The first book of The Twelve Houses, Mystic and Rider, introduced readers to the troubled land of Gillengaria. Now, Sharon Shinn continues her epic tale, as a beautiful shapeshifter finds that intrigue and danger can be found even in the safest of havens.
After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to
rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling
Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah,
has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah
refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra
shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during
which she unexpectedly meets up with her compatriots from
her previous adventures. The motley group faces many
dangers- and Kirra places herself in peril when she falls
in love with the married Lord Romar. Revealing her true
identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that
places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into
the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House.