The Viking raiders are the scourge of the Irish coast, and Aleyn's shipmates have all been slaughtered by Viking raiders, so it stands to reason that he would hate and fear them. Especially their leader, Ranulf, who is enough to strike fear into the hearts of most men. Ranulf is not exactly the terror he seems, though, going from jailer to lover, confusing Aleyn, confounding him with his feelings for the big Dane. In the end, this historical romance reminds us that war is not the only certainty in life. Love can be just as enduring.