From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & The Dawn, comes a short story of forbidden romance set in the same lush, ancient civilization. In the opulent palace of Khorasan, Despina, a young woman recently appointed as the Guardian of the Garments, grapples with her feelings of insignificance after being overlooked for the coveted position of handmaiden to the new calipha, Ava. Despite her disappointment, Despina is determined to uphold her pride and perform her duties with excellence. However, Despina soon catches the attention of the enigmatic Captain of the Guard, Jalal al-Khoury. What begins as a tempestuous battle of will and wit in short order becomes a passionate affair spurred on by tragedy of the worst kind. Prepare to be swept away by a love story that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.