Having known how to wield a sword even before knowing how to talk, Leah was brought up in the streets of Torlin - but not in the warm way. She had become the formidable lady, the one in the black, who had grown up to become beautiful and fierce. Everyone feared her until she met her competition. She'd never had had friends before, alliances' yes, but never friends. However, after meeting Thea she felt as if she'd found a sister. To Leah's surprise, with her new friend came the secrets and realizations of the kingdoms future - Leah had never known she would be plunged into a world of royalty, secrets and lies. A debut novel, this would be the first book in the Monarchy series.