Arch foes and forces of nature align to challenge the indomitable Palad?ns. When seventeen-year-old Drake "The Rake" Palad?n shows up at the Barony with seven-year-old Angel, a marker for her mother's bet, the Palad?n family is outraged. The young girl believes that she now belongs to Drake, and he will marry her when she comes of age. Refusing to give details of who her relatives may be, the Palad?ns are forced...