"Mags was a Herald of Valdemar. But he had once lived the brutal life of a child slave. When he was Chosen by his Companion Dallen, his young life was saved, and he slowly adjusted to being well fed, educated, and treasured as a trainee in the Herald's Collegium at Haven. Singled out by the King's Own Herald, Mags would thrive in his secret training as a spy. His unusually strong Gift--an ability to Mindspeak and Mindhear anyone, not just others who were Gifted--made him a perfect undercover agent for the king" -- Mags's unusually strong Gift-- an ability to Mindspeak and Mindhear anyone, not just others who were Gifted-- made him a perfect undercover agent for the king. He is betrothed to Amily, and she has found a way to build an army of informants herself, a ground of highly trained but impoverished young noblewomen. When King Kyril turns Mags and Amily's wedding into a low-key diplomatic event, what could possibly go wrong?