Winning the crown was never easy. Holding onto it will prove almost impossible. Rose has ascended the throne that is hers by birthright. As she enters the second year of her reign, she must grapple with the knowledge that not everyone in Illyn supports her rule; and a few have grown bold enough to challenge her. When her strongest ally is taken by her enemies, Rose must decide which she will listen to more- her heart, or her head? Erven has lived by and suffered for his loyalty many times over. With the lives of everyone he loves at stake, he faces a choice out of his worst nightmare- betray his queen and family, or see the country he almost died defending crumble into war? With Illyn held in the unrelenting grip of winter, each of them will have to make their choice-and there's no guarantee they'll come out unscathed.