Caitlin's romantic time alone with Asher is again spoiled by trouble in their fantastical world. A letter arrives from an expensive mountain resort pleading for their help, and out of curiosity they travel to the hot springs. When they arrive not only are the guests stampeding to get to the healing waters, but so are the wild animals.
After the dust settles Cait is introduced to the Proxy, the elf who is second only to the reclusive Manager as leader of the elves. From him they learn that trouble has plagued them for months and the situation grows more dire with each passing day. The other residents of the mountain are not helping matters, as the village of the aware-hares now believes that the elves have lost their mandate from the god of the hill, Athas, and only the hares remain as the one true children of their deity. That pits their ambitious explosive digging against the concerns of the Proxy as more than wild animals shake up the place.
Cait and company have a monumental task before them to bring peace to the mountain and resolution to the Proxy's troubles. While trouble piles on top of trouble, Caitlin finds herself being pushed away by her dragon lover. Between the mountain rumblings and Asher's increasing aloofness, Caitlin begins to wonder if something more isn't going on, both among the dying trees and her lover's dying affection. Determination and a stubborn head will lead her to the truths, but will it get her out of it alive?