The start of a compelling epic political fantasy duology, for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Goblin Emperor. Two centuries ago, the kingdom of Honoria's goddesses were silenced in blood. Now, as the realm's fragile peace falters, the whims of a king may reignite the engines of war.'An absolute triumph... deserves to be next to the classics.'Hannah Whitten, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King----------At the last remaining cloister of the sun goddess, a young postulant seeks safety for her child but discovers that sanctuary comes at a heavy price. In the castle on the mountain, a queen treads a knife's edge between loyalty and betrayal, desperate to shape a gentler future. And deep in the mountain's heart, a blinded priest waits in the darkness, biding his time...Together, they will risk the wrath of gods and kings - and decide the fate of a kingdom.'Transports readers to a rich, layered world brimming with intrigue, betrayal, and an unforgettable cast of complex characters.'Heather Walter, author of Malice