Years on, all grown up, yet still mourning the loss of her beloved uncle, Marc'la is overjoyed with the return of her long-missed childhood friend, Ek-ul. Despite her joy, she can't quite shake the feeling of jealousy, that her friend had enjoyed the final years of her uncle's life... not her. Before long, it is apparent that Ek-ul has unwittingly brought danger with him. Can he keep Marc'la safe? Or will her uncle's killers finish the job this time? Beyond any physical danger, Marc'la's heart is so heavily guarded against pain that she is in danger of missing out on the love that is hidden...

Zukie is a young widow with a family. Zara is her twin sister with a plan - to match her sister with the best type of man she can find. With the advice of a new friend, Zukie runs into Akeld and they quickly become firm friends. Akeld is impressed by her loneliness and need to be needed, but he is on a mission to uncover a traitor and has little time for socializing. Then, Princess Shana's father is assassinated in a nearby country. She is ushered into Akeld's protection, but with the traitor undiscovered, Zukie agrees to help out, unaware of the physical and emotional danger she and her...