Del has two rules. One: Stay away from royalty. Two: Don’t fall in love.

The first is because Del is secretly Adeleine Ventris, runaway princess. After the death of her sister at the hand of her lover, Del has fled her family, home, and all the responsibilities that come with being the queendom’s new daughter-heir—but not before faking her death and magically constructing a new, mirrorwoven face. No longer recognizable as Adeleine, she’s now just Del, a simple musician who knows nothing of court life and can disappear to the faraway opaline lagoon-city of Salato.

The second is because the enchantment hiding Del’s identity can only be unraveled by true love’s kiss. But that’s just fine—Del’s had enough of love.

When Del breaks Rule One and becomes court-bard to the new First of Salato, she is resolved to at least keep her head down and stay well out of politics—until she realizes sweet, gentle Clara, the young figurehead who trusts too easily and loves too much, may be the one person less prepared to govern than Del herself. And if Clara loses her throne, Del loses the tenuous new job and life she’s found in Salato.

As Del’s deceptions grow ever larger and more precarious—and as she grows closer to both Clara and Nasca, Clara’s brilliant, dangerous sister—it will take only the slightest push to bring Del’s house of cards tumbling down.

Like, for example, breaking Rule Two.