Moonbloods Season 1

I stared down at the dirty bath water as the bubbles in my bath slowly disappeared. I had watched the clear warm water turn a murky brown. I had a lot to think about.

I was the last of the Crast line.

King Ambrose Crast was my father.

Only Crast wasn't my family name.

It was Ellingboe.

Hiram did his best to keep me isolated so I didn't get the proper education I should have.

What if Emris suddenly had a change of heart? What if he decides that killing me would be better then keeping me alive. What if he decides he didn't want an immortal wife? Emris didn't strike me as a very decisive individual. My heart sank a little. Would he kill me? I chewed my lip, wishing I knew what was to come. Only one way to find out.

"I'm done, Hali," I said and pulled myself up and out of the tub.

Hali helped me into the forest green dress that Emris had given me before he left me in one of upstairs bedroom of Brightwood to clean up and relax. I stared at myself in the mirror as Hali did my hair.

Adorned with moss and twigs, my hair was French braided down the middle of my back. The ring Emris had gifted me gleamed at my finger, sticking out in the gloomy ambiance of the bedroom. I glanced up, looking up through the stain glass window that covered the ceiling of my bedroom. I took a breath through my nose and closed my eyes. There was a loud knock at my door. "Enter."

Niko opened the door. "Prince Emris, your Majesty."

"Leave us," Emris said as he walked into the room. Hali and Niko left the room in a hurry and closed the door behind them.

"There is a tied coming in," he told me. I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

He smirked at me. "I mean we leave immediately after the ceremony."

I felt my hear sink. So I wouldn't get to spend time with Jon. Emris frowned. "What is it?" he asked me.

"Are you haveing second thoughts?"

I looked up at him, his face curious, worried. I shook my head quickly.

"No, I am not having second thoughts, Emris," I assured him and sighed. "I was just hoping Jon would be able to come with us-"

Emris shook his head. "You brother never arrived," he informed me.

I stared at him, confused for a moment. "So he didn't come?" I asked. Emris handed me a scroll.

"We received word that he left Summer Crest but no one has seen him since."

I felt my heart sink. "How long has it been?" I asked him. "How many days?"

He didn't answer and I felt my heart sink. "Tell me," I pleaded.

Emris sighed. "Eight days."

I closed my eyes to keep from crying. "I already have my men looking for him and more on the way," he assured me.

I shook my head. "Why would you do that?" I asked him.

Emris smiled a gentle smile. "You are my wife," he reminded me and my heart fluttered in my chest.,

"What is mine is yours," he said and held out his hand. "You look beautiful."

I looked down at the lush green dress and nodded. "It is beautiful," I told him. "But I wish I had my mothers."

Emris pursed his lips. "I assume it's back in Summer Crest?" he asked me. I nodded. "If Hiram or Gracie didn't sell it all off."

Emris nodded. "Then we shall be off to Sunmer Creat to get your dress and check on your brother-"

I reached forward, gripping his wrist. Emris looked down at me, his face unreadable.

"Emris, my brother is Lord of Summer Crest now... he may forever be a Crast... I know he hates that he is associated with the name after what Hiram did."

Emris nodded. "Yes," he agreed rather sullenly. "There is quite a bit of damage controle to do there. Damn Hiram for doing this."

I sighed. "We can't do anything about it now. It's out there... the one secret I want to keep safe is the one that matters!"

Emris smirked. He understood my meaning. "You're learning," he praised me. I smiled.

"I am learning from the best," I reminded him. Emris held out a hand and helped me from my chair.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" he asked me as he looked me up and down. Emris stepped closer, his hand wandering to my hip. I gripped his wrist in protest- mostly out of habit- but he jerked me forward, causing me to crash into his chest.

"Many men will be jealous of my bride," he whispered.

I scoffed softly. "I seriously doubt that, Emris," I told him.

He smirked at me, that beautiful, breathtaking side- smirk of his.

"You can't see yourself, can you?" he asked me.

I blinked. What was he talking about? See myself? What did that mean? Emris pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me.

"I know you have your doubts... but I don't want you to ever doubt me," he whispered in a low voice.

My heart fluttered. "Emris-"

He ran his finger along my lower lip. "I am completely devoted to you, Nalia," he whispered in a low voice. I closed my eyes, trying to remember to breath. "I am yours."

My chest felt like a ballon that was swelling inside, making it impossible to breath. I was to shocked to form words. I figured Emris cared for me at least a little... but I hadn't been expecting him to declare himself to me like this. Or at all. I was to stunned to speak. Emris hesitated, his eyes locked on my lips as he traced a finger over my lips slowly. His other hand held me to him. My chest felt like it may burst. He must have been feeling this same, odd painful feel good throbbing in my chest. It was hard to breath. I knew he could feel all I could. His breathing and the tightening of his fingers around my neck cause an odd gasping sound to erupt from my lips. It didn't hurt. It actually felt present. What the hell was wrong with me? My fingers gripped at his shirt, pulling him against me. Emris groaned as his body melted against mine for a moment. His breath fanned against my mouth and then his lips came down over mine, a soft, satisfied groan passing his lips.

I was up off the floor and in his arms, his lips moving with mine in urgent, almost impatient movements. I didn't recognize myself. Who was I right now and what had Emris done to me? My heart was hammering away against my chest when he pulled away. His rapid breathing warmed my face and chest. He sighed in content.

"Let's get married, my Queen."

I smiled a wide smile and hugged myself closer to him. I knew as long as Emris was by my side I would be safe. As long as we were together, I would be alright.

The inside of Brightwood Temple was massively constructed of marble and wood, the golden and emerald glimmering stones and fine woodworks were nothing I had ever seen before. The twisting and bending of the high, arched gollum's disappeared into the gloomy shadows above. Stain glas windows of flowers and rune symbols of the High temple lined either side of the room.

There was a Priest at the end of the massive hall, along with Niko and Hali. They stood on either side of the Priest. Niko was still dressed in his black battle gear, a golden chain having been added to his chest piece for the occasion.

Hali was dressed in pink blush colored gown, cheap material and her hair was pulled and combed back into a long braid. She smiled when she saw me, lowering her head respectfully.

The ceremony was simple.

Emris walked me through it on the way to the Temple. All I had to do was promise myself to no one other then Emris and he to me and I was his forever... or for however long I would live. Emris had said he had found a way out of this but I had my doubts. Not that I doubt him.

Something had happened to me in our time apart. The constant worry about his well-being when he was away woke I sat at the Drodic Court had undone something inside of me. Something that made me care for Emris in a way I never would have thought possible.

Facing Emris at the altar I watched him raise a dagger with a bejeweled hilt and run the blade over his thumb. "I, Prince Emris Halcro, I herby devote myself to you fully and completely. I will be bound to you and you alone." His voice was soft but serious, gentle even. "I take you as my Wife and Mate."

I smiled. When Emris had told me that Demon's didn't take wives but Mate's, he had to explain the difference to me and I still wasn't sure if I understood or not. Normally a Demon Mate would last forever. In some situations, like ours, the immortal one would be permitted to take multiple wives as to keep the bloodline going. Not all woman survived childbirth. Since we didn't know if I was immortal or not, there was no worry on his part. Emris seemed completely at ease with his decision. I didn't understand why.

"I Nalia Crast, hereby devote myself to you and you alone," I said in a low voice. The priest raised his hands above our heads and I felt a sense of urgency over come Emris and a panicked look crossed his face. Hurry!

I frowned. "I take you as my Husband an-" Emris reached forward and jerked me towards him just as the double doors at the did the Temple Hall burst open.

Emris kissed me gently, his lips soft, a relived sigh passing through him. "We did it," he sighed under his breath and then laughed a genuine laugh as he leaned away from me, his hands taking mine. But he had gone stiff as soon as he turned to see who was watching

"Presenting his Royal Majesty, Prince Emris Halcro and his new bride, Princess Nalia Halcro." The Priest announced but a loud laugh from the end of the hall now had my full attention. Because I knew that laugh. I'd herd it many times.

My eyes followed Emris as he glared at the person at the end of the hall. When I realized who it was, I didn't understand how it was possible. I felt sick as my stomach heaved and rolled, all feelings of bliss and joy gone. "Emris..."

Standing at the end of the hall was Hiram. I felt sick. Like someone had tugged the ground out from under me and I was falling, tumbling into a dark pit of darkness that had no end in sight.

Hiram looked horrible. His skin was extremely pale, dark blue and black veins traced the webbed designs across the skin of his neck. And there was a thick, protruding, scar across his neck. His black hair was messy and disheveled, his cloths looked like the were growing mold in some places and he was barefoot. He looked like a corpse.

"Hello, dear niece of mine," he mused. "I have come for you-"

Niko stepped forward, pulling his sword from his back. Emris held up a hand quickly. "No."

Niko stopped, arm half raised, his eyes fixed on Hiram who laughed at Niko and wagged a finger at him.

"This one does not like me me much," he said.

"He is sworn to protect me with his life if need be," I told him and Niko dropped the hilt of his sword; the blade slid home with a heavy thump. "How are you alive?"

I looked up at Emris as he spoke. His eyes had turned black again and the shadows were darker then they had been last time. The shadows reached into his hairline and spilled down his perfect cheek bones and down the bridge of his nose. His thick lashes were almost invisible as the dim light of the Temple Hall reflected in his eyes.

"Emris-"

He tightened his hand around mine. He has been resurrected by a Necromancer.

I felt my heart drop. What do we do? Emris shook his head.

"I killed you once, you old fuck, I have no problem doing it again." He told me. Hiram smirked.

"True, you could, but then Jon would never make it home alive."

I felt my heart sink. "What?"

Emris shook head. "He's been here the whole time. He knows why we head for Summer Crest."

I nodded. Emris had a point. Hiram had nothing to lose. He knew Emris could kill him and honestly I didn't mind if he did. Once would not be enough. I stepped forward.

What are you doing? Emris asked but made no move to stop me.

"You are alive?" I asked him.

Hiram laughed. "And breathing," he said. I nodded. "Then tell me what you know about Jon," I said in a calm voice. I watched Emris cross his arms out of the corner of my eye as he slowly stepped back, a feeling of trust and reassurance rinsed through me.

Hiram laughed, his black tongue and rotting teeth almost made me gag. Anger brewed inside of me and I cleared my throat, trying to focus.

"I just want to know where he is-"

Hiram laughed. "He is dead," he told me and then handed Emris a sealed letter. I felt my heart sink.

"No!" My chest filled with an unexpected and unbelievably unbearable pain, and I shied away, backward toward Emris. All the while Emris did not take his eyes off of Hiram. "And that means, Nalia belongs to me."

I shook my head. "You are to late-"

Hiram laughed. "No, I am not. You are not married before -"

The priest behind us cleared his throat. "They have indeed been married already, sir," the old man said. I turned back to face Hiram.

"I don't know how you are alive but you should leave-"

Hiram nodded. "Then let's away, Princess," he said.

I laughed. "You can't honestly think I am going with you!?" I scoffed at him. Emris stepped forward now, snapping his fingers to make his long thick, black wooden staff appear. "Don't make me kill you a second time," Emris warned him. "Not on my wedding day."

I was so angry at what Hiram was trying to do right, mad that he had interrupted my wedding, pissed that I had no one of known how to control the raging anger inside my chest. I felt my fingers twitch just as Emris turned to look at me.

Nalia.

My head rolled back as my eyes rolled into the back of my head, a startled gagging gasping sound erupted from my lips. "Nalia!"

I could hear the concern in his voice but the power building inside of me was to much.

My head rolled back and I was able to focus on Hiram who looked terrified. I raised my hand, my feet leaving the ground at the same time causing Emris to step away, his face clearly surprised. I glared down at Hiram, my toes just brushing the floor at my feet.

"It seems simple methods won't work with you," I said in a low voice that didn't seem like my voice.

Nalia...

I shuddered at the unfamiliar voice in my head. It was like a whisper, like the sun glancing off the late or a piece of metal. Power surged through me and Hiram began to scream. A hot but soft wave of awareness washed through me that wasn't mine or that of Emris. The voice that washed through my mind was my own. But it wasn't me. I wasn't talking to myself. Before I could ponder the voice anymore, hot, searing anger washed through me when I looked back at Hiram. A growl ripped up my chest and I fisted my hands at my sides.

Make him suffer!

My eyes widened in concentration as Hiram screamed even louder. Emris made no move to stop me but was now watching me with curiosity and astonishment. I could feel the lust and pride washing off of my in waves. "Nalia- please-"

Hiram's cries for help were abruptly cut off as he burst into flames from the inside out, the last gagged voice and scream lingered in the air for a long moment before falling falling into a stiff, burning heap on the Temple floor-

That was suddenly coming closer and closer to my face as my body slammed to the ground. I felt his hands catch my head before everything went dark and I was swallowed up my the never ending darkness.

"You are powerful.

You are an Ellingboe. A descendent from one of the oldest Drex bloodlines. Use your Deamon to your advantage."

My feet slammed into solid ground before the rest of me did and it hurt.

"Balance is everything if you wish to use this power you possess."

I groaned as pain seared through my head. Who are you?

The voice laughed at me, her low chuckle deep and oddly familiar. Her voice was my voice.

"Or your voice is my voice," she teased me. "I have been trapped inside of you, showing you slips of magic whenever I could -

My eyes snapped open, my breath coming in a wild gasp. The rocking sickness kept me from moving but I needed water. I looked around the cabin. My trunk and my mothers white-hold wedding dress were hanging on a mannequin and I smiled. My eyes scanned the room. It was the same room I had been in when I had first arrived in Vendera. A feeling of happiness filled me as I slowly got to my feet, holding onto the bedpost.

"About time you woke," Emris said from the corner of the room. I spun around to face him. He was seated in the dark corner his hands folded on his stomach. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, my mouth feeling very dry. Emris stood to his feet s

"You are a Drex Hybrid," he told me in a low voice. "Did you know that?"

I shook my head.

Emris sighed as he watched me wobble to the dresser.

"The Healers sat with you all night- whatever you did, you killed Hiram again. And you injured the Priest."

I felt my heart sink. "Will be be alright?" I asked in a low voice as a crushing guilt hurled through me.

Emris touched my face, making me look up at him. "You are part Drex and part demon." Emris turned me to face the vanity mirror. I stared at my fire like glowing eyes as they stared back at me, my lips parted in surprise. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Are you ok?" Emris asked me and I turned to face him. I had a massive headache. The inside of my head felt like a rock, heavy and ready to split open.

I shuddered, bringing a hand to my head. "Yes," I said in a frustrated tone. I groaned as pain seared through my head. "My head hurts," I told Emris as I turned back to face him. I couldn't look at the orange glowing eyes anymore. "I don't understand," I told him.

Emris sighed. "I've decided we are going to set sail to go to the west," he told me in a low voice.

"Why?" I asked him. "What about Vendera?" It didn't make sense for him to leave Vendera unprotected.

"My men know how to handle things for a few more days," he assured me. This wasn't making sense. "Emris we can go home!"

He nodded and offered me his hand. "We are going to get your wedding dress from Summer Crest," he told me. "Perhaps we will be able to figure out where Jon has gotten to."

I felt a small disbelieving breath pass my lips. "Emris...thank you."

He reached up and touched my face. "Anything for you, my Love," he whispered gently but his face was frustrated. "What is it?" I couldn't bring myself to speak above a whipser. Emris smiled at me. "You are going to be powerful. I can see it."

I rolled my eyes and he laughed, but his hands pulled me closer. "Kiss me," he demanded suddenly.

I blinked, my face burning. "Emris-"

His fingernails pressed into my arms as he pulled me closer. "Don't make me ask again," he breathed. His lips brushed mine as he spoke. I could taste his breath, sweet and mouthwatering. I instinctively leaned forward, curious as to what his lips would taste like, if his kiss would be as I imagined it.

My neck stretched out as if on his own accord and I pressed my lips to his. Emris let out a surprised gasp then pressed his lips more firmly to mine. Why are you holding back? His voice wrapped the inside of my mind. My lips parted from his as I leaned away, my hands holding his arms. "I'm dizzy," I whispered as my head swam, fuzzy and warm.

Emris laughed. "Breath," he whispered and I sucked in a startled breath. "Let's go get your dress," he said.

I nodded. "And Jon," I reminded him. Emris nodded.

"Of course."

I laced my fingers with his as he headed out of the bedroom, my skin heated and my chest full of the razor-winged butterflies that had begun to beat erratically. I wasn't at all sure what Emris had planned for us or why he would even take the time to go to Summer Crest.

I am completely devoted to you.

That's what he had said.

I could only hope he meant it.