Автор: Caitlin Brennan

Tales are told of the mysterious, powerful Mountain where the gods–powerful beings in the form of white horses–live.But Valeria knows no woman has ever been called to the Mountain. Until she feels a strange pull and answers the call–as a boy…. When her secret is discovered Valeria loses all that she’s won.Her anger and frustration with the Empire might be enough to give the barbarians a way into the Mountain. And so the Empire now depends on the will, the strength and the loyalty of one Rider. A Rider who has been rejected by all but the…

Striving to save the Aurelian Empire, Valeria reached for too much power too quickly and a darkness rooted inside her.Unable to confess the truth, Valeria turns to Kerrec, her former mentor, one of the elite Riders from the Mountain, home of the gods. But Kerrec, too, is deeply wounded and his darkness may be even deeper than hers–and he is refusing to face it. Until his weakness nearly destroys the Riders and their immortal white stallions…As Kerrec is sent from the Mountain on a desperate quest for healing, Valeria is forbidden to follow. But compelled by a power she cannot understand…

Once again the Aurelian Empire is in danger, and once again Valeria must risk more than her life to save it. With threats from without, including sorcerous attacks against the soon-to-be empress, and pressures from within–the need to continue the dynasty and Kerrec, the father of Valeria’s child, the first choice to do so–Valeria must overcome plots and perils as she struggles to find a place in this world she’s helped to heal.But her greatest foes have not been vanquished. And they won’t be forgotten or ignored. Nor will the restless roil of magic within Valeria…