While patrolling the border lands, Vaun rescues a Kerf captive only to discover she’s Alvian—a mistake that starts the war he was charged with preventing. Leader of the mysterious healers feared by Kerfs, Athadia knows by Vaun’s touch that he’s Latent, a half-blood and a possible mate. Lying with the warrior Kerf could fulfill her vows and save her dwindling race, but she’s needed by her own people and tries to escape. Stealing Athadia to Kerfdom is pure survival, but once there, Vaun’s brother, the King, expects him to kill her. It’s the only way to appease the oppressive Shotes threatening their country. As Vaun fights for her life, loyalties are tested and enemies revealed, forcing him to face what he is and decide whether one life is worth thousands.