This volume is so much better than the first one! 
 Be prepared for a lot of scheming, so much that sometimes you can barely keep up with it. There are a lot of secrets, betrayals and strategic planning. As they travel to the borderline, they must face the Regent's plots, trying to be ahead of his plans and manage to keep Laurent alive and as the rightful heir. 
 Laurent's mind is amazing and admirable, I really lost count how many moves ahead he plans, but it is also frustrating not knowing what the hell goes on inside his head. Despite Damen being the one deceiving Laurent by not revealing his identity, I believe that in the end it will be Damen who feels like he was deceived. (view spoiler)[ I truly believe that Laurent has known from the start that he is the lost Prince and, although he really has feelings for him, will have planned to use Damen's position to his advantage (hide spoiler)] 
 Despite the plotting and scheming, the main focus is still the relationship between Damen and Laurent. The character development is masterfully crafted and it happens so swiftly it feels natural and believable. Everything between them is private and slowly built, and, when they finally cross the line, their union is tender and gentle unlike many similar stories I've read. 
 I'm glad I didn't read this sooner or I would have had to wait a looooong time for the third book (which is about to be released). After that cliffhanger it would have felt an eternity.