"Do you have any baggage?" she asked. Henry shook his head. "Just a fanny pack full of rocks," he mumbled. "Rocks?" she asked. "Long story," he mumbled. "This is a long trip," Penelope said, "At least seven days by train across Zysa. I don't know if you realize this, but Zysa Railways is very strict. If at any point they suspect that you and I are not honeymooners, they'll put us off at the next available railway station - even if it's in the middle of nowhere. Plus, they'll still expect us to pay the full price." Penelope is a quirky, free-spirited gypsy who works remotely as she travels the world. Henry is a shell-shocked victim of circumstances, stranded on the other side of the world. And Penelope is his best chance to get home. These two very different people are about to be thrust into close quarters together in a roomette on a seven-day cross country train trip. Their journey will be like a crucible into which will be poured all of their pain and misery, their ruin, their love scorned and shattered, their injustices suffered and accumulated - along with the sum of their joys experienced, memories treasured, and love cherished - to be tested and purified by fire. What will emerge?