The third novel in the Queen's Thief series. Eugenides, still known as a Thief of Eddis, faces palace intrigue and assassins as he strives to prove himself both to the people of Attolia and to his new bride, their queen. By scheming and theft, the Thief of Eddis has become king of Attolia. Eugenides wanted the queen, not the crown, but he finds himself trapped in a web of his own making. Then he drags a naive young guard into the centre of the political maelstrom.
Poor Costis knows he is the victim of the king's caprice, but his contempt for Eugenides slowly turns to grudging respect. Though struggling against his fate, the newly crowned king is much more than he appears.
Soon the corrupt Attolian court will learn that its subtle and dangerous intrigue is no match for Eugenides.