"You should have trusted me. You should have given me a choice."

AD 370, Roman frontier province of Noricum. Neither wholly married nor wholly divorced, Julia Bacausa is trapped in the power struggle between the Christian church and her pagan ruler father.

Tribune Lucius Apulius's career is blighted by his determination to stay faithful to the Roman gods in a Christian empire. Stripped of his command in Britannia, he's demoted to the backwater of Noricum – and encounters Julia.

Unwittingly, he takes her for a whore. When confronted by who she is, he is overcome with remorse and fear. Despite this disaster, Julia and Lucius are drawn to one another by an irresistible attraction.

But their intensifying bond is broken when Lucius is banished to Rome. Distraught, Julia gambles everything to join him. But a vengeful presence from the past overshadows her perilous journey. Following her heart's desire brings danger she could never have envisaged...

"This is a stunning historical novel set in the 4th century. Morton's descriptions of the countryside on Julia's journey are magnificent, and you feel as if you are traveling along with her." – Historical Novel Society (Editors' Choice)

"A truly exciting adventure and epic romance that kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved this addition to the Roma Nova series and hope there is much more to come!" — Christina Courtenay

"I adored the character of Julia, strong, brave and yet vulnerable, and even when I wanted to shake her for her impulsive nature, I was rooting for her to win through. A superb page-turner bursting with passion, action and excitement. Highly recommended." — Nicola Cornick