Good book about two people brought together in a marriage arranged as a strategic alliance between two warring Welsh chieftains. Neither Rhianon nor Peredur wants to marry. Rhianon's father is cruel and violent, and her late husband was no better. Her new husband is a warrior with the reputation of being heartless. At the same time, Peredur never intended to marry but agreed to the marriage to protect Rhianon from being married to his cruel younger brother.

I enjoyed this slow-burn story of two people whose traumatic childhoods have created deep-seated trust issues. Though Rhianon has been forced to marry, she refuses to be a victim and vows never to show her fear. Instead, she tends to be defiant in her refusal to be controlled, sometimes taking stupid risks rather than accepting Peredur's strictures. Peredur's early childhood was heartbreaking, with those who should have loved him mistreating him instead. I ached for him and the treatment he received from his grandmother. It was a good day for him when he was taken in by Eilyr and raised as a beloved son.

After their marriage, Rhianon and Peredur leave for a remote castle to watch over their border with a rival prince. Their arrival at the castle begins with the mystery of why its garrison has disappeared and what the locals know about it. Peredur's time is spent preparing the castle and his men for possible war.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Rhianon and Peredur develop. Peredur's plan to never marry and have children becomes problematic when he finds his attraction to Rhianon becoming harder to resist. Rhianon is dismayed that she is attracted to Peredur because she expects him to be like the other men she has known. But for all his reputation as being heartless, Peredur is a kind and compassionate man. I loved how he treated her with understanding and respect and how that helped overcome her fears. As Rhianon began to trust Peredur, she saw past the fierce warrior to the vulnerable man underneath. The explanation of his heartless reputation was not what I expected. I liked seeing them slowly open up about their pasts and fears and realize what they had together. The epilogue was great and showed what is possible when fears are faced together.

Secondary characters were well-developed and crucial to the storyline. I ached for Rhianon after the descriptions of her cruel and violent father and her abused and negligent mother. Peredur's brother was a nasty piece of work, and I figured him for trouble from the beginning. I loved Rhianon's uncle Edwin and her maid Esyllt, who played parts in bringing Rhianon and Peredur together.

I loved the Welsh setting. The author's attention to detail made the story richer and events easier to visualize. I loved the description of the castle, the surrounding area, and the story of the morloi. It only reinforces my desire to visit Wales and learn more about my heritage.

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