The Gods of the Aggregate have spoken--or so it seems. With Stephen sentenced to be executed for treason, Thaddeus, the warrior cursed by the Gods with a Blood-Rage, has only once chance to save his beloved harpist--the Rite of Innocence by Blood. He must fight Stephen's accuser to the death to exonerate the prince in the eyes of the Alliance of Kings and the people.

There is one problem--he needs to be blessed by the Gods to be victorious. The thought of owing any debt abhors him as much as Stephen's plight. By refusing a blessing, the question eats at Thaddeus's soul: Will both he and Stephen die because he cannot swallow his hatred of the Gods?

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains a HFN ending.