RISING FROM THE ENDLESS SEA is the Vertical Horizon, a massive rock spire holding four tiers of kingdoms. Four Truth Stones, one for each of the spire's interdependent tierdoms, help maintain a delicate power balance. But when a stone is stolen, the Spire is plunged into war.
Seventeen-year-old Princess Aratess of Ardenia is destined for the shallow life of the royal court-and an arranged marriage to a selfish prince-but she longs to serve her people in a different way. For years, she's practiced archery in secret, and when the chance arrives, she matches her talents against Colt, an elite King's Bowman.
Fiercely loyal to the crown, twenty-year-old Colt questions how his mother's people, the Reyjik, could betray the Realm. He also questions the judgment-though not the skills-of the fiery young woman who has inserted herself into his mission. Tess keeps her identity a secret, knowing Colt would forbid his princess from risking her life. Colt, meanwhile, strives to keep a secret of his own: his growing feelings for Tess.
As Reyjik overrun Costair's capital, Colt and Tess escape skyward to warn the King of Ardenia and mount a counterattack. Desperate, they enlist the help of Deacon, Colt's estranged childhood friend and a lighter-than-aircraft pirate. Will Colt, Tess, Deacon, and a motley crew of pirates prove enough to stave off invasion and turn the tide of war?
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