The kingdom is falling into ruin. The reclusive King is imposing higher and higher taxes and those who cannot pay are imprisoned.Leona Winters never imagined herself a barmaid – but it's the only job she's been able to get, the only thing keeping her from prison and her dying mother supplied with the medicine that she needs. But when the tavern can no longer afford to keep Leona and she can't pay the Collectors, she's thrown into jail, deep in the heart of the castle...where she meets the Beast.For years, the Beast has run the dark palace, hiding its secrets in silence. He cannot speak; and yet Leona can hear him. He never thought it was possible - and now he can't let her leave.He strikes her a bargain: a position in the castle, room and board for her mother, in exchange for her help in breaking the dark curse that has settled over the kingdom.But some curses weren't meant to be broken. And the cost might be Leona's life.