A New Adventure in the Saga of the Skolian Empire. Kamoj Argali is the young ruler of an impoverished province on a backward planet. To keep her people from starving, she has agreed to marry Jax Ironbridge, the boorish and brutal ruler of a prosperous province. But before Argali and Ironbridge are wed, a mysterious stranger from a distant planet sweeps in and forces Kamoj into marriage, throwing her world into utter chaos. "Fans of futuristic romance will revel in the delights of a top notch romantic adventure set against an impeccably crafted, richly imagined background. . . . Connoisseurs of good science writing, vivid imagery and powerful emotional intensity are in for a real treat."-Romantic Times (4 1/2 stars)