A queen must take on many responsibilities. Her culture, her entire history, could become meaningless to the growth of a kingdom. Treasured stories held throughout youth are challenged. Enemies become allies, and loved ones betray even the most intimate secrets. With an ailing father, Princess Annabelle is about to learn just how fragile her world is. With a mother who wants her head and a guardsman who wants her hand, it becomes a dance with death to keep her kingdom from falling into ruin.