Darkened Skies

Astrea Sovna is destined to die. As a Lightbringer, she’s expected to serve the Helosian government as a battlefield healer; but when the court seer—Astrea’s uncle—has a vision of her being killed in the line of duty, he forbids her to reveal her powers. Until now, Astrea has gone unnoticed as a junior librarian. But when she gets reassigned to a diplomatic project to strengthen ties between Helosia and one of its neighbors, she finds herself saddled with her past, in the form of returned war hero and her ex-best friend, Prince Varojin Auris.

After fleeing the Helosian Empire, Astrea and her friends follow the trail of clues north in search of the mystery-cloaked void mages known as the Paragon. Crossing the border into Novaria, the group finds the capital city on high alert after a string of murders. Just like in Kalama, the victims bear the mark of void magica clear display of brazenness as the shadows influence continues to grow across the continent.

With the Paragon’s target on their backs, Astrea and Varojin find themselves temporarily exiled from Talmaris for the safety of its people. Not content to wait until trouble finds them again, Astrea convinces Varojin and their guards to trek with her through the Novarian mountains in search of answers that will avert destruction.

Destiny demands sacrifice. With Prince Kaius holding three of their friends for ransom, Astrea and Varojin wearily rally the team for a treacherous rescue mission. But when their quest turns into a violent confrontation, Astrea and her friends question how much void magic the Emperor really has under his control. Amid the rebellion’s growing efforts to thwart both the Emperor and the Paragon, Victor Nazarov retaliates with quick and violent action, leaving both Astrea and the continent at large reeling.

Varojin Auris didn’t ask to be a prince. As the illegitimate child of the Helosian emperor, he was never meant for the world he grew up in, and he knows it. When his father enlists Varojin in the military two years before the service age, it’s clear he’s no longer welcome in the court. So, forced to follow the emperor’s orders, Varojin severs ties with his old life and sets off for Fort Ironwing.