Fighting the stigma of being an Andarion without a father, outcast Talyn Batur is drawn into a plot against the crown and is forced to make a choice between his government and his beliefs.

Asa is the youngest daughter of the house of Fane, which has been fighting a devastating food and energy crisis for far too long. She thinks she can save her family's livelihood by posing as her oldest sister in an arranged marriage with Eagle, the heir to the throne of the house of Westlet.

In Cambridge, England, Madeleine Tully is still working to gather the Royal Family, and get them back to their parallel world--but in Cello, Elliot Baranski is being held captive, the Hostiles are working against the Royal Family, and the World Severance Unit is trying to stop all contact between Cello and the World for good.

With unique insight, deep access, and exclusive revelations, journalist Omid Scobie pulls back the curtain on an institution in turmoil, exposing the infighting, family deterioration, and outdated practices threatening its very future.