Portrait of Fire

<p>A century ago the Ash Fall reshaped the world in fire and ruin. Now its embers glow anew-and the empire forged from its ashes threatens to go up in smoke. </p><p></p><p>House Hieronymus rose like a phoenix from the devastation forging an uneasy realm together under the Empire of the Nine. Nine vassals nine lords each with a vote to decide the next ruler. To claim the crown alliances must be forged throats must be cut and the right marriages arranged. Warwick Hieronymus the emperor's chosen heir has been trained for this his entire life. But as the emperor's health declines distant relatives flood the capital to press their claims and whispers spread that Warwick's twin brother may be the better choice. Now Warwick's crown his inheritance and his life hang in the balance. </p><p></p><p>Yet the empire's greatest threats do not come from within the throne room alone. In the south a young slave named Jae sparks a rebellion that unites beastfolk and humans against their oppressors. On the Isle of Flaírnir an aging warrior named Laewyn raises an army to challenge House Hieronymus on her people's ancestral land. And in the east Josephina the daughter of a witch gains control of a powerful draconic artifact that could change the fate of the entire world. </p><p></p><p>As cousins conspire brothers betray and cataclysmic threats awaken the House of the Phoenix threatens to go up in flames. And if it burns the Ash Fall will rise again-this time to consume the world for good.</p>