The Black Moon's Curse (The Stellara Trilogy Book 1)

by Alicia Restucci

  After a tense moment, he turned his head just enough to meet her eyes. “Take the pirate wench as well. Put her in the cells below deck. Make sure Megara and the nurse see to her wounds.” He said, his voice empty of emotion before he turned and continued to see what other damage the beast had caused.

  Ember didn’t struggle as the guards dragged her along, but she did look back to make sure they were careful with Ari’s body. The pirate had been hurt enough. She didn’t need any more bruises. Relief filled Ember’s body as she watched them carefully lift and carry the blonde’s body toward the med-tent.

  As the guards took her closer toward the Obsidian, she only dared one glance back toward the trees. She didn’t see her friends, but she knew they were watching. She hoped they survived the last few hours of the night before the sun rose again.

  As she was pulled to one of the row boats that would bring them to the ship, she decided something she would have to hold close to her heart until she saw Sebastian and the others again.

  Maybe not tomorrow, but there would be better days to come.

  Acknowledgments

  This is the moment I get to be mushy and thank everyone who helped make this book possible. First and most importantly, I want to thank my mom for listening to me vent all my frustrations and struggles I had getting this book to where it needed to be. As she said, it wouldn’t be great if it was easy.

  And boy was this book not easy. This book has been a dream of mine for years and I’m so happy to see it finally out in the world and that’s a big thanks to everyone who believed in me and told me to keep going with it.

  My Aunt Lori gets my first thank you as she is my biggest fan and is so supportive of my books (after my mom of course). She’s a pretty amazing aunt and totally hilarious.

  I want to thank my brother who sat with me going over possible pirate ship names and telling me when my original names for the kingdoms were lame. You’re always my favorite person to talk about plot ideas with.

  Another thank you to my cousin Erica and my nephew because without you, I probably wouldn’t have remembered to take a break and enjoy the outside. You guys are my best friends and I thank you for listening to me ramble on about things you know nothing about.

  Alright, onto the big thank yous now. First off, I want to thank my two editors Terri and Elaine, you guys are fantastic and this story is where it is because of you guys. Elaine, it’s always a blast to hear your thoughts of the books and your reaction to the ending will forever make me laugh. I can’t wait to work with you on the next two books.

  Next, I’d like to give a big shout out and thank you to Kota for designing the original cover design. Thank you for providing me with the beautiful art print of Sebastian and Ember. Thank you for taking the time to give it this amazing artwork. I still get so excited to see it and I’ll forever be thankful that you made it for me.

  And lastly, I’d like to thank Sarah, Morgan, and Stephanie for just being the awesome people you are. Thanks for working out plotting issues with me and being the amazing friends that you are. My ideas would be a mess in my head without you. And thank you for just encouraging me to continue writing and finishing this book.

  Now I think this little thank you letter has rambled on long enough and I need to end it here. I know there are more people who’s been so supportive of my book and I want to thank you too. I also want to thank the readers who are reading this for supporting me and my work.

  Coming Soon

  Ember’s story continues on in The Secret of the Moonstone. Read on to see the first few pages.

  Prologue

  (30 Years Ago)

  The wind howled as it blew through the air of Stellara. Night had fallen hours ago. The usually blue sky had turned to a midnight purple color. Stars shined high up in the cloudless night with the quarter moon glowing in the center of them. Standing on her balcony stood Princess Esmeralda at the young age of fifteen. Her hair was free from the tight ribbons her mother insisted she wear.

  Leaning against the railing, she raised her head up toward the sky. The wind seemed to welcome her as it blew through her gray hair. Opening her eyes, she took in the beautiful sight above her and seemingly relaxed.

  A sad smile slipped onto her face. “Hello, old friend.”

  “Your guards said you wished to see me.” A voice said behind her.

  Turning her head, her gaze shifted from up in the sky back down to her balcony doors. Standing there was someone she considered her best friend.

  Liliana Leblanc.

  The palace was full of liars and gossips, but she could always count on Liliana to keep her secrets. Liliana lived just outside of Stellara in a small estate with her father. Her fiery headed friend had recently moved into the palace upon

  Esmeralda’s request to have her friend closer. It was just for the summer, but Esmeralda would take what time she could get.

  “How was your night with that scoundrel? Was it as romantic as you dreamed it would be?” Esmeralda asked, her smile teasing though it didn’t meet her eyes.

  Liliana crossed the space between them and joined her at the railing. With a dreamy sigh, she leaned back against the cold stone. “It was incredible, Esme. He brought me to this hidden cover and we watched the sunset together. He told me about his mother Scarlett and his brother Sebastian. He loves them so fiercely.”

  Esmeralda watched her friend swoon beside her. It would seem the redhead had actually fallen head over heels forthis man. “Have you two discussed what you’ll do when he leaves Stellara? Surely, he can’t stay docked here forever. He’s already been here a month.”

  It sounded harsher than she meant it to, but it was something her friend seriously needed to consider before she got too wrapped up in some fantasy that she created for herself. It was then she noticed a nervousness about her friend. She looked at battle with herself over something and Esmeralda felt her stomach drop. “What is it? Did something happen?” She a sked, worried that the pirate had done something to her friend.

  “Actually, I have a secret I need to share with you. You must promise not to tell anyone, Esme. Please, do you swear?” Liliana pleaded.

  Esmeralda didn’t hesitate before nodding. “Of course, my friend. I swear. I won’t tell a soul. What did happen? Did he hurt you?”

  Liliana immediately shook her head. “No. Nothing like that. Nik is so kind to me, Esme. He treats me like an equal. You’re right though. He won’t be in Stellara forever. The Obsidian is due to leave in four days. That was why he asked to meet me tonight. He asked me to join him at sea, Esmeralda. I could be free from this life. Free from my father and his debts.”

  Seeing the hope and happiness in her friend’s eyes made what she needed to tell her all the harder to do. Knowing she was going to ruin this moment for Liliana nearly convinced her to keep her troubles to herself.

  It was then Liliana realized her friend had been crying. “You’re crying, Esme. You never cry. What happened? What was it you summoned me for?”

  That was typical Liliana, Esmeralda thought. Her dreamy excitement was already replaced with worry for her friend. Taking her friend’s hands, Emeralda turned to face her fully. “I need to confess something to you, Lili. I made a mistake. One I fear might ruin me forever. I’ll be killed if someone was to find out what I did.” Esmeralda said softly, her emotions swirling wildly inside her eyes.

  “What did you do, Esmeralda? You’re beginning to scare me.” Liliana said, her fear shining in her eyes as she searched for answers as if it would suddenly appear written somewhere on her friend.

  Esmeralda released one of Liliana’s hands as she dropped it to her lower stomach.

  “I’m with child, Liliana.”

 

 

 
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