With the Cloud Kingdom’s allegiance secured, Queen Sparrow “Ro” turns her sights toward the neph—an elusive, shadow-dwelling people whose ancient power could shift the balance of the war. Mysterious, secretive, and feared even among the Grym, the neph are not easily won over. But Ro is willing to risk everything for peace—even if it means stepping into the darkness alone. Across the Whistling Sea, Queen Anyka is preparing for something far more brutal. Determined to seize the Radiant kingdom, she’s begun strengthening a monstrous alliance of her own—this time with the mountain trolls, whose brute strength and thirst for destruction make them terrifying allies. With every new army under her command, Anyka’s desire for domination grows stronger. As tensions rise and kingdoms teeter on the edge of war, Ro must navigate treacherous politics, unravel the neph’s motives, and confront her own inner doubts. The dangerous magic of Lady Cynzia’s grimoire still whispers to Ro in secret, tempting her to fight fire with fire. Peace may still be possible—but only if Ro can survive long enough to claim it.