He would sacrifice everything for the sake of the kingdom. She will stop at nothing to destroy it. For Lord Sigrund Talrun loyalty is everything. When anarchy threatens the elven kingdom, his king orders him to capture the mastermind behind a dark elf uprising and restore order to the land. To carry out his mission, Sigrund becomes locked into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a woman who is both his mortal enemy and his secret obsession. Once an unwilling agent of the king, Caska the Ghastly Smile refuses to kneel before her cruel masters ever again. Determined to win freedom for her oppressed people, Caska's rebellion threatens the very foundation of the kingdom Sigrund has sworn to protect. His mettle is put to the ultimate test as he matches wits and blades with Caska. But each time they cross swords, his forbidden feelings for the relentless rebel and his doubts that his actions are just become harder to ignore. As loyalties shift and convictions are stressed to the breaking point, Sigrund will have to choose between his king and his treacherous heart.