Desert Rose (Stories of Midgate)

A love so powerful, it destroyed a corner of the world. For generations, the Manalal have warred against the wildlings—monstrous half-people polluted by Fire magic—putting all to slaughter by command of their proud and merciless king. His daughter Princess Shirasa, blessed with the magical ability to witch water, wants nothing more than to tame the inhospitable desert, to build new wells and new sanctuaries for her people. But she is not meant for adventure, for she is promised to one of her father's vicious warlords. When she nearly dies along the border, her life becomes intertwined with the wildling noble Amraak, a warrior true to the Fire in his blood. A man of vision, Amraak sees in Shirasa not only talent and beauty, but also destiny. But even as they fall for each other, the rift between their peoples drives them apart. Caught between duty to her people and the irresistible draw of her heart, Shirasa must find a way to establish peace, before the desert she loves is bathed in blood.