As tensions rise between the kingdoms of Westria and Austlind, Molly and Tobias accompany King Alaric to Cortova, where he hopes to form an alliance with the powerful King Gonzalo—an alliance that would be sealed by Alaric's marriage to Gonzalo's daughter, the beautiful princess Elizabetta. But the devious Gonzalo has plans of his own, and, as Alaric discovers, another suitor is vying for Elizabetta's hand.

Soon Alaric becomes trapped in a nightmarish bidding war, in which the price and the terms become ever more outrageous. Yet he cannot afford to walk away. Then comes the first attempt on Alaric's life.

Through it all, Molly is powerless to help him, for her magical Gift sends her nothing now but terrible forebodings—and visions of an enormous talking cat. And as for Princess Elizabetta, who is as clever as she is beautiful—is she really Molly's friend, or just another player in her father's crafty game?