Kate faces winter with a broken heart: betrayed by one lover, the other lost to her. Kiefan will not give up on the alliance his kingdom desperately needs - even though the Caer queen refuses to speak to him. Anders, alone and despairing, faces the Empress's seductive offers of power and privilege. Each of them must carry the ongoing war in their own way, whether cold, alone, or backed into a corner. Each must patch together a broken heart as best they can.Duty will throw them together soon enough and they must be ready."