One generation after war had nearly destroyed three nations, evil was returning. And only Mel Dawnfield's daring sacrifice could stop it... The promise of peace rested on this young woman's noble vow: to marry Cobalt the Dark– heir to a family of legendary cruelty.
With only her uncontrolled spells to guide her, isolated in Cobalt's solitary home in the Misted Cliffs, knowing poisoned blood ran through her husband's veins, Mel struggled to embrace her unexplored mage powers and unveil the light in her shadowy new world– including the radiance hidden in her husband's soul.
For her enemies were gathering strength and they would soon unleash the darkest of evils in the name of war. In the final battle, Mel's ability to harness her magic would mean the difference between a harmonious world... and annihilation.
Catherine Asaro is a recent Nebula winner (one of the highest SF awards). She's also won two Sapphire awards (from the romance/sf group), and numerous others, including the HOMer, Prism, and National Reader's Choice. She is known for exciting, emotional stories with strong romantic themes.