As a child, invaders butchered Maleta's parents and left her ravaged body for dead. Now, reborn as a finely-honed weapon for the Gray Goddess, Maleta has shed the burden of emotions for one goal-regain her homeland for her brother. Cianan ta Daneal's mission to the fractured land of Shamar is twofold: to overthrow a despotic queen, and to save a life. For months, he's been haunted by recurring visions of a beautiful swordswoman slaughtered by a skeleton army. He never expected to lay eyes on that woman and recognize her as his Life-Mate-or that she'd turn and run like hell. Uniting Shamar's diverse peoples in revolt is easy compared to the delicate task of wooing a woman who flinches from his touch.

Slowly, Maleta dares to hope that her country, what's left of her family, and her shattered heart are safe in Cianan's steady hands. But when the cold blade of fate strikes true, can she trust his love is strong enough to pull her back from the Abyss?

Warning: This new twist on Sleeping Beauty contains an assassin nun who knows no fear. Okay, just one fear, but it's a biggie. And an elven paladin with the Devil's own negotiating skills. To coax her heart out of hiding, he's gonna need every one of them.