Askana Moldarin faces Rafe Rafton, the decree of High Lady Dirare and High Council fresh in her mind. The privateer must be dismissed from the eyes of the First Queen and Court...
Coumiran holds the Palace of a Thousand Suns. Emerging from the Crypts of Morevi, he now possesses one of the Ancient Texts that will return his beloved Maeve back to the corporeal world.
Allies arrive in secret to Songkusai at the same time reality arrives to His Majesty King Jermal. It is the High Lady Dirare that reminds the Consort-King where power in Morevi resides. Meanwhile, Askana — prisoner of Coumiran's Eyriener Forces
Rafe's condition is deteriorating, and Askana now tends to the privateer as they sail for Morevi. That night, the First Queen discovers just how far the Caillech's spell reaches.
Rafe introduces Askana Moldarin to the court of King Henry VIII, but not everyone in attendance is particularly pleased with the privateer's return to London...
Min-Lu continues to plot against her one-time mentor, Askana Moldarin, remaining blissfully unaware of how her Eyriener connection is manipulating the conspiracy to meet his own needs. Deep in the Southern Wood, Kubi-Sogi arrives at the door of
Rafe and Askana have crossed The Rift and are now in the waters claimed by King Henry VIII. They also discover a stowaway in their midst. Meanwhile, back in Morevi, Kubi-Sogi continues to try and find out more about the queen's escape, taking h