When the King of the realm dies after a long illness, his daughter, the Princess Allanah, finds herself facing almost certain death. Her uncle Morgan covets her kingdom, and he has no compunction about taking it away from her. But before he can overthrow her, Allanah finds herself backed by her father's friend, Baron Guile of Moonshade, and his northern tribe. Supported by the Barons, she and her cousin Eden flee the capital for the safety of northern lands – but Morgan Tempest is not to be deterred. He strikes a bargain with the evil Lord Wizard of the Bracken Isles that will see Allanah and Eden kidnapped, and used as bait in a depraved game that will test the loyalty of her supporters, and the mettle of the men of honour who have chosen to stand by her in memory of her father. This book contains adult situations, violence, and mature themes.