As a princess of the Romanov Empire, Elizabeth has enjoyed a life of luxury and privilege. But the sudden deaths of her parents leaves her unprotected, and when the supreme council crowns her half-nephew Peter II in her place, Elizabeth is left with no title, no power, and no allies. When she is sent to serve in the palatial home of Prince Menshikov--the real power behind the boy king, Elizabeth refuses to fade quietly into the background. Determined to uncover the truth behind her mother's murder and expose the men who mean to rule Russia in secret, she grows closer to the handsome young king and swears to protect him and his rule at any cost. But the forces that oppose them are as dark as they are far-reaching--and this time, Elizabeth could lose more than just her title...