In the world of The Priory of the Orange Tree, an ancient divide threatens the fragile peace of a kingdom without an heir. Queen Sabran the Ninth rules the House of Berethnet, which has steered Inys for a millennium. Yet her throne is imperiled as she remains childless, and dark forces inch closer every day. Lady-in-waiting, Ead Duryan, wields clandestine magic as she protects the queen, concealing her true allegiance to a secretive order of mages. Across the sea, Tané aspires to become a dragonrider, facing a harrowing decision that could unravel her destiny. As the east-west schism endures and chaos beckons, these women must navigate treachery and pursue courage to be the steadying pillars of their splintering world.