As a member of the elite Messenger Corps, werebird Alexandra "Ajax" Petros is in her element. Under the protection of her people's steadfast political neutrality, the only thing she can't outfly are the secrets of her past-and her birthright as destined queen.

Which is exactly what she's trying to do when she lands, literally, in the arms of a man with claws-and cold, methodical wits-as razor sharp as her own eagle talons.

For Nicodemus Leonidas, information is power. The journey into werebird territory to find out what happened to his father is a calculated risk, but nothing is more dangerous than his and Ajax's instant, explosive chemistry. In the heat of the moment, he senses the stubbornly independent woman is his mate…and that she's hiding something.

Evasive maneuvers do Ajax no good. Inexorably, Nico peels away her layers until he holds her very soul in his hands. And when she uncovers a plot to steal her throne, he is the one man with the power to force her to make the one choice she never wanted to face…