"With Zandakar's dangerous identity revealed, Rhian finds herself upon a precarious throne. The nations she needs to stand with her against Mijak instead join forces to challenge her right to rule. Only the mysterious Emperor Han is willing to believe she can lead them to victory. Only he and his witch-men truly understand the scope of the disaster waiting to engulf the world. But with Zandakar imprisoned and Dexterity gravely ill, estranged from her husband Alasdair and frighteningly alone, how can she hope to prevail and save Ethrea? What chance does she stand of saving the world? The answers seem to lie with Emperor Han ... but is he what he pretends to be? Only time will tell. And as she struggles to keep her crown, the warhost of Mijak advances ... "--Provided by publisher.