The looming battle at Summerfort between the rebels and the king is less than a year away, and the fate of all of Alban is in Neryn"s hands. She alone can unite the fey Good Folk with the rebels to create a force strong enough to match their enemies. With months running short, she must find two more Guardians to receive their tutelage before reuniting with her allies. But Keldec"s twisted drive for power has led him to cross new thresholds of horror that Neryn must drop everything to stop--while Flint"s perilous double life is all but exposed as he tries to do the same. As the days before the battle drop quickly away, Neryn"s hope begins to dwindle. She wants nothing more than to free her homeland and live in peace with her beloved. But at what cost will that resolution come--if any?