Desiree Williams - Sun and Moon

Copyright 2016 by Desiree Williams

Desiree Williams Books

Cover by Kelly Walker, Indie-Spired designs

Edited by Ralene Burke and Bethany Kaczmarek

Interior design and formatting by E.M. Tippetts Book Designs:

www.emtippettsbookdesigns.com

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a database or retrieval system without prior written permission of the author. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

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L ife was meant for living. But life could be an empty shell, void of purpose and passion if it lacked the one person created to share it with.

Jaedon stared at the moon, his gaze roaming over the craters and divots hed committed to memory years past. Lively tunes floated on the breeze, the smooth flutes playing accompany to the deep laughter of his brethren. The cool, crisp wind blew across the Cadrebian cornfields and up to his cliff overhang, tugging at his loose shirt and hair like willowy fingers, urging him back to the merrymaking.

He checked the trail behind him and strained his ears for the telltale crunch of brush and gravel indicating someone to summon him back to his birth-eve celebration. The flickering glow of the fire beckoned to him from a distance, but the trail remained empty. His best friend, Kaven, would keep the revelers at bay. Regardless of tradition, his friend would ensure Jaedon was given the peace he needed.

Lying back on the lush green grass, Jaedon folded his hands behind his head, settling in to wait for the sun. He bent a knee and counted the stars to pass the time. It had been several months since hed watched a new day dawn. But it was fitting that he welcome the sun on the day that marked his twenty-second year of life.

His mouth twitched as he recalled how eager hed been the day of his eighteenth year, the year that had made him eligible to be assigned a lifemate. He wasnt too disappointed when the mark hadnt appeared, it just meant his assigned Sun wasnt of age yet. But when weeks turned to months, and months into yearswith no markdisappointment was inevitable. If his father the Royal Sun hadnt fallen so ill, he wouldve been content to wait. Content to remain the Prime Regent of Cadrebia. However, with the prospect of becoming a Royal Moon far sooner than planned, he needed his Sun. He would remain unbalanced without her, unable to fulfill his destined role.

I know you wont forget me, Light Giver. Jaedon breathed in the moist scent of the earth beneath him as the first golden rays of morning broke through the dark expanse.

He sat up and propped his forearms on his knees, taking in the sight of the sun stretching its light over the earth. The golden ring of life moved over the cornfields and up the mountainside to hug Jaedon with its touch. He closed his eyes, relishing the reminder of a new day.

Until a tingling hit his right palm.

His eyes flew open. The air in his lungs ceased flowing. The prickling sensations moved and rotated, but still he couldnt make himself investigate. One would think that after four years of waiting hed have the courage to look at the mark of his lifemate, yet he remained frozen in fear that his mind played tricks on him.

Swallowing past the lump lodged in his throat, he turned his wrist.

Blue ink with flecks of gold swirled and curved over his palm, creating the blazing symbol of a sun, and in its center was the image of a crownthe mark of the future Royal Sun.

A strained chuckle rumbled from his chest as he shifted to kneel. He weaved the fingers of his other hand through his chestnut hair, gaping at the mark on his palm. It had finally happened. Hed been assigned a mate. Shed come of age. His lips pulled in a wide smile.

And theyd been born on the same day.

Jaedon jumped to his feet, fully prepared to search every crevice of the four Quarters of Cadrebia to find his Sun, when a whisper on the wind halted his steps.

Danger.

His brow lowered, and he search beyond the trees for visitors. But he was alone on the cliff.

The breeze blew harder, whirling around him. The whisper called again, and the hairs on his neck stood. The voice was one hed only heard in his dreams.

Swiveling on his heel, Jaedon gazed at the rising sun and ran the pad of his thumb over his Suns mark. I am listening, Light Giver. How is she in danger? Where?

Dimshne.

Dimshne! Why is a Cadrebian in Tankadesh?

The wind stilled, and though Jaedon waited, no answer came. Why would his Sun be in enemy lands? The Tankadesh king hated all things Cadrebian and thrived on wreaking havoc at their borders.

No matter. He would head to Dimshne, and his mark would lead him to his Sun. He would find her, even if it meant tearing Tankadesh apart.

The birds ceased their morning melodies as he charged back to the campsite. Throwing wide the flaps of the huge tent, Jaedon stormed in and surveyed his four sleeping Minor Governors.

Arise! All of you. Were leaving.

Arezou, the youngest of the Minors, flailed his arms and toppled from his chaise, silk covers tumbling on top of him. Rashne and Kaven rose with more grace, while Bram stretched and yawned.

Just because its the day of your birth, Jaedon, doesnt mean we are all at your beck and call. Bram arched a brow and cocked his head.

Rashne bent to untangle Arezou, laughing. No, its because hes the Prime Regent that we are at his beck and call.

Ah, thats right. And we, mere Governors, must obey every order. Bram stood, running a hand through his tawny colored hair.

Kaven pulled a fresh shirt over his head. If youre dissatisfied with your post, Minor Governor Bram, Im sure your father the Prime Governor would be happy to assign another heir to take your place.