YOU CANNOT FORFEIT. YOU CANNOT RUN. YOU DUEL OR YOU DIE.

Astrid has always known she is destined to die. She is the last Nachstern witch and heir to the Queendom of Arturea, cursed to duel her rival from the Kingdom of Vatra for the source of all magic. She only has her familiar, her potions and her wits to aid her; her opponent, Prince Zryan, has a massive Hel-damned dragon. She's going to die, and the chance to cure the Blight ravaging her queendom will die with her.

Deep in dragon country, blade-juggler Skylar is searching for her best friend, who she fears has been taken in the king's conscription of those with Blooded powers. She despises the royals, but the path to find him may just take her closer to them – and the witches – than she would like…

As the duel looms, Skylar and Astrid's fates intertwine, forcing them to choose between loyalty and survival in a world where every decision could lead to ruin.