Kidnapping Perrie Underhill--for her own protection, of course--brings more trouble into vampire Raphael Black's life than he ever anticipated. The frail human defies him at every turn. As Empress Daranda's oldest, most trusted advisor, Raphael can afford any luxury imaginable--except love and friendship. Yet Perrie will accept nothing less. As they struggle to understand each other, the passion between them flames out of control, leading Raphael to hope for the redemption he never thought possible. But the Dark Empire was built on terrible lies, and the secrets Perrie and Raphael keep from each other may tear them apart forever.