Source: Isslewood Binding, Book One - Paperback

The Source holds all the powers. The elusive binding shares the secrets. There are many who search. There are some who will be ruthless.
When Rixsander of Pax Valley leaves home to avoid a fixed marriage and joins a ragtag crew hired to search for the legendary Source, he never expected to fall into the clutches of an evil princess. He never expected to discover that his special ability made him a rare Talent. And, most of all, he never expected to be wheedled into becoming the Imperial Shield.
Syersi, Empress Heir to Gnomera, is not so evil. Petulant? Surely, but not evil. After all, she did save a stranger's life. Escaping through the gates of her palace home, she never expected to find a young man near death and be the one to save him. She never expected to be a pawn in the hunt for the Source, and face down the dangerous, invisible Shade. And most of all, she never expected to have her heart awakened and broken at the same time.
The Intimus have sworn to defend the Empress Heir, but only one Talent can truly protect her, and he can barely tolerate her. It may not matter - for in the end, when the Source is finally found, its powers will change everything.