The Water Rider and the High Born Fae: Shadow and Ash

By HR Moore

Alba may be the most celebrated water rider under the mountain, but she knows she's not for the likes of the high born fae, and especially not for Leo, the mysterious, intriguing son of Axus, who sits at the right hand of their leader, Isa.

 

When Alba snags a rare treasure, she must trade it through the Golden Guild. There, she comes face to face with quiet, intense Leo, and presses him for an audacious trade. Despite her disregard for authority, or maybe because of it, he's as drawn to her as she is to him, and seeks her out, even though it's forbidden.

 

But when they accidently discover a secret their leaders don't want them to know, they're summoned to Isa's quarters, where their lives change forever.

 

The Water Rider and the High Born Fae is a standalone short story set in the world of the Shadow and Ash series, featuring fae, dangerous lake serpents, and forbidden love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HR Moore
• Release date: Jul 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781739721978

Book preview

The Water Rider and the High Born Fae

HR MOORE

Published by Harriet Moore

Copyright © 2022 HR Moore

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author.

Titles by HR Moore:

The Relic Trilogy:

Queen of Empire

Temple of Sand

Court of Crystal

In the Gleaming Light

The Ancient Souls Series:

Nation of the Sun

Nation of the Sword

Nation of the Stars

Shadow and Ash:

Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

Dragons of Asred

Stories set in the Shadow and Ash world:

The Water Rider and the High Born Fae

House of Storms and Secrets

http://www.hrmoore.com

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The Water Rider and the High Born Fae

Alba inched her hand along the ledge. She was so close, and she would never hear the end of it if she returned empty-handed, not when she’d insisted on being the one to risk the perilous climb.

Her uncle’s arms were longer, and he’d had more practice. He would surely be able to reach, so so must she.

Just a tiny bit further … less than the span of two fingers. She leaned, and reached, and reached some more.

Her fingers were sweaty from exertion, and it crossed her mind she might actually slip and fall to her death. She’d never considered it before, regardless of all the foolhardy things she’d done. Did that mean she’d finally reached her limit?

Not bloody likely. She could do it. She would do it. She was doing it … almost there.

But then a whoosh of wind batted her face, and she had to retreat, clutching at the sheer face with both hands to keep her purchase.

‘Regio!’ she shouted, not looking at him. She turned her head away, so he couldn’t send a gust into her face, her dark curly hair bobbing.

‘You were taking too long,’ he said. His dulcet fae tones were smug, as his feathery grey wings beat lazily, holding his tall, broad physique effortlessly in place.

Alba didn’t stop to think. She launched herself towards him, pushing off the rock with both legs, grabbing him around the neck as her body slammed into his.

‘Alba!’ he cried. He wrapped his perfect fae arms around her as he fought to stay airborne.

‘You’re a thief,’ she said. He stabilized, and she reached back and plucked the indigo crystal from its nook.

‘You could have killed us both!’ he hissed, although she knew he was mostly pissed because she’d been the one to pick the treasure. And maybe because she’d ruffled his perfectly quaffed hair.

He flew them to the ground,