Now that Lyr knows the reincarnations of the Guardians have been reborn, she must dive deeper into her past as the Goddess Asherah, and Rhyan's as Auriel if they're going to survive. With Moriel's reincarnation on the verge of restoring his God power, it's crucial Lyr fulfills her oath to the immortal Mercurial. She must claim the red shard-and the otherworldly power it will grant her, because Lyr may be the only one strong enough to defeat a God.

But traveling across the Empire is no simple task. With the consecration of Arianna as Arkasva of Bamaria, and her new political alliances in place, Lyr and Rhyan find themselves vulnerable when Rhyan's political immunity as a forsworn is stripped. He's now wanted in both the north and the south for questioning. Not to mention Imperator Kormac has personally tasked Lord Tristan with hunting Rhyan down and arresting him.

But ever since Lyr learned the Empire's darkest secret, that the Emperor has been enslaving vorakh, siphoning their forbidden magic to the elite, she has only one goal in mind: get Jules out.

But breaking into the Emperor's palace will be nearly impossible, especially after he announces a grand tournament to distract from the civil unrest across the land. The tournament will bring thousands to the capital, including both Imperators. Freeing her cousin will require more power than even Lyr and Rhyan combined possess, especially as more of their secrets come to light, threatening everything they've worked for. The only way to move forward may be to make a far more sinister deal with the person who has the most to gain-the person Rhyan trusts the least.

As they navigate their mission in the present, while uncovering memories of the past, ancient enemies resurface. More Guardians' identities are revealed, and they are ready to finish a war that started a millennia ago.

To protect the ones she loves, Lyr has no choice but to harness more magic and power than she ever has before. But if she can't claim and control the fire inside of her, she risks unleashing total destruction across the Empire, costing her everything-her freedom, her heart, and even her soul.