Moonbloods Season 1
Prince Knox

Emris soon excused himself to over see the Guard and check on his Court. A Maid arrived with Yesmina to escort me to the Council Chamber once I was dressed but insisted on waiting for additional security. So I stood by the mirror, looking at the strange and unfamiliar creature before me.

The long white and gold dress was layered in soft white and off white tones, the silk trims and hand stitched beadings were delicate and shimmered when I moved. How extravagant was Emris' tastes? My hair has been rebraided down my back and decorated with lilacs to match my dress. When I returned to the front room of Emris Chamber, he was no where to be seen.

I sighed and walked to the window. The sun was setting and the lanterns were beginning to brighten the darkening grounds. Cold air blew in from the sea, indicating cold weather ahead. I didn't miss being at sea but I loved it here. Many things had happened that I had not anticipated. I hadn't expected to like it here. I hadn't expected to fall for the Prince. I hadn't expected to have all of these allies.

My hand went slowly to my chest. Emris was devoted me. He had proved that on more the one occasion. He had said the words every girl wished to hear from her Prince. His voice echoed in my mind and, as impossible as it was, I could almost feel his breath on my skin. I love you.

My heart seared at the thought of him now, causing blood to flush my face and chest. I smiled a small giddy smile. With everything uncertain and everything in the darkness, Emris seemed to be my only light in this dark prison of a world I seemed to replace myself in. Sure, I had every privilege and freedom, but I didn't really. I didn't fancy making light of other peoples lives but there seemed to be no way around that. Emris seemed pretty confident and comfortable with putting people in their place. I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to do that. Suppressing a groan I turned and headed for the door.

When I went into the hallway, a guard was waiting for me. "His Majesty has news of your uncles body and requests your presents in the Council chamber."

I nodded and followed the guard down the hall. "Any word on Hali?"

The guard nodded. "She is being seen by the Priest as we speak."

I sighed. "She won't ever be the same again."

She had been hurt because of me. Deformed because of me. I looked down at my wrist. Perhaps I could learn magic and fix her scars she was surly to have once she was fully healed. "I wish to see her when she is done."

Niko nodded. "I will bring her to you myself," he promised as a group of about eight guards entered the hall. I stopped when I saw the dark armor. I hadn't made it a point to really know the faves of the men on Emris' Guard so when the guards saw me and stopped, their hands resting casually on their weapons, my heart skipped a few beats.

"Princess, Prince Knox has requested your presents in the Throne Chamber."

Niko stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"What formation are you in?" He glanced at Niko. Formation? "Where is your commander?"

The guards laughed. "We don't answer to you, Skavi!" The guard to my left was quick to answer.

"Considering we just killed the men who tried to rob us I would rethink that answer!" Niko warned him.

The guard laughed and jerked a dagger from his belt. "You looking for some trouble, Skavi?

I frowned at both of them. "Niko is sworn into service by Prince Emris." They both turned to look at me. "He is no Skavi!"

A soft chuckle ripped through the hall. I stepped away uneasily, Niko stepping between me and the group of men. I watched as the men parted ways to reveal a tall, sandy blond haired man standing in the hallway.

He was as dressed rather plainly. A simple tunic with cotton trousers. His cloak was dark blue, fuzzy and rather worn looking. He looked more like a traveler then a Royal Prince. His Drydaleien like features almost rivaled that of a God. He smirked, revealing a row of sharp teeth.

"Now, now, Niko, you know only a King can do that," the man chided him. I watched Niko bowed quickly.

"Prince Knox," he said stiffly, looking back up quickly as Knox started down the hallway toward me. I quickly replaced the look of shock with one of politeness.

"Prince Knox, pleased to meet you, you Majesty." I curtsied quickly and he laughed at me, looking me up and down.

"You county girls." He scoffed at me as he circled me slowly. "Your brother said you were beautiful. Good to know he didn't exaggerate."

I raised my head and turned to face him. He laughed at me. "Have I offended you. My apologies."

I'm narrowed my eyes at him. Niko smirked and held out his arm.

"Shall we then?"

I scoffed at him and pressed passed him, Niko at my side. When we're far enough away, Niko reached his hand toward me, handing me my dagger. I looked down and took it from him, folding it over in my hands.

"If you like, I can teach you throwing and maneuver techniques. They may come in handy." He spoke low so no one else could hear us. I glanced over my left shoulder, ready to ask Hali if she knew anything but she wasn't there. It pained me she wasn't here. I just hoped that she would heal quickly. She always gave me hood council. I valued her advice and opinions.

"Niko, I value your counsel," I said in a low voice. He bowed his head as we walked.

"You honor me, Princess," he told me. I stopped when we reached the Grand Hall doorway. It was being prepped for tonight's feast. Our wedding party. The table was dressed in a dark green tablecloth, candelabras were tastefully placed with white roses and purple lilacs.

"The honor is mine, Lord Niko-"

He sighed. "I am no Lord, Princess," Niko reminded me.

I turned to face him. "Well I refuse call you Skavi," I reminded him in turn. "You are a person! And you should be shown respect."

Niko bowed his head. "That means a great deal, Princess. Thank you."

I her someone scoff in disgust behind me and I stoped, turning to face them. Lady Yeamina was dressed in soft leather battle gear, two daggers strapped to her hips and a bow strapped to her back.

"Something to say, Lady Melbourne?" I asked her directly.

She smirked snidely and bowed her head. "Not at all, Princess."

I nodded. "Then perhaps stop with the uttering of pointless inconsistencies."

Yesmina's look of surprise was satisfying to watch as she quickly composed herself. "My apologies, Princess."

She turned and walked back the way she had come, snapping her fingers at the two Maids behind her. I frowned. I didn't understand what her deal was. Was she still angered by the fact that I was married to Emris she was not? She should have been over that by now.

"Niko, I had been promised to Emris since birth, correct?"

He nodded. "Yes, Princess."

"When was the Lady Yeamina offered to his Majesty as a potential bride?" I asked him.

Niko shrugged. "I believe it was shortly after your birth, Princess. His Majesty had just returned from war."

My heart sank a little. The war everyone says my father started. The war that left the Halcro blood line on the throne instead of my own. "We shouldn't linger, Princess. Prince Emris awaits you," Niko reminded me in a low voice. I couldn't think of anything else then to get to Emris as soon as I could. Even though Vendera was home, I still felt very much a stranger within these walls. I knew I needed to change that. I needed to host Court. I needed to meet my Ladies. And I needed to get to Emris. I didn't like being apart from him. My blood was pumping in my ears and chest as I reached out for him mentally. I could feel him, but he was engaged in important conversations with Knox. I wasn't sure what to think of him. He seemed very rude. "Niko, tell me what you know of Prince Knox."

Niko wrinkled his nose. "The Prince is second borne to his Highness King Alistor, possessing the power of elemental manipulation."

I stopped and turned to face him. "Elemental manipulation?" I echoed. "What element?"

"Gravity manipulation, Princess."

I sighed. That was it? I'd hoped for fire. Or at the very least some other powerful element. I'd used it before but now it seemed I could not conjure it. I looked down at my hand. I have shown hints of many different talents and that scared me. No one could controle more then one element. It was unheard of. It just simply didn't happen. I chewed my lip.

"How do you know for sure?" I asked as I turned and waved the guards away that were following us. "Leave us!" The guards bowed their heads and then turned to go back the way we had come.

Niko bowed his head. "With all due respect Princess, it is of course not impossible for a powerful individual to have affliction where they connect with more then one element."

I watched his face falter and wrinkle with distaste. "Prince Knox is arrogant and does not play by Court Law. He is as childish as they come. His blood claim keeps him close to his family. Otherwise he would have left Azga long ago."

I sighed. My blood.

I was part demon after all. I didn't understand why Emris wasn't more worried about this. I reached out to him once more but his mind had turned angry so I dropped the connection quickly. What had him so angry?

"Has something happened I should know about?" I asked Niko as we rounded the corner that led to the Coucil Chamber. I stopped when I saw my brother standing- actually standing in the hallway, leaning on a beautifully made cain.

"Jon?"

He turned to face me, his black hair brushing the tops of his shoulders. He was dressed in a fine silk and leather riding cape, a simple tunic and fine, soft leather boots.

He smiled at me, the small scars on his lips and chin now faint. He had healed quickly.

My heart sank. Had the Healers and Priests noticed his advanced healing? Had they noticed how strong he was? I hurried forward, my flat slippers slapping against the hard stone floor as I ran toward my brother and hugged him.

"I thought I'd lost you!"

Jon sighed and leaned away. "Are you OK?" he asked me in a low voice. "Has he hurt you?"

I felt my face crease with confusion. "Hurt me?" I echoed. "What are you-"

Jon looked me up and down. "Has he bed you-"

I shook my head. "No, he has not," I assured him. My face turned pink as I turned away from him. "It is really none of your business so I'd rather not speak of it anymore-"

He sighed. "You understand what is at stake, don't you-"

I frowned. "That's all I ever hear!" I assured him as a pair of guards and Lord Melbourne rounded the corner.

"Princess Nalia, there you are!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "We have new information of your uncle."

I nodded and glanced back at Jon who was now glaring at Graven. "Yea, I am aware. I was just on my way to replace Prince-"

Graven bowed his head. "Prince Knox has been granted temporary holding of Summer Crest-"

I felt a gasp leave my lips. "What?"

Jon sighed and looked down at his leg. "The king thinks it would be best if I wed first and proved I can still produce heirs for Summer Crest."

I sighed. "You have been through a tremendous trauma-"

He frowned . "As have you," he reminded me and dropped his arms to his sides. A ripple of annoyance washed through me. Annoyance that wasn't mine. Quickly followed my a longer feeling of resentment. In fact, the feelings were not mine at all. I noticed Jon looking over the top of my head and I turned to see Emris walking towered us.

My heart fluttered and I saw Jon shuffle uneasily beside me from the corner of my eye.

"Does he know?" Jon asked me.

I glanced at him. "He knows everything," I assured him. Jon did not look pleased. "He is protecting me-"

Jon laughed at me. "No one can protect you- not from the Order-"

Emris had reached us now. "Let me handle the Order, Lord Crast."

I watched my brother bow his head. "The reason your holdings have been turned over to Lord Melbourne is because you are needed here -"

I shook my head. "Emris, what about Summer Crest-"

His hand snaked around my waist. "This this your home now, Nalia," he told me in a low voice and my chest pricked with unease as his breath warmed my neck. Normally I would relish in the feel of him being so close but right now all I felt was confused and hurt that Emris would allow Graven Melbourne of all people take Summer Crest from me. From my brother. It was technically ours by right.

"Summer Crest belongs to Jon- by right it is his!" I insisted. Emris tightened his fingers around my hips.

Emris nodded. "It is," he agreed. "But the King feels since it is uncertain if Jon can produce an heir it is in the best intrest of Azga that Summer Crest go to someone else. For the time being."

I looked back at Jon. "He can't do that-"

Emris' fingers pressed into my side; a gentle reminder. "He is the King," he reminded me. "And besides, my father only appointed Summer Crest temporarily to the Graven Household-"

I frowned. "What is Jon supposed to do?" I demanded. "Summer Crest is his home-"

Jon cleared his throat. "I shall remain here, Nalia, as a guest of Court, of course."

I glanced between Emris and Jon. "You are staying?" I asked him.

My brother smiled. "If you will have me, I'd like to enlist in your services."

I smiled a wide smile. "Of course!"

Emris tightens his hand on my hip, his hot, molten fingers burning through the fabric of my dress. "You may hash out the details later at dinner. We should go speak to the Priest," Jon nodded quickly.

Emris reached for my hand and pulled me along quickly.

I sent for you thirty minutes ago-

My fingers gripped his. I ran into your brother-

Emris pulled me to a stop again. "You already spoke with him?" Emris asked me, his fingers digging into my arm. "I met him in the hallway- Emris what are you not telling me?"

He sighed and glanced around. "What did he tell you?"

I shook my head. "Nothing," I assured him. "Emris what is going on?"

He sighed. "The attack on Hali? It was a member of the Order."

I shook my head. "As in The Oder of Dark Fae Hunters?" I asked him as I felt the blood drain from my face. I had heard of them but I didn't know much about the them; it was because of them that the War had started seventeen years ago to begin with. That's all I knew.

"The Order is looking for you. Of that we are sure," Jon said. "We just don't know why."

I looked up at Emris, knowing damned well why they were looking for me. What do we do?

Emris tightened his hand around mine as we entered the crowded Court Chamber. Graven Melbourne stood at the other end of the room, waiting for us, a scroll in his hand. My thoughts turned to Emris as I felt his fingers tightening even more. What is it?

Emris cleared his throat. Every Lord and Lady is here. The ones that matter. Some that I know are not friendly to us.

I glanced around. Lady Chloè mDrodic and her son Lucas stood nearer to the podium, beside Lady Yesmina and her father. There were many other faces I didn't know or recognize.

Don't be nervous, he insisted.

I forced a small smile on my lips and did my best. Breath.

I felt his influence wash over me, piercing me straight to my bones.

By the time we reached the podium, the room had gone quite and my heart was beating steadily in my chest but not ready to burst from my body either.

How was I supposed to know who was a friend and who was foe? I felt his mind ease into my thoughts.

Relax.

I forced a smile on my face as we reached the top of the podium. Everyone around me bowed or curtsied. The room was not as crowded as I first had thought. There were more Skavi and other servants then there was Nobles. That did little to ease my tension.

"Presenting her Royal Majesty, Princess Nalia Halcro."

My eyes scanned the room and came to test on Niko.

"What is Niko doing here?" I hissed at Emris under my breath. I felt his fingers tighten around my wrist. I was reminded how he lost his temper, his hand clamping down on my neck. I shuddered. Though from horror, disgust or pleasure, I honestly couldn't say.

Emris looked down at me. "Nalia." His voice rippled through me, eased over my skin. I shuddered. "Focus." His whispered encouragement eased the tension that was building inside of me. I felt my heart drop. What if I lost controle-

Stop that, Emris hissed inside my head. I looked up at him to see him watching me intently as he guided me to my seat. It wasn't until he fingers wrapped around my wrist that the horrible feeling of anxiety washed away, leaving me almost feeling sated. A soft sigh left my lips and Emris shifted besides me.

"What is it?" he whispered as his arm snaked around my back. Blood boiled my skin as I looked up at him.

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "You..."

He smiled a sharp toothed smile at me. "Me?" he questioned.

I didn't feel like myself. I felt extremely relaxed, sated in a way. I knew I should be more worried.

"Stop it," I whispered as I cleared my throat. Emris smirked at me.

"This is going to be fun."

His grin widened. "I knew I could influence you to calm you but this?" He laughed, bringing my fingers up to his lips, his breath warming my numb fingers.

"What are you talking about?" I whispered. Music had begun to play softly as everyone took their seats. Skavi and other servants bustled about, pouring ale and wine. He couldn't have possibly just made me feel all of that could he?

"You are more powerful then anyone here will ever know," he whispered. "I can't wait to see the things you will-"

I jerked my hand away from him and folded them into my lap. "Please," I begged him. "I need to focus." I didn't need to look at him to to see the cold, stony face he was giving me. Ever since we had wed, I hadn't pulled away from him. Not once.

Until now.

He just didn't understand. He was talking about years from now, making plans- and I didn't even know if I would live that long.

My eyes scanned the room as the people around us took their seats. The room wasn't as full as I thought it had been. Lady Drodic and her son Lord Lucas Drodic stood to our immediate left.

"Lady Drodic will be taking the seat as Proxy for her son until he comes of age," Emris informed me.

I nodded and looked around the room slowly. I watched as Prince Knox walked around the room followed by his wife, Lady Cienna.

Her hair was dark, braided down her back and she was dressed in a rather thin, pink dress, much too light for the frigid cold weathers of the North.

"Prince Knox Halcro and his bride, Lady Cienna."

"Why is your brothers wife not a Princess in title? She still goes by Lady?" I asked him.

Emris smirked. "Because, he married a whore," he said.

I raised an eyebrow and looked back at Lady Cienna. "So, not to insult her, she was given the title of Lady. She needed an heir to continue the line. Knox has an infant son, Cain, who won't be fit to rule the Desert Lands in the South until he is of age." I nodded. It wasn't unheard of, for a Lord to take their whore lovers to wife and produce children when needed.

Prince Knox bowed before us.

"Brother, congratulations on your wedding," he said as he stood straight once more. "I hear it was a quiet affair."

Emris narrowed his eyes at his brother. "We wanted it that way-"

Knox laughed. "Sounds like you were trying to hide your bride."

Emris' fingers tightens around my wrist. "Not at all."

I watched as Knox' eyes slid over to mine. "My, my," he whispered as he appraised me. " She is quite the beauty." I watched him hold his hand up and out. Lady Cienna stepped forward and curtsied.

She was much younger then I'd first realized. The silver dress matched her raven hair perfectly. "Behold, my Lady wife, Cienna of Craigdon."

Emris laughed. "Cienna of Craigdon?" he mused. "Where have I herd that name before?" Emris looked to Graven who leaned forward.

"House Craigdon serves under the House of Craven, my Prince."

Emris glanced at me. Another who served your father. Lady Cienna could be dangerous.

I looked at the girl. She looked scared, her hands folded before her, shivering. She was younger then I'd first realized. Her youth was still very evident. How old is she?

Emris glanced at Cienna. She said wed my brother two years ago when she was twelve. She didn't bare his child until last spring.

I sighed. Fifteen. A year younger then what I was now. And she had survived a demonic birth. I suddenly felt ill. Emris looked down at me.

If you need to, go.

I knew I needed to start hosting Court. I'd spent the last few weeks traveling and getting married to Emris. Soon, Lords and Ladies would be returning from the Main Land and I would be expected to host them.

I cleared my throat. "Welcome to Vendera, Lady Cienna. Is this your first time here?"

She smiled. "It is, my Lady," she said and curtsied. Her voice was soft, raspy. I smiled but Emris cleared his throat.

"It's 'your Majesty'," he reminded her. Cienna flushed a deep color of red and bowed her head.

"Of course, Your Majesty, forgive me."

I smiled again. "No worries," I assured her. "Perhaps after the meeting I can show you around."

"I'd like that," she said.

Emris stood to his feet. "We should get on with this meeting then," he said and held out his hand. I nodded and followed Emris to the Council chamber. I wasn't sure why to expect. I didn't know what secrets they had come across when they looked at Hiram's body. I didn't know what would happen once I was inside that Chamber. I did my best to calm my anxiety. Emris didn't seem to notice

as we stood and filed out of the Chamber with everyone else. He was in conversation with his brother. He didn't seem particularly interested in the conversation. His fingers traced mine.

Relax, please, he pleaded. You are making me anxious.

My heart calmed slightly as I realized he was feeling my anxiety.

I'm sorry.

What is wrong?

I shook my head, the slightest of movements, knowing he would see me perfectly well. What if they replace something and then start to question me?

Emris squeezed my hand. No one would dare.

I swollowed passed the lump in my chest and nodded. I wanted to believe that Emris would be able to protect me. In reality I knew, when it came down to it, King Alistor would do as his Lords wished. My fingers tightened around his.

I can do this, I assured him as sternly as I could.

Emris let a wave relaxing emotion washed over me as we walked to the middle of the room, approaching a makeshift table with a covered body on top. I felt my heart drop as we stopped before it.

I glanced around the room, suddenly very away of all of the people in the room.

Moment of truth.