About this ebook
She's determined to break the rules so her sister can get married. However, she doesn't expect to find a true love of her own. The only problem is he's a vampire...
Aina's grandmother is old-school fae and pressuring her to get married. But it's to the wrong guy—the one her sister loves. She travels to Raven's Landing to meet with the elders to find a loophole. There, she unexpectedly spends an amazing day with a fun and handsome stranger.
Nick ditches the royal summit to go incognito and be normal just for a day. He meets a lovely and enchanting fae and doesn't want their time together to end when she inevitably discovers his identity. Unfortunately, the king's brother harasses them both and reveals the truth.
But nothing can come between their growing relationship: not a jerky prince, outdated magical customs, fire frogs, grandmothers, or the fact that vampires and fae aren't supposed to be together.
However, they didn't know their love story would lead to war.
This is the prequel story to the Court of Crown and Compass series. It's fantasy romance that's chock full of mystery, danger, romance, and sizzling kisses.
Read more from E. Hall
RIP Magic Academy Paranormal Romance Series
Related to Fae of Light & Shadow
Titles in the series (3)
Fae of Light & Shadow: Court of Crown and Compass, #0.5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fae of the North: Court of Crown and Compass, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fae of the East: Court of Crown and Compass, #4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for Fae of Light & Shadow
1 rating1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 21, 2023
I adored this story. These characters. Magicals of fae, vampire, shifters, and more. This was an amazing intro to this world and I cannot wait to see where this series takes us.
Book preview
Fae of Light & Shadow - E. Hall
Fae of Light and Shadow
A Court of Crown and Compass Prequel Novella
By
E. Hall
Fae of Light & Shadow
Copyright© 2020 E. Hall
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author/publisher except where permitted by law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover: MsVickI’s Designs
Website: http://www.ehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ehallauthor
Contents
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
About the Author
Let's Connect
More Books by E. Hall
Chapter 1
Aina
––––––––
In the early dawn hours, the pale sky almost matches the surrounding snow and ice until the sun kisses my cheeks awake. The wind whistles shrilly, whipping up snow like dust on the lonely white plain. Today, like many days, I wonder what’s beyond, but my nose tells me that my grandmother made blueberry bites for breakfast so I rush downstairs.
I can’t imagine anything worse in this world than vampires,
says Nathina, my grandmother, and would-be-queen of the Frost Fae in the Northland if there were such a thing. Instead, we have elders. Grandma has an opinion on everything, including them. Apparently, however, the topic of the day is vampires.
I’ve only been in the kitchen for a minute and she’s already griping about something she probably read in the Frost Fae Tribune. Once I’m done with school, I’d like to report for them, but Grandma has other plans—ones I’m really glad are not the topic of this morning’s conversation.
Grandma, I love you, but what’s worse than vampires is your ignorance,
I say, giving her a kiss on the cheek and nabbing one of her famous blueberry bites. I close my eyes for a second, blissed out by the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors. These are so good, Grandma,
I say around a mouthful. But vampires can’t really be that bad.
My sister, Maurella, appears and clicks her tongue. You just opened a jar of fire frogs with that one, Aina.
She’s right. Once we get Grandma started on a subject, it’ll be midday by the time we’ve agreed to disagree.
I pop another blueberry bite in my mouth and pour a cup of honey tea.
Grandma scowls. Vampires really are that bad. You’re too young to remember, but during the Wicked War, they were stealing the shadows of fae and trying to assemble an army of our shadows against us. They’re ruthless. You’d think blood would have been enough for them but no, they had to go and take our shadows too.
Maurella fiddles with a string on the tablecloth and I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
Your mother was a brave fighter, but as soon as they stole her shadow from her, tearing her soul in two, she didn’t stand a chance.
Grandma used to get teary-eyed when she told this story, but now her lips pinch the same way they do when we’d get a scolding when we were little.
I wish I’d known Mom better, but she left for battle when my sister and I had only recently sprouted our wings. Nevertheless, she’s my hero and I know whatever she did during battle was meant to protect us and not because she hates other magical beings, including vampires for that matter. What I do remember of her was how much she loved. It was like a glow that came off her, but our military needed fighters and she went bravely into war.
If you ask me, I think they should send all the vampires to the Terra realm.
Grandma narrows her eyes.
What about the humans there though? They’re defenseless.
Grandma shrugs. Then send the humans here.
I roll my eyes. Obviously that’s impossible. We can go there, but they can’t come here.
What I think Grandma is trying to say is that she’d like to isolate the vampires,
Maurella says, ever the optimist and trying to smooth things over so this conversation can end.
I should head to the library before class. One more day until graduation,
I cheer. I also want this conversation to be over.
Maurella smiles because we’re both almost done with school.
The sun beams through the window and the frost on the panes sparkles. My future is looking bright.
Hold on,
Grandma says when I start to get up. She grabs my sleeve and I lower back into the chair.
The only time she bakes is when she wants to ply us with something. I should’ve known.
I want you to be prepared for tomorrow.
Oh, I am so prepared.
No more essays, exams...or freedom. The air leaves my lungs because I know the look Grandma is giving me. It’s the you’re-getting-married look.
I glance at Maurella whose shoulders cave like she wants to disappear.
He’s the partner your mother selected for you.
Grandma’s tone is final.
But—
I start to protest.
You know the rules as well as anyone. Your mother paired you with Drod and Maurella with Drex. That is the way it is. The way it will be. There’s no arguing.
I give a quick nod, squeeze Maurella on the shoulder, and rush to the hall to grab my coat and bag. My trip to the library involves research to find a loophole in the ancient Frost Fae prearranged marriage plan.
My boots crunch across the snow alternating with the names Aina and Drod, Aina and Drod, Aina and Drod. My heart stutters to the beat. Our names don't go together in my ears. It sounds like the result of my name slapping against ice with an abruptly dropped Drod.
The idea is to unite families so we’re stronger and have access to more resources. My grandmother assured me that our bond will grow into love, just as it did for her and my grandfather. Love doesn't scare me, not a bit, but rather the absence of it: if Drod and I don't feel its warmth.
My teeth chatter with thoughts of our wedding—days of feasting and games. Sweetcakes. Yum. At least with him, I wouldn’t have to worry about him being unpleasant, having foul breath, or being lazy. He’s actually a pretty amazing guy.
As I take flight, hoping to maximize my