Dark Curse: Number 19 in series ('Dark' Carpathian) by Feehan, Christine (2009) Paperback

Lara Calladine's life is a tangled web of chilling memories that refuse to let her go. As a child, she was held captive in a freezing cave, where each day blurred into a struggle for sanity. These haunting recollections shape her current existence, and she wrestles with the scars they left behind. Yet, even amid her dark past, a flicker of hope emerges in the form of a mysterious savior.

Enter her protector, a man whose strength and presence may be the balm for her wounded soul. As they traverse a world filled with danger and dark magic, camaraderie grows between them. With every challenge they face, the bond deepens, revealing that healing can come from the most unexpected places.

However, the shadows of her past are ever-lurking, threatening to pull her back into darkness. Lara must confront not only external foes but also the demons that have haunted her for far too long. In this gripping tale of resilience and love, she fights to reclaim her future, proving that even in the darkest moments, light can find its way through.