This is the second book in C. S. Pacat's homoerotic fantasy political drama trilogy and it in no way suffers from any 'middle book' lull. It is just as action packed as the first book, with more danger and higher stakes. Laurent, Prince of Vere, and Damen, the enslaved Prince of Akielos, are forced into a reluctant and mistrustful alliance as the border conflicts between their two countries escalate. Damen is just beginning to glimpse the machinations of Laurent's uncle the Regent. Laurent is just beginning to see Damen's usefulness to his own cause. And they are both beginning to acknowledge their extreme attractions to each other.