Laela the half - breed raised in the South is now the Queen of the North. The seemingly invincible King Arenadd Taranisaii and his partner, the dark griffin Skandar, are missing. The Northerners blame Laela for Arenadd's disappearance, but she knows the truth... With only her griffin partner Oeka to help her rule, Laela struggles to maintain power and tensions mount with Arenadd's cousin, Saeddryn, who believes she is the rightful ruler. Laela is forced into a desperate fight to stay queen as the entire North is plunged into a brutal civil war. To win, she will need the help of her new friend, the odd shapeshifter Kullervo, and a surprising griffin ally from the past. But the true test of Laela's strength will come when the deadly Shadow that Walks returns... Praise for KJ Taylor 'Intelligent high - stakes fantasy' BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER 'Taylor is a talent to watch' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY