Cecilia Meiden, the granddaughter of Tengel the Good, because of her fiery temper and far too decisive nature, finds herself in a very difficult position. Left alone amid the intrigues and secrets of the royal court, she seems to have only one person she can trust—Count Paladin, whose surname speaks for itself—but he too has a secret that could cost them both their lives. Meanwhile, the other grandchildren of Tengel—his younger son Are’s children—are thrown into a war that will forever change their lives…