Khamilla e-Zahr's life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she's known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an overthrown emperor, she spent her childhood training to win him back the throne. But when her parents are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of Nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield - especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za'skard. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy's army full of jinn, magic, and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her parents, and reclaim her clan's throne.

To survive she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father's teachings. With a war brewing amongst the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible choices:

Vengeance or salvation.