Princess, pawn-or queen? Princess Lily was born to be queen of Arcelia, where the land itself has life and magic growing in it. Yet she leads a pawn's existence in the shadow of her guardians' control. She dreams of the day when she will take her rightful place in the world. At last her chance arrives, with a quest for the three Requisites of Restoration Day, the royal rite which renews the life of the land. But she's been hidden away too long... Stripped of all she thought was hers, Lily will need to do more than cross the board if she is to emerge triumphant as the queen she knows she must be. The land becomes both field and prize in a gripping game-and this time she's playing for her life. Finalist for Best Novel, Sir Julius Vogel Awards 2019.