[The Cadian Chronicles 01] • Misery's Child

Lillitha's entire life has been preparation for a consecrated marriage to the Holy Shallan, ruler of the Realm that unifies the Twelve Kingdoms. If she is chosen from among the candidates by the Bene priests and Cadian sisters, she will save her once-noble family from starvation, and enter a life of privilege and luxury.

All she must do is bear a son.

Her Cadian tutor, Yanna, has taught her much of the sisterhood's magic, but it is her younger sister, Marta, who is the stronger "tadomani" — a seer with the ability to read those around her with frightening skill. Already burning with ambition, Marta's only interest is in snaring Tomack, the eldest son of the kingdom's wealthiest merchant.

The Shallan is past his one hundredth summer: ill, half-crazed and desperate for an heir. The palace is full of intrigue and betrayal as Chancellor Paglia slyly siphons away more and more of the Shallan's powers. Osane, the head of the Cadian Sisters, is the only one who dares to stand in Paglia's way.

As the time of the Choosing draws near, Lillitha finds herself once more in the arms of a childhood friend, Scearce. The shy boy has grown into manhood with all the accomplishments befitting a prince, but he has never forgotten Lillitha.

Lillitha must make a terrible choice.... will she risk it all, for love?