Korik the Steadfast has never fit in anywhere. Tall and gangly even for an orc, he’s always stuck out like a sore thumb in Drol Kuggradh, where he is the only healer to make the city their permanent residence. But he’s content with his solitary existence—until the unification between elves and orcs suddenly draws him into the inner circle of Drol Kuggradh’s new royalty.

Just as he’s getting his bearings with his new lot in life, he’s pushed even further out of his comfort zone; he’s the only healer available to accompany a pregnant elf, Enriel, and her arrogant older brother,...

Korik the Steadfast has never fit in anywhere. Tall and gangly even for an orc, he’s always stuck out like a sore thumb in Drol Kuggradh, where he is the only healer to make the city their permanent residence. But he’s content with his solitary existence—until the unification between elves and orcs suddenly draws him into the inner circle of Drol Kuggradh’s new royalty.

Just as he’s getting his bearings with his new lot in life, he’s pushed even further out of his comfort zone; he’s the only healer available to accompany a pregnant elf, Enriel, and her arrogant older brother, Varen, back to the elven capital. Enriel is nice enough, yet he and Varen butt heads immediately, and he resigns himself to an unenjoyable journey with the most aggravating man he’s ever met.

But the roads prove more treacherous than they anticipated: a simmering orc rebellion against the new King Zorvut boils over, and when Enriel is kidnapped, he and Varen discover a plot that has taken several other elves captive. Before he’s even realized it, Korik is catapulted into the center of a mounting conflict threatening to break out between elves and orcs once again—alongside Varen, who is as distractingly handsome as he is annoying.

In pursuit of the orc rebels, Korik and Varen must learn to rely on each other if they hope to return home unscathed. It’s an inconvenient time to fall in love, especially as winter’s cold grip tightens around them and their very survival is on the line. But Varen’s confidence proves to be more than just empty words, and when it’s just the two of them alone against the elements, giving in to their attraction feels inevitable.

As they fight to survive, Korik and Varen must decide if their feelings for each other will remain unspoken in the wilderness, or if they’re willing to give up the lives they once knew to discover where they truly belong.