Smoke in the Sun

In the sumptuous finale of the #1 New York Times bestselling Flame in the Mist series, Mariko returns to stifling court life in order to save the boy she wasn't supposed to fall for. "Mariko is a heroine worth following to the thrilling conclusion."-BooklistFor weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters-a life of usefulness-and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love.
Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted to save the boy she loves. Okami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival-even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Okami forever. As Mariko settles into her days at court-making both friends and enemies-and attempting Okami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide.
One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Okami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.