Lynn Kurland's Nine Kingdoms saga 'deftly mixes innocent romance with adventure.'* Now, the New York Times bestselling author begins the next chapter in a story that will decide the fate of the realm . . .
Sarah of Doire is finished with mages and the mayhem they cause. Her quest to find her brother and stop his foul spells has failed, her trust in Ruith is shattered, and her future lies in ruins. All she wanted was a peaceful place to weave-instead she's hunted by black mages, trapped by her sense of obligation, and imperilled by a past she knows nothing about . . . yet.
Hiding in the mountains, Ruithneadh of Ceangail had long managed to ignore the magic in his veins, until aiding Sarah with her ill-fated quest forced him into places where his heritage was impossible to deny. Now, faced with an ever-increasing number of enemies who've discovered he's alive and want his power, his choice is to accept his birthright and gather his father's spells together so he can destroy them, or turn away and allow his father's evil to overcome the Nine Kingdoms.
With the stakes higher than before, Ruith and Sarah need each other's help even more desperately, for everything they value is at risk: the Nine Kingdoms, their lives . . . and their hearts.
