Once celebrated as a gifted noble, Giovanni hid behind the reputation of a careless libertine while plotting justice for his murdered mother. In secret, he stood watch over Prince Alaric as an unseen royal defender. When invasion came, his buried strength shattered the opposing army, and he chose Alaric as his husband. Later, falsely condemned as a traitor, Giovanni faced execution. Alaric risked everything, even his throne, to bargain for his life. Driven beyond restraint, Giovanni tore through his binding and stormed the palace ceremony, wounded, furious, and determined to take back the man he loved.