Marked by the Moon

Marked by the Moon BOUND BY THE VEIL BOOK ONE HELEN SCOTT Marked by the Moon Bound by the Veil Book One Copyright © 2023 by Helen Scott Cover Design © Moonpress Cover Design All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the brief use of quotations in a book review. This book is intended for adults only. The sexual activities represented in this book are a work of fiction intended for adults. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously by the author. Any resemblance to actual places, events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Contents Map of Eaorin Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Also By Helen Scott Acknowledgments About the Author Map of Eaorin Chapter One Senara I hurried along the rain-slicked cobblestone streets, eager to see my best friend for the first time in years. Letters had gone back and forth over the years I’d been away, but when I found out I was being recalled, we decided to meet at the square in Low Town at sunset. Still, I didn't want to be late and make her worry. When my gaze caught on a patch of red hair gleaming in the setting sunlight, I knew that she was already there, waiting for me. "Wyn!" I shouted as I barreled toward her. It had been too long. She looked older, more mature, than the version of the woman I thought of as my sister was in my head. Then she smiled, and the young girl was there again. "Senara!" Wyn squealed with glee. We ran toward each other, clashing and nearly falling to the ground as we hugged. "Watch it!" someone yelled when we almost toppled into them from overcorrecting. Wyn giggled, which made me laugh in turn, and the older man we'd almost collided with grumbled under his breath. "Sorry!" I called out as he shuffled away. "So how are you? How was the trip?" Wyn asked as she pulled back from our hug. I sighed happily. “I’m good, at least now I'm with my sister. The trip could have been better, you know me and the sea don't get along." I silently wished that had been the only issue. "You weren't sick the whole time, though, were you?" Her brows pinched, and her dark eyes studied me with worry filling them. I shrugged and slung my arm around her shoulder, and we started walking. "Come on, let's get to the Kraken." Wyn paused, making me turn to look at her. When I saw her chewing on her lower lip, I knew she had a favor to ask, it was her tell that something was on her mind. "Actually, since this is the one night I've got off for a while, can we stop by the market?" She looked at me knowingly, and I realized that it wasn't just any market she wanted to go to. I stepped closer, so no one could overhear us. "I'm a member of the King's Guard as of tomorrow. I can't go to the underground markets!" I muttered. "Please? I just need two things from one place. It'll be quick. In and out. No one will ever know." She sighed heavily, looking up at me through her lashes like a stray pup as she clasped her hands together in front of her chest. "You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent." When I still hesitated, she added, "Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease—" "Okay, fine!" I shoved my fear of being caught at the underground market to the side. We both knew that if we were caught, I'd be dead. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. As soon as they realized I was Moon Marked, I'd be heading to the execution block. "We have to be fast, though. I told Grimsby we would be there for dinner in my letter." "So fast!" She giggled as she nodded, linking her arm with mine before we set off in the direction of the market. As we wound through the alleys, my gaze darted around, looking for guards or anyone suspicious in general. After a moment, Wyn said, "Tell me about the front." Her words made me stumble. The front was screams and sacrifice and nothing but the fight and the kill. Rarely, it was relaxing with my fellow soldiers, but for the most part we were always on alert, preparing for the next attack. I only replied once I caught myself and we were walking again. "I'd rather not. The front was war and death. I'm trying to focus on what's coming with the new job tomorrow. Being a King's Guard is not where I expected my military career to go, but it'll be good. For one thing, it's an increase in pay and there’s the food and lodging at the castle, like with you working at the library." "Except I only get paid a pittance," she grumbled. "True. The money is for both of us, though. You know that." I bumped my shoulder against hers. A huff escaped her before she said, "I wish the King valued books as much as he valued swords. Then maybe we wouldn't be at war all the time." "By the stars, Wyn. Watch what you're saying," I hissed. The King wasn't known for his tolerance. Magic itself was illegal,