Two Moons Rising

By Judi Phillips

Zoe Wilkinson is one of the top secret service agents in the country, assigned to guard the First Lady. On a brief vacation on Bermuda, she finds a large moonstone globe and, while holding it up to look at it, is transported through time and space to the planet of Lunalayah. She knows the dangers involved in becoming emotionally involved with someone she is protecting and has vowed never to let that happen.

 

Prince Tarique cel Sahar yon Kebali and his followers have gone into voluntary exile on an island on Lunalayah. The A'dacians are attempting to coerce Tarique's people into a contract to mine trianthious crystals. Tarique is fighting to thwart this plan. The reason for exile was because of his father's dalliances, and Tarique has pledged he will not follow in his father's footsteps.

 

Despite landing in the middle of this conflict, can Zoe overcome a wary heart to convince Tarique he is more than his father's son?

 

This novella romance was previously published with Whispers Publishing.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Foothills Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Apr 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9780989916523

Book preview

TWO MOONS RISING

Judi Phillips

Foothills Publishing, LLC

Two Moons Rising

A Foothills Publishing Publication

Previously published in 2012, Whispers Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Judi Phillips

Cover illustration © Fionn Jameson

ISBN 978-0-9899165-3-0

Should any persons by craft of any device whatever abstract this book from this place may their souls suffer, in retribution for what they have done, and may their names be erased from the book of the living and not recorded among the Blessed.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

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Published by Foothills Publishing, LLC, Albuquerque, NM.

Dedication

To Luke, for all his help with the Alarian language. And for giving me the names of the planet, the desert and the moons. And for being the best Number Two Son ever.

To Leila and Joe for assistance with vocabulary -- in this and other books. Couldn’t do it without you.

For my Critters: Michelle, Meg, Luanna and Deb, who catch lots of misses. And my editor, Cassandra Parker, who catches all the rest.

Acknowledgments

iPhone, iPod and iPod Nano are the registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

Lightsaber is the registered trademark of LucasFilms.

Google is the registered trademark of Google, Inc.

Prologue

With silver hair and violet eyes

The Ice Maiden

Will rise from the sea

Bearing the moon orb

To free the children of Alayria

And right the wrongs of the One From Afar and the Betrayer.

Ancient Alayria teaching

One

Finally, in her hotel room at a beachfront resort in Bermuda, Zoe Wilkinson stripped off her clothes. The plane had arrived late and only an hour remained until dusk. Impatient to begin her vacation and wanting a quick swim, she decided her Hidden Secrets black satin bra and boy briefs would work. It was no more revealing than the bikini she had packed and took way less time. Grabbing her mask, fins and snorkel from her carry-on bag, she was good to go.

Maybe later this evening, she’d get lucky and hook up with someone. It had been months since she’d had a satisfying sexual encounter. Girl toys got the job done, but she needed some long, slow, steamy sex without batteries—or relationship strings. Possible, since she was off duty and out of the country. Her pulse heated up, and she grinned. Hell, she knew a girl had to be careful, but the ache between her legs needed to be relieved. If she found a local hottie, she could always Google him in the ladies’ room from her smartphone to see if there were any hits on his name.

She exited her room through the patio door facing the ocean. This was her dream vacation, one she’d wanted to go on for years but never had time. Now she was here, in a luxurious room steps away from a lagoon in Bermuda, the aquamarine water perfect for diving. For now, she’d just snorkel. She could wait until tomorrow to rent gear for a dive in deeper water.

It was Saturday afternoon. She had nearly a week before she had to return to the rat race on Friday morning. Five days was the most she’d been able to schedule away. The First Family was spending a week at Camp David before Congress reconvened after Labor Day, and her sub could handle the First Lady’s protection. Always being on alert could wear you down, make you careless. There was no room for mistakes in her job. She didn’t want to end up like Danika.

Pausing a moment outside her door, she inhaled the warm air infused with the tropical fragrances, the sweet scent of the deadly oleander and the spicy aroma of mimosa blended with the tang of the ocean. She crossed the beach, marveling at the pale pink color of the sand, still warm from the heat of the day. At the water’s edge, she settled her mask over her face and slid her feet into flippers. High-stepping, she waddled through the light surf until the water was deep enough for her to float.

Silken and warm, the water flowed over her skin. Barely moving, she occasionally kicked her legs. Her face submerged, breathing through the tube, she watched the tropical fish swimming against the backdrop of the coral reef and waving sea fans. Among others, she spotted parrotfish, Bermuda angelfish and porcupine puffers. They ignored her as if she were one of them. Rays of light streamed from the surface, glinting off the fish scales, bubbles and creating elaborate patterns on the sand. Mesmerized, she floated without moving.

As if coming out of a dream, she had no idea how much time had passed. She checked the diving watch on her wrist and realized she’d been out more than half an hour. She noted the lengthening shadows. It was time to head back before it got too dark.

She’d take just a few more minutes to drift and relax in the warm water. As she turned toward shore, a glint of light on the seabed caught her attention. She inhaled deeply, spit out the mouthpiece of her breathing tube and dove below the surface. Kicking briskly, she headed down, curious.

On the bottom, she plucked a ball out of the sand. About four inches in diameter, the globe was smooth as glass but opaque and lighter than she expected, probably because the water buoyed it.

Standing in water up to her neck, Zoe held up a globe that resembled an iridescent moonstone, trying to get a better look. In the early evening sky, the pale moon floated at the edge of the horizon. With the globe in her hand, it appeared as though there were two moons.

A shiver rippled through her. She dismissed it as a chill from being in the water. She hadn’t snorkeled in months.

She slipped the odd stone into the ‘treasure’ bag secured to her waist. Mouthpiece back in place, she floated, content to watch the fish a bit longer.

Something spooked them and, in the space of a breath, they disappeared. She doubted it was a shark since they were rare around here, but just to be on the safe side, she stuck her whole head underwater. Turning from side to side, she looked around but saw no dark shadow cruising through the water.

Even so, it was probably best if she made her way back to the beach. The rainbow of fish were gone, and her stomach rumbled, reminding her she’d eaten very little, having deciding against the sketchy airline food. She kicked vigorously, propelling herself through the buoyant salt water. The sky seemed much darker than before. Lifting her head, she looked around and realized why the fish had disappeared.

Son of a… A dark, swirling column of water the size of a small tornado less than a hundred feet away was headed toward her. Shouldn’t she have seen some sort of warning? Wouldn’t there be dark clouds or dark spots on the surface? At the very least, wouldn’t there be a sudden shift in the wind? Where the hell had the waterspout come from? There had been nothing.

Heart pounding, she gulped in a huge breath of air and flipped over in an effort to dive to safety. Too late. The waterspout caught her and lifted her up.

And up. What the hell? She gasped in a terrified breath, squeezed her eyes shut. At any second, she would plummet back to earth. If the water wasn’t deep enough, she’d be slammed into the coral reefs.

Suddenly, cold and nothingness surrounded her. She couldn’t see. The cold was bone-numbing. Something was terribly wrong.

☾☆☽

Entering the Great Hall, Prince Tarique cel Sahar yon Kebali stepped up to the counter, accessed the Servatron and ordered kaffe, bread and a serving of aspiria honey. Even at this early hour, a few people were present. His uncle Kadeem, brother of his mother, joined him and ordered kaffe, bread and crème.

Break fast with me. Tarique wove his way past several tables to his favorite off to one side of the room. He took his usual place at the end of the table and gestured to the chair beside him.

Kadeem took the seat on Tarique’s left, showing his respect for his prince. We need to talk.

That isn’t a good sign. Especially when Kadeem uses those words. About what?

"Trianthious mining."

      Holy crystals! Now they were going to discuss, once again, the arguments about who controlled the resources of Kebali. Tarique glanced at his meal.

      Suddenly, it looked particularly unappetizing. Probably had less to do with the food and more to do with his frame of mind. I assume you’re concerned about the Mayyas and the Axinas.

I am. Kadeem frowned. A coalition has formed that wants to mine trianthious crystals and I fear they are seriously considering the offer by H’aldur—although I am not clear what his offer encompasses.

Tarique nodded. As the conquering ruler of Kebali, H’aldur had demonstrated an increasing ruthlessness.

Even though another faction is opposed to mining, they would also benefit, Kadeem said.

You mean the crumbs dropped from the table of those conquering dogs, the A’dacians.

You may be right, but perhaps they will be more generous.

With what? Tarique blew on the kaffe, as much to cool his temper as the hot beverage before taking a sip.

Kadeem grimaced. I guess you’re right. All they’ve done since they arrived is take.

My point exactly. Tarique frowned as much from the tasteless food on his plate as from the discussion.

It is best to be patient. We are safe for the time being.

But for how long? The force field around Essalyn is strong, but... Tarique let the words trail away, unwilling to speak aloud his deepest fear—that the A’dacians might find the one vulnerable spot.

As the silence stretched out between them, Tarique realized the room had filled. Others were also breaking their fast. The conversations had started out muted, but as the tables filled, voices echoed off the stone walls and tiled floor.

Tarique could hear several people at the next table discussing the possibility of reopening the sealed mines. A group at the table just behind him recounted stories of the havoc wreaked in the past when reckless mining of the crystals had nearly destroyed the ecology and balance on the planet.

His people were squabbling like young apprentices vying to be chosen by a journeymen, and if he didn’t leave, he would say words difficult to take back. He had to escape.

Pushing aside his mostly untouched food, Tarique grabbed his sabre and clipped it to his belt. Kadeem stood as if to accompany him, but Tarique waved him off. You take care of things here at Zafir. He was in no mood to have Kadeem hovering in the background or trying to discuss issues. Tarique