Nilaya has never felt like she had a home. As the bastard child of her honored father, she has known her whole life that she is unwanted. Now she has been sent across the country to be the wife of a man she has never met in a centuries-old marriage ceremony to promote unity throughout her politically unsettled country. Needless to say, she is not happy with this fate. To her surprise, her husband-to-be isn't too thrilled with the prospect of a forced marriage either. Together they decide to publicly pretend to be in love for the sake of tradition, but privately have nothing to do with each other and live their own lives. No attraction, no feelings, and especially no children. For the first time, Nilaya has security. She slowly begins to bond with her new family and makes unlikely friends and enemies within the new household. She thrives in her preparations to be the next lady of the province. With civil war threatening to break out, Nilaya has unexpected and exciting opportunities to play an important role in trying to keep her country together. She starts to wonder if she may love her new life--and the people in it. Unforeseen disaster strikes that threatens both her country and the people she cares about. It's time for Nilaya to admit her feelings and find the courage to fight for her country, her family, her love, and her home. [TEMPORARILY ON HOLD]-undergoing revision All rights reserved.