Master storyteller Sharon Shinn created the thrilling and enchanting world of Welce in her acclaimed novel Troubled Waters Return with her to that elemental universe in this tale of secrecy romance and a battle for powerJosetta is a princess of one of the Five Families But she is far from the throne so she is free to spend her days working in the poorest sections of the cityRafe Adova an outcast since he was born lives the life of a career gambler in those slums He has no ambition other than cheating at the card tablesuntil the night he decides to help a girl named Corene who looks like shes stumbled into the wrong barShe too is a princesssister to Josetta who finds her with Rafe He fascinates her Josetta has never encountered anyone like himsomeone seemingly devoid of elemental blessingsHe is drawn to her though he thinks they are unlikely to ever meet againbut their connection grows strong when she nurses him back to health after he is assaulted by foreign mercenaries And when they learn the reason hes being hunted they know that the truth about his history could endanger not only their love but also their very lives.
