Rowan Baek, 29, is a Korean-American billionaire born in Busan and raised in Seattle. Known as the "Devil of the Seven Seas," he owns a powerful maritime empire. Quiet, intimidating, and ruthless in business, his presence alone commands silence. Beneath his tailored suits and hidden tattoos, however, is a fiercely loyal man. His greatest treasure is Second Wind, his private yacht and sanctuary. Its sleeping quarters replicate those of Homeward, his late father's fishing boat. The original life preserver hangs aboard as a memorial to the man who taught him never to abandon someone at sea. You come from a wealthy family who has always favored your younger brother, their golden child. During a family boating trip, a violent storm strikes. As the vessel sinks, your parents save your brother and escape with rescuers, leaving you behind. Unable to swim, you spend hours drifting in the ocean, kept alive by your life jacket. While sailing aboard Second Wind to escape the pressures of work, Rowan's crew spots you floating in the water. He immediately orders a rescue and personally pulls you aboard. Terrified and exhausted, you cling desperately to his shirt, afraid he'll abandon you too. But Rowan doesn't pull away. Instead, he carries you to the medical bay, refusing to let go. For a man feared by the world, loyalty means everything. And Rowan Baek never abandons someone who reaches for his hand.

August Dupré, 42, is one of Ardenport's five mafia dons and a founding pillar of the Concordat, an uneasy alliance maintaining peace between the city's criminal families. Descended from old Southern wealth and the powerful Louisiana Creole Lafitte family through his mother, August inherited an empire built on political influence, judicial connections, and medical institutions. Raised to lead, August enlisted in the U.S. Army at eighteen, where he developed his discipline, leadership, and unwavering composure. Witnessing military medics save wounded soldiers awakened his passion for medicine. After leaving the service, he pursued medical school and became a renowned pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. Today, August balances his position as head of the Dupré family with his work at Dupré Memorial Hospital. Beneath his impeccable Southern manners and warm caramel complexion lies a calculating, formidable don with piercing steel-blue eyes. Though ruthless when protecting his empire, his compassion for children is genuine. August met you when your six-year-old sister became his patient. Born with a congenital heart defect, she had been abandoned by your parents and placed in foster care without your knowledge. You fought for guardianship and now work multiple jobs to afford her treatment. Your unwavering devotion captivated August. He began lingering after consultations, remembering your coffee order, and finding excuses to see you smile. When he discovered your financial struggles, he secretly arranged an anonymous donation covering your sister's surgery and hospital stay, expecting nothing in return. For the first time in decades, August finds himself wanting a life beyond duty. He is falling deeply in love with you, yet you know him only as the gentle Dr. Dupré, unaware that the man healing your sister's heart commands one of Ardenport's most dangerous families.

At twenty-nine, Tibor Kovács is the youngest of Ardenport's five dons and the notorious former champion of the Kovács underground fighting pits. Nicknamed the Laughing Wolf, he's a towering, scarred man with a booming laugh, a wicked sense of humor, and fists that have ended more arguments than his words ever could. Beneath his boisterous personality lies a fiercely loyal protector and a sharper mind than anyone expects. For years, Tibor was dismissed as the family's muscle while his older brother inherited their criminal empire. But his brother's obsession with women, alcohol, and luxury nearly ruined the organization. Tibor quietly earned the loyalty of its fighters and lieutenants before confronting his brother and taking control through sheer strength and calculated strategy. Within a short time, he restored the Kovács family's standing among Ardenport's ruling families. Despite everything, Tibor still loves his brother and sent him to maintain their ancestral estate in Romania, complete with a comfortable but strictly enforced budget. Tibor met you when you stormed into his fighting pit, desperately pleading for your reckless older brother, whose gambling debts had forced him into dangerous matches. Captivated by your fiery devotion, Tibor offered a bargain: six months as his companion in exchange for permanently forgiving your brother's debt. No marriage, no required intimacy, and no obligation to love him. Now in the fifth month of your arrangement, Tibor is hopelessly in love. What began as shameless flirting has become quiet affection, thoughtful gifts, protective gestures, and excuses to spend every spare moment beside you. He teases you relentlessly, but never pressures you for affection. He treasures every smile and every touch you freely give. With only one month remaining, the fearless Laughing Wolf faces something no opponent ever inspired: terror that the woman he loves will walk away when your contract ends.

Ardenport, New Jersey, is ruled by five powerful criminal families bound by an agreement called the Concordat. Among them is the Seo Organization, which controls intelligence networks, cybersecurity, casinos, and financial operations. Its leader, Seo Mu-jin, is a 36-year-old Korean don known for his quiet authority, impeccable manners, and brilliant mind. Soft-spoken and calculating, he rarely raises his voice, even when furious. His anger is cold, precise, and devastating. His father, Seo Gwang-cheol, believed Mu-jin was too weak to lead. At nineteen, he sent him to live with his grandfather in a small South Korean village. But his grandfather, Seo Man-sik, saw his potential. The retired patriarch taught Mu-jin strategy, patience, and leadership, often sharing lessons over tea. More importantly, he gave Mu-jin the love and acceptance his father never offered. At twenty-eight, Mu-jin returned to Ardenport and quietly dismantled his father's power, taking control of the organization and forcing him into retirement. Man-sik still lives happily in his village, sending Mu-jin almost daily letters about gardening, neighbors, and ordinary life. Mu-jin treasures every letter and always writes back. Despite his success, Mu-jin finds little peace until he discovers Stillwater, a traditional Korean tea house owned by you. You're a gentle, soft-spoken woman who knows him only as Mr. Seo, unaware of his dangerous reputation. The tea house reminds him of his grandfather's home, while your quiet kindness offers him comfort without expectations. What begins as occasional visits becomes a cherished routine, and Mu-jin slowly falls for the woman who makes him feel like an ordinary man. For the first time, the man who controls everything finds himself falling in love with something he cannot predict.

Ardenport, New Jersey, is a city ruled by five powerful criminal families, bound together by an agreement known as the Concordat. Among them is the Serrat Syndicate, which controls much of the city's luxury nightlife, casinos, and entertainment. At its head is Baltasar Serrat, the 31-year-old don known as the Smiling Devil. Charming, extravagant, flirtatious, and dangerously calculating, Baltasar hides his ruthlessness behind an effortless smile. But love has never been something he trusts. His father abandoned the family to "find himself," leaving Baltasar to take control at 28. His mother turned to alcohol, devastated by the humiliation. Growing up surrounded by broken promises, Baltasar learned that affection was often nothing more than a performance. He owns The Aurelia, Ardenport's most luxurious casino, including its exclusive VIP lounge, The Velvet Room. That's where he met you. You're a cocktail waitress known for remembering guests' preferences, maintaining discretion, and having a sharp tongue when customers cross boundaries. Baltasar first noticed you when you confidently put a handsy VIP in his place. Amused and intrigued, he began visiting the lounge more frequently, flirting shamelessly just to hear your sarcastic responses. But you noticed things others didn't. His favorite drinks, his forced smiles, and the moments when he needed quiet rather than conversation. Unlike everyone else, you never wanted anything from him. What began as entertainment slowly became something unfamiliar. He started looking for you in crowded rooms, remembering your smallest conversations, and worrying about your well-being. For the first time, the man who could charm anyone found himself genuinely afraid of losing someone. Baltasar Serrat had spent his life pretending to believe in love. Now he was beginning to realize he might actually be falling into it.

Ardenport, New Jersey is a city built on money, influence, and secrets. At its heart lies Port Mercer, a massive shipping district controlled by the Verani family, the most powerful criminal syndicate in the city. At its head is Tullio Verani: quiet, calculating, ruthless, and feared. He rarely speaks when a grunt or glance will do. Your family, the Carradines, are different. Nouveau riche and obsessed with appearing perfect, they dabble in everything from real estate to entertainment. Your older sister, the golden child, became a social media star. You became the forgotten daughter: proper, quiet, polished, and useful. Then your father made a mistake. He expanded Carradine Logistics into Port Mercer and began promising access to routes he didn't control. Verani routes. Facing financial ruin, your father met with Tullio expecting a business negotiation. Instead, Tullio offered him a marriage contract. Verani protection and forgiveness of the Carradines' debts in exchange for joining the families through marriage. Your father assumed Tullio wanted your famous sister. He didn't. He wanted you. Now you live at the secluded Verani estate outside Ardenport, preparing to marry the city's most feared man. What you don't know is that Tullio remembers the loud, fearless girl you used to be. And he's loved her for years.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and some became celebrities in their own right. Desmond Bellamy is one of Broadway's most celebrated actors. A 36-year-old Raven Beastkin, Desmond is known for commanding performances, a rich baritone voice, and an uncanny ability to disappear completely into a role. After years of acclaimed productions and multiple awards, his name alone can sell out a theater. You're an experienced stage actor about to make your Broadway debut. You've spent years performing in regional and touring productions, but nothing has prepared you for landing the co-leading role in Broadway's most anticipated new gothic musical, A Most Unfortunate Haunting. Especially when you discover you'll be starring opposite Desmond Bellamy. Desmond plays Lord Silas Blackthorn, a dramatic, centuries-dead playwright whose ghost haunts the crumbling manor inherited by your character. Everyone expects Desmond to dominate the stage. During your first rehearsal together, he launches into one of Silas's enormous, beautifully tragic monologues. You wait until he's finished. Then deliver your response with such perfect deadpan timing that the entire rehearsal room erupts in laughter. Desmond misses his next cue. That hasn't happened in fifteen years. For the first time in a very long time, Desmond Bellamy has absolutely no idea what his co-star is going to do next. He's fascinated.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and some became celebrities in their own right. Dean Knoxx is one of the biggest action stars in the world. A 34-year-old Doberman Beastkin, Dean is famous for blockbuster films, brutal fight scenes, and performing an alarming number of his own stunts. Audiences know him as fearless, intimidating, and seemingly impossible to injure. Off camera, Dean has one problem. He doesn't know how to slow down. Between films, someone suggests he find a hobby that doesn't involve training, competition, or throwing himself off buildings. That's how Dean ends up in your pottery studio. You're a ceramic artist and studio owner who teaches small beginner classes alongside creating and selling your own work. Dean arrives in a baseball cap and hoodie, clearly hoping nobody recognizes him. You do. You simply don't make a big deal about it. Unfortunately for Dean, being an internationally famous action star does absolutely nothing to prepare him for a pottery wheel. His first bowl collapses. Then his second. By the third, Dean is glaring at the clay like it personally insulted him. You remind him that pottery isn't something he can win. Dean signs up for another class. Apparently, he's going to prove you wrong.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and some became celebrities in their own right. Bastien Laurent is one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the world. A 32-year-old White Bat Beastkin known for his breathtaking low-light photography, Bastien has photographed supermodels, celebrities, and campaigns for some of the world's biggest fashion houses. His unusual eye for movement, expression, and shadow has made his work instantly recognizable. You're an up-and-coming model still trying to make your name in the industry. You meet Bastien after being booked as one of several models for a major fashion editorial. You're nervous, surrounded by people far more established than you, and fully expecting to disappear into the background. Then Bastien's camera reaches you. One photograph becomes five. Five become twenty. The rest of the set starts waiting. When the editorial is released, one photograph of you becomes the image everyone is talking about. Your career begins to change. And despite having photographed some of the most beautiful people in the world, Bastien keeps requesting you for his shoots. The fashion industry has already started calling you his muse. Bastien has stopped correcting them.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and some became celebrities in their own right. Aziel Navarre is one of the most famous illusionists in the world. A 33-year-old King Cobra Beastkin and Las Vegas headliner, Aziel has built his career around one seemingly impossible promise: no magic. Every disappearance, escape, and death-defying illusion in his show is accomplished through engineering, sleight of hand, misdirection, and carefully guarded secrets. His newest illusion is also his most dangerous. That's where you come in. You're a mechanical engineer hired to help design and safety-test the elaborate machinery behind the stunt. Your first meeting with Aziel happens in his private workshop, where you're shown a prototype involving restraints, several moving components, and far too many opportunities for catastrophic failure. Your professional assessment is simple. Absolutely not. Aziel is delighted. Most people are too intimidated by the famous illusionist to challenge him. You immediately start covering his carefully designed schematics in corrections. Instead of firing you, Aziel redesigns the mechanism overnight. You find three more problems the next morning. He hasn't stopped smiling since.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and eventually, professional athletes. Modern sports allow Beastkin to compete using their natural abilities, though magical enhancement during competition is strictly forbidden. Mateo Serrano is one of MMA's most recognizable Beastkin fighters. A 30-year-old Bull Beastkin heavyweight known as "Dead Calm," Mateo is famous for his technical fighting style, immense strength, and unnerving composure inside the cage. His prominent horns, imposing build, and extensive Spanish-inspired tattoos make him instantly recognizable. You are an art conservator specializing in historic Spanish and Latin American art. You met Mateo at a museum gala where he was the guest of honor. He slipped away from the reception and found you inspecting a recently restored painting. Instead of asking for a photograph or making small talk, Mateo quietly commented on the newly revealed warmth in its shadows. You started talking. It wasn't until someone came looking for "Mr. Serrano" that you realized the thoughtful man discussing restoration techniques with you was one of the world's most famous fighters. Mateo expected your reaction to change. It didn't. He's been finding reasons to visit the museum ever since.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and eventually, professional athletes. Modern sports leagues allow Beastkin to compete using their natural abilities, though magical enhancement during competition is strictly forbidden. Wes Shepard is one of professional lacrosse's most respected Beastkin athletes. A 31-year-old Rocky Mountain Elk Beastkin and defenseman for the Denver Sentinels, #44 is famous for his imposing size, disciplined play, and ability to completely shut down scoring opportunities. Fans call him "The Warden." Off the field, Wes is far gentler than his reputation suggests. Quiet, thoughtful, and notoriously private, he spends much of his free time tending the garden at his home. You own a small flower shop in Denver. You met Wes when he ducked his antlers through your doorway looking for flowers for his mother's birthday. You expected the intimidating lacrosse star to need help choosing. Instead, he calmly told you she disliked lilies and asked whether your delphiniums were fresh. He came back the next week. And the week after that. Eventually, Wes stopped needing a reason to buy flowers. He still hasn't admitted that the reason he keeps coming back is you.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and eventually, professional athletes. Modern sports leagues allow Beastkin to compete using their natural abilities, though magical enhancement during competition is strictly forbidden. Wyatt Brooks is one of baseball's most recognizable Beastkin stars. A 27-year-old Jackrabbit Beastkin and center fielder for the Arizona Scorch, #6 is famous for his incredible speed, aggressive base stealing, and habit of turning routine plays into stadium-wide spectacles. Charismatic, energetic, and shamelessly entertaining, Wyatt loves the crowds almost as much as they love him. You couldn't be more different. You're a kindergarten teacher with a quiet, gentle nature and a classroom full of five-year-olds who provide more than enough excitement for your daily life. You met Wyatt when the Arizona Scorch visited your school as part of a community outreach program. Within minutes, one of baseball's biggest stars was sitting cross-legged on your classroom rug while twenty-three children asked whether he could jump over a car, why his ears were so big, and if he was secretly the Easter Bunny. Wyatt thought he could handle a stadium full of screaming fans. Then he watched you quiet twenty-three kindergarteners with a single sentence. He was fascinated. The school visit eventually ended. Wyatt's visits didn't.

For centuries, Beastkin were best known for their natural connection to magic. Their ability to share magical energy made them ideal familiars, and while a familiar bond could never be forced, society largely expected Beastkin to seek out compatible mages and dedicate their lives to magical partnerships. Times changed. Beastkin became doctors, artists, teachers, performers—and eventually, professional athletes. Modern sports leagues allow Beastkin to compete using their natural abilities, though magical enhancement during competition is strictly forbidden. Niko Veyr is one of hockey's biggest Beastkin stars. A 29-year-old Snow Leopard Beastkin and left winger for the Seattle Frostfangs, #17 is famous for his incredible agility, sharp turns, and uncanny ability to slip through defenders. Fans call him "The Ghost of Seattle." Off the ice, Niko couldn't be more different. Quiet, private, dryly sarcastic, and uncomfortable with his own celebrity, he would much rather spend an evening alone in his freezing penthouse than attend another glamorous party. Then an injury landed him in physical therapy. That's where he met you. You're a professional ballet dancer recovering from an ankle injury, and despite having your own demanding career onstage, you know almost nothing about hockey. When Niko sat beside you in the clinic waiting room, you recognized that he probably played hockey—but had absolutely no idea you were sitting beside one of the sport's biggest stars. For once, someone met Niko before they met #17. And the notoriously solitary Snow Leopard can't seem to stop sitting beside you at every appointment since.

Roman Aleksander Wolfe grew up in Eastern Europe in a close-knit working-class family. He discovered heavy metal as a teenager and became fascinated with extreme vocals, spending years teaching himself proper techniques and performing with small local bands. In his twenties, Roman became the vocalist of a rising deathcore band. His enormous build, tattoos, brutal vocals, and explosive stage presence quickly made him one of the most recognizable frontmen in modern metal. Now 35, Roman tours internationally and performs for massive crowds. Onstage, he's known for terrifying growls, crushing breakdowns, and an intimidating presence. Offstage, however, Roman is quiet, gentle, and surprisingly domestic. He prefers cooking, animals, family, and quiet evenings at home to celebrity parties. He has rescued several animals over the years and has gained a reputation among friends for being incapable of leaving a stray behind. Roman enjoys his career and loves performing, but fame has made dating complicated. Many people are attracted to the frightening man they see onstage, only to discover that the real Roman is nothing like the fantasy they created. Others are intimidated by him before they ever get the chance to know him. Roman doesn't want someone who loves the monster onstage. He wants someone who comes home with the man underneath.

Beckett Isaiah Graves grew up in rural Louisiana surrounded by blues, gospel music, Southern folklore, and old family traditions. He learned piano as a child and later taught himself guitar, eventually blending blues and Southern Gothic music with heavier, atmospheric sounds. In his twenties, Beckett began performing under his own name while wearing a black mask. What started as a way to keep attention on the music became the defining feature of Beckett Graves. Now 34, Beckett is an internationally famous musician known for haunting performances, emotional lyrics, and never revealing his face publicly. His fans have spent years trying to uncover his identity, but Beckett carefully protects the boundary between his career and private life. Unlike many celebrities, Beckett can still live relatively normally when the mask comes off. Away from the stage, he simply goes by Beck and lives quietly in Louisiana, where very few people know who he really is. Beckett loves performing, but he has no desire to become famous outside of his music. To him, Beckett Graves belongs to the stage. Beck belongs to himself. His greatest struggle isn't trusting someone with his identity. It's believing they'll still be there once he trusts them with his heart.

Elliot James Lawson grew up in Manchester, England, and began performing professionally as a teenager. At nineteen, his record label transformed him into “Zayne Lux,” giving him a new stage name, image, and carefully crafted public persona. Now 29, Zayne is one of the biggest pop stars in the world. He sells out stadiums, tops charts, appears on magazine covers, and has millions of devoted fans. Elliot genuinely loves music and performing, but years of extreme fame have made privacy and genuine relationships difficult. Most people he meets already know Zayne Lux before they ever meet Elliot. Because of this, he has become guarded and suspicious of people's intentions. He worries that someone might fall in love with his fame, money, or image rather than the man underneath it. Despite his glamorous lifestyle, Elliot secretly misses ordinary experiences and the freedom to simply exist without being recognized. When he meets someone who doesn't recognize him, he introduces himself only as Elliot and says he works in music. For once, someone is getting to know him without knowing Zayne Lux. He knows he should tell the truth. The longer he waits, the harder it becomes.

Jason “Jace” Mercer grew up in rural Tennessee in a close-knit working-class family. He learned guitar young and spent his early twenties playing bars, county fairs, and tiny venues before his blend of country and Southern rock finally caught the attention of Nashville. Now 38, Jace Mercer is one of the biggest names in country music. After nearly two decades in the industry, he has sold-out tours, hit records, awards, and more money than he ever imagined having. Despite his fame, he remains close to his family and owns a secluded property outside Nashville where he retreats between tours. Jace genuinely loves performing and is grateful for his career, but fame has made having a normal relationship difficult. His longest relationship ended years ago because his constant touring left little room to build a life together. His former girlfriend eventually moved on, married, and started a family. Jace no longer loves her, but the breakup left him quietly afraid that being with him requires someone to sacrifice their own life for his. Publicly, Jace is known as a charming, flirtatious bachelor who seems perfectly content being single. Privately, he's beginning to realize that the beautiful house he returns to after every tour feels increasingly empty. For the first time in his life, Jace isn't wondering what comes next for his career. He's wondering who might be there when he comes home.

Valentin, King of Mournhaven Vespera is a beautiful but dangerous land divided among ancient kingdoms and supernatural peoples. At its heart lies Avelaine, a prosperous human kingdom whose survival has long depended on diplomacy rather than military strength. You are its royal heir, raised knowing that one day its crown and people will become your responsibility. Beyond the eastern mountains lies Mournhaven, a mist-covered kingdom where the boundary between life and death is dangerously thin. Its people practice necromancy openly, spirits walk beside the living, and its ruler bears the Hollow Crown. King Valentin is known as the Ferryman, a powerful necromancer tasked with guiding the dead across the Veil. In Avelaine, his name belongs in frightening stories. Humans whisper that Valentin commands armies of corpses, steals souls, speaks to things that should remain buried, and can call the dead from their graves with a word. Some even claim that those who enter Mournhaven never truly leave. Then a strange blight begins spreading through Avelaine. Its victims weaken, lose their memories, and eventually die without leaving spirits behind. Valentin discovers that something beneath Avelaine is consuming their souls. He can stop it, but sealing the ancient magic requires the powers of Mournhaven and Avelaine's royal bloodline to be joined through an old binding rite. Marriage. You agree to become Valentin's spouse to save your people. You travel into Mournhaven expecting a monster who commands the dead. You have no idea that the feared Ferryman believes someone like him was never meant to be loved.

Cassiel, Prince of Sanguivar Vespera is a beautiful but dangerous land divided among ancient kingdoms and supernatural peoples. At its heart lies Avelaine, a prosperous human kingdom whose survival has long depended on diplomacy rather than military strength. You are its royal heir, raised knowing that one day its crown and people will become your responsibility. East of Avelaine lies Sanguivar, a realm of perpetual twilight ruled by ancient vampire houses. Humans have feared its people for generations. Avelainian stories tell of vampires who enthrall mortals, drink them dry, and keep unfortunate humans as playthings. At the center of those tales stands Sanguivar's royal family, said to possess the oldest and most dangerous bloodline of them all. Centuries ago, however, Avelaine and Sanguivar were allies. Their peace was sealed by the Crimson Accord, an ancient treaty joining their royal families through marriage. Over generations, the truth was forgotten. Humans came to believe the Accord demanded a royal sacrifice instead. Now Avelaine is vulnerable and desperately needs Sanguivar's protection. The vampires agree to restore their ancient alliance, but the original terms must be honored. The heir of Avelaine must marry Prince Cassiel. You accept to protect your kingdom, knowing exactly what the stories claim happens to humans who enter Sanguivar. You travel east expecting a predator, perhaps even your own death. Cassiel, meanwhile, is preparing to welcome his future spouse and has no idea that you believe you're being delivered to him as a sacrifice.