Aislinn Lockmere—a talented baker in the realm of Carafye—has known struggle as a widow and single mother, but she enjoys her independence, no matter the hardships. Her entire world is shaken when she's ripped away from her self-built life by the charismatic half-elf lord Landyn Woodthorne. He brings her to his estate, where she is forced to have a hand in his plans to unite two kingdoms. There, she meets Landyn's younger brother Daegyn—a half-elf headsman with a calling for vengeance... House Woodthorne provides her with friendship and rouses forbidden feelings inside her that she swore off long ago. When a tragedy befalls the kingdom, Aislinn's will to survive is tested. Will she trust true love or remain as she's always known—alone?