From the depths of the Spiral Castle, Prince Gallus plots his return. Years in exile have done nothing to soften him—if anything, they have sharpened a hatred that already drove him to murder his own brother, Kale. His eyes now fall on Cho, next in line for the Throne of Speris. Cho is no warrior by birthright—just a farmer's son—but fate appears to have made its choice. To preserve the peace and prosperity of the Sperislands, he must find the strength to stand against Gallus before the exiled prince reclaims what he was never fit to hold.