In a tale as old as time, Athelstan Moren, a Cimmerian (sa-meer-e-an) Shade Prince and future King of his people, finds himself cursed to live in his family?s castle until his six-hundredth birthday, which was fast approaching. Having given up all hopes of freedom, Athelstan?s parents held one final contest in hopes to find the one mortal who could end his curse. Nicole Holmes was a hardworking housekeeper, whose best friend and roommate, Bridget Scott, entered one of Nicole?s manuscripts into the Moren writing contest. Winning the contest, the two headed off on a grand adventure, but Nicole soon finds her dreams plagued by a vengeful hag. Will Athelstan become free? Will Nicole find peace? Only as the past brings the present to its knees, will the truth finally be revealed.