The fourth novel set in L. J. McDonald's richly imagined world of the elemental sylphs returns readers to the kingdom of Meridal, where an invisible, deadly force has descended... Former concubine Eapha now sits on the throne as the carefree--if negligent--queen of a corrupt desert empire. As the ambassador from Sylph Valley, Devon Chole travels to Meridal, aided by an air sylph named Airi--and saddled with a crippling fear of battle sylphs...