When she was still a carefree, lovestruck princess, Avin of Windbourne would have happily surrendered herself to Lord Xander of Ravenscroft, the bold, handsome warrior who was to have been her husband. But fate separated them and now, as a queen defeated in battle and forsaken by her people, Avin is determined to remain defiant as her former childhood love usurps her throne.

Leading a rebellion against the woman he had hoped would be his bride was the last thing Xander wanted, but her father’s murderous betrayal of his closest allies left no other choice. Even if Queen Avin has become a pawn in her father's treacherous gain, he knows he must make an example of her. His kingdom demands revenge, and the price is Avin's public submission. Yet the woman standing before him is no longer a lovestruck princess, but a strong, defiant royal he knows will not yield without a fight.

Avin knows Xander will seek to completely break her. What she doesn't expect is to what lengths he will go to do so, and how it is not just her former love but her own body that will betray her when she response to his domination in ways she never thought possible.

Can Xander find a way to conquer a queen and claim her heart before his own father’s scheming tears the kingdom apart?