The story continues as the Gradiare steps out of the shadows, leading a war against the King. Pendry is now a captain in the rebellion. Between leading his patrol in defense of the outer ring and helping plan an attack on the inner ring, Pendry struggles to balance this new life of war with his budding relationship with Jewel, the previous leader of the Gradiare.
Meanwhile, Jewel struggles with being denied a place in the ongoing war after her recent brush with death, and becomes fearful of losing those she loves and cares for by being kept away from active combat. Torn between her violent past as a powerful Commander and her newfound longing to create a peaceful life for herself and Pendry, Jewel fights to find her place in the Gradiare again while also battling a mysterious pain that begins to consume her nights.
