Layla Brightarrow's world fell apart the day the Sorcerers invaded her city. Abandoned by the neighboring elven kingdom, Layla must forsake all hope for the man she loves, a powerful elf lord now forever beyond her reach. But when some of the elves break the neutrality to side with the Sorcerers, Layla is sent to assassinate one of the traitors. Her mission forces her to confront the very man she never thought she'd see again-and face a desire she thought long buried. Ulric of Glengowyn is determined to protect Layla from his traitorous brother, and he'll do whatever is necessary to keep her alive, including using her feelings against her. But his game of seduction cuts both ways, endangering both their lives. To save her, Ulric will have to convince Layla to trust him, an impossible feat when her mission is to kill his brother. For Layla, Ulric is a temptation she can't resist, and a risk she doesn't dare take. Years of denial and betrayal hang between them, leaving Layla caught between duty and a love that could be her destruction. Or her salvation.