Courting Darkness

Cultural and historical insights into 15th-century France and Brittany, including real people and events. Author's note explains which characters and events are real, briefly explains where and why she changed things. Offers some insight into how people transitioned from pre-Christian beliefs and worship to Catholicism, including suppressing old beliefs, changing some things to align with Catholic Church's dictates.

Both Sybella and Genevieve model bravery and loyalty. Sybella often acts recklessly but is always motivated by compassion, caring, a desire to protect. She overcomes her self-loathing, learns she's capable of great love and free to give it to whomever she chooses. Genevieve is becoming impatient with long wait to be called to action, but manages to keep herself sharp. She's very mistrustful, could miss out on a lot life has to offer because of it. She also nonchalantly uses her sexuality to get what she wants or needs from men, like trading a kiss for a knife or becoming the king's mistress to spy on him. Both are also strong and unafraid to act, and well-trained in fighting both in battle and hand to hand.

Kissing and caressing. A couple of instances of sex: One briefly describes foreplay, taking off shirts, caressing breast and nipples, moving hips, wrapping legs around waist; the other describes kissing, caressing a breast, undressing, moving knees apart, thrusting, shouting, grimacing. Sounds of a "furtive coupling" heard. A couple of powerful men live with their mistresses in their homes. King's bride is inspected fully nude, though nothing's described; issues are raised about premarital virginity, consummating marriage, discomfort after first time having sex. Mention that two women learned about sex by practicing with each other, that some men like to have sex with heavily pregnant women.