The fate of two races hang in the balance in this sweeping story of love and war, prejudice and acceptance. Tirren, heir to the ruler of Thiery, has raised his half-Elven son in a land that hates and fears the Elves. But his son's struggle for acceptance is only one source of Tirren's pain. The other is his unfading desire for Yslaaran, the Elven woman who eighteen years ago captured him in a spell, seduced him, and vanished. She returned only once more--to hand him his infant son. When a neighboring ruler attacks the land of Thiery, Tirren rides to battle with his half-breed son at his side. Learning of the war, Yslaaran fears the conflict will unravel her long-laid plans for the boy. If she doesn't interfere, he could die before his time, but if she reveals her hand by meddling, her own people could rise up against the humans they despise--and that will trap the land between two deadly enemies. Only Yslaaran knows that both humans and Elves risk a future more devastating than war.