Beware: strong women of intent and intelligence. Will Ixkaab Balam and the Duchess Tremontaine forge an understanding, or will their histories and loyalties demand blood? Even Vincent can’t watch as Kaab and Tess finally confront the secrets that divide them. Does Kaab care enough for Tess to open her heart and share her family’s interests? Does the forger have the patience to forgive her lover?

Life goes on after the Ball, but it is a dull, tasteless affair now the Kinwiinik have stopped supplying the City with chocolate. The Duchess almost certainly knows more than she’s saying about this unpleasant state of affairs – but does the Duke have a hand in selecting the panel to preside over Rafe’s doctoral exam?

Doors close, doors open. Rafe is still seething over the changes to University regulations when he is unexpectedly offered a position in the Tremontaine household. Can Rafe achieve his goals through his new lover’s influence? Or will the vengeful Duchess ensure that the young upstart meets a similar end to Ben the would-be blackmailer?