New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant returns with the Shields in the next installment featuring love and sacrifice. Greetings Dear Reader, I'm an immortal prince of Thales. I've lived a life of grandeur, revered and respected, but my one true love was combat. I was given an extraordinary gift in my battle abilities and soon became known as Thales' finest warrior. But all that changed the day my brother died, and evil descended upon my realm. With Thales on the verge of ruin, I bound myself to the Shields to protect the realms from the wickedness that ravages them. But I have a dark secret that I must atone for. Then, and only then, can I return to Thales and face my family. My special battle skills and my immortality keep my goals in front of me. They have always been clear... Until Elle. Elle makes me long for things I cannot have. Her innate goodness makes me want to grasp what she offers with both hands, but I know that we can never have what she seeks. Elle bears a mark that signals her one of a chosen few who were sent to Earth as infants. She and the others who bear the mark must be found and kept hidden from the ancient evil that seeks them, for they hold the key to the evil's ruination. The only way to keep Elle safe is to keep her by my side, but can I resist the temptation to take her love? Roderick of Thales