"Think, Rhian. They must believe that this pendant holds some type of power. If you place the bauble into their hands, what happens then? Do you truly think that they will stop their terrible deeds once they hold any type of power?" So Gareth of Faucon warns Rhian, the woman he is bound by King Stephen to escort to her late mother's family.

Initially, Rhian proves to be a daunting challenge to Gareth as she rakes his arms with her nails, soundly slaps his face and attempts to escape his captivity and that of the family and unknown fiance she does not want to meet. But she is a woman without a home who has few options other than obedience, an option that becomes even more binding as several successive attempts are made by masked assailants to both steal the amethyst pendant she wears and murder her.

As the need to protect her increases, Gareth begins to experience desire more than dislike whenever he is with Rhian and she, likewise, begins to yield to the same passionate feelings. But Gareth is never sure if her seductive responses are manipulative and oriented toward her own escape plans or actually sincere displays.

It turns out that her assailants possess Druidic powers that Rhian fears more than death itself because she senses her openness to falling under their power. Indeed the amethyst pendant she wears becomes very warm when she wears or holds it, and Gareth experiences the same connection though is loath to admit it. Both also wonder why the assailants call Rhian "Princess" and why the murders around them are carried out with a small pinprick slash to the neck with an unknown weapon.

Numerous attacks, treachery by supposedly loyal servants and a warrior, passionate scenes between Gareth and Rhian, scenes where other men seek to control Rhian's resistant stance, and a mysterious, secretive and unexpected conclusion thread through this fast-paced, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable story!

Anyone who loves historical fiction, hot romantic scenes and a heck of a good mysterious yarn will love this novel!

Wonderful, Denise Lynn! More, please!