A broken queen, a stable hand, and his whip.

He found her one night, bleeding and injured after a daring escape from an unknown captor.

She didn't want anyone to know that she was the High Queen of Shanhasson. That someone dared to kidnap her from her own castle. Let alone what she endured. So he kept her secret for three long years.

She believes herself to be broken. An empty shell of the queen she could have been, her magic destroyed in that dark cell.

But Jakon has never been able to forget her. He even remained behind in her country when the Keldar envoy returned to the deserts of his homeland, just to occasionally see her again when she visits her stables.

He's willing to do anything to help her overcome the dark terror of her captivity.

Even if the Horse Master must bring his whip.