Zahru has always craved adventure, but as a lowly Whisperer her magic only lets her commune with animals—and her destiny is mucking stables until her power fades. That is, until the king declares the Crossing: a perilous race across the desert where his heirs compete for the crown, and a human sacrifice seals the winner’s fate.
When Zahru sneaks into the palace for one reckless night of revelry, she’s thrust into the game as the sacrifice herself. Suddenly, her survival depends on outwitting ruthless heirs who wield armies, wealth, and lethal magic.
Every step across the desert pushes Zahru closer to death—or to a chance at rewriting her fate. But in a contest where betrayal is the only constant, can courage ever be enough?
