The award-winning author returns to her "wonderfully imaginative"* world of Heart Fire and Heart Fortune for an all-new Celta novel about a young woman's destiny, and the one man whose love could be her downfall. After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts--beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori's heart no member of her family ever could. Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family--her animals. When Draeg discovers she's rejecting her heritage, he's appalled. He's come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it's an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.
