Kin slain, future uncertain, Aerlaer has no desire to flee to the undying lands; instead choosing to fight beside those who'd rather rid the world of the evil seeking to cast all in shadow. In the midst of impending war, the strongest friendships kindle and a flicker of something more will ensure all sorts of predicaments and mischief as long buried memories resurface. -10th Walker

The Winter Soldier is recognised as being Bucky Barnes by a computer programmer when he visits the Smithsonian. "If I decrypt the files for you, will you let me go?" Katherine asked carefully, not wanting to anger her kidnapper. Barnes simply tilted his head slightly as he stared at her, his gaze eerily blank and cold; eventually, after a long moment, he gave a single, sharp nod.

A young woman fights her way into the musketeers gaze and to the instantly sparks a connection with Athos, but Athos cannot get over Anne de Breuil's betrayal and to make things more complicated he is still married to her. As their relationship develops Catherine learns that the complexities involved in love and mean that life cannot give you what you always want.