In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the pursuit of wealth, power, and hedonistic thrills unites both the elite and the criminal underworld. Kel, an orphan raised as the Sword Catcher, serves as a body double for the royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. Trained in combat and statecraft, Kel shares a brotherly bond with Conor, yet he knows his fate is to sacrifice himself for the prince. Lin Caster, a member of the Ashkar community with magical abilities, defies the law by venturing beyond the walls to care for the sick. Despite her skills, she struggles to save her best friend due to a lack of forbidden knowledge. A failed assassination attempt intertwines Lin and Kel's fates, leading them to the enigmatic Ragpicker King, the criminal mastermind of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them their deepest desires, but as they navigate his world of intrigue, they uncover a conspiracy of corruption that spans from the city's darkest alleys to its grandest palaces. As long-hidden secrets emerge, they must confront difficult questions: Is knowledge worth betrayal? Can forbidden love topple a kingdom? Will their revelations ignite war and chaos?
