Is death too great a risk when the reward is freedom? Dáire Malone has been undead for over 200 years when he is summoned to the home of a would-be queen, a vampiress who possesses an unnatural potency. She declares that Malone will not leave without giving her a pledge of loyalty. He’s been held in thrall before and would rather face his final death than let another have power over him. Thomas Clifton is a pirate, or rather, a privateer. He too is summoned to the vampiress’s home and commanded to pledge his fealty to her. Clifton’s allegiance lies only with the man he sees in the mirror, and his first impulse is to run. But Dáire Malone’s aura of mystery and his melancholy beauty appeal to Clifton, and Malone won’t leave until they destroy the source of the vampiress’s magic. Caught between opposing impulses, Clifton must choose. Leave, and lose Malone, or stay and risk his freedom…and his life.

Can a pirate whose life is the sea and a vampire who cannot cross water ever find a way to be together? Clifton lives for his ship, his crew, and the ocean, and there’s not much that frightens him. Except possibly a certain vampire. After their too-brief rendezvous, he leaves New Orleans for a short trip that he manages to extend for some six months. Life on Le Rêve is easier than facing what he feels for the Dáire Malone. As the one who was left behind, Malone imagines all sorts of reasons for Clifton’s desertion. To distract himself, he looks for ways to destroy the evil book that was a relic of their previous adventure. The book is impervious to his efforts, though its power is tempting. When Clifton runs out of excuses, he returns to New Orleans and the men discover their feelings are true. This time, though, their interlude is ended by something more dire than Clifton’s fears. Clifton has crossed the wrong man, and to save him, Malone must do the one thing he cannot. He must board Le Rêve and follow his lover, no matter what the cost.