The kingdom of Narethia sees two baby girls born at the same moment. A high monk prophesies that one of them carries the phoenix destiny—the future mother of all under heaven. Which girl holds the phoenix fate will only be revealed after eighteen years during the marriage alliance. The King of Narethia believes the destined one must be Joselyn Osborne, so he spends vast amounts of gold and silver nurturing her while completely ignoring Lainey Osborne. Eighteen years later, with Narethia’s national strength failing, a marriage alliance becomes necessary. The King and Ashtyn Harper scheme to have Joselyn marry into the Myrraveth royal family while sending Lainey off to the barbaric wasteland. With her mother imprisoned in the palace, Lainey tearfully departs for marriage. After traveling thousands of miles to reach the Outlands, she is utterly shocked to discover that the so-called barbarian host is actually the King of Zuyenne,and the supposedly impoverished land is overflowing with gold, silver, and precious jewels...
