A LEGEND BEGINS... Can love triumph despite duty? Lynette, companion to Princess Vivian, has learned to trust the princess' visions and so, guards the dark and powerful secret of the man in the cave. Cadfael the Black, battle commander to High King Vortigern, lives only to kill Saxons, to avenge the brutal murder of his family at their hands. At the court of King Gwilym, the very heart of Roman Britain, he meets the beautiful Lynette, a woman who could thaw his frozen heart. When duty thrusts them together, Lynette's secret clashes with Cadfael's suspicious nature and threatens to tear them and the entire kingdom asunder. But, Lynette must keep her secret at all costs to protect Princess Vivian's unborn child. A child who would become known as... MERLIN. —- This novel is part of the ancient historical romance series, Once and Future Hearts, set in Britain during the time of King Arthur. Once & Future Hearts: Book 1: Born of No Man Book 2: Dragon Kin Book 3: Pendragon Rises Book 4: War Duke of Britain Book 5: High King of Britain Book 6: Battle of Mount Badon Book 7: Abduction of Guenivere Book 8: Downfall of Cornwall Book 1: Vengeance of Arthur Book 10: Grace of Lancelot Book 11: The Grail and Glory Book 12: Camlann