Princess Valeria Octavian arrives in the Kingdom of Silver seeking repairs, allies and proof that her father betrayed them all.

Instead, she discovers that her betrothal to Prince Lucien Valecrest is still legally binding.

The prince wants his freedom as much as she does. But their marriage accord is more than a promise between royal houses. It grants the Octavian throne access to Silver’s shipyards, defenses and fleet command network.

And someone has begun using it.

When assassination attempts strike the royal family and evidence points to the Black Cat, pirate captain Ronan Ironhart becomes the court’s most convenient enemy. Silver’s nobles want him silenced, disarmed or reduced to a harmless consort standing behind Valeria’s claim.

Ronan will accept none of those roles.

Neither will Valeria.

Their love survived captivity, betrayal and pirate judgment. Now it must survive public scrutiny, competing loyalties and a kingdom determined to define what they are to each other.

To break the old alliance, Valeria and Ronan may need to swear a new oath before Silver’s court.

An oath that could free them from the past.

An oath that could make Valeria a rival for her father’s throne.

And an oath powerful enough to start a war.