The rainforests of an alien world teem with life, a stark contrast to the political tensions simmering between worlds. Sophia, on what was meant to be a simple planetary tour, finds her expectations shattered when she is taken captive by aliens. Not once, but twice. Now, she is the guest of a warrior king, Sikthand, whose gaze holds a dangerous mix of suspicion and possessiveness. Sikthand had no intention of taking the defiant human hostage, but with political stakes at their highest, he saw no other option. She would be his pawn in negotiations with the new Tremantian ruler. He vowed to resist her allure, no matter how potent it proved to be. As Sophia and Sikthand uncover the lengths to which their enemies will go for galactic dominance, they forge an unexpected alliance. A marriage of convenience could secure their people’s safety—a sound plan, provided they don't succumb to impulse. Falling in love, however, was never part of the strategy.