When Riya Mayur, princess of the Paanthan province Zikhin, was married to Amias Teagan, ruler of the human kingdom of Acacia, at the age of fifteen, she believed she was doing her duty to her family and her people. Though life swiftly became a nightmare, it was one she was determined to endure. In a world fraught with danger, it comes as no surprise when her brother is killed in battle the day of her wedding. But when her parents are murdered by her childhood friend and she's forced to return home as Crown Princess of Zikhin. Faced with the prospect of crowning her husband king she finds her world turned upside down and she comes to realize just how far Amias' machinations reach. Machinations involving a human bandit, a shape-shifting Nordfirar fight slave, a Shamiran wizard seeking to prove himself and a Nordfirar prisoner known only as the Fox Maiden. Machinations that will force Riya to change, to make alliances and dangerous bargains in an effort to save her people and preserve her sovereignty. But Amias' eye is on a much larger prize.