**NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
**
Peace and order have been restored to the kingdoms of Tsaia and Lyonya,
thanks to the crowning of Mikeli of Tsaia and the half-elven mercenary
Kieri Phelan as their respective kings. But trouble is brewing. Mikeli
cannot rule safely as long as the few remaining Verrakaien magelords are
at large. And a strange rift has developed between Kieri and his
grandmother and co-ruler, the immortal elven queen known as the Lady.
Meanwhile, both monarchs are targets of the ex-pirate Alured, who plots
to seize their thrones for himself--and to the north, the aggressive
kingdom of Pargun seems poised to invade. As threats of war, from
without and within, divide the two kings, old alliances and the bonds of
friendship will be tested as never before. And a shocking discovery will
change everything.