Book excerpt: People call him Hades. He is like the dark prince himself: enigmatic, mysterious, and dangerous. Nobody knows his real name. Nobody knows anything about him. He has been cursed to lead his life in loneliness, because everyone who's ever been close to him very soon died. Eloise Gunning is hard-working and practical. She helps her brother with his work, keeps to herself, and is set to marry a safe, decent young man. Her entire life is planned out. Suddenly, her world tilts on its axis when she is kidnapped and confined in the lair of the beastly man. Nothing is as it seems in this strange place, especially not its owner. Eloise cannot deny her attraction to the dark and powerful man, nor the pull of his irresistible kisses. As their bond strengthens, the world around them begins to crumble, forcing them to wonder: is the curse real? And can they break it before it's too late?