The novel continues the story of a young woman whose developing magical abilities place her at the center of a conflict threatening her realm. As she and her ally seek to understand their differing backgrounds and work toward protecting their world, an attempted rescue results in unexpected loss and reveals the extent of her mother's power. Confronted with new information about her family, including her father's past actions, she must decide how to use her abilities and where her loyalties lie. The narrative explores themes of identity, heritage, responsibility, and the consequences of magic within a fantastical setting.