They say that the Goddess hates a gatebreaker, but Rabin Grandtree and Marli Lavare seem born to test that theory and test each other. Born near each other in the mysterious and fabulous White City where Rabin’s mother, Morgana Grandtree, spends time as the prince’s consort, the children soon separate. Their early betrothal gets mostly forgotten or dismissed as nothing more than a casual joke. <br> <br>Rabin, the hybrid boy, gets tested early as one of a few children who hides to survive the Farpoint Massacre -- an event that sparks the dread Rehan Wars that consume the Known Lands for over a decade. Living under the prophecy that he is the Second Son, born to die by pride, Rabin learns that proud or humble, everybody dies. <br> <br>Hundreds of miles south, Marli Lavare fought different battles as she grew up to become the only woman to graduate from the Macan Academy in Del Sur City. Her work with the Del Sur Military-- as she strives to complete an apprenticeship that will earn her the rare and coveted title of medical doctora -- throws her into direct conflict with Rabin, now a feared martial master with the nickname of the Red Jaguar of the North. To Marli, her once betrothed seems a deadly agent of chaos. <br> <br>As Marli struggles for control, she begins to understand what Rabin learned early -- some gates need breaking. Rabin recognizes her as his betrothed and perhaps, an even bigger agent of chaos than he is. If the Goddess loves or hates a gatebreaker, both Marli and Rabin first need to learn to love themselves. <br> <br>Welcome to the Known Lands!