Maia Tamarin has returned from her journey to a kingdom on the brink of war; the boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor's bride-to-be to keep the peace. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, Maia has been changing-- glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. But even if she loses herself completely, Maia will stop...