Fren stopped walking and turned to me, brushing my hair off my face with his hand. "Neemna, you have to understand that he will not come back for you. He has been alone too long, through too many lifetimes. He is a warrior, so the call to battle will always be stronger than yours can ever be. You should forget him. It was a mistake." Perhaps it had been a crazy and beautiful fantasy, to think, even for one moment, that she could lay claim to such a wonderful prize - that she could possibly be enough for someone like Kas'paa - after all, he has gone; he hasn't waited for her. Nina has returned to Alveron - this time with Cathy and Lizzie in tow - but all is not well there and she is not sure who she can trust. When she discovers that the Ore-els have taken Falco in her place, she embarks on a perilous journey to the desert kingdom.