Wessex, 873. Beautiful and defiant, Kristen Haardrad met the icy fury inher captor's crystal-green gaze with defiance. She was the prisoner ofRoyce, Thane of Wyndhurst, but his slave she'd never be. This powerful Saxonlord had at last met his match in the Viking beauty--his equal in pride, instrength... and in the fierce, hot hunger of insatiable desire. But Kristencould not know the torment that divided his soul; how he ached to hold hersoft, supple body, thirsted for the ringing joy of her laughter--yet hatedher for an ancient crime that was not her own. But her golden lovelinessdrives him mad with desire, her fiery eyes taunting him, compelling him toclaim her. Until, in wordless surrender, they cast aside the shackles ofdoubt and distrust to unite forever in the searing promise of all-consuminglove.