The Archon of Avires lies dead at the hands of a foreign assassin — war with a rival empire threatens to ignite.

Aden Katraveles, a distant relative of the imperial family, wants nothing more than the love of a beautiful woman and to read in his study. Instead, with war looming, he is thrust into an apprenticeship with the aging high minister. Obedient to the imperial clan, he is eager to serve, until Governor Procas opens his eyes and convinces him to seek peace with their enemies.

Meanwhile, Lunea Procas, a shy governor’s daughter, holds family and faith above all else. Her engagement to the son of her father’s old enemy, Aden, stands to extinguish a past feud. When supporters of her family’s enemies rise high within the court, she must take drastic measures to safeguard her loved ones.

Kiril Luson, a poor butcher’s son turned lawbreaker, seeks fortune in the rough streets of Aveles. But when his ambitions cost him his freedom and nearly his life, he must learn to tread the path of a better man—if only his misdeeds weren’t dogging his every step. Soon, he is forced to fight for the new archon.

But when Lunea’s peace-seeking father is murdered, she must seek out justice for him. Meanwhile, Aden angers the new archon by urging him to avoid war, and is sent to the battlefield as punishment. During a siege, Kiril saves Aden’s life, making them fast friends. Together, they uncover a deeper plot within the empire—one that will threaten Avires itself.

This is only the first injustice of many to come...

The first in the Children of Avires series, The First Injustice, throws readers into a world of old grudges, ancient sins, and an empire at its peak threatening to crumble.