Moonbloods Season 1
Naska

The sea was calm now.

But my heart still pounded in my chest. I was positive Emris had here Faius speak. I was sure he had herd him say what I was. A Moonblood. Perhaps he was just biding his time. As much as I wanted to see the world, I knew I would spend most of my time at Vendera, as was my place as Lady of Vendera . A tragic short life. As soon as Emris had a son, he would kill me, since he had no other use for me. The war was over and Summercrest was contracted to the rest of Azga, providing them with traditional medicines. What would happen when I died? Perhaps if I asked and threw myself at his mercy Emris would allow me to return to Summercrest. But I didn't want to go back to that. My uncle would kill me if he ever saw me again. He had tried to rob Prince Emris, thinking he could get away with it. I didn't know anything about Emris so I didn't know if he would simply let this slide.

I stood on the wet deck of the ship and watched as the large, luminous city grew closer, sitting nestled between two great mountains and the evergreen forests. The sky was dark, thunderous storm like clouds rolled overhead and a light mist coated the air around me. As much as I hated sailing, the smell of the open sea cleared my head. I had never seen snow before. The sky was grey, thick snow fell from the skies.

"Princess?"

I turned to face Niko who was standing behind me, his hands folded behind his back. "Prince Emris wishes for you to join him at the loading dock."

I sighed and looked down at the black, swirling water below me. How easy it would be to just jump overboard and let myself drown. I was in no way worried for own life. I just didn't want to be here.

I only wanted two things my whole life.

To get away from my Uncle.

And to replace a way to get away from Emris. I had been so distracted by getting away from my uncle that I had completely forgotten about having to get on a ship that would take me straight to Vendara with no chance of stopping and no chance of returning to the main land unless I had a horse.

I turned away from the black water and walked away from the tempting fate of the blackness below. Emris stood by the ramp of the docked ship, his hand resting on a massive sword at his hip as he stood talking to a guard. When he noticed me, all he did was glance at me before going back to his conversation with the guard. They spoke in an odd, curling and dipping language. I stood there listing. I found that i could not make out or understand a single word they were saying. After a moment, the guard nodded and bowed before us.

"Princess." He bowed low and then hurried away to help his comrades and brothers dock the ship. Emris held out a thick gloves hand and waited. I shuddered in the cold. I forced my hand into his. It's not that I feared or disgusted his touch... my heart pounded unevenly in my chest as I glanced up at his green eyes. His face was impassively handsome.

"I have a gift for you."

I looked up at him as we walked down the wet board walk and onto a cobblestone street. His perfectly cut jaw linen was sharp, his nose was perfectly sculpted and his full lips looked plump and warm. I adverted my eyes quickly, hoping he would not catch me staring. He was very intimidating. We didn't speak as we walked down the plank and into the board walk.

The air smelled of sea and fish, people were bustling to and fro, some pushing carts full of fish and other meats, vegetables and dried herbs. Some people would stop and stare at us as we approached the corner of the street.

A man was waiting on the corner, waiting for us, holding the reins of two horses.

"Niko said you can ride?" Emris asked me when we came to a stop beside the horses.

One was a pale, shiny, sleek all blond horse. She was stunningly beautiful. Emris took her reins and handed them to me. I felt my jaw drop.

"She is yours," he told me, pressing the reins into my hands. "She is young and fast. Ride her well."

Emris walked over to the other horse, the massive one. He was a huge, black stallion, his wavy grey main looking more like a storm cloud. I watched as he pulled himself up and into the massive beasts back. "Nalia."

My skin flared in awareness for a moment as my name seemed to roll off his tongue so easily. I looked up at him. There was an impatient look on his face.

Niko, already mounted, leaned forward in his saddle. "We must be on our way now, Princess. The Prince has matters to attended to."

Before I could answer, the girl I had seen before, the one who had been at Emris' side when I first boarded the ship, rode by on a grey horse.

"Good morning Princess, welcome to Vendera." I narrowed my eyes at her and I watched her face go blank in surprise. I just nodded and pulled myself up into my hose and settled into the saddle. "Follow me."

Niko rode beside me in silence. We rode along the beach, a beaten sandy m, frozen path heading further and further north. Surprisingly, the wind coming off of the sea was not as cold as I thought it would be. We had been on the road for about four hours before Emris decided we needed a break.

We stopped when we reached the woods, a great river raged to my left. I could smell pine, thick in the air. It was an oddly comforting smell. I wasn't sure if I would ever miss the Summer Crest islands. Perhaps, I could go back one day. When Hiram wasn't there anymore.

I chided myself. I would never again set foot into Summer Crest as long as Hiram was alive.

I sighed and urged my horse forward. I had already determined that getting down from my saddle would be impossible so I decided to direct my horse to the edge of the water for a drink. Before I could get close enough to the water, Emris grabbed my wrist and pulled me from the horses back. My legs screamed in protest and a pained gasp left my lips when my feet slammed to the frozen ground at my feet. "You told me you knew how to ride!" he reminded me.

I didn't answer. Mostly because as soon as he was finished speaking, he turned his back on me and walked over to the blond girl. Niko was walking passed me, a bag of feed in his hands. "Niko."

He stopped and dropped the bag to his feet. "Yes Princess?"

"Who is that woman there, with Prince Emris?" I asked him.

Niko looked up at the girl. "That is the Lady Yesmina Melbourne , your Highness." I watched as she and Emris talked, laughed and playfully argued with each other.

"What is her position at Court?" I asked him and turned back to face Niko. He was staring at me, his face curious. "She is the daughter of the Prince Emris' advisor, Lord Graven Melbourne She houses at Court with her father."

I nodded. "They seem close," I noted. Niko nodded. "They have known each other a long time."

I raised an eyebrow. "She is immortal?" I asked him.

Niko nodded. "She is a Witch of some kind."

I shook my head. "That's impossible," I reminded him. "The Moonbloods are gone, Lord Niko."

He nodded. "Indeed, Princess, but some Magic's still remains in the world. It's rare and weak when it does appear. Lady Yesmina has power of illusion. She can play tricks of the mind."

I raised an eyebrow. "And Prince Emris allows this?" I asked in a startled tone. It seemed strange to me to think a Prince would allow someone with such a power to be so close to him. "That's quite dangerous, don't you think?"

Niko shook his head. "Lady Yesmina is sworn to Prince Emris. To betray him in any way would mean death."

I looked back up at Yesmina. She was dressed in a dark green riding outfit, her light blue cloak looked more grey in the overcast weather. Her long silver hair seemed to glow, giving off a soft light. I could see she had some kind of magic. Every Dark Fey had some kind of Mark. Emris had sharp teeth but I wasn't sure if that was his or not. He was a Warlock after all. As I stared at Yesmina, I realized she was looking right back at me. Only I couldn't look away because I was so captivated by her eyes that, impossibly, I had missed before.

Burning and bright, Yeamina's pink eyes bored into mine. A smug, bright smile spread across her face and Emris turned to face me. I dropped my gaze from Yesmina before Emris could catch my eye. I reached and grabbed the reins of my horse and led her stiffly to the edge of the water.

My boots squished in the wet mud of the river bank as I wobbled forward. My horse eagerly lurched forward, pulling the reins from my blistered hands. I hissed in pain, jerking my hands to my chest. Looking down at my hands, blistered and raw, I bit my lip as I lowered myself to submerge my beaten hands into the water.

"Are you hungry, Princess?" Niko asked me as I guided my horse back up the small river bank. I shook my head and Niko frowned.

"You haven't eaten since yesterday, Princess," he reminded. I watched Emris look over the top of Yesmina's head, almost as if he had over herd me talking, turned to look at me again. But that was impossible. She was at least thirty yards away. "I said I'm fine, Niko. Thank you!"

Emris said something to Yasmina and then headed toward me. I sighed and turned to face my horse, running my hand along her neck.

"Nalia."

I didn't turn to face him. Emris didn't answer. I sighed and turned to face him. "Yes?" I bowed my head respectfully. Emris raised his hands and handed me a pair of leather riding gloves. Then he nodded to Niko and turned away. I watched him walk away, back to Yesmina. I was doing my best not to dislike her. I didn't know her. And she didn't know me.

"When is Emris expected to return?" I asked Niko who was waiting for me to mount my horse.

"It could be a few days, Princess, but Emris always comes back."

I watched as Emris called his men together and told them they were moving out to some location I didn't know. I was to be Lady of Vendera, Princess of Azga. I should know my geography by now.

I nodded and broke away from Emris' gaze and saddled up again, my sore legs and hands screaming in protest. It still took a few moments for everyone to water and feed the horses or themselves. Emris stood by the riverbank under the bridge where there were two slaves prepareing a massive amount of fish. Emris, his black cloak stark against the pale snow around us, glanced at me, his sharp green eyes flashing bright for a moment.

Suddenly I felt the urge to jump from my horse and walk over to him, if only to get closer to him. It was stupid and irrational.

Then, all at once, I realized we had been staring bar each other for a very inappropriate amount of time. I frowned at him and he smirked at me, an actual laugh escaping his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest.

I didn't like or care to get to like this man. I just wanted my my freedom.

You won't want your freedom once I have you!

I felt my blood run cold and looked back up at Emris, but he already had his back turned and was galoping away, followed by about a dozen men. I sighed, my breath coking out in bright puff.

We rode deep into the woods for over an hour. Niko said it would be soon, that as soon as we reached the other side of the tree line, I would be able to see the massive gates of Asga.

"Are you good with any weapons?" Niko asked me as we rotted slowly around a bed on the side of a steep cliff.

I pushed my horse forward and looked down at my chapped hands, remembering the gloves Emris had given me. Pulling the cloves on, my hands were instantly warmed. Warm, invisible vice like fingers wrapped around mine as I took my horse's reins. "I'm a decent shot," I admitted. Niko smiled and nodded. "There is an excellent archery range in Asga. I'm sure Emris will take you."

I nodded. "He doesn't speak much," I noted. Niko nodded.

"No," he agreed.

I sighed. "How does he expect me to learn if he won't speak to me?"

Niko shrugged. "He knows that this arrangement is not what you wished for. He tried to make other arrangements with your uncle but Hiram wouldn't budge from the previously agreed upon exchange."

I felt sick all over again as I rocked back and forth in sync with my horse, my hips aching and my butt screaming.

So Emris had tried to get out of the arrangement. I didn't blame him.

I wouldn't want to marry me either. Hiram did well to not mark up my face but didn't care care any other part of me.

After a while I decided to walk. My legs hurt from riding and I needed a break. Niko dismounted his horse as well and walked beside me, his eyes ever scanning our darkening surroundings. As it got darker, it got colder. I shuddered. I already missed Summer Crest and it's beautiful warmth.

"You will get used to the cold, Princess," Niko assured me and handed me a leather flask.

I took it from him and took a long swig. The cold liquid splashed down my throat, burning and scripting warming my body. I sucked in a startled breath and coughed a little as warmness spread through my chest and body. I looked up at Niko.

"Drydaline wine," he told me and took the flask back from me.

I nodded. "It sure does the trick."

Niko smiled. "It does at that," he agreed. "Drink to much, however, and you will regret it in the morning."

I cracked a smile and Niko laughed. "You speak from experience?" I asked him.

Before Niko could answer, his head jerked to the side and he looked sharply to the left, all humor gone. It was almost as if someone had called his name.

"Stop!" he hissed at me.

Before he could say anything else, the line trees to our right burst apart as a herd of horses came hurling through. The stampede of giant beasts caught me off guard and startled my horse. She reared back, jumping and kicking in fear. I watched in dismay as my horse pranced around, much smaller then the beasts around us.

Then, a giant, winged beast flew from the brush and went after the herd. I stumbled back, my foot twisting on a root causing me to trip. The wild horse the creature had been after went down as the predator landed on top of the horse, digging its claws and nails into the horse. Swooping down beside me, the creature hissed and growled at its prey as it clawed at one of the horses, dragging the still screaming creature into the thick woods where it's cries were abruptly cut off.

Niko appeared at my side. "Are you hurt, Princess?" he asked me.

I shook my head, unable to speak as I watched the strange creatures prance around, growling and hissing. Their purple-tinted short fur shimmered in greens and blues and they all had had a pair of thick, bat like wings. The colors reminded me of spilled oils used to stoke fires and torches. I felt Niko's hand lock around my wrist.

"These are Naska, Princess, hunters of the wild and one of the strongest beasts known to man."

One of the Naska stopped, pulling its head up and back to look at me over its shoulder. "These Naska are protected around this forest. It is forbidden to hunt them."

I smiled as the massive creature turned to face me but Niko gripped my shoulder, pulling me away.

"What?" I demanded.

Niko shook his head. "Naska are still predators, Princess. Legends says that the Naska used to grow larger then horses! Larger then unicorns, even, and that man used mount them, be able to bond with them."

I gazed at the Naska, watching one of them linger in the tree line, staring at me, pacing back and forth, never taking its eyes off of me. It was almost like it was just me and her. Her bright yellow eyes gazed at me for a moment longer before she pulled her teeth back and hissed at me. That is when I noticed the small creature coiled at her feet. The Naska stretched her wings wide, flapping them out before nestling down on top of her paws where her young Naska lai, warm and protected.

"How come no one rides them anymore?" I asked Niko.

He sighed, leaning on the hilt of his sword. "Because man hunted them down. The Naska are a dying breed. That is why it is forbidden to hunt them on Asgadien lands. Prince Emris has transported each Naska you see here to Asga from regions that hunt them mostly for spot. He hopes to have them thrive again."

I looked back at the Naska but she was gone now, her young left there, looking back at me, from across the creek. I glanced around, knowing that the mother was near by.

"Princess!" Niko's voice reached my ears in a low hiss. Something hot and smelly brushed over my shoulder, brushing my hair. I turned and felt my heart stop. "Don't move!"

Before me stood the Naska. I watched as she growled at me, her eyes daring me to move. Sharp growls rumbled from her maw every now and then as she sniffed me tentatively, her nose wrinkling a little. I dared not move an inch. I held my breath as the Naska sniffed my face. Her cold, wet nose touched my cheek, nudging me roughly. I slid back onto my bottom as the Naska pushed forward, her paw pushing down in my knee as she got closer.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Niko pull a dagger from his belt.

"No!" I hissed at him.

Niko froze, his dagger already half unsheathed, ready for any movement. The Naska leaned closer, her sharp claws tearing into my pants, her claws puncturing my skin.

She growled at me, hissing her discontent at me. I knew she could end my life in a single, toxic bite or swing of her massive claws at me. Either way, it would save me from having to marry Emris.

I reached a hand forward, slowly, tentatively. But just before my finger tips could touch her, the Naska growled and drew back, vanishing into the thick forest.

"That... that was amazing!" I breathed as Niko helped me to my feet. I watched as a uncomfortable and confused looked spread on his face. "What?" I demanded.

Niko shook his head. "Forgive me, Princess, I am just surprised! The Naska normally don't interact with Mortals-"

I shook my head. "Yes well, I have a way with animals, I suppose." It's not like I could tell him I was a normal Mortal. If Emris ever found out what I was, he would kill me himself. I just needed to wait for the proper moment. Preferably before I wound up pregnant. Once I fell pregnant Emris would not let me out of his sight. I knew that much. I needed to get out, sooner, rather than later.