A princess destined to do her duty, even when it costs her everything. An heir determined to prove himself before he takes the throne. A prince determined to protect his people by blood and by blade. A soldier forever tainted by impure blood with a deadly, and powerful, secret. The fate of an empire rests in the hands of more than just its emperor. When Kelnore is threatened by forces from outside and from within who wish to see the illustrious empire crumple, its defenders will come from both expected, and unexpected, places. Bastards and princes will find themselves face to face with magic of the likes they have never before seen, and even a princess will wade into treachery in order to protect the Imperial House. Will the empire prevail? Or will its future be one of ashes and blood?