Farrow Latimer was born to Death. Every blink of his eye ends a life.

In the Arcades, the land of exile where fallen guardians atone for the gods they failed to protect, Farrow is the executioner and death for all. He is the quiet hand that closes every story. Made to kill, Farrow is forbidden to love.

Four times a year, the Arcades collects its due in bodies. When the fallen come for a pregnant newlywed, Rayelynn Astaides steps up and offers herself to save her friend. Her courage stills Farrow’s heart. By royal right, he claims Rayelynn as his concubine.

Farrow has no idea what he has brought into his realm.

Rayelynn’s voice can heal the dead and bring them back from silence. In a world built on endings, she is a beginning.

With beauty that could send kingdoms to war, Rayelynn’s song threatens to break Farrow, and for the first time in his existence, Death wants something he cannot take.