Devastated by a betrayal that cost her freedom, Ryna Kalstead is jaded towards men and love. Unable to escape her tyrant father's wrath, Ryna has no choice but to become a political hostage in order to save her life. To become her own person again, she agrees to wed a complete stranger and live in a foreign land. Intent on rejuvenating his estates and proving the Crown rightfully named him an Archduke, Drake Valdenboro has little time or energy to put into relationships. He has no interest in the frivolous women seeking to live off of his success as nothing more than fanciful accessories. But his new title comes at a price. The Crown needs someone to marry a barbarian princess, and as one of Rodan's most sought after bachelors, Drake is the perfect choice. Drake and Ryna have their own reasons for holding together their loveless marriage. But some reasons on their own are not enough to overcome their hatred towards each other and the enemies hellbent on seeing them fail.