A duchess on the run. A city in flames. A silent man with a past he can’t outrun. 1450 AD – The Duchy of Falconia is collapsing. Trapped inside a besieged city, Duchess Beatrix Edelman knows that survival comes at a terrible cost. When her violent stepson launches a brutal assault on the palace, she flees through blood and fire with her two young children—and a dying husband in tow. Sanctuary lies in a mountain convent. But safety is fragile, and trust even more so. Beatrix must navigate politics, danger, and the burden of motherhood in a world ready to betray her. Watching from the shadows is Erasmus, a mute outcast raised by the convent’s nuns—harbouring secrets darker than anyone suspects. When fate throws them together, Beatrix sees more than just a scarred man with a haunted past—she sees a protector. Erasmus knows getting involved could expose everything, but he cannot look away… not from her courage, not from her children, and not from the woman who sees him not as broken, but brave. As armies gather and old enemies close in, their fight to stay alive becomes a test of loyalty, love, and the power of redemption. Perfect for readers who love: Noblewoman on the Run Secret Past / Hidden Identity Mute/Silent Hero Found Family / Surrogate Protector Political Intrigue and Rebellion Single Mother Romance Reluctant Alliance Turns to Love Opposites Attract Siege Escape / Undercover Refuge Hero with a Tragic Past Woman Leading in Wartime Emotionally Wounded Protector Fans of Philippa Gregory, Juliet Marillier, or Bernard Cornwell will be swept away by this heart-pounding tale of loyalty, love, and survival. IMPORTANT: if you are ordering a paperback anywhere in Europe please be aware that as the book is printed in the UK the book will take a while longer to arrive as it will need to clear customs and you may need to pay some extra import duty!
