A Dance of Lies

Twenty-two-year-old Vasalie Moran, once a favorite court dancer of the king, has spent two years imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. Barely surviving the dungeon, Vasalie is wracked with pain and losing command of her body. Until suddenly, King Illian offers her a deal: become his spy at the month-long royal Gathering, and he'll grant her freedom.

But dark forces are at work within the Gathering's halls. As Illian's orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing Vasalie to harm and betray those around her, she discovers the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster yet, one far closer to home. Vasalie must navigate a seething pot of politics and betrayals--not to mention three rival suitors--aware that any misstep may cost her life.

With her freedom threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian's brother and greatest adversary, the King of the East, who, despite his devil-may-care reputation, proves himself to be both politically astute and surprisingly kind. As the rivalry between brothers escalates with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth behind her past, including her imprisonment and the real reason Illian chose her as his spy, comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how far she will go to keep the freedom she so desperately sought.