Six years ago, Aelin Riorson was believed to have died at the hands of Colonel Aetos, with her brother Xaden helplessly watching as her throat was slit. But Aelin survived - and went into hiding, assuming the alias Lillian Parker to protect herself...
Aelin Riorson had been dead to Xaden for six long years. The night her throat was slit by Colonel Aetos, with Xaden helplessly restrained, was the last memory he had of her - a memory that tormented him every day, until her name became a haunting whisper, buried deep in his heart. But now, as the newest recruit entering the Riders' Quadrant under the alias Lillian Parker, Aelin lives, though no one, not even her brother, would know it. She doesn't bear the same dark, stormy looks as Xaden; instead, she's a near-perfect replica of their mother: pale skin, strawberry-blonde curls, and a delicate frame. Yet, her eyes, those hauntingly beautiful mismatched eyes, are what set her apart-golden onyx in her left and emerald green in her right. Eyes that, if Xaden were to catch sight of them, would reveal the truth in an instant.
But Aelin's life is one of secrets, and the most dangerous of them all is the one she hides from her brother. She has sworn an oath to remain hidden, to stay "dead" in every way, not just to protect herself, but to protect Xaden, who, if he ever learned the truth, would be at the greatest risk of all. She cannot risk it - cannot risk the chance that he would remember her, and in doing so, threaten the fragile existence she's built in the shadows of rebellion.
As she navigates the Riders' Quadrant, Aelin is determined not to let anyone see beyond the carefully crafted mask of Lillian. Her skills, however, draw attention. There's something unnerving about the way she fights - too similar to how Xaden was taught, too familiar in her movements. Then, she bonds with Sgaeyl's sister, Zyphira, an enigmatic dragon who has remained hidden for years, and it's impossible for Xaden to ignore the strange pull he feels towards her. There's a connection, he senses it. A bond he cannot explain, but a bond that is undeniable.
