The House of Beretnet ruled Inis for thousands of years. Queen Sabran the Ninth, still unmarried, must give birth to a daughter to protect her kingdom from destruction, but assassins are already at her door. Id Darian is a stranger at court. Although she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she remains loyal to a secret society of magicians. Id watches Sabran closely, secretly protecting the queen with forbidden magic. Far across the Dark Sea, Tani has spent her entire life training to become a dragon rider, but she is forced to make a choice that could destroy her life forever. Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to negotiate, and the forces of chaos awaken from their slumber...