With the king dying, the possibility that Bracklin will be married off for political purpose grows with each mile they ride south. But that is hardly the only danger. A plague grows in the south, and they will pass the dreaded Cursed Sands. And that's just the journey.

Bracklin's fears about a political marriage didn't take into account Justin of House Smythe, a handsome young man with a brash wit. Maybe she could be happy with such a match after all, but what about the Squire Domus? Is there any hope left for that love?

And there's still a former king, the power-hungry Seth, and fifty thousand knights between them and peace. Will there be a bloody civil war before the next king takes the throne?