Deidre is a woman on a mission and a lot stands between her and her goals of finding the elusive Philosophers stone. Set upon by her enemies, penniless and lost as to where to even start in her search, she it again set upon by brutal of men looking for a quick tup the night of Belantine. Saved by a beautiful hero with golden hair and a calm assertive demeanor, Deidre believes she found her knight! The man who will help her in the crusade and protect her from all who wish her harm.
Gilead takes the beautiful creature he finds in the camp to his mother. Partially to give her employment as she’s obviously on her own without any family or friends, but also to keep an eye on her as she’s an enchanting woman who’s got a habit of attracting trouble. She also has a habit of opening her mouth before thinking and finds herself betrothed to the brute who wanting to rape her the night Gilead and Deidre met. Gilead knows she’s not for him but something about her just keeps bring him back. Maybe it’s her beautiful face or maybe it’s her loving relationship with his mother. Either way, he’s playing a dangerous game.
When Gilead himself is betrothed to a woman of his fathers choosing, Gilead realizes just to hopeless his dream of marriage to Deidre is.
What I loved about this book, the drama of Gilead and Deidre’s love/petty arguing – the complex triangle between Gileads Mother/Father & Fathers mistress – got old very very quickly when I realizes how frequently this author recycled plot points. My god it was almost comical. Every 4 chapters like clockwork. Niall would assault Deidre, Gilead would save her. The father’s mistress would come around, the mother would get poisoned or attacked. (WHO DID IT? I WONDER). Deidre and Gilead would realize how forbidden their love is, argue – spend days apart – reunite. I mean, it was so predictable it was painful to read at times because I wanted something more. And I think this author has to potential to give it to us, she just got sucked into this repetitive nonsense that had me wanting to rip my hair out.
Sub plot with the Philosophers stone and Deidre’s Seer powers? Pointless, came to nothing. Like most of this book honestly. What a disappointment.