As second son of the King of Levathia, seventeen-year-old Valerian desires the quiet life of a scholarly monk. But when he fails to save his older brother in battle, Valerian must instead become crown prince. While a traitorous knight schemes against him, Valerian meets Mercy, a pacifist Healer with whom he can speak mind-to-mind like the great dragons. Their bond emboldens Valerian to seek out the legendary dragons and ask for their help against the monsters who killed his brother. Can Valerian survive the traitor's assassins long enough to find the dragons? And if he does, can he convince them to lay aside their hatred of humans and help him save the land from destruction?

While Prince Valerian adjusts to marriage as well as his new title, conspiracy brews in the south among disgruntled lords who wish to separate from the north. The situation is made even more volatile by a charismatic rebel leader whose guerilla tactics are swift and brutal. The clandestine efforts of a witch hired by one of the lords render Valerian's gift of Sight ineffective, and Merry's Healing gift is sorely tested. It has become dangerous for a northerner living in the south, and if the gifted young royals fail to stop the growing rebellion, evil will reign in Levathia.

As Prince Valerian and Merry flounder in the aftermath of their terrible losses, they must adjust to the changes that have been wrought upon their lives. Their sole comfort lies in the belief that their nemesis, Liall Guinness has perished and can no longer torment them. But they are wrong. Liall Guinness is very much alive, and willing to sell his soul in order to achieve his vengeance. As the threat of invasion looms, Valerian and his peers clash with the elders who are unwilling to embrace new ideas. If Valerian cannot convince them to change their minds, then despite having the great dragons on their side, the land will run with blood.

Eleven years of peace shatter when the great dragons attack. Prince Valerian, unable to contact the dragon leader, Albinonix, is blamed for bringing the dragons to Levathia. With King Orland gravely ill, and Merry unable to Heal him, Lord Lewes and Sir Gregory take advantage of the turmoil by putting forward their own candidate to succeed Orland in place of Valerian. How can Valerian and Merry quell these dire threats to Levathia’s peace, especially when the unlawfully proposed successor is someone they both love?

The pretender king and the lawless regency council are no more. The surviving people of Levathia gladly enthrone the rightful king and struggle to rebuild in the aftermath of the land's terrible losses. A remnant of the great dragons returns to assist the new king. But there is another dragon under the control of the witch Edrea and the one surviving member of the former regency council who feels he has nothing to lose by unleashing this dragon's fury. He will complete his revenge upon the House of Alden, or set the land on fire.