Winter of the Shadow Fae

By L.P. Dover

New York Times Bestselling author L.P. Dover delivers an enticing enemies-to-lovers romance with a magical twist!

Twenty-five years have passed since the darkness was defeated in the Land of the Fae. Since then, the realm has flourished under four courts.

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

However, nothing is as it seems. An evil lurks close by, known as... the Shadow Fae. Years ago, a plan was set in motion to keep the darkness alive. But there is one who’s destined to defeat it.

Ella, the future queen of the Frost Court, has trained to embrace her destiny and save her people.
When Kai, the Shadow Fae leader, crosses paths with Ella, he knows it’s his time to strike. Yet things take a shocking turn when he begins to long for the one woman he’s supposed to kill. While passion ignites between the enemies, there is no escaping their fates. Ella is meant to save her people, and Kai has no choice but to end them. A decision must be made... and it could cost them everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.P. Dover
• Release date: Jan 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781005725433

L.P. Dover

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.

Book preview

Land of the Fae Courts

Different Types of Fae

Winter fae – native to the Land of the Fae

Spring fae - native to the Land of the Fae

Summer fae - native to the Land of the Fae

Fall fae - native to the Land of the Fae

Shadow fae – offspring of Alasdair and various fae women. They were created to bring war to the Land of the Fae.

Dark fae – those who were cast out of the Land of the Fae/ones who turned their magic dark. Can be from either Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall.

Half fae – part fae/part mortal

Chapter 1

Kai

When the time is right, you’ll know where to go.

Those were the last words my father ever told me. It turned out he was right. It took about twenty-five years, but the time had finally come. My magic built within me, and the air shimmered across the room: a portal. It was as if a magnet was on the other side, pulling me, demanding that I step through.

I knew what lay on the other side, and I was ready. I’d been prepared for a while. Fourteen years ago, when I turned twenty-one, my father’s lust for power became mine when the spell he put on me as a child was triggered. The magic that flowed through my veins was intoxicating.

Getting to my feet, I grabbed the iron dagger off my table and stepped toward the portal. One minute, I was in the living room of my cabin in the mortal realm, and the next, I was in the Land of the Fae, in a home inside the Ice Court.

The need to kill exploded within me, and I enjoyed the torment. The time had come for me to fulfill my father’s desires, to seek his vengeance for what the fae did to him. I was tasked with making the royals suffer and take everything they held dear from them. Blood and violence were all I knew, and I looked forward to seeing more.

The pull grew stronger, and I followed it down the hallway with my iron dagger. Iron was toxic to the fae. A simple scrape across the skin could kill them within a few minutes.

I came to a stop outside a closed bedroom door and slowly opened it. It was dark inside, but the candlelight illuminated the bed. I couldn’t see the woman underneath the frosty blue sheets, but I could feel her. Her power was unlike anything I’d ever come across.

However, I thought my father’s magic would lead me to the Ice Court Queen so I could kill her and show the Land of the Fae they haven’t won. But that wasn’t who was in the room.

Stepping closer, I had a feeling I knew who it was going to be. Only one other fae was more powerful than the Ice Court Queen—her daughter, Ella. I’d heard of her beauty, but I had yet to look at her. Killing her would be the ultimate revenge.

Clenching the dagger’s hilt, I stepped closer to the bed. The princess shifted, and I got a glimpse of her long blonde hair and the shimmering white skin of her neck. A moan escaped her lips and she turned, revealing her face. The second I looked at her, a new desire rose within me. It wasn’t just the need to kill but a need to claim.

I was going to fulfill both.

I leaned in close, my lips right by her ear. I’m coming back for you. And when I do . . . I said, letting my thoughts trail off.

My lips pulled back into a smile. There were many things I was going to do to her before I killed her.

Chapter 2

Ella

TWO WEEKS LATER

A re you ever going to get tired of being here? Merrick asked, skipping a smooth stone across the lake. It jumped six times and then sank to the bottom.

The water was so clear it almost looked like glass. It would be perfectly still if we weren’t throwing rocks into its depths. I picked up a medium-sized pebble and skimmed it across the surface, earning me two extra jumps compared to Merrick.

I grinned at him. Nope. I enjoy the satisfaction of beating your ass every chance I get.

Merrick shook his head and smiled as he sat down on the soft, green grass. The wind blew all around me, and the sun shone brightly above; it was warm against my Winter skin. Everything was always perfect in the Hereafter; it was where fae went when they died, a heaven of sorts. Everyone was happy. There was no pain, no heartache . . . just peace. I was only allowed in the Hereafter because I was chosen to be a Keeper—a fae’s version of a guardian angel.

When someone of my kind was on the brink of death, I would guide them to the Hereafter. They could still travel back and forth from here to the Land of the Fae, but only Keepers could see them.

Merrick and I had a close bond for many reasons. He was a good friend to my family, and I was his only link to speak to them, especially with my aunt Calista. There was a time when he was her Guardian – the fae’s version of a bodyguard – and in love with her.

Having a Guardian was one of the strongest bonds a fae could have with another. It used to be mandatory for a princess to have one, but things have changed over the years; it was no longer required if the princess didn’t choose it.

Merrick’s death still haunts my aunt Calista to this day. I didn’t want to be bonded to someone and risk them getting taken away from me. That was a pain I didn’t want to endure. Besides, I didn’t need a Guardian. I’d inherited my mother’s ability to shapeshift and control the wind. And from my father, I acquired his ability to control fire. So, all in all, I’d say I could take care of myself.

A few decades ago, it was unheard of for females to fight, but now in all the courts, there were women warriors. The Land of the Fae had changed; because of that, we were stronger.

Merrick bumped me with his shoulder. Want to do some training today? Your brother has completely tainted your fighting skills. It’s well-known that the Summer army is better than the Winter one.

My laugh was so loud it echoed across the lake. Keep telling yourself that, smart-ass. There was so much on my mind that I couldn’t think straight. But no, I said, I’m not in the mood for training.

Merrick blew out a sigh. What’s wrong, Ella? I can see the trouble in your eyes. Is Iston pushing you for the marriage bond?

Iston is the eldest prince of the elvish kingdom. We grew up together and had a lot of history between us. We've been intimate for the past two years, enjoying our time together without all the obligations. We have passion and I love how he touches me and makes me feel, but there’s something missing. Everyone expects us to join our kingdoms. Unfortunately, my time was slowly running out before I had to make a choice. It was hard to do that with the visions plaguing my every thought.

However, it wasn’t just Iston pushing for the marriage, but the whole realm. Everyone was dying to see our union come to fruition. But that wasn’t the only trouble I was facing. Turning to face Merrick, I looked into his concerned brown gaze and ruffled his blond hair; it’d grown out a bit and curled around his ears. His skin was still golden like all the Summer fae.

Don’t worry about me, Merrick.

His smile faded. It’s hard not to, Ella. I’ve been by your side ever since you were born. I know you have a lot going on.

If he only knew. For the past two weeks, I’ve not only dealt with Iston and tried to figure out what to do with him, but I’ve also had visions. They weren’t about things that had already happened; it was as if they were a premonition, about what was going to happen. Only I didn’t know what any of it meant.

On the night they started, I could’ve sworn someone was in my room. I’d sought out my elder Keeper to tell her everything this morning, but she had been called away to the mortal realm. There was no one else who would know what was going on.

Closing my eyes, I laid my head on Merrick’s shoulder. I’ll be fine, I promise. Iston’s not going to push me into anything. I got this.

That’s for damn sure, he said, his body shaking with laughter. You are definitely your mother’s daughter. She used to give your dad hell.

I snorted and opened my eyes. He deserved it. I’ve heard plenty of stories on how he was an ass before they got together.

The Winter fae weren’t exactly known for their warm hearts, but I’d seen my dad's love for my mom and her love for him.

So, what’s going on? Merrick prodded again.

Before I could reply, there was a shift in the air, and I felt a warm presence behind me. Merrick jumped to his feet and turned around, bowing at the woman who appeared. I already knew who it was going to be.

Lailah, Merrick called out, lifting his head.

He held out a hand to help me up so I could face the elder Keeper. She had the same whitish-blonde hair as me, but her eyes were amber, whereas mine were dark brown. We looked about the same age, but she had centuries on me. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with her while she mentored me in my Keeper duties; she was like a second mother.

Lailah smiled warmly at Merrick before focusing on me, her voice soft and smooth, almost angelic. She was the wisest of all the fae I knew. I’m sorry we couldn’t speak this morning, Ella. I’m here now if you still want to talk.

I do, I replied. I squeezed Merrick’s hand and met his brown gaze. I’ll see you later, okay?

Merrick smirked. Yes, you will.

Most fae enjoyed the Hereafter and chose to spend their time in pure bliss, but not Merrick. Yes, we were in the Hereafter now, but I knew he’d rather be in the Land of the Fae watching over my aunt Calista. Which was what he’d do when he wasn’t annoying me.

Lailah held out her hand and a bright light engulfed us the second I touched her. One minute we were in the Hereafter, and the next, we were in my Ice Court home, overlooking the frozen meadow. Every time I stepped foot in the Land of the Fae, the land’s call to me grew stronger. It wanted me to claim what was mine . . . the Frost Court. At least, that’s what I called it; it felt right. My parents had their Ice Court, and my father’s parents had reign over their Winter Court, but my kingdom was going to be different. Instead of snow like the Winter Court and ice like the Ice Court, I wanted frost. It was going to be a unique addition to the Winter Court. And if I completed the marriage bond with Iston, our kingdom would intertwine with the elves. It would make the Land of the Fae an even stronger realm.

Lailah peered out the floor-to-ceiling window to the icy landscape beyond. She was a Summer fae, but she never acted as if the cold bothered her.

Tell me about your visions, Ella, she said, keeping her back to me. I know you started having them, and I can sense they’re troubling you.

Lailah was the most powerful Keeper in all the land. If anyone could decipher my visions, it’d be her. I stood next to her, wanting her to meet my eyes, but she kept her gaze on the window. I had a feeling she already knew what I’d been seeing.

You know what my visions mean, don’t you? I asked.

Lailah blew out a sigh. "Yes, but I want to hear what you think. Who do you think the man is?"

In my visions, I saw a guy with dark hair and gray eyes. He was dangerous. Lethal. And very powerful. I wanted to be wrong about who he was, but every time I saw him in my mind, I knew that my assumptions were correct. There were more of him, but he was the one who needed to be feared; he was the one with all the power.

He’s a Shadow fae, I answered. Son of Alasdair, the dark sorcerer who tried to take over the Land of the Fae.

My mother had killed Alasdair and sacrificed her life in the process. At the time, she didn’t know she was pregnant with me. I was the one who kept life in her body so Lailah could bring her back from the Hereafter. Using magic to restore life was not something that could be done for just anyone. My mother was brought back because of my destiny to become a Keeper.

Lailah nodded and looked into my eyes. Sadly, your brother didn’t kill all of Alasdair’s offspring during the last battle.

After Alasdair was defeated, my people detected some of his magic in the mortal realm. That was when it was discovered he’d been procreating, building an army of his own blood. It sickened me to think of all the women he’d violated to achieve that. I was told he was a brutal man.

My brother, Beck, had tracked down Alasdair’s eldest son about a year ago and killed many of the Shadow fae. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t the end; my visions only proved it. The Shadow fae weren’t going to stop coming after us until we completely wiped them out.

He wants vengeance, I said to her. I can feel it in my visions; it’s as if his emotions are mine. He wants to . . .

Lailah placed a hand on my shoulder. I know. He wants to kill you for what your mother did to his father. It’s his revenge.

She was right, but there was still something in my gut, a warning. But he won’t stop there, will he? He wants to do as much damage as he can. Which meant he’d probably go after others in my family.

Lailah sighed. I don’t know, child. The Shadow fae are different from us.

I’d never felt so much anger and hate in my soul, but something overpowered those emotions—my need to protect. No one was going to come into my land and hurt my family. My mother had defeated the evil once before, and now it was my turn.

Clenching my hands into tight fists, I could feel my magic vibrating through every inch of my body.

He’s coming soon, I hissed. I don’t know how I know, but I just do.

It was like I had a time clock within me, counting the hours and minutes before I came face to face with him.

And will you be ready? Lailah asked.

I averted my gaze to the white horizon. Yes, I answered. I know what I have to do.

Chapter 3

Ella

Ispent most of the night thinking about the visions. I couldn’t get the Shadow fae’s gray eyes out of my mind. A part of me knew this would happen long before I had the gift of foresight. Evil doesn’t just get defeated and end for good; there will always be remnants, lingering here and there, waiting. And here I was . . . determined to meet it head-on. While some people might be afraid to know someone wanted to kill them, I was the opposite. I welcomed the fight and craved it to the point of obsession. I’d never felt like that before. All I knew was that it wasn’t normal.

A knock sounded on my door, and I heard it open. Soft footsteps pattered on the floor, drawing closer. I fastened my black vambraces onto my forearms and strapped on my belt, sheathing my dagger on one side and my sword on the other. The dagger was the same one my mother used to kill the dark sorcerer. She’d passed it on to me when I turned eighteen.

The footsteps drew closer, and I smiled when I heard Marin’s voice.

Ella? she called out. Are you dressed? You’re not in bed with Iston, are you? She tapped on my bedroom door and opened it just a tad, peeking through the crack. When she saw me staring at her, she pushed the door open and laughed. I guess you aren’t.

And if I was, I retorted with my hands on my hips, don’t you think it’d be kind of rude to walk in on us?

Marin smirked. Probably. Although, it’s a shame you don’t indulge in the sexy Winter fae men you have here. They’re so much hotter than the guys in Spring.

Giggling, I held out my arms and closed the distance. There is nothing wrong with Spring, I said, hugging her tight. Your men are quite damn sexy with their shimmery golden skin.

Marin gushed. Yeah, I guess you’re right.

Marin was my best friend, but she lived in the Spring Court. Her parents used to be part of the Winter Court but switched allegiances when my uncle Kalen and aunt Meliantha formed the Spring Court. We spent so much time together when we were younger, but our duties to our courts kept us apart much longer than I liked.

I’m glad you’re here early, I said, breathing in her spring and flower scent. I’ve missed you. I hadn’t seen her in over a month.

Marin let me go and rested a hand on the hilt of her sword. She was dressed in her warrior gear which consisted of warm green leathers, whereas mine was all black. Her hair was a deep brown, and her eyes were as blue as ice; we looked like complete opposites.

I would’ve been here about an hour ago, she said, but your brother stopped me when I arrived. He wanted to catch up. There was a twinkle in her eyes.

Ah, I see. So that’s why you’re on this tangent about hot Winter men. You have a thing for my brother, don’t you?

Beck was the leader of the Winter guard and just as fierce of a warrior as our father.

Marin waved me off. Beck is very handsome, but I’m not into him like that. However, there is one of your warriors that caught my eye. Think you can introduce us at the ball tomorrow night?

I nodded toward the door. I’ll be happy to. Now come on, you can point him out to me.

We left my house and walked across the palace grounds to the training field. My mother was already out there, surrounded by male and female warriors while sparring with my father. Out of all my years of training, I’d only bested my mother once.

Which one is he? I asked, raking my gaze over the guys. Marin pointed at a warrior who happened to look our way. He was tall with dark hair, muscular arms, and eyes just as bright blue as hers. I knew him well. That’s Owen,