If you had to choose between love and the survival of your nation, what would you sacrifice? Prince Koen the Gray, second-born of Emperor Vesper the Uniter, is desperately trying to secure Lucardia's future. Tasked with cementing a fragile truce with the Northlands' Circle of Eight, he must produce an heir with his Northling bride, Rachel of Thorne. But Koen is forced into a dangerous quest for a miracle when the Circle sabotages this peace by ensnaring him in love with a bride who cannot conceive. Enticed by whispers that the Nyth Cigran-a secretive coven of witches rumored to wield forbidden powers of the flesh-may still live, Koen ventures into the treacherous Wastelands, far from the safety of Blackdown Castle. There, he meets Erikini, an orphan girl who can hear the dead. Together, they discover that the witches' aid comes at a steep price, subjecting Koen to grueling trials that push him to his limits. As Koen confronts the harsh realities of sacrifice and the painful truth that some must suffer for others to prosper, his journey evolves into a relentless battle for his soul-where compromise is impossible. His decisions will determine not only his destiny but also the future of the realm he is sworn to protect. In the end, he must face the ultimate question: how much is he willing to sacrifice for a son and heir? Koen is the prequel to the Absolution of the Morning Star series. It is the tale of the mysterious disappearance of Erikson Gray's father before he was born.