There is no way to tell one flame from another except for what is revealed in its light or destroyed in its path.

Princess Lorilys has spent the last three years preparing to rule the kingdom she inherited from her sister. As her ascension approaches, a rebellion emerges, endangering everything she has sworn to protect: her family and the future of the molecularly talented citizens of Lawrencia.

When connections are discovered between the rebellion and her sister, who was said to have taken her own life by leaping from the tallest tower in the palace, Lorilys finds herself with questions she needs answered before ascending the throne as Queen and marrying the man who was meant to wed her sister.

In her quest to find the rebellion and uncover their secrets, she uses her forbidden talent to alter her appearance. Under the alias "Sage," Lorilys crosses paths with Zathrian, kin of a dignitary and Lawrencia's newest cargo ship captain. Through deceit and determination, Lorilys places herself by Zathrian's side as he recruits his first crew, whom she suspects to be rebels.

The closer Lorilys comes to learning the truth, the harder it becomes to maintain her double life. With time running out, her desperate actions leave a trail for the wrong person to follow. Now, she must choose between being a pawn or a player.