The year is 1893, and war is brewing in the First American Kingdom. But Claire Emerson has a bigger problem. Claire's father is a sought-after inventor, but he believes his genius is a gift granted to him by his daughter's touch, so he keeps Claire under his control.

As their province prepares for war, Claire plans to escape, even as her best friend, Beatrix, tries to convince her to stay and help with the growing resistance movement that wants to see a woman on the throne.

When her father's weapon fails to fire on the World's Fair's opening day, Claire is taken captive by Governor Remy Duchamp, St. Cloud's young, untried ruler. Remy believes that Claire's touch bestows graces he's never had, and with political rivals planning his demise, Claire might be his only ally.

The last thing that Claire has ever wanted is to be someone else's muse, but she finally has a choice: Will she quietly remake her world from the shadows-or bring it down in flames?

• An Alternate American Monarchy: In a reimagined 1893, war is brewing, inventors build terrifying new weapons for the World’s Fair, and a resistance fights to put a woman on the throne.
• A Reluctant Muse: Claire Emerson’s touch is a curse. Her father uses it to fuel his genius, and now a young governor has taken her captive, believing she is the key to his own power.
• Captive Romance: Taken prisoner by the untested ruler Remy Duchamp, Claire must become his ally to survive. But in the close confines of the governor’s mansion, their dangerous alliance could become something more.
• World’s Fair Intrigue: Step into the Gilded Age splendor and danger of the 1893 World’s Fair, where political rivals plot in the shadows of magnificent pavilions and the future of the kingdom is at stake.