In a kingdom living in the shadow of dragons, a king has failed to produce a male heir or convince his headstrong daughter Layle Moorgrave to take a husband. Layle, happy with her independence and larger dreams, has never particularly wanted one. Knowing his realm would never allow a single female monarch, the king gives Layle an ultimatum: marry by the end of the courting season, or I will end the line of succession and bequeath the crown to another family.

Tiernan Northgard is a famous warrior who is trying to make his way out from under his dragon-slaying father’s shadow. He has spent his whole life in pursuit of his father’s approval, and has avoided the courtly expectations that he will marry for as long as he has had to entertain them.

So when the frustrating, unladylike princess Layle begins to show him uncharacteristically kind attentions, he realizes he might have a shot at achieving something his father never could: the throne. Is he willing to put his dislike for Layle aside to help her ascend the throne or will their mutually advantageous engagement lead to something unexpected—like love? Any attempt at a relationship – or really, co-existence - may be a baptism by fire because dragons attack the kingdom. Under attack from the skies, Layle and Tiernan must work together to save the kingdom and each other.