Is the Light forever out of reach for a man surrounded in Darkness? Javesse has suffered tragedy too many times in her young life. Now she's enslaved to the duke of Columure, who's smitten with her. When rumors of an assassination attempt surface, Duke Darik Nornt needs Javesse's linguistic skills to assist his best man, Vulture. She doesn't like this beastly warrior with shadowy eyes. Vulture frightens her. Javesse must escape him and Darik. Taking the duke's songbird will only complicate everything. But Darik doesn't give Renmier a choice. This foreign beauty's stubbornness tests him more than an insubordinate soldier. However, Songbird stirs emotions Renmier hasn't felt in years, from frustration to hope. The cold Darkness owns him. There is no hope. Javesse's pride and Renmier's quick anger create an abrasive combination. Yet moments of compassion and sharing reveal things are not always what they appear, but some things are darker. She learns discovering who's behind the assassination attempt isn't Renmier's only agenda. He has another goal that's leading to his death. Can Javesse convince him a better life lies ahead? Renmier discovers deeper truths to what he's known the past several years. However, he's chartered his course. Is it too late to change?