Bear has lived in Calleston his entire life, closed in by the walls that surround the queendom, but now he has the chance for freedom as he traverses the great wildernesses on a small black narrowboat, accompanied by three powerful witches. But Bear soon discovers the witches have welcomed him on their journey in exchange for his help to free their captive sister.

Then, Bear discovers that his best friend, Felix, is being hunted for being a Fennex, and he must do everything in his power to save him, even if it means leaving everything he has known behind him… for good. But behind Calleston’s walls sits a new ruler, the High Lady Meya, who is ready to set right the wrongs of her cruel father. Distracted, she is haunted by premonitions of Bear’s death.

Though she cannot save Bear in her visions, she sees herself sitting by his side. But how can Bear and Meya be reunited with vast distances between them? And if the premonitions are real, how will Bear survive?