Page 1 of Bonded By Moons

PROLOGUE

On a night full of bloodshed and screams, a babe was born. The queen held her child close to her heart, cradling the small being in her arms. The king hurried around the room, gathering supplies and yelling at nearby guards. He continued to steal glances at his newborn faerie, yearning and shedding tears thinking of the future he’ll never live to see.

There was a cloud of sadness over the room, infecting every soul that came close. They all knew what had to happen that night. Screams were heard in the halls, blood was dripping off the walls.

The guards reinforced their spell shields on the entrance, blocking the assailant from banging through the door.

The king knelt before the bed and pulled out a small box. Prying open the box, he revealed hope inside. Encased was a small orb, full of silver and gold light that shimmered like a star. The king stared at the orb, heaving breaths in and out.

“Hurry!” The queen screamed at her mate.

Shaken out of his daze, the king nearly dropped the box as he fumbled back to his wife.

The room fell silent with suspense as everyone waited to see the imprint take place.

“Nexuois, Soulais, Vonai.”The king spoke ancient words as the orb began to glow and rise above the wooden box. He cupped his babe’s cheek as he watched the soul stone embed itself in the small fae, imprinting on her soul.

It rested still in the babe’s chest and forever lay with her.

“It is done.” The queen softly spoke to the room.

“I pray to the moons she’ll understand someday.” The king whispered to his queen.

“Take her, now.” The queen was one of the last two primes alive. She was a leader, a strong woman, the only sign of remorse was a tightening around her eyes and frown falling from her lips.

The room fell into chaos as the doors were pounded on and the walls shook. The king and queen set their newborn babe into a basket and passed it to the arms of another.

“Please watch after her with your lives.”

“We promise.” The man and woman said to the king and queen on shaky breaths.

With tears in their eyes, the king and queen released all shields and barriers surrounding the castle. At the same moment the door flew off the hinges, slamming against the opposite wall with splintering impact, revealing a shadow monster. The couple with the babe quickly flashed into their fae forms and flew out the window.

Never to be seen again.

The room became covered in strange magic, something similar to shadows and darkness. Appearing from every corner of the room, they’re engulfed by the dark mass. Screams rang through the room as the last remaining primes were slaughtered.

A new regime is already filling the palace as they take their final breaths.

ONE

Ember

“Brooks, you know I despise my birthday. Please don’t make me do this.” I whine while my communication orb floats around my head, emitting a soft glow around my apartment entrance. My soft pink waves fall off my shoulders as I throw my groceries and purse on the console table in the vine-canopied foyer.

“I’m not above begging you.” I groan.

I stare at myself in the mirror above. Today’s my birthday. I was planning to spend this gods awful evening soaking in a moon milk bath surrounded by cake and delicacies until I passed out drunk from over indulgence.

Brooks heavily sighs and says “Look, you only turn twenty-one once and considering the day you’ve just had, you deserve to live a little. You’re coming whether I have to spark your ass aflame or not. Also, Amara is already putting on her favorite pink body glitter so, you can’t say no. I’ll be stuck with this energized gumball otherwise.” I could hear him kiss her through the phone, their display of affection surprisingly not grossing me out. I’ve been used to their relationship for years now.

Brooks Honeyfall and Amara Starling have known me since we met each other the night of our rising ceremonies. It was the day I turned twelve and finally completed my power assignment. It was the best day of my life because it

meantfreedom. It was also the worst night of my life.

I had just met Brooks and Amara along the way as we walked to the stone altar, summoned by the moons to accept our place among the fae on the last day of the year. When a faerie turns twelve, they’re finally mature enough to drink the essence of the three moons and hope their bodies are strong enough to accept the powers gifted to them. Otherwise, enrollment for training university is postponed for another year.

Everyone called by the moons that night met at the top of Ethereal Edge. It’s a cliff that looks over the Eternity Sea, just north of my current small town, Comet Cottages.

---