Ryker, a Worthy fae sworn to protect his Nation, has been driven to the edge of madness since Kya left this world. He won't let his mate escape her shadow, but enemies are determined to keep Ryker and Kya apart as war brews, and Ryker may be forced to choose between his mate and the realm he has sworn to protect. Meanwhile, Kya, bound by the nightmare of her new reality and desperate to return to her realm and Ryker, is stripped of her magic and held captive in a world that demands sacrifice for survival. She must use every skill and tool at her disposal to save herself, her bond, and her realm - no matter the cost. Amidst the chaos, Zalen, a prince with dark ambitions, has set his plan in motion to claim his kingdom, the power he desires, and the obsession he craves. But consequences stir beneath his victory. With an unexpected threat to his power, all that he has worked toward might end before it has even begun. As greater forces tighten around every realm, Ryker, Kya, Zalen, and their allies must step carefully to maintain the balance amongst the realms.