Armed with the knowledge gained by her sacrificed memories, Esme must locate hundreds of hidden orb fragments imbued with dark magic if she wants to save her kingdom and spare the mortal realm.

While Esme struggles with the realization that the Order—and the gods themselves—was an elaborate fabrication, she fears the unordained priestesses will resist the truth and withhold their assistance in staving off the barrenness plaguing Tremaene. Even if they agree to help, there’s little time to track down the pieces of the orbs that Esme believes will release raw magic back into the land.

As her relationship with her personal guard becomes more tenuous, Esme questions the merit of keeping him tied to her, and stays silent about spectral visits from Lord Luxovious. Troubled as she is by the memories that link them together, Esme harkens Lord Luxovious’s words, hoping for insight on how to reverse the damage he caused before her rivals turn their sights on the resources across the sea.

But even if she finds all the orb fragments before it’s too late, will Athdara’s foresight and her mother’s book of spells provide what she needs to destroy them? Will her magic be strong enough to withstand the dark magic lurking inside…to resist the lure of it?