A deadly plague attacks the Eos forcing Robard and Tazia to put aside the intimacy problems in their arranged marriage. Robard organises the Dukes of Hejmen to assist in the crisis. Meanwhile Tazia becomes the telepathic holder of the Eos history and hears rumours of a lost tribe of the spirits. Their only hope of discovering a cure is to find these spirits. Failure means the extinction of both the Eos and humans.

EXCERPT

The tall dark man standing talking to her father turned and she recognised Duke Robard of Ardon. The welcome on his lips began to fade then turned into a fixed smile as she moved towards the group.

“There you are, my dear.” Her father came forward to take her hand. “Looking lovely as usual.”

For one small moment, Tazia wondered if her father was blind, but then realised women’s fashions held no interest for him, so he had no idea how ridiculous she looked. Taking his arm she moved forward.

“Duke Robard, may I present my daughter Tazia.”

“I am pleased to meet you again, Milady.” Robard bowed over her hand and dropped a kiss on the palm. “Especially on such a happy occasion.”

Embarrassment flooded Tazia. Quickly, she dropped her head to hide the blood rushing to her face. Robard led her towards the dignitaries who were waiting to perform the legal duties of the betrothal. The touch of his hand sent a weakness rushing through her body and she longed for this to be over so she could go and hide in her bedroom.

“Milady, if you would sign here and Duke Robard, if you would sign here.” The dignitary pointed to the appropriate places and she wrote her name, hardly knowing what she was doing.

After the legal part of the ceremony was over, wine and finger food were served. She noticed Robard was attentive but distant and she knew he was disappointed. She’d got the better part of the bargain, while he must think he was lumbered with a half-wit woman for his Duchess.