Ailixond, Lord of Safi, had taken his all-conquering army across half the known world in his insatiable appetite for conquest. But never in all his travels had he met anyone like Aleizon Ailix Ayndra... When a mysterious young vagabond joined his army on the road to Haramin, Ailixond had no idea that he had found the woman who could match him, blow by blow, in wit, passion and ruthless ambition. "AS EXOTIC AS LEGEND"British Book News "As bold and subversive as it is sweeping and romantic...interweaving the politics of sex and power into a canvas of ancient history, Spedding's fantasy is vivid and turbulent"NEW STATESMAN "Spedding brilliantly conveys the complex, flawed, driven personalities of a heroine and hero who share the same restless genius...The depth and richness recalls Mary Renault, while the clear-eyed toughness merits comparison with Cecelia Holland"LOCUS