Kate can't avoid the simple truth any longer; as much as she loves Kiefan, he's now the king and his duties leave him precious little time for her and their newborn son. Kate's husband Anders, the ne'er-do-well knight, is the one who kisses her cheek every morning and soothes the baby to sleep on his shoulder. Kiefan's protective jealousy still casts a shadow over her life. He would gladly throw Anders to the wolves if it will keep alliance negotiations from collapsing. Their homeland desperately needs these allies against the invading Empire. The kingdom barely survived the first wave of the enemy's monstrous army and more is to come. But Kate can't stand by and let Anders become a victim - or let Kiefan suspect she's falling in love with her husband.