The Healer of Cassica has survived leaving her home for the enemy land, Byzanthia. The Edict, an ancient covenant, is fulfilled. With her husband banished by his father, Princess Casica struggles to find her way in this violent kingdom. Her guide in the journey is the chief slaveswoman Clarece, wedding gift of Prince Bastien. When an injured slave thrusts the healer deep within the slavish world of her property, Casica discovers the more she learns of Clarece’s story, the more chapters she finds are missing. A fateful meeting with Ars, King of Byzanthia, reveals all. Clarece d'Casica is not who she appears to be. Will the knowledge of her haunting origin release the Queen of Slaves to greater freedom, or will it bind her to an even more tragic future?