Dark times have befallen Dalartas, one of the twelve kingdoms of Espelona. 

Garnet Havendell, the adopted daughter of a wealthy fabric merchant, witnesses the brutal politically-motivated death of her sister, the consort of the Crown Prince, Chevelle. 

Framed for Druscilla’s murder, she escapes the kingdom, aided by a scarred, world-weary mercenary whose origin is just as mysterious as hers.

The death of Consort Druscilla Havendell plunges Dalartas into war as Prince Chevelle is forced into exile and a pretender takes his place on the throne.

Only Garnet knows the truth of her sister’s death, but will she risk imprisonment and possibly execution to save her homeland from devastation?