Some fires can't be contained. Some shadows refuse to be ignored. Oh, hello there. Captain Milori of the Noble Guard at your service. Let me tell you about the time my centuries-long wait for a spirit bond finally ended—in complete disaster. All I've ever wanted was to find my other half, that perfect mate the old stories promise. Instead, I got a mysterious Night Court spy who took one look at me and decided I was the last fae in the realm she wanted to be bonded to. Which is a problem, since she's undeniably my spirit bond—my destined mate, the other half of my soul, and quite possibly the most stubborn shadow walker I've ever met. Now she's refusing to acknowledge our connection, I'm trying to convince her that destiny isn't so bad (especially when it looks like me), and we're both caught in the middle of an ancient conspiracy that's kept our people divided for centuries. Between dangerous rebels, uncovering family secrets, and returning to the island home I've avoided for decades, I'm also trying to woo the one woman who seems completely immune to my legendary charm. Nesi may have walls higher than the palace, but I'm nothing if not persistent. After all, I've waited centuries for her—what's a spirit bond worth if you don't have to work for it? My name is Milori, and this is the story of how I found my heart in the shadows.