In the People’s Kingdom, obedience means safety from the horrors of the Beast - a vicious dragon ensnared in magical slumber. But how can Torver obey when his very existence is illegal? Inexplicably devoid of the magic that blesses everyone else in the Kingdom, Torver can’t get his papers - and will hang for it, if caught. Cornered, Torver lives in the shadow of his only friend, Bassen, whose powerful death magic makes survival a daily struggle. But when the pair save the life of a genderless fae, a fugitive from across the forbidden border wall who brings a dire warning, their hard-won safety is shattered. Thrust into the midst of an oncoming war that only they can prevent, the unlikely trio must travel the length of the Kingdom to slay the terrible Beast of legend, robbing their invaders of their greatest weapon. But along the way, as they uncover deadly secrets and shattering truths, Torver is forced to confront not only his growing feelings for their fae defector companion, but also the beasts inside himself. Because in the People’s Kingdom, obedience is a heavy, deadly thing. And the price may just be too high.