The fourth novel, Unquiet Land, follows the torz woman Leah, a character who was introduced in the previous book. And as Corene and her faithful guard discover, there may be a darker reason she and the other girls were brought to court. As the nephews vie for the throne, the appearance of a new, long-lost grandson of the empress complicates the succession.

The third novel, Jeweled Fire, follows sweela Princess Corene as she runs away to the neighboring country of Malinqua, where the empress is gathering foreign princesses as potential marriage candidates for her three nephews. With rival foreign royals arriving in Chialto, Josetta and Rafe soon discover the secrets of his past go much deeper, and if they don't find a solution, war may erupt between two powerful kingdoms, with Welce as the battlefield. But a mystery is dropped at her feet when she crosses paths with Rafe Adova, a man who appears to lack the Elemental Blessings every Welchin is born with. Five years after Zoe turned the country upside down, Josetta is freer than she ever was before. The second novel, Royal Airs is the story of elay Princess Josetta. What she discovers draws her back into the world of scheming and politics she thought she had left behind forever, but it is the only way to uncover the truth behind her father's banishment and the secrets that Darien Serlast would do anything to keep. Upon entering the capital, Zoe slips away and loses herself in the heart of the city, hoping to find herself again. He claims she is to be the King's fifth bride, but something about his story just doesn't add up. The day of his funeral, Darien Serlast, King Vernon's favorite advisor, arrives to collect Zoe. Her father Navarr, brother to the sweela Prime, was exiled from the capital city of Chialto ten years before. The first novel, Troubled Waters, follows coru Zoe Ardelay. The Five Primes help keep the realm in balance, but politics interferes in everything.

In the kingdom of Welce, everything is ruled by the Five Elements, even down to the days of the year and the personalities of the people.

Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn