A crown forged from a stolen dragon heart cannot be inherited. It must be unmade.
Six weeks after shattering the Storm Chain, Avenra Selith and Rhydren Vaust remain bound by magic neither of them fully controls-and by a trust neither dares to name.
But when a crown of living fire appears above Avenra's heart and the mountain kingdom of Sarkaveth begins to wake, their fragile freedom becomes a race against a power older than the throne itself.
Beneath the capital, the ancient fire dragon Varkeryth lies chained, his stolen heart sustaining a dynasty. Now the Crown is hollowing its people into Ashborn-and reaching through Avenra's lifeweaving towards the Void inside Rhydren.
To break it, Avenra must discover a form of power built on choice rather than command. Rhydren must face the darkness that made him a weapon-and decide whether he can wield it without becoming one again.
With the city burning, the throne divided, and every secret threatening the bond between them, Avenra and Rhydren must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for a future no ruler can own.