While crown prince Jet navigates the looming threat of war, Zahur is content to simply figure out what the future holds for them. Then prince Kasta returns with a shocking claim: he is the true winner of the Crossing and the rightful heir, and he bears the gods' mark as proof. Somehow, Zahur possesses the very same mark, giving her equal right to the throne. The last thing she wants is to rule beside her would-be executioner, but she can't let Orkena fall into his merciless hands. Now Zahru, Jet, and their allies must find a way to stop Kasta: once he's crowned, there's no telling what horrors he'll unleash to win the war. -- adapted from jacket

Sequel to: The kinder poison. Series information from Goodreads