Meera has it all figured out: she's a raek rider, she's going to end the war, and the man she loves might even love her back. She has everything under control ... until she bursts into flames. After Meera emerges from her magic-induced coma with a powerful knell body, she soon discovers that the wild raek has given her more than she'd bargained for: the horrifying ability to conjure raek fire. Unable to control her magic and afraid she will burn down everything she has built for herself, Meera leaves the Riders' Holt. With the help of an unexpected-and long-dead-teacher, she will train to prove to herself and her friends that she is worthy of being the next raek rider. But what kind of a rider can't control her own raek? Meera's return to the riders is met with mixed emotions, complicated further when Shael's friend Kennick challenges her to a fight ... and wants to buy her new boots. But the acceptance Meera really needs is from the Queen's Council-without it, she could lose the home she has finally found for herself or even her life.