With this USA Today bestselling book, a woman with power over fireplace and illusion as well as the enslaved son of the chieftain battle a corrupt empire with this powerful and deeply emotional intimate fantasy.

Every year, each village must send a woman to the Empire’s capital–her fate to become burnt alive for the entertainment of the masses. Going back five years, one small village’s tithe continues to be the same female. Gilene’s sacrifice defends all the other young ladies of her village, and her top secret to keeping alive lies using the magic just she possesses.

But this season is different.

Azarion, the Empire’s most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion–and is defined on blackmailing Gilene into using her capabilities to help him get away his life of slavery. Unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To safeguard her family members and village, she will abandon everything to return to the Empire–and burn once more.