The award-winning author of Winter's Heat presents the conclusion of the five-part Graistan Chronicles, a historical romance between a medieval apprentice and a young woman promised to another man. Johanna of Stanrudde, wife to Katel the Spice Merchant, hates the man her father forced her to marry almost as much as she hates Robert of Blacklea, the man who stole her heart and her virginity then abandoned her. But as famine walks the land this winter, Johanna discovers her husband's plot to destroy Rob who is newly returned to Stanrudde. After Rob saves her from a mob of the starving can she stand aside and let Katel kill him or find the faith to trust Rob when he vows that he still loves her?