Touchstone, the magical theater troupe, continues to build audiences. But Cayden is increasingly troubled by his elsewhens, the uncontrolled moments when he is plunged into visions of the possible futures. He fears that his Fae gift will forever taint his friendships; his friends fear that his increasing distance will destroy him.

But worldly success follows them an apparent loss in the Trials leads to Touchstone being selected to travel to the Continent with a Royal Embassy to collect Prince Ashgars new bride. They are the first theater artists to appear outside Albeyn for at least seventy years for magic is suspect and forbidden elsewhere, and the Kingdoms easy race mixing and magic use horrifies the people they are to travel among.