In the city-state of Castellane, Kel is a Sword Catcher, a body double for Prince Conor Aurelian trained to protect the heir by intercepting any threat intended for him. His life is bound to the prince’s, sharing his education and secrets while remaining a shadow. Lin Caster is an Ashkar physician, a member of a community possessing forbidden magical knowledge. When an assassination attempt brings them together, they are drawn into the schemes of the Ragpicker King, the ruler of Castellane’s criminal underworld. Together, they must navigate a web of political intrigue and ancient magic that threatens to destabilize the kingdom.