The Emperor's Only Heir

Lyra reveals a shocking conspiracy to her Father Emperor, Alistair Sterling, at birth: the princes and princesses are not his biological children. She plans to expose them at a Blood Paternity Test. Crown Prince Julian Sterling's blood fails to merge. At age ten, her Father Emperor is poisoned by Elder Prince Cassian Sterling. Lyra finds an antidote, sending for the Thousand-Year Blood-Bane.