Tamsen must discover what gift can buy the redemption of the Elves--but she may not like the answer. With Asphodel and the Elven Realm safe for a time, Tamsen de Asphodel dives headlong into the political turmoil. Her decision to wade into these shark-infested waters is complicated by the fact that she hasn't yet regained her strength from the magic she used to defeat her uncle, Spesialle. On top of that, Brial is none too pleased that Tamsen's pushing herself physically in the search for Ansienne's new king-or with their best friend's feelings for his wife. So when the Virgin Huntress sends...

Obedience is dangerous, but temptation can kill. Tamsen has learned to sacrifice everything as she plays the game of the gods, but as she nears the end of her quest everything changes again. The hunter becomes the hunted, the ally becomes the foe and behind it all lies the hand of a third, unknown god who tries to lure her from her destiny. As the rumbling memory of an ancient war settles over the Elven Realm, Tamsen's world begins to change. When she is at last compelled to mount the Elven throne, she finally understands that if she fails to beat the gods' game, her people will share her...