AN ALIEN QUEEN Human Astrid Carbrev never expected to be queen of Bánalfar, much less be allowed to stay once her presence on Crenfor was discovered. When, against all odds, she and her Alfari husband Valemar conceive a child, instead of being imprisoned, Astrid finds herself appointed the Astrun Federation's new ambassador to Crenfor. Now she has a decision to make-allow trade between the technologically advanced Federation and her husband's enemies, the Cordair, or leave the problem for future generations. A GROWING RESISTANCE Unfortunately, Astrid doesn't have much time to decide. As animosity toward her and the child she carries spreads through the border keep of Aedenfal, rumors of a new peril from the south arise, pulling her husband away when she needs him the most. Although the threat of the Cordair looms, Astrid can no longer deny the hazard she faces from her own people. A RISING DANGER Astrid must determine her allies quickly, for treason is taking shape in the shadows, promising to unleash chaos across all of Bánalfar. Now no one is safe. To defend her family and her people, Astrid must become the queen the prophecy promised. To do otherwise could mean the end of Bánalfar itself.