Great power commands a great price...

Magic has been forbidden in Caithe for 200 years and those born with magic—the Lorngeld—are considered the devil’s children. The Lorngeld are ruthlessly executed by the Caithan Church before they can be corrupted by mind-plague—the volatile madness that afflicts untrained wizards. Only King Kelwyn, artificially gifted with borrowed magic, is exempt from punishment. His daughter may not be so lucky.

Impertinent and rebellious, Princess Athaya prefers to spend her time gambling and drinking rather than courting would-be suitors. Discovering that she is a natural-born wizard is an unwelcome surprise. But there are those who believe it is a gift, and that an adept of Athaya’s inherent ability may be an opportunity to finally lead the Lorngeld out of persecution.

Torn between loyalty to her kingdom, her duty to the Lorngeld, and her own impulsive heart, Athaya must harness her burgeoning magic before it drives her mad, and learn to wield its power before those who fear it—and those who envy it—can destroy her.

Her greatest strength is her greatest weakness…

Princess Athaya of Caithe paid a steep price for her gift: the lives of family, friends, and lovers, excommunication from the Church, and a death warrant in her kingdom. She barely escaped Caithe with her life, and yet she is already plotting her return.

Despite months of grueling instruction, Athaya is only just beginning to understand the full extent of her talents. Her battle-magic is unpredictable and her spell path-maps incomplete. But Athaya is running out of time. While she’s been safely training, the Lorngeld continue to suffer under the cruel reign of her brother Durek.

Athaya swore she’d abolish the Church’s murderous rite of absolution and legalize the teaching of magic to the Lorngeld. Doing so will be far from simple. Though Athaya is aided by a powerful group of wizards, King Durek will not rest until she is defeated… and Athaya unwittingly already holds the key to her own demise.

The lust for power is a madness of its own.

Over the past year, princess Athaya Trelane emerged as the champion of the Lorngeld, beseeching them to defy the laws forbidding their magic and to embrace their gifts. For this she sacrificed everything—family, friendship, love—even her own sanity. Though her followers still face the terror of King Durek’s ruthless Tribunal, a far greater threat closes in on all of Caithe.

Brandegarth, the Sage of Sare, is leading an army of skilled wizards against the king, Athaya, and anyone else who opposes him. Brandegarth believes the Lorngeld are better than other men and are destined to rule the earth. If he succeeds in his rebellion, all the wealth and power of Caithe will belong to him, and non-magical citizens will be crushed under his reign.

Athaya’s quest to end centuries of Lorngeld persecution seems closer than ever, but Brandegarth’s strength is growing, threatening to obliterate all that she’s gained. With her mission, her people, and her kingdom on the line, Athaya must confront her greatest adversary yet—and this time, her magic may not be enough to save her.