Amit struggles to express her feelings for Captain Jormungand. Meanwhile, Sariphi faces her first duty as acting queen consort: a journey to bless the newborn prince of a vassal state. But the child's mother has other ideas.

Leonhart arrives just as Sariphi and her would-be rescuers near the end of their rope. Now the king must face the pretender to his throne. But how will he fare against a rival who has lived his life for this moment?