Fleeing from Ebou Dar with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep her nor let her go, for both the Shadow and the might of the Seanchan empire are in deadly pursuit.

Perrin Ayabara seeks to free his wife Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy. Can he remain true to his friend Rand, and to himself? For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul.

At Tar Valon, Egwene al'Vere, the young Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai, lays siege to the heart of Aes Sedai power, but she must win quickly, with as little bloodshed as possible, for unless the Aes Sedai are reunited only the male Asha'man will remain to defend the world against the Dark One.

In Andor, Elayne Trakand fights for the Lion Throne that is hers by right, but enemies and Darkfriends surround her, plotting her destruction. If she fails, Andor may fall to the Shadow , and the Dragon Reborn with it.

Meanwhile, Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has cleansed the Dark One's taint from the male half of the True Source, and everything has changed. But now Rand must gamble again, with himself at stake—and he cannot be sure which of his allies are really enemies.