On her coronation day, Empress Yedda Lara orders her betrothed, Ronan Vance, thrown into the furnace for allegedly draining the empire's dragon vein. Ten years ago, Ronan actually tore out his own dragon core to seal the demons beneath them, but now, he stands branded a traitor.Before he can burn, the ancient Vowstone shatters, unleashing memories that expose the truth to the entire court: it was Ronan who saved Yedda's life as a child, sacrificing his blood, his horns, and his power to protect her, while the true villain, Chancellor Cyrus, stole her memories and framed him.As her hatred shatters into agonizing guilt, the dragon vein begins to die. Desperate and broken, the empress falls to her knees, begging the man she just condemned to save them all.
