"Ruti is Markless. In a society where your worth is determined by the mark on your palm which lets everyone know which element you control, those without a mark are worth nothing at all. Except Ruti is also a witch. The most powerful witch in Somanchi. The Heir to the throne of Somanchi does not want to be under anyone's control. She knows that if she is bonded, her husband will try to dominate her, will take the power of the throne and use it for his purposes. So when she sees what Ruti can do, Dekala offers Ruti a deal - Ruti can help her, or she can be prosecuted for her crimes. Dekala is cold and brutal and cares only about getting her way. But she is also just and intelligent and Ruti can't help falling in love, even if Dekala swears she is unable to love Ruti back. When a nefarious plot against the Markless is uncovered, Dekala and Ruti will both have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to save the powerless, and themselves"--
