Moonbloods Season 1
Vandera

You won't want your freedom once I’ve had you...

That is what Emris had said.

I had herd him clearly in my mind as if he had been standing beside me, whispering in my ear. I sighed, my breath coming in a white puff. I was very confused. I didn't understand how I could have herd his voice so clearly in my mind. It was impossible. Crazy, even. And so I continued to mull it over as I took in my surroundings.

The air was as crisp and smelled of pine. Hali walked beside my horse, looking around the snow covered lands around us.

The forest around us grew darker, thicker. Soon, the forest floor went from icy terrains to soft, pine covered rich earth. Hali had been watching me for some time now, her face humbly amused.

"Is this the first time you have seen snow, Princess?" she asked me and I smiled.

"It is," I answered. "Snow and coldness does not effect the Summer Isles much. Seeing snow is stunning."

Hali shrugged. "I come from a place that is always warm. I do not much care for the cold," she admitted.

Niko shrugged. "Vendera rarely sees a time without snow," he said.

I frowned. "So it's like this year round?" I asked him.

"Yes. Except for in the winter month. Vendera becomes impassable during the snowstorms. Prince Emris normally prefers to be at home in the capital during that time."

I frowned, looking back into the woods around me, movement to my left catching my eye. I pulled my horse to a stop, causing Hali to stop beside me. "Princess?"

Niko turned to face us, pulling his horse to a stop as well. "We should not linger here!"

My eyes didn't move from the spot I had seen the movement. "Something's out there!" I insisted.

Niko nodded. "You have hunting skills?" he asked me, sounding impressed. I looked up at him.

"I have some-"

Before I could finish, a sharp arrow whizzed passed my face, missing my cheek my a hair.

We stopped, staring into the dark woods the arro had come from. Niko leaned forward on his saddle but the second arrow that whizzed passed my face, causing our horses to prance around nervously.

An almost animalistic growl left Niko as he jumped from his horse and grabbed Hali's wrist, forcing her up and over so she was straddling the saddle. "Follow the trail for five miles! You will reach the gate of Azga. Guards will be waiting for you there. I will follow you as soon as I am able-"

I shook my head as my horse became restless as another arrow zipped passed me. "Where are you going?" I demanded.

Niko smiled and pulled his dagger from his belt. "Dealing with intruders. Go, now!"

"Come with me!" I insisted.

Niko jumped from his horse, catching Hali around the waist as he hoisted her up and over the back of his horse. "Go!"

We didn't hesitate. Digging my heels into the side of my horse, I tore down the earthy forest floor. Hali was right behind me, urging her horse faster. The woods around us grew darker but I could see a warm light ahead and the wall of Vendera Castle came into view. The walls were massive, raising many story's high. The wall stretched away from us, a beaten path running along the edge of the wall.

We followed the path until we reached the gate. My heart sank. There were no guards at the gate. I swung my leg over the side of my horse and flung myself at the wooden door. "Please! Open up!"

The door suddenly flung open and a sharp spear was shoved at me. Hali pushed herself between the guard and myself as the guard stepped through. He was dressed in dark black armor from head to toe. "What do you want?" he bellowed at me. Hali scowled.

"Before you is the Princess of Asga!" she snapped.

The guard shook his head, looking around suspiciously. "Where is your escort?" he demanded.

Hall scowled at him now. "He sent us ahead-"

The guard looked down at her, raised his hand and then slapped her, hard. "Did I speak to you, Skavi?" he spit.

I reached for Hali as she stumbled away. "How did you get past the Prince?" he demanded.

I shook my head, turning Hali to face me, gently brushing the blood from her face. "Why did you hit her?" I demanded. The guard grunted at me in disbelief. "She is a Skavi," he said as if to reminded.

"Yes but she is mine!" I pointed out. "And you hurt her!"

The guard laughed at me and I straighten, my hands falling to my sides. I would have to remind him who he was speaking to.

"I am the wife-"

The guard shook his head. "The Lady of this Castle is already here. It is treason to impersonate a royal, you wench-"

I raised my hand in defense. "No, no, I assure you-"

The guard never let me finish. His armored fist wrapped around my arm, crushing, pinching. "We will see about that!" he challenged.

The guard shoved me through the gate, pushing me along as he steered me towed an enclosed wooden wagon. "This is the last one." he said and slapped shackles on me and bound me to the back of the wagon. "Let me go!"

I turned when Hali was shackled beside me. "What's happening?" I asked her, confused.

"They think we are trespassing!" she hissed at me. "I tried to tell them who you are but since I am Skavi they will not believe me!"

I looked around. We were in a large, crowded plaza. Everyone was dressed in pelts, furs and cloaks of all sorts. "Where are we going?" I hissed.

I herd the guard laugh. "To the Keep," he said. "You are to be brought before the Prince."

Hali laughed out loud. "Oh, please do!" she said, her voice mocking and taunting. I raised an eyebrow.

"Prince Emris will be delighted to know how you received his bride!"

Suddenly there was pain, lancing across my back, searing against my skin. A startled cry left my lips as the kart jerked forward.

"Keep it up, Skavi!" the guard behind me taunted. "Now walk, or I will whip you again!"

The cart jerked forward, pulling me along at a steady pace. For the first time since I boarded the ship, fear filled my chest. It was the paralyzing kind of fear. The people around me, glared at me, made faces of disgust and disappointment as we passed them. I didn't know how I was going to get out of this if I wasn't brought straight to the Keep. I looked around, trying to understand my surroundings. Azga was indeed large. The largest city I had ever seen. And that wasn't much to go on. I had never left Summer Crest. My uncle had forbidden it.

The cart suddenly jerked forward, pulling us up hill. My boots slipped on the slick, icy cobble stone and my knee crashed into the solid frozen ground beneath me. I pushed out with my other leg, pushing to keep up with the moving cart.

"Are you hurt, Princess?" Hali whispered. Before I could answer, something solid and green hit me on the side of my head. I saw stars for a moment and looked down, my brain trying to process what had just happened. A broken and molded cabbage lai on the cold cobblestone path at my feet.

I blinked.

Someone just threw food at me. "WHORE!" The scream of profanity caused an up roar and people started screaming and shouting insults and profanities as they began throwing rotten food at us. I gasped in shock and shielded my face with my arms. It all only lasted a few, horribly long seconds before more guards arrived. "What is the meaning of this?"

I felt my heart sink and I raised my head to see Emris on his horse, glaring down at me. "Cut them loose." he ordered. I did my best not to flinch as Niko stepped forward, jerked the dagger from his belt and immediately cut us loose. I had been holding onto the side of the cart and not putting pressure on my injured knee so when I took a step forward my knee screamed in protest and a pained cry left my lips. My knees buckled and I sank to the ground. Niko was beside me, helping me back to my feet when I was ready.

"Who is responsible for this?"

I wasn't sure if he was asking me or everyone around him. I sank my head in shame, unable to answer.

"Hali!" Emris' voice echoed off the stone walls of the buildings in the square. "Your Prince demands an answer!"

I looked up at Emris now, his eyes were locked on me. His eyes, ever burning green, held mine as Hali stepped forward and bowed before him. "With all due respect, your Majesty, it was the General."

I watched the man who had cuffed me to the wagon step forward.

"My Prince, these wenches somehow got passed the -"

Emris raised his hand and I watched, shocked, but as the General was lifted into the air, his hands clawing at his neck. "You publicly insulted, berated and beat my wife, Lady of this Hall and the crown Princess of Azga. and you just happily present me with all I would ever need to end your life in a snap of my fingers?" he asked the General.

I felt the blood leave my face as the General's face turned blue. Emris wouldn't kill him... would he? I looked up at Niko who was watching the whole thing with a smirk on his face. I frowned. I didn't understand the need for bloodshed.

I wobbled over to his horse. "Emris."

He immediately looked down at me, his face shocked but still stony and menacing. Was he really that surprised I would call him by name? We were to be married. There was no way out of that now. If there had been, I would have seen it.

The General dropped to the floor as Emris lowered his hand, coughing and gaging for air.

"Get out of my city. If you are found here past break of day, I will kill you myself."

He sighed and then offered me his hand. I gulped. I didn't want to touch him. The thought of it made my skin crawl. But my horse was no where to be seen so I reluctantly reached up and took his hand.

Emris' strong fingers wrapped around my wrist and pulled me forward and up in one fluid moment. His arm snaked around my waist and back as he settled me onto the horses back in front of him, my legs hanging off one side. Emris pushed his horse forward and we took off down the cobblestone street, the gathering of people parted, making way for us. I watched confused looks spread across the the faces of the people around us.

There were market stalls left abandoned as people filed along the sides of the pathway. "I apologize for the confusion and the way you were revived, Princess," Emris told me. I didn't dare look up at him. "My guards were out on notice before we arrived at the checkpoints-"

I shook my head. "I didn't see any check points," I pointed out.

Emris nodded. "Exactly."

I dropped my gaze to my immediate surroundings. Market stalls of fruits, vegetables, fish and other self made goods lined the streets, everyone having turned to look at us. Many people dropped flowers or bundles of herbs to the ground. A sign of respect, I would assume. It took a few minutes before we arrived at the entrance of the Hall. The doors were open and inside the courtyard there a few dozen people waiting.

I swallowed, my heart pounding in my ears as we passed under the gate and into the Courtyard of Vendara Hall. Emris pulled his horse to a stop. "Welcome to Vandera Hall, Princess Nalia."

Emris dismounted and then waved at the servants waiting to my left. "Healer."

I watched as a man dressed in white robes, adorned with gold and silver threads, the weaving of vines and runes threaded through his sleeves. The overcast weather cast odd shadows and lights on his robes, giving the dark skinned man an otherworldly glow. "Where are you hurt, Princess?" he asked me.

I pointed to my left knee, biting my lip as the Healer placed his hand over my knee and closed his eyes. The old man before me mumbled a few words over and over again. The pain in my knee slowly subsided to a dull throb slowly subsiding until the pain was gone.

"Thank you, Healer," I said as I slid from the horse. Emris offered me his arm and I took it. Even though the pain was gone, my knee still felt stiff and jello like at the same time.

"Welcome to Court, Princess," Lady Yesmina stepped forward and curtsied before me. "Follow me please."

Emris guided me forward, handing me off to Hali who gripped my hand as to not get separated in the sudden flush movement of people. "I will see you at the feast," he told me and bowed his head.

His eyes bore into mine the whole time, a smirk on his face. I bowed my head in return because people were beginning stare at me, waiting for a proper reaction. "My Lord."

Emris smirked at me and then turned away, instantly surrounding by people needing his immediate attention. Hali squeezed my hand as Lady Yesmina approached us.

She was accompanied my a tall figure, with a long, thin face, a full black, carefully oiled and combed neared. His long black hair was combed back into a braid down his back. There was a tattoo of a silver head snake on the side of his neck and jaw. He was dressed in long silver robes, adorned with red threads and silks.

"Princess Nalia, welcome to Court. May I present my father, Lord Graven Melbourne, the Princes Adviser." I watched as Melbourne stepped forward, and bowed before me. "Princess, it is a delight to finally meet you!" His voice rang loud and clear as he straightened himself. "We have eagerly awaited your arrival. I must apologize for the lax in security. I am happy to see you unharmed."

Hali laughed beside me. "That's because the Healer already mended her wounds!"

I watched Lord Melbourne narrow his eyes at Hali. "You forgot yourself, Skavi!" he hissed at her.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you, My Lord," I said, not really knowing what else to say. I glanced at Hali, waring her with my eyes, hoping she would understand my ailing plea for her to keep quite. I didn't quite understand my surroundings yet.

The courtyard was a decent size. In the middle of the cobblestone covered ground stood a giant well, where maidservants were fetching water, going about their business.

To my left, there was the stables. I watched as my horse was stowed away safely besides Emris' massive beast of a horse. "You must be chilled, Princess, please come this way," Lady Yesmina said.

I glanced at Hali who was at her place beside me. "Tell me what you know of this Court," I told her.

Hali glanced around. "I was only here for three days before. Prince Emris brought me here from the Green Falls."

I sighed. I had hoped to have some inner help, some advice. As I glanced around at the funny dressed man and woman around me, I began to feel ashamed. I looked down at my soiled riding outfit and sighed. "Not to worry, your highness," Lady Yesmina assured me. "You will be bathed and dressed appropriately for tonight's dinner. Tomorrow, you will have the full treatment." She waved for me to follow her.

"The woman here at Court are curious about you. They have questions. Some of them have been here a long time and are bitter that they were looked over as a match for Emris."

I felt my heart sink. "Are you one of those woman?" I asked her.

Lady Yesmina laughed and turned to face me when we reached the reception hall. "No, Your Majesty," she assured me. "I am a trusted friend and loyal servant to the Crown. That is all."

I shook my head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to be rude-"

Lady Yesmina shook her head and bowed before me. "No, Princess, no worries. I understand why you would want to know. And, for as long as I have known him, I have never seen Emris with another woman."

I frowned. "How long have you been in service to His Grace?" I asked Lady Yesmina.

Lady Yesmina purses her lips thoughtfully as she stripped off her cloak and handed it off to a servant.

"Seventy-eight- no, seventy-nine years. We met the day Emris started training. Speaking of, Niko tells me you can work a bow?"

I pulled my cloak off and handed it off to the maid. "Yes, I can shoot."

Yesmina smiled. "Once you have settled in at Court we will have to go to the shooting range together."

I smiled and followed her through the double doors to my right.

Inside to my left was a great hall; it was being prepped with food and drink. "We don't have much time, Princess," Yesmina reminded me.

I sighed and turned to follow her through the Castle.

Inside, it was massive, the walls were high, delicately hand painted and carved, workings of flowers, leaves, trees and vines stretched over the walls. I'd never seen such craftsmanship before.

"The main entrance. Your Chambers are in the second floor to the right, heavily guarded at all times of course."

I followed Lady Yesmina up the stairs, every serving that crossed our paths stopped to curtsy or bow at us, each of them greeting me with a "welcome Princess" before going back about their business.

When Lady Yesmina came to a stop at a set of grey double doors where two guards were stationed, she turned to face me.

"Hali will take it from here," she said and nodded to the guard to open the door. Hail raised an eyebrow, confused. Yesmina sighed.

"You are her Ladies Maid, yea?" Hali nodded and lowered her gaze respectfully. "Yes, My Lady."

"Good," Yesmina sighed in relief. The door at the other end of the hall opened and a tall young man walked toward us, followed by three others, pulling carts and boxes of fabrics and racks of dresses down the hall. "Princess Nalia, meet Countess Thalia Duecrane. The Countess happens to be the best fashion designer in the Realms." Yesmina turned and bowed her head. "Make sure she is ready with in the hour. He will not be pleased if she is late."

I swallowed and gripped Hali's hand, pulling her into the bedroom.

Inside the bedroom there was a round fireplace of gleaming Fire Crystal, giving the room a warm glow, the heat from it warming my chilled skin.

"We have little time to waste, Princess," Hali reminded me and pulled a fully dressed mannequin from the corner of the bathroom. It was dressed in a deep silver dress, the light and air like fabric looked much to thin for the cold weather here but the dress itself was beautiful.

"I herd the Prince picked this out for you the day he left to retrieve you."

I looked back at Hali.

"Why would he do that?" I asked. The question was more directed at myself rather then Hali. "Let's just get ready.

The dress was a perfect fit. And I had to admit m, Prince Emris had exquisite taste. The dress was a deep violet and faded pink dress, the glittering movement of the silks made the dress look more like the night sky then the one outside. My hair was delicately braided down my back and the black heels I was given fit perfectly. I followed a Maid down the hall where she left me standing alone with Niko in front of a set of double doors. I could hear chatter and music behind them. I clasped my hands before me nervously and glanced around.

"Am I just to wait here?" I asked Niko glanced around. "I couldn't say, Princess. Would you like me to go replace someone?"

I shook my head. "No," I assured him not wanting to be alone in a place I knew nothing about. I didn't really trust Niko but he was promised to keep me safe upon pain of death. "I'm sure -"

"You may go, Sir Niko."

Emris appeared beside me, a small box in his hand. Emris waited for Niko to be out of earshot before he raised his hand, balancing the box on his fingertips. I watched in awe as a black mist whirled around the bottom of the box and when Emris pulled his hand away, the box didn't move. It levitated, hovering over the smoke like substance. Emris opened the lid and pulled out the crown from within. When Emris turned back to face me, his eyes scanned my face. "You look nervous."

I swallowed as he slid the frown into the curled and folds of my hair. "Yes, Your Majesty ."

Emris frowned at me now. "You need not be so formal with me," he told me and lowered his hands once he had the crown positioned they way he liked. It was a heavy, thick silver band, covered in hand crafted vines and roses.

"What should I call you then?" I asked him confused.

Emris smirked at me. His face had turned mocking and a chuckle passed his lips. "I am to be your Husband," he said as of to remind me. His finger caught my chin, making me look at him. "Calling me by my name would be a good start ."

Blood boiled my face and I watched a surprised look overcome Emris' face and he dropped his hands away from my face. He stepped back and cleared his throat. Had I done something wrong? He was clearly surprised by what he saw... or... I racked my brains trying to recall anything that would have given me away...

I jumped when Emris scooped up my arm, firmly folding it under his and pulled me forward just as the double doors before us opened immediately followed by thundering applause and cheering. The guard to my left bowed his head for a moment and then announced;

"Presenting her Royal Highness, Princess Nalia Halcro, Lady of Vendera!"