Japan, 1500. Aderyn Aquilla wakes to the clamor of war. An hour later, she is the only European on the ship alive and is face-to-face with an evil samurai with a sword at her throat. How will she save herself?

Sanematsu Yoshihide has seen more bloodshed in his short life than he ever imagined and cannot bring himself to spill more. But what will he do with the stranger who could bring civil war to his domain on the island of Kyushu?

Together, Aderyn and Sanematsu defy convention to fall in love and begin a governing partnership, unheard of in feudal Japan. Only the shogun can stop the Sanematsu clan's ascent to power and he will stop at nothing to thwart their success.

Book one of three.