Publisher's Synopsis
In Hilde's tale, the land of Terren, a land in which every Terrenti has a heart of gemstone, is ruled by the tyrant Queen Eris. When Hilde becomes the maidservant of a mysterious old woman, she discovers a magic within her that manifests as flame and shield. She explores the origins of the magic and learns much from the old woman she is serving. Yet, the more she learns, the more danger she puts herself in. Little does she know that Queen Eris is plotting her demise.
In Aideen's tale, over a century after Hilde's, Aideen and her mother flee to the kingdom of Unakalta looking for safety. Aideen faces her mother's curse and inner struggles, but more trouble lurking. As she commits herself to the country of Unakalta, Eris plots to destroy it. She gathers an army of her people and one fearful Terrenti man to hasten the downfall of the Unakaltan Empire. The citizens of Unakalta have two options: Go to war with Eris and her armies or surrender their land. The Unakaltans are valiant and choose the first, but will they succeed?
