When forbidden magic arises from an unlikely source, a kingdom will erupt in chaos.
Prince Ash of Melodera lives a pampered, spoiled life, rife with riches, women, and wine. But on his eighteenth birthday, he will discover his birthright - a long forbidden magic from a suppressed heritage he's never known, forcing him to either submit to the Rite of Heartsease, a spell that will tear his magic away - or flee from everything he's ever known.
Cinder lives day to day by her wits and her skill with a blade. Orphaned and homeless, she spends each day lying and stealing in order to earn enough money to meet her goal: assassinate the King of Melodera.
When she sees the king's son stumbling through the woods like a wounded wildebeest, she can barely believe her luck. Striking at his son first will only make her soon-to-be victory sweeter. But the prince comes bearing a stunning secret.
He has music.
And he wants to know what he can do to bring it back.
Soon Cinder and Ash are embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, staying barely one step ahead of the king's men sent to destroy Ash before he can let the world know of the gift the forgotten gods have blessed him with.
But Cinder is determined to protect the spoiled prince because he has the one thing her mother died for. And she's willing to bring a kingdom to its knees to ensure he survives.
Even if it means her heart shatters when it's all over.