After surviving a battle to the death, Macella of Shively and Aithan of Auburndale find themselves confined to life in the capital, where they must play the Crown's dangerous games or meet their doom. Meanwhile, evil forces gather just beyond their realm. Rifts in the veil are appearing with greater frequency, unleashing monsters only Aegises can defeat. And if the prophecy is to be believed, Macella and Aithan are ultimately all that stand between Kōsaten and the forces of hell.

With threats on all sides, Macella must rely on Aithan and the love they share. Little does she know, King Khari has plans for them both-sinister, secret plans. But Macella and Aithan have their own secrets to protect. Secrets about who they are and what they must do. If they're discovered before they can defeat the Crown and fulfill the prophecy, they and everyone they love will die.

It seems the Crown and the gods are trying to shape Macella's story to their will. But Macella has always been the author of her life. She's determined to reclaim her story-no matter how it's Fated to end.