Prince Maryn's illicit love for Lilli, a young dweomer apprentice, brings forth a curse that threatens them both and begins a cycle of tragedy that is replayed two centuries later when Rhodry Maelwaedd, protector of the Westfolk people, and Raena, high priestess of the Horeskin slavers, vie for the city of Cerr Cawnen.

"A sixteen-year-old girl hiding as a cabin boy must fight for her place in a world that executes female sailors, all while falling for a mysterious stowaway who could destroy everything"-- In a world where female sailors are executed, Lane's dream of being a ship's captain seems impossible. Sea life is all she knows, and Lane has to hide as a captain's boy to avoid being killed. Then an old pirate enemy comes after her father, and she begins hearing...

"After killing Ruven, a heretic sorcerer, and waking the royal family from an enchanted sleep, Lia, born with a miraculous gift, must marry Prince Araunn and forge a pact with a god--or die, discovering the boy she killed may be her only hope of survival"--