Spain, 1147

Isabel Ruiz saw herself at a crossroads when her friend married and went to live in another castle with her new husband. Unwilling to impose on the generosity her hosts bestowed on her at Moncaster, she concludes it is time to return to her native Granada. Her motivation holds a more convoluted twist, however. She wants to put as much distance between her and the man who abandoned her after promising to take her with him: Khalid Aziz, the word breaker. Her heart never fails to lurch at the sight of the wretched man, so she needs out to keep her sanity in place.

Khalid Aziz, second in command to the great Governor of Moncaster, never forgot the girl who followed him everywhere, even though she belonged to a Spaniard family who despised Moors. He'd planned to take her with him once, but duty called, and he was forced to leave her behind. Now, powerful and rich, he intends to claim her, if she only gave him a half-chance. Sadly, she refuses him and leaves for their both hometown.

But destiny will step in and take them on a voyage across the Mediterranean in an adventure that could close the yawning gap between them. Or cause them to perish in the face of danger and strife.