Malic still bears the weight of his brothers' deaths. Now, he is tasked with protecting Valdís, a woman whose life is intertwined with the fate of his kingdom. Drawn to her with an intensity that borders on obsession, Malic struggles to reconcile his duty to protect her with the dangerous yearning that consumes him.
Valdís, a woman of extraordinary power, finds herself inexplicably drawn to the brooding king. But Malic, consumed by guilt and haunted by his past, pushes her away, fearing that his touch will only bring her harm. As enemies close in, Valdís must decide if she can trust the man who both protects and threatens her, while Malic must choose between his duty and the forbidden desire that could either consume or redeem him.