The wedding, joining Baltica and Pelagonia, is imminent, with it comes the loss of Nada's birthright to the Baltican throne. In a race against time, Elieana and Darec search for the proof that Nada is the long-lost daughter of the King of Baltica. They travel deep into the Barbicon Mountains where they encounter mercenary soldiers and uncover something more terrifying than they could imagine.On the road to Girona, Jacq and Carlotte manage to evade capture by Girard's men but are waylaid by a Wirliang hunting party and taken to their secret enclave. The Wirliang society, hidden from the world for centuries, after the first explorers nearly decimated their population, may not let them leave.