vibrated all the way down to my bones. I blinked. He was leaving it up to me? Why? I was his wife.

I was his now. I opened my mouth but no words came out. Despite the cover of darkness, I felt very much like exposed. I didn't understand why I was feeling scared and so at ease at the same time. My bottom lip trembled.

Focus on me, his soft, velvety voice rumbled through me as his hand disappeared under my dress. His fingers grazed against thighs causing as startled moan to leave my lips. Emris laughed against my neck as he pressed forward, guiding me down into the pillows, all the while his hand wandered upward, shifting and searching for-

A gasp left my lips and my eyes flew open when his fingers found what he was looking for. I felt my blood run cold as his hand gently brush against the inside of my thigh. My stomach began to churn.

Fear flooded through as Emris pressed his lips to the corner of my jaw, his breath warming the side of my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut as Hiram's face flashed before me.

His face was distorted, his teeth sharp and his hair matted with blood. My eyes snapped open.

A small cry of protest left my lips and my hand gripped his wrist.

"No!" My voice was loud, panicked. "No! Stop!"