A suspenseful romantic fantasy. Contains some mature content.Two years ago, Jaris Harron fled a revelation too monstrous to face. Eager to escape his old life, he joined The Taskmasters, a small mercenary company operating in a remote region, and the secretive crew has proven an ideal fit. He's made peace with his decision to reject all human connections rather than risk involving anyone in his dangerous past--or so he thinks, until Livienne Darby joins the crew.Desperate to get away from the memory of her beloved mother, Liv ran. After months spent wandering, she hopes the mercenary life will offer her some stability, allowing her to earn a living while also providing her with the solitude she craves. Her plans to keep her distance from the others go awry when a crew member is injured, leaving Jaris without a training partner, a position Liv reluctantly agrees to fill.Despite their best efforts, neither can deny their attraction to the other, but Jaris doesn't want to risk endangering Liv by exposing her to his past, and his refusal to share details about his background fuels her concern that being with him is a mistake.When circumstances force Jaris to reveal the truth, Liv finds herself questioning who she is. Can she turn her back on him and his secret, returning to a normal life, or can she find the courage within herself to join him, and, together, fight for the future of their realm?