"A historical fantasy that will take your breath away!"

Lorienne, priestess of the Arizanti tribe, is sacrificed to the King of Busae for her tribe's safe passage through Busae lands. The prince is on his way to collect her. What the prince doesn't know is another prince is on the prowl, the Shadow Prince.

Burian Kiryl sees his half brother Adrik, the Shadow Prince, watching and they collect Lorienne. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Burian gives Lorienne to Adrik as a gift. Adrik says he doesn't want her but when Burian and his men ride off, Adrik takes her to his castle, Khorazm.

Khorazm is a dark dismal place. Adrik knows he's only there until the eclipse when he gives his living body to the demon Malkaval in a deal that was struck many years before. Adrik simply doesn't need another person to take care of but he's drawn to Lorienne in a way that he's never been drawn to a woman before. What can this mean?

What Adrik doesn't know is that Lorienne might just be the one to save him from himself. There are many things shifting into place that will either make or break destiny. Only time will tell what will actually happen in the future.

This book simply fascinated me to the point where I didn't want to even put it down for one minute. I was so caught up in the story that I just wanted to see how it would finally end. There were so many facts and details that tied everything together in one way or another that I was enthralled at the way Jan Zimlich handled each and every one of those details. I eagerly look forward to Jan's next book!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted September 19, 2002

Author Interview

When a beautiful Arizanti priestess is left to die on the windswept steppes of the Median Empire, she learns that the only salvation for her life and heart is the youngest--and darkest--prince of the land.

Summary

Adrik should be an honored prince of the Median Empire. Instead, he is sacrificed at birth to his father's lust for power. He becomes the property of a great demon, and is taught the ways of sorcery. Someday he will enter the Shadow Realm, trade places with his master, and be damned for eternity. His black fate keeps Adrik from others. There is no solace for a man like himself. Then he meets a woman who streaks into his life like a dying star. The Arizanti priestess is everything he's ever dreamed of, and she sparks in Adrik a terrible desire for freedom. For the first time, he dares to hope that their love might overcome the darkness.