Sometimes the price of destiny is higher than anyone imagined....Dark Magic, Hidden DestinyFor three centuries a divine prophecy and a line of warrior queens protected Skala. But the people grew complacent and Erius, a usurper king, claimed his young half sisters throne. Now plague and drought stalk the land, war with Skalas ancient rival Plenimar drains the countrys lifeblood, and to be born female into the royal line has become a death sentence as the king fights to ensure the succession of his only heir, a son. For King Erius the greatest threat comes from his own line and from Illiors faithful, who spread the Oracles words to a doubting populace.As noblewomen young and old perish mysteriously, the kings nephew his sisters only child grows toward manhood. But unbeknownst to the king or the boy, strange, haunted Tobin is the princesss daughter, given male form by a dark magic to protect her until she can claim her rightful destiny. Only Tobins noble father, two wizards of Illior, and an outlawed forest witch know the truth. Only they can protect young Tobin from a kings wrath, a mothers madness, and the terrifying rage of her brothers demon spirit, determined to avenge his brutal murder....From the Paperback edition.