Young King Jaron has taken the throne of Carthya, but after enemies attempt to assassinate him, and a neighboring kingdom threatens invasion, he finds that he has no friends in the palace, not even his bride-to-be, princess Amarinda--and his regents think it would be better for Carthya if he just disappeared again.

"It's been three months since Countess Annie de Silva slipped away from her home before dawn, leaving a cryptic note and no clue as to her destination. That's an eternity for friends as devoted as the Sisterhood. They've honored Annie's request for privacy long enough. Now they're desperate to ensure that their founding member is alive and well, and that means tracking her down--wherever in the world she might be. Myra Rutledge, Annie's closest confidante...