With the birth of the imperial heir days away, Marcus is entrusted with an urgent mission by his best friend, Emperor Titus Sergius Flavus – unraveling the mysterious disappearance of every living soul in a trading post along the barrier. Unfortunately, all the clues point to the one woman he loved and lost. Even though his mind urges caution, his heart longs for a second chance to prove to her they belong together. The daughter of the most infamous courtesan in Emona, Sexta faked her death in order to gain her freedom, never guessing fate would entwine her path with the one man she loved enough to let go. But now, she not only has to deny her feelings for him after every tantalizing kiss—she needs to prove her innocence before the true enemy brings the empire to its knees.