Lyria and her mother have been on the run from the human kingdom of Verdinae for as long as she can remember. She's an Elf born with a magical Talent-a double offense in a kingdom determined to eradicate both. But when she finds a boy being attacked by a deadly monster in the forest, Lyria risks everything by using magic to save him. She doesn't expect him to survive, and she definitely doesn't expect him to be a human prince. Offered a position at the palace as the royal apothecary, Lyria seizes the chance to step into the light and prove to her mother she can control her unwieldly Talent. But Verdinae is not the paradise it seems. The nobles are ruthless, the secrets are deadly, and Cygnus-the brooding royal healer-seems determined to expose Lyria's every flaw. But beneath the palace lies a darkness far more dangerous than any secret. And when Lyria and Cygnus uncover a hidden world that could change everything, she must decide who to trust and how much she's willing to risk for a love that was never meant to be.
