Having awakened the Waiting King, Maura Woodbury thinks her duty to her country is fulfilled. But she finds her task has only begun. Her brave, beloved consort is not all-powerful, as she'd hoped. Maura must journey deep into the heart of Hanish power, in search of a powerful artifact that could secure her country's freedom. This new quest is fraught with danger, not only to Maura's life and cause, but to her belief in herself and her destiny.