For the Emperor

the long version

Available as paperback and e-book. Eppie 2000 finalist. Jameelah was always prepared to die for her cause. Now, unless her plan to gain the attention of the Triden Emperor succeeds, she may have to kill for it as well. But peace has one last chance. She plants a smoke bomb at the royal wedding reception. After the explosion, Jameelah is betrayed by one of her own, and finds herself stranded in a runaway escape pod. She is not alone. One of the party goers lies bruised and bloodied at her feet. Jameelah knows Alec is a Triden officer, ruthless minion to an evil Emperor. Alec knows Jameelah is an Imsada terrorist, a threat to everything he loves. But Jameelah isn’t just any terrorist–she is the one person her people will follow on their road to peace. And Alec isn’t just any Triden lieutenant–he is the Emperor’s only brother and heir to the throne. Jameelah’s image of Alec shatters when he uses his special talents to help her people, but she sees no future for Alec and herself—he cannot understand the Imsada and she cannot abandon them. One look in those liquid-brown eyes, and Alec realizes he must change the galaxy to make things right between them. When the war swirls to a close around them, a happy ending ceases to be an option. To save Jameelah’s life Alex must brand himself a traitor and send the woman he loves out of his life forever. Cast in Steel, Carved in Stone is prequel to this book.