As crown princess of Marghazar, Durkhanai Miangul will do anything to protect her people. When her grandfather, the Badshah, is blamed for a deadly assault on the summit of neighboring leaders, the tribes call for his head. To assuage cries for war, the Badshah opens Marghazar's gates to foreigners for the first time in centuries. Enter Ambassador Asfandyar Afridi, a wry foreigner who admits outright that he is a spy. And yet, Durkhanai has to make him her ally. When a mysterious illness spreads through the village and the imperialists push hard on her borders, she must sort through the ever shifting loyalties at court and her growing feelings for Asfandyar. Will she be able to leave the antics of a spoiled princess behind and become what her people need--a queen?