A woman of mystery...and danger...

The hereditary Guardian of the Citadel, Loralie, has a lot to answer for. She has done terrible things with her power on behalf of evil men who kidnapped her daughter. Loralie's powerful magic is being used against her will, and the protections she's been bred to uphold are failing, one by one.

A man she once loved and thought lost forever...

Detlif is Captain of the Guard of the fair folk enclave that guards one of the Gates to the Citadel. He gave up on love when Loralie left suddenly, without so much as a goodbye. When she showed up nine months later and gave him his infant son, then disappeared again, he imagined all sorts of cruel things about her. But there's a lot he didn't know about his former lover. A lot that stands between them, including a twin daughter that he has only just learned about.

A meddling dragon...

When the red dragon offers a chance to break the magical chains binding the girl, Loralie sends her precious daughter to be with her twin...and their father. With her daughter safe, Loralie can focus on revenge and stopping the evil plot that threatens all the lands. But she doesn't count on Detlif having a say in her activities.

Loralie believes only her death will make up for the misery she has caused. She'd thought she was reconciled to her fate, but seeing Det again makes her wish for more time. With him. With their children.

Det knows Lora has done awful things, but as he begins to understand why, he tries to find a way to create a happy ending for her...for their children...and for himself, as well. It's going to be tricky, and very, very dangerous, but he must not fail. He wants Loralie for keeps this time, and nothing will stop him from achieving that goal.