Everyone deserves a second chance at love. Former military medic Darya McLeighan has settled in as the local village healer, keeping her magic hidden from everyone to avoid re-conscription. With no end in sight to the war, the supplies needed to maintain the health of her local community are scarce and she has to risk exposure to save those she cares about. The problem is, since leaving service, her magic is also in short supply. On leaving the Emperor's army, General Nate Kirin has turned saddle-back merchant, to help keep the family business running. While seeking out Ms. McLeighan's healing help for his ailing aunt, the two nearly collide when a young boy calls her away to aide in his mother's complicated birthing. While on route to the labouring woman, enemy rovers cross into local territory, waylaying Darya's efforts to reach her patient. Weaponless, Nate rushes to Ms. McLeighan's rescue, wherein he finds himself in a situation where everyone needs a little help... and a little healing.

Whether you believe in it or not, Fate decides when and where you belong. Long on the trail of his rogue kinsmen and their clan’s stolen artifacts, Erevan ap Brodin, prince of Myst Innys, knows he’s close to finding them. All he needs is a guide into the Shield, where he’s sure they’ve gone. The only one around is an enticing, irate, red head with a curious effect on his magic, who refuses to guide him. Loyal Kindred mercenary, Siobhann McLeighan, has never turned a job down… until now. Looking forward to her respite, she’s not impressed with the strikingly beautiful, arrogant Elven prince who expects her to take him into the Shield, where she swore she’d never go again. Siobhann’s respite is quickly forgotten when her pregnant sister suddenly appears with her young daughter, asking for Siobhann’s help to find her missing husband. With all of her Kindred guild mates out on assignments, she intends to go alone. Intent on changing Siobhann’s mind about guiding him into the Shield, Erevan volunteers to help her with the quick side quest to retrieve her wayward brother-in-law. Neither of them could have imagined how this family favour would explode, revealing hidden threats to Aelozia and unveiling an ancient prophecy buried deep in the frozen mountains. Together they will face terrible beasts to save their loved ones - and each other.