The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, #1)

by Mary E. Pearson

Life wasn’t always about change but sometimes about sameness. And sometimes sameness made you look beneath the surface, look at the bones that held it all together—and the flaws that could be its undoing. Change was a distraction. Sameness demanded reflection.

Danu Nation, which is one of the twelve ruling kingdoms of Elphame, so yes, that also makes me fae.”

“Tyghan Trénallis of the Danu Nation. My friends call me Tygh. But you … you may call me Mr. High and Mighty.”

Running was his destiny. The tithe for his choices. When you’re sent by the gods to seduce and kill your enemy but fail in your task, when you become the seduced instead of the seducer, few options were left to you and only one involved staying alive: run. Run away with the enemy and hope you both run faster than the gods. If

“When the creator Danu sent her children into the world to gather knowledge, she first sent them to the four mystical islands of Fálias, Gorias, Murias, and Findias to be trained by the

most brilliant poets, philosophers, crafters, and sorcerers. These mages schooled Danu’s children in the sciences, arts, magics, and the powerful wisdoms of the earth and stars.”

From Falias came the Stone of Destiny, to declare new queens and kings to govern their realm. From Gorias came the Spear of Lugh, which made the bearer prevail in battle. From Findias came the Sword of Light, which delivered only mortal blows. And from Murias came the Cauldron of Plenty, so Danu’s children would never go hungry.

Bristol learned there were five kinds of magic. The High Witch listed them in beautiful scrolled writing on a smoky veil that hung in the air. Innate magic—the kind you are born with. Learned magic that must be practiced. Magic that is gifted, mostly in the form of amulets. Magic that is unanchored—wild, unpredictable, but, luckily, rare. Dark magic that feeds on the user, the most dangerous kind to practice.