The past haunts them. Treachery awaits them. Love will save them. A shattered lass... Scarred by the cruel whims of her late husband, Lena MacLeod lives in fear of men and marriage. So when the king's edict obliges her to wed Scottish warrior Alex MacLean, she never expects to feel safe, let alone happy. But behind Alex's fierce exterior lies a gentle, gallant highlander who renews her soul, emboldens her, and offers her the one thing she never thought she would possess-true love. Now that Alex has her whole heart, she'll settle for nothing less than all of his. A tortured highlander... Haunted by violent nightmares of his dark past, Alex MacLean has put off getting married for as long as possible. But now he finds himself the husband of the fragile, beautiful Lena, and he's drawn to her as he has never been to another. He vows to protect and heal her, and as she grows stronger, so does his love for her. Yet, his horrible memories and a treacherous task are preventing him from giving himself to her entirely, and the secrets he harbors threaten to destroy their life together. A union... When Lena uncovers a dangerous scheme involving Alex, she embarks on a desperate journey to save the man she loves. But Alex still hasn't let her in, and he runs the risk of losing her-and his life-unless he can accept that his once delicate wife is now an ally strong enough to light his way.