The Firepearl Chalice (Leafstone Saga)

As the curtain rises on the fourth and final volume of the Leafstone saga, Kyura (still seventeen and with little experience as either a high priest or an absolute monarch — no, make that no experience at all) struggles to restore order in her homeland. To hold off the invading army massing at the border, she has to rely on poorly trained city constables with inadequate weapons. Sabotaged by disloyal underlings and stalked by hired assassins, she finds it almost a relief to sneak off to the treacherous ruins of an ancient city to rescue Arik from the tender mercies of a band of imps. Her most dangerous enemy, the fae lord Dahilio Rundel, is back with a new and terrible weapon, not to mention a rival he has dredged up to challenge Kyura for the throne. Arik would love to help, but his body has been taken over by a nasty and tenacious wizard.Unless Kyura can somehow enlist a weak and heartbroken god and turn the race of dragons from hungry predators to obedient allies, the cause her friends have suffered and died for will come to nothing.The Firepearl Chalice continues the story that began in The Leafstone Shield and continued in The Rainbow Tree and The Heartsong Fountain. It’s strongly recommended that you read them in order.