Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he's not too pleased, either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance. When Tashi and Ram are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape—from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure—including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of spies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen—help them or betray them to the enemy?

Living above her father's workshop, Rain secretly designs stained glass but when she is discovered she must go to the strange new land of Magharna. Bandits roam the lonely roads and when Rain is ambushed she knows that she cannot win the fight. That is until a boy with a falcon saves her and an adventure of a lifetime begins.

Flame-haired Thorn is taken as a child into the blood-thirsty service of the priests of Hollin. Her life looks set for a quick death as she has no skills to save her. Then chance intervenes and she is made prisoner in Brigard and brought before King Ramil's son, Lagan for judgement. What is Lagan to make of the bitter girl standing before him? Little does he know that his path is now bound with hers. Through mountains, over seas, and on the battlefield, their choices will decide the destiny of three nations. It is just a shame then that Thorn hates him and he distrusts her. What could go wrong?