The royal court is in turmoil following a massacre. Kel, Prince Conor's body-double, is hunting for traitors ; the notorious Ragpicker King, ruler of Castellanos criminal underworld, holds the only clues. But they lead to a dark conspiracy. Lin also faces challenging times after her false claim to be the legendary Goddess reborn, and must pass a series of tests. Failure will mean exile, and only further dangerous deception can save her now.
As tensons in Castellane reach fever pitch, Prince Conor demands that Lin heal his father. But the King is tormented by anaient magic, and Lin cannot deny its allure - any more than she can deny her growing passion for the prince. Lin and Kel must decide who to trust. And one false move will mean death ...