Shocked by the Plainspeople's invasion of the forest, and captured on a mountainside, highborn Zericha is rescued by dirtbag Andalu, beginning a star-crossed relationship that cuts deep across cliff and culture. Instant attraction between the two won't stop them going head to head in the race to climb Staerstone Mountain. Both are stoke-strong and desperate to take the Scepter of Peace-Zericha to protect her Wyld forest home, Andalu to claim more farmland for his starving Plainspeople. Climbing Staerstone Mountain will reveal the dark natures of those they trusted, lead them to face lies buried in the past, and ultimately force them to confront the truth in their own hearts. The climb will strip them of everything they have, and everyone they care for until, alone, they're forced to rely upon each other. Danger presses on their tail and from deep within the mountain. Unseen threats in the darkness and in the sky blaze closer. As the quest flips and forces them to delve into the mountain and ancient myth, will Zericha and Andalu follow their hearts or their duty? Can they find a way to hold onto their world and each other?
