King Richard of Ardenia has long believed himself broken by his inability to desire others. Still, he finds peace in his unruly siblings, his loyal circle, and even in his young knight, Sir Kaelen, whose yearning stares he has spent years ignoring. But when Richard rides to a borderland village to investigate eerie happenings, all peace shatters. The veil containing Gloamvarn, a neighbouring realm filled with fell beasts and ancient horrors, is cracking. Sooner or later, it will fall. As Richard hunts for a way to safeguard his kingdom, Kaelen stays close—a constant, protective presence that stirs a strange tenderness Richard doesn’t dare name. For the monsters have a new ruler. And the tyrant hungers not only for Ardenia. But its king, too.