Emperor Darius Gilchrist doesn't believe in love. Duty demands he take a queen, but his plans to find a docile bride disintegrate when a sharp-witted princess crashes his ball with an offer he'd be a fool to refuse. Mina Ardeshir is the opposite of everything he wanted in a partner. She's fierce, outspoken, and refuses to follow orders. He'll be on guard for their entire marriage, but Kalisham joining his empire is worth a lifetime of restless nights. Though for the first time, he starts to hope they might be the fun kind instead of a knife-to-the-back kind.
Princess Mina Ardeshir has one dream: behead the false king that stole her mother's throne. She will avenge her precious family and save Kalisham. But the only army fierce enough to rescue her home comes at a heavy price: marry the ruthless emperor who commands it. A brutish, calculating warrior whose skills with a blade rival her own. Yet the most dangerous thing about him, is how easily he gets under Mina's skin.
Trust doesn't come easily for either warrior, but they will have to put aside their battle of wills and learn to do just that if they have any hopes of protecting their fragile alliance. With a war brewing and assassins on Mina's tail, their blossoming attraction is a dangerous distraction. One that might just cost them both of their homes if they aren't careful.