Artemio Volpe may have bested the Arazi Dragonlords on the field of battle, but in his absence, the capital has been taken by Agrantine zealots. Behind enemy lines, surrounded by blades of meteoric iron that can blunt his magic, he must find the missing Twin Kings of Espher and escort them to safety, or all will be lost. Meanwhile, his own twin sister travels north with the exiled Arazi, Kagan, to retrieve that which was lost in battle: the most powerful of the Shadebound, now fallen into enemy hands. Standing between them and their goal is nothing less than a legion of dragons, reptilian monsters, and wyvern. Dragonfire and the chill of the grave are tested against each other. Pride and passion spark as courtly intrigue turns deadly. Ambition and duty collide as Artemio's claim on the throne grows stronger. No matter the victor, the world will never be the same again.