A terrible sickness rages through the Eyrie, demanding all of Fionn's skill and magic as a healer, and leaving him no time to pine after the prince of Morven Forest. Far to the north, Kiernan awaits whatever terrible revenge his Queen will exact for the crime of evading her punishment-Kier still has no magic, but he is no longer cut off from his beloved forest. But instead of further discipline, Kiernan finds himself sent to Great River, where he is instructed to set up a Sidhe embassy in the mostly human city. Struggling with the loss of magic and the absence of the man he loves, the heart-bond he shares with Fionn is all that keeps Kiernan grounded. Then, that same bond delivers the devastating knowledge that something has happened to Fionn, something that has left him hurt and in pain. Too far away to send timely aid, Kiernan is left to decide if he can risk angering his Queen further by leaving his post to travel across the Isle. If he goes, he risks his freedom and that of his loyal staff. If he stays, Fionn might not survive.