"Driven from her kingdom, the would-be queen now seeks haven in the land of her mother. But she will persevere until justice has been done. Determined to unlock the secret of powers long thought impossible, Ashlyn bends her will and intelligence to mastering the one thing people always accused her of --sorcery. Meanwhile, having learned the truth of his mutation, Bershad is a man living on borrowed time. Never knowing when his healing powers will drive him to self-destruction, he is determined to see safe his friends, and the dragons he has given his life to hinting."--Dust jacket flap.