The countries of Eistrea and Hellebore were once one land, torn asunder by war. A thousand years later, the Hellebore Empire and the Kingdom of Eistrea foster peace along the shared borders of the river Adracias, united by faith in a river god and an ancient treaty signed in blood and magic.
Prince Elia of Eistrea is the youngest of four and is hated by siblings and royal parent alike. Outcast for being different, Elia suffers through abuse and scorn. Gifted with magic that leaves him hated by his father, Elia is waiting for the day he's tossed aside.
The festival of Adracias approaches, and the Hellebore Empire has sent their ambassador to Eistrea, guarded by a squadron of the Hellions, the best warriors in Hellebore. One of their numbers is Sir Merrick, a gentle warrior who notices Elia. Despite knowing better, Elia falls in love with the guard.
Yet Sir Merrick has a secret, one even bigger than the magic abilities Elia keeps hidden. When Elia learns the truth, the potential for war on a scale never seen before erupts between the two lands. Tensions rise and swords are drawn, and Elia is offered a chance to achieve his heart's secret desire and preserve a thousand-year-old peace.
