Kushiel's Avatar by Jacqueline Carey
I am so glad that I found Jacqueline Carey and her fabulous trilogy: Kushiel's Dart and Kushiel's Chosen, and
this very worthy conclusion, Kushiel's Avatar. Ten years have past since we last saw our lash-loving lady, the true "anguisette," Phedre no Delauney, Comtesse de Montreve, peer of Terre d'Ange. She and her beloved companion, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil have been residing on their estates and maturing with grace and beauty. But neither is able to forget the fate of Phedre's childhood friend Hyacinthe and the terrible sacrifice he made in order that a queen be crowned and peace reign. Nothing less than discovering the most secret and holy name of the "One God" will do to free him - an almost impossible task to accomplish which will involve traveling over continents and seas, in what I believe is the most awesome adventure of them all. I strongly recommend that you read this trilogy including Kushiel's Avatar. I was very happy to discover that Ms. Carey continues this trilogy following the acquired son of Phedre and Joscelin, Imrile.