In her classic way, Kerr spins a tale of beginnings and ends, of love and heartbreak, as the spiral narrative winds round upon itself in this final installment of The Westlands series.

Days of air and darkness, nights of siege and steel

A disastrous siege has befallen Cengarn and trapped the Princess Carra behind its walls – the goddess Alshandra has sent a fanatical army to kill Carra's child at any cost.

But Carra has defenders, both elven and human, with powerful magics at their command: Jill and Dallandra, prepare to battle the evil workings of the mad goddess and stand agaist her. Meanwhile, Rhodry is flying to their aid with a powerful ally, a dragon sworn to fight the ravaging Horsekin.

But an old enemy lies in wait to prevent him from ever seeing the city - or Jill - again.

In one timeline we return to Jill and Rhodry's first journey together. In the other, we meet them as they fight what may be their final war.