Mercedes Lackey

Fledgling Water Master Mari Prothero rebels against her expected arranged marriage at age eighteen until she learns that her family's magical heritage is actually protected by these unions.

"Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King's Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. Their daughter, Abidela, dreams of building on her parents' legacy by joining her father's network of spies, hoping to offset her seeming lack of a Gift. But when Abi senses the imminent collapse of a bridge only moments before it happens, she saves countless lives, including that of her best friend, Princess Katiana. The experience, though...

Alberich had spent most of his youth in the Karsite military schools training to be an officer. As the son of an impoverished mother, he had no other career choice open to him. And Alberich had risen in the ranks with almost unnatural speed. He developed expertise with many weapons and excelled in academic subjects with an ease that was the envy of his classmates. But in fact, the reclusive Alberich studied long and hard, pushing himself ruthlessly. ...

The evil Unseleighe Sidhe will do anything to prevent the rise to the throne of a red-haired child destined to ascend the throne and usher in a golden age of art, music, and literature, while the good Sidhe of Elhame Avalon race against time to find the child, protect her from the dangers of the human and elven worlds, and ensure that she will become Queen Elizabeth I of England.

On the run from an abusive husband, magician's assistant Katie discovers that her employer is an Elemental Magician capable of commanding the Elementals of Air to help with his illusions, while she knows nothing about her own abilities.

Three classic stories of timeless love and tantalizing fantasy...
Counting Crows by New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey
In Lady Gwynnhwyfar's dark, lonely court, her only ally was noble Sir Atremus, a warrior willing to fight for her honor. But would her powerful spell capture his heart—or tumble the kingdom into chaos?
Drusilla's Dream by USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Lee
Every night Drusilla Morgan dreamed of...

Skif, a teenaged orphan, leads a comfortable life with his fellow thieves until the day that he himself is stolen.

In gaining entry to Altan noble society, Kiron had come to learn many distressing things about who really controlled Alta. The Magi were plotting to replace the royal Great Ones and rule Alta, and had built a terrible weapon, the Eye of Light, which could kill from afar.

Talia could scarcely believe that she had finally earned the rank of full Herald. Yet though this seemed like the fulfillment of all her dreams, it also meant she would face trials far greater than those she had previously survived. For now Talia must ride forth to patrol the kingdom of Valdemar, dispending Herald's justice throughout the land. But in this realm beset by dangerous unrest, enforcing her rulings would require all the courage and skill...

Kiron and his friends, established in a desert cliff dwelling seemingly made for dragons, must not only bring order to the new society, but be on guard against Magi who might try to achieve conquest surreptitiously after failing to win with violence.