Lydia is a scholar, but books are her downfall when she meddles in the plots of the most powerful man in the Celendor Empire. Her life in danger, she flees west to the far side of the Endless Seas and finds herself caught in the middle of a war. Killian is Marked by the God of War, but his gifts fail him when the Corrupter invades Mudamora. Disgraced, he swears his sword to the kingdom's only hope: the crown princess. But the choice will put his oath - and his heart - to the test. With Mudamora falling beneath the armies of the Corrupter, Lydia and Killian strike a deal to save those they love most - but it is a bargain that could lead them to disaster.