Moriana (28 ) was betrothed at 8 to Casimir.Now she is ditched by the new king of Byzanmaach ,as Cas discovers he has a daughter.(See book One-Shock heir for the crown prince) .Moriana feels unwanted, insifgnificant (in her country, Arun, women can't rule).Her father has recently abdicated in favour of his son,her oilder brother Augustus, who is also single.
Now the neighbouring king, Theodosius (Theo) of Liesendaach, offers her marriage ,but presents it as a business deal. So Moriana refuses him- both in writing and perg.sonally.Theo (30) used to tease her as a child. He lost his parents and older brother in a helicopoter crash 15 years ago.He was supposed to be on the 'copter, too, but went with his cousin Benedict elsewhere and thus survived. His uncle Constantine became the Prince Regent till Theo grew up. Theo always suspected his uncle was responsible for the death of his family.Now Constantine is in exile in France.
Theo decides to win Moriana, whom he wanted since he was 14 and she belonged to Cas. He offers the princess a week in his country + to teach her about desire and sex.
Moriana agrees and comes visiting. Benedict is there, too.His father has cancer and wants to return home to die.(He also petitions to remove Theoi as the king, as his nephew isn't married by 30).Theo refuses, till he learns his uncle has just a few days to live...
Benedict has a secrert of his own ,although his father knows it and despises his "weak" son for that. Benedict renounces his claim to the country and his cousin, tne king.
Moriana wants to love, have a family, and feel needed and worthy.
I liked the book, looking forward to others in the series.