When Cori of the island of Kethris joins in the priestesses' ceremony to summon the fading magic, it manifests itself to her as a phantom lover. Certain this is a sign that Cori can steal back the island's Heartstone -- the source of the magic -- from the conquering kingdom of Ederian, her island's leaders send her to the mainland where the new king must soon choose his queen. But treachery lurks in King Anders' fortress. In order to save her island, her people, the man she has come to love -- and even her own life -- Cori must risk all to become a true servant of magic.