The lion of Venice

the long version

Pledged to protect Venice from its mighty enemies, warrior lord Olivier Ducci Mondaldo could not ignore a request to aid France in the Holy War against the Sultan Bayezid. That the messenger who carried the plea was none other than Lady Julian Madrigal, the child who had engineered his escape from the sultan six years before, was even more disquieting. For Julian was now an alluring woman who demanded that Olivier honor his promises to her. The daughter of a woman rumored to be a powerful witch, Julian's own gifts as a healer were frightening to her, but no more frightening than the passionate bond she shared with Olivier-a bond doomed by her own secrets and Olivier's betrothal to a wealthy Venetian widow. Yet as the city rallied toward Crusade, and Olivier prepared his fleet for the voyage to Nicopolis, Julian made a desperate decision that would forever alter the passionate destiny she and Olivier shared.