After Kathra's rescue from the obsessive Prince Tolan, J.R. enjoys the peace of the Isle—a peace shattered when he receives a message from an old flame. Vix is being hunted by Rhonda, a notorious assassin whose bizarre, psychological methods have reduced Vix to a trembling mass of goo. J.R. travels to Vix's location with motives of his own but soon gets caught up in Rhonda's little diversion. Is J.R. and Vix up for her sport, or will it be game over for both of them?

Back on the Isle, Kathra receives a letter from Skitter. She's relieved to see he made it back to Kasate in one piece, but his home life is more complicated than she could have ever imagined.

In Drymairad, King Maximilian discovers Prince Tolan's attempted kidnapping of three Losierres girls, and it doesn't look like the young prince is finished yet. Coupled with internal antagonism from within his own government, he doesn't have time to think about much else. Though, he might be able to use all this drama to his advantage . . .

Meanwhile, Celeste learns she is pregnant—which is good news or bad news, depending on who you ask.