Shift

Book 2 of Shift.

The story of Caelerys continues the morning after one of her best friends leaves to begin her married life. Cae is clandestinely summoned home to her father where she learns why he did not attend the coronation. He is dying of an ancient poison associated with the extinct House Levitau.

In Stag's Heart, Cae discovered that she is a Sympath, a being gifted with understanding and cursed with the ability to feel the emotions of those around her. Prince Valan, they are certain, is a Shift. And not just any shift. A dragon, like his uncle who went mad and killed his wife and children before being slain himself.

Returning to the capitol with the aid of a foreign princess and a new body guard, she herself is attacked on the way. The moment it is known that the crown prince has chosen his bride, every enemy she has makes their move, anything to get her out of their way, or into their own power. Little do they know the wrath of Stag, much less the dragon they have awoken. 

The culmination of Shift, begun in Stag's Heart; rife with evil, manipulative mothers and their sons, twisted lords not above kidnapping, and unexpected were-creatures. It doesn't matter if one doesn't want the faery tale ending. It is hard won and long suffering, and above all, inexorable.