1333 A.D. - At the conclusion of the English victory of Halidon Hill, King Edward appoints Stephen of Pembury the Guardian Protector of the newly captured city of Berwick. To cement this victory, he orders Stephen to marry the defeated Scottish commander's daughter, the Lady Joselyn de Velt Seton. In a marriage meant to symbolize the English domination over the Scots, Stephen is nonetheless attracted to his new bride; a petite, raven-haired beauty with pale blue eyes. Joselyn is a lady with a horrific past and dark secrets of abuse. She is resistant to the marriage at first but eventually her attraction to Stephen proves too much to resist and the pair fall deeply in love. But even as their love blossoms, Scots insurgents counter attach Berwick and Stephen is taken prisoner. As the Guardian Protector of Berwick, he is a mighty prize for the Scots and his public execution has been ordered. Stephen's old friends, Tate de Lara (Dragonblade) and Kenneth St. Hever (Island of Glass) must plot Stephen's rescue even as Joselyn and unexpected allies launch their own rescue attempt. It's a race against time to save Stephen from the executioner's sword in this tale of conquest, dark secrets and everlasting love.