Lila Marie Haran grew up knowing her destiny lay in one of two places. When her mother, the Queen of Adah died, she would either ascend to her mother's throne, or end up in an unmarked grave on a barren hill known as the Cemetery of Would Be Queens.
As the youngest of the queen's four daughters, Lila figures she has little chance of winning the battle for her mother's throne, a battle known in her homeland of Adah as the Princess Wars.
Her oldest sister, Bedonna, is as big and as strong and as skilled with a sword as any man. Plus, she has the support of the palace guard. Her second sister, Salisha, is blond and beautiful and looks just like their beloved mother. Her third sister, Iderra, is a great intellectual and has the support of the palace scholars.
Lila figures her best chance, her only chance, of winning the throne is to head west and gain the support of General Dacus and the Army of the West. Problem is General Dacus is no long in control. A powder witch has taken control of the Army of the West. To make matters worse, a man from the Far Lands is there. He wants to take a princess back with him and as far as he's concerned, Lila is as good a choice as any.