Lily learned magic from the last of the kingdom's great sorcerers who disappeared a year ago, leaving her with a baby and with the responsibility of finding magical solutions for everyone's problems. She's overworked and exhausted, and not in the mood to have the king's disreputable illegitimate half-brother knock on her door, demanding her help. But the king is ill, and the kingdom needs her ... and the king's brother might not be as dreadful as the rumors say. Will knows his own reputation: the schemes for the throne, the plots and politics, the decadence of his bedchamber, and the lovers paid off with rubies. He's worked hard on that reputation, after all -- it ensures that he's aware of all the Court intrigue, and can protect his kindhearted younger brother. He can't protect his brother from a magical illness ... but he can find the last powerful magician in the kingdom and beg for her aid. And he'll promise her anything she wants in return...