Whomsoever draws the sword from the ancient seat of this land shall rule it, and they shall bring peace and prosperity to its people. For nearly a thousand years, the first-born son of every Cannamore King has drawn the sword, and the land and her people have indeed prospered. Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon is neither male nor first-born, but it is her hand that draws the sword rather than her twin brother’s. As a reward, she is given a prison rather than a throne. But a deep darkness now spreads across the Kingdom, and her borders are threatened by creatures capable of magic powerful enough to destroy mountains or split the land asunder. Without the true heir to wield the sword, Cannamore risks annihilation. The King and crown prince want nothing more than to be permanently rid of Nyx, but cannot afford her blood on their hands. Instead, they give her to a highland warlord in the hope he will do what they dare not. Nyx has no intention of letting the highlander get in the way of her thirst for revenge or the need to reclaim her throne. But it’s a quest that may well destroy the kingdom she loves. Because Nyx has been cursed by the god of war. It is her destiny to save Cannamore. Or utterly destroy it.