One good deed leads to another, which for an evil mage desperately wanting to get back to his usual business of making mischief, is hardly a good thing.

Acair of Ceangail has, almost willingly, shouldered the quest of saving the world. Armed with nothing but his charm, a nose for trouble, and the determination to keep his beloved out of the magical fray, he's marching off into the deepening gloom to engage in Noble Deeds.

L irsinn of S raichte asked for magic, despite its devastating effects, to protect Acair as he seeks to fight a mage of terrible power and soul-draining spells. She just hadn't expected her part in their quest to be quite so critical.

Time is beginning to run out for the two of them, and the battle to save the world and those they love draws ever closer. They just never dreamed how close to home that battle might be . . .

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland continues the Nine Kingdoms saga with the last installment of a trilogy where a reluctant hero and courageous stable lass are all that stands between the world and a relentless evil.