Originally titled Rose in Winter] Rose's life has always been planned out: she was to marry Duke Ferdinand of Onlicres, second in line to the rightful throne of Fenn, and be ready to live as happily ever after as she can in the middle of a war against the Queen of Leasung. But Rose's fairy tale collapses when her sister falls gravely ill. To find a cure Rose is sent to Mystra University, a well-known bastion for magic users. While at the University Rose becomes friends with Estella, a cynical young socialite who was widowed at seventeen and Kay, a quiet, bashful young man who has been cursed by the Queen. Kay and Rose quickly become close, but when Kay is kidnapped and sent back to Leasung it is up to Rose, Estella, and their small group of friends to brave the war and save Kay before it's too late.