Ennar is a warrior who has left service. Trying to get used to peaceful life and start a family, he literally picks up a woman from the street in a captured city—without knowing that she is the daughter of the local baron. Vilia is a noble young woman. She agrees to share the bed with the invader in order to feed herself and her brother, and, if possible, to help the other residents of her home city as well. These are two people of different traditions, views, feelings, and emotions. Two completely unlike personalities that will meet like two elements—and immediately find themselves at the center of political and personal intrigues. The author’s world from the “Children of Eshtar” cycle. Cover art source files from shutterstock.