✨bia✨’s Reviews > The Courting of Bristol Keats > Status Update

Kierus paced the room, thinking. Of her own accord? They had lied to her They had filled her head with lies. Dread clutched his chest. His daughter was in Tyghan's hands. And now Tyghan was king.
"I need to meet with her," he told Winkip. "I need to get a message to her as soon as possible."

Tyghan suited up to join his knights.
Kierus. Bristol's father. He's here.
It was still sinking in. He should have seen it coming after Kierus turned their plan and Elphame on its head to save Maire. Their failed plan.

"What is that place?" she asked.
"The royal palace," Kasta replied.
'Tyghan lives there?"
"Of course. He's king of the Danu Nation."

He finally cleared his throat like something was caught in it. "I will help you search for him."
"You swear?"
"You have my word. I'll help you search. I can't promise more than that."
"Fair enough," she agreed. The deal was made.

are?"
"I read it in a book I got from the library last month. They're fae.
Willow and all those creatures you described? "I think they might be fae, too."
"Fae?"
"Another name for fairies. Do you think-"
Bristol shook her head. "No, Harper. What I saw were strange beings. Grotesque monsters. Not cute little things with wings—"
"But there's all kinds of fae, Bri. Some are good, some are bad.

"It's your directional instincts that we're interested in. We only want to recruit you for a small task." Eris motioned to the art. "This gift today, and another when your task is completed."
"What's the task?"
"Finding a door for us. That's all. We assure you, we'll make it worth your time."

It wasn't just a room of people anymore.
Creatures were inside. No, worse, they were monsters. A grotesque menagerie of them. Some had wings, some had fur like they were part animal, others had features molded from a nightmare. One had tusks protruding over its upper lip like a wild boar and yet it stood upright and wore clothes. In the corner a hulking creature hovering over them all had on a policeman's uniform,

Bristol and Cat had always known their parents were lying to them about something, because the truth was too dangerous for them to know. The oddness of their lives was the elephant in the room they were conditioned to walk around, and after so many years, they were good at it. At least Bristol thought they were, but lies could rub subtly, like a dull blade against fabric until, eventually, threads began popping.

He had died sad, never getting over his wife's death.
His easy smile, his laughter, the brightness that had always been in
his eyes, it was doused and gone forever.
For that, Bristol would never forgive her mother for leaving him,
for sneaking out of their lives and dying so carelessly.