Dara Ruminor is a significant teen duelist in the mountaintop kingdom of Vertigon, a property of dramatic cliffs and misty peaks where mysterious Fire magic works through the stones like blood. The secluded kingdom continues to be peaceful for 100 years. Swords are used for sport, and successful athletes live like kings as long as the crowds like them.

Eighteen-year-old Dara needs to find a wealthy patron in order to duel professionally and avoid a lifetime employed in her parents’ Fire Lantern shop. Her efforts are disrupted when her trainer asks her to train with Prince Siv, an infuriating-if handsome-young guy who refuses to take the activity as significantly as she does. But the prince’s life may be in peril, and soon Dara will discover that Vertigon isn’t as tranquil as she thought.

As threats emerge in the shadows, Dara will have to raise her sword to protect Siv-if he doesn’t irritate her a lot that she decides to perform him through herself.