Alrek de Roch is a proud Viking fighting for the newly crowned King William, descended from a fearsome line of the best swords men in the North. After years in service to William, he along with his friend were granted each a title and lands. But to claim his new lands he needed to do two things, wed and bed the daughter of the last lord. Darcee grew up as a man and would protect her home like one. When the Normans came knocking at her gates she was ready to fight for her home. But her step-mother let them in and the castle fell. Now to save her starving people she made a distasteful deal. She would wed the Norman, who would call himself her new lord, who was in truth a pagan Viking. When to people so alike meet sparks will fly and a fire will burn. However will it be the flame of passion or the inferno of hate?