In the game of Empire, the rules are strictly defined.

But when a banished prince finds his mate, all bets are off.

Prince Tirus has spent years digging to expose the poison at the heart of the Empire. But a chance encounter with a human school teacher from a primitive planet throws all of his plans into disarray. Her very touch is enough to set his skin burning, and release the beast in his blood that has been locked away for generations.

Is her presence the greatest gift the universe could give him, or a tool to be used by his enemies?

Matilde wants so much more. More than the crumbs of knowledge left for her planet by its founders, for the children she teaches. More than the quiet life in the background she's been relegated to by her family. At Tirus' side, there's a new universe of possibilities.

But every one of those possibilities comes with unknown dangers.

And despite the urges of her body, Tirus himself tops the list.

Desired by the Dark Prince is the fifth novel of the Rakian Warriors. Each couple finds their HEA in their book, but the story of the world of Crucible does have overarching issues.