Kyona’s lost heir is found—but his birthright might be his greatest curse Calinnae’s world is shattered when a discovery about his best friend Jonan brings the king’s soldiers down on both families. Barely avoiding their pursuers, the two friends escape with nothing but each other, and the stories of the past they grew up with. Stories that might hold answers, if they turn out to be more than just legends. Still hunted, they set out for Kyona’s infamous mountains, assisted by Elnora, an unlikely rescuer with mysteries of her own. They hope to find answers, perhaps even the dragons of legend, whose magic might be the key to restoring Kyona’s ancient bloodline. But the mountains hold more than just magic—they hold a secret that none of the friends are prepared for. And Calinnae’s response, as much as Jonan’s, will decide whether the kingdom stands or falls.

Jonan thought he was ready for anything—he was wrong With the usurper defeated and Kyona’s throne secure, the responsible course would be to focus on stabilizing the kingdom. But responsible has never been Jonan’s approach. Bent on adventure and discovery, he sails for the South Lands, the heart of the slave trade that has plagued Kyona for centuries. But with an unforeseen magic at work, the plight of the enslaved Kyonans is much worse than he imagined. Between the beautiful but heartless Lady Wrendal, the mysterious rebel leader Scar, and the tyrannical Overseer of Slaves, it will take more than boldness if Jonan is to survive long enough to overcome the curse keeping his countrymen captive. With the danger spreading even to Kyona, and Cal and Elnora more vulnerable than ever, Jonan might just have the fate of two kingdoms in his hands.

Scarlett thought she’d left her past behind—but some things you can’t outrun A year has passed since the curse was broken. Even though Kyona is now Scarlett’s home, she knows she must face the demons she left behind. But when Scarlett and Jonan set out for Nohl, they don’t realize the danger that awaits them. Unknown forces are at work in Balenol, and Scarlett’s opportunity to reconcile her past quickly becomes a desperate fight to save not only her husband, but her future. And with every reason to turn her back on the kingdom that has rejected her, she will have to decide whether she is willing to risk everything she’s built to fight for the future of Balenol itself.