Little shelfwear Creases in spine from reading Ace Books, 2008, 340 pages Hero Book#3 In a realm beset by natural disasters, only the magical abilities of the bonded Pairs-Source and Shield-make the land habitable and keep the citizenry safe. The ties that bind them are far beyond the relationships between lovers or kin—and last their entire lives. Whether they like it or not... Long-suffering Shield Lee Mallorough and her all-too-charming Source Shintaro Karish are summoned to court by the Empress, who asks the fractious Pair to undertake a mission of utmost importance and secrecy: locate the descendants of her illegitimate, exiled sister. As their recent chaotic exploits have proven, Lee and Taro are completely ill suited to such a task, but they are in no position to refuse. So, in search of lost royalty, they travel to the Southern Islands, where the heat is unbearable, the clothing is just short of optional-and the less-than-friendly locals could care less that Lee and Taro are working for the Empress...

ISBN: 9780441015986