About This Book
Desire tests the faithful. Duty tests the brave.
Algernon needs to get away from Cynthia Velez. Too beautiful to forget, too compelling to escape, she haunts him in nightly dreams that threaten his integrity. Bound by loyalty to Bronwyn, the woman he left behind, Algernon confronts a deeper question: can a man who has failed a crucial spiritual test still be called to the priesthood?
Plagued by doubt, and by memories of critics who sneered at his mission, Algernon faces a reckoning of temptation, faith, and purpose, one that may redefine the meaning of his sacred vows and his path forward.
His twin sister, Kira, fights a different battle without the protection of her brothers. Temple leadership moves ruthlessly to undermine her work, smearing her character in an effort to silence her advocacy for women trapped in the sex trade. As public trust erodes and funding disappears, Kira must decide whether she will endure disgrace and remain faithful to her calling—or abandon the work that defines her.
Their older brother, Lieutenant Garrick Ravenwood is ordered back to war. Deployed on the Saradon Plateau, he faces a cunning enemy who fights without mercy. Garrick has survived battle before, but now each encounter risks leaving his young bride a widow. As the campaign grinds on, he confronts not only an enemy determined to destroy him, but an inner conflict that challenges his belief in the virtue of soldiering itself.
Left behind in Tamaria's capital, Brenna Velez experiences the physical change Lithians call Y Newen—the bride's desire. Newly married and painfully alone, she steps into her role as palace music teacher, only to face old resentments tied to her beauty and heritage. Surrounded by prejudice and outright contempt, Brenna must find the strength to endure the long insolation from the man she loves.
In a season of separation and sacrifice, dreams collide with missions. Each must decide what their worldview will cost.
