As queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Lia will do anything to keep her people free, and her secrets safe. Guided by a magic ring of her father's, Lia plays the political game withe the cronies the emperor sends to her island. Conr,̕ former Crown Prince of Oriel, has an army to overthrow the emperor, but he needs the fabled Abiding Ring that Lia holds to succeed.