The Lake was his life, until Fate stepped into his path. The Queen of the Lake ruled her life, until she encountered a man strong enough to fight for her heart. Ever since First Mate Samuel Pyke climbed out of the engine room on his way towards the captain's seat, he dreamed of two things: a command of his own and a woman to love him for who he was. As a half-human royal emissary, Bedi didn't often move in the world of men, and navigating around steel-hulled freighters carrying bulk iron was fraught with danger for her kind. But Captain Wigner of the Frederick Mithun owed the Queen of the Lake a debt forty years due, and Bedi was the one sent to collect. It was an easy task, until the First Mate stepped between her and the goal. Two different worlds. Two people, equally determined, equally strong willed. Equally vulnerable. Only Time and Fate would decide if their growing attraction could become a love strong enough to turn the future's course. Only Sam and Bedi could make the choice to live that future together.