Simon the loyal has vowed never to love, for love makes a warrior weak. His arranged marriage to a beautiful Norman heiress would be duty and no more. But more than duty stirs his blood when he first sees Ariane. She has known only coldness from men and a betrayal so deep it all but killed her soul. Wanting no man, trusting no man, speaking only through the sad songs she draws from her harp, Ariane comes to Simon an unwilling bride. They wed to bring peace to the disputed lands, but marriage alone is not enough. Simon must teach Ariane passion, she must teach him trust. And both must surrender to the sweet violence of love's enchantment. . .or die.

Simon the Loyal has vowed never to love, for love has made great warriors weak. To bring peace to the Disputed Lands, however, he agrees to wed Ariane, an unwilling Norman heiress who speaks only through the sad song she draws from her harp . . . and who has known a betrayal so deep it all but killed her soul. Yet marriage in name alone can never be enough—for it is more than obligation that fires Simon's blood when first he sets eyes on the bewitching bride who comes to him with resistance and fear. He must teach Ariane passion—and she must teach him trust—for all that is good within them will surely perish unless they surrender their hearts to a love . . .