The Throne of the Five Winds (Hostage of Empire)

"Two queens, two concubines, six princes. Innumerable hidden agendas. Yala, lady-in-waiting to the princess of a vanquished kingdom, must navigate their captors' treacherous imperial court. The Emperor's palace - full of ambitious royals, sly gossip, and unforeseen perils - is perhaps the most dangerous place in Zhaon. A hostage for her conquered people's good behavior, the lady Komor Yala has only her wits and her hidden maiden's blade to protect herself - and her childhood friend Princess Mahara, sacrificed in marriage to the enemy to secure a tenuous peace. But the Emperor is aging, and the Khir princess and her lady-in-waiting soon find themselves pawns in the six princes' deadly schemes for the throne - and a single spark could ignite fresh rebellion in Khir. And then, the Emperor falls ill, and a far bloodier game begins..."--Publisher description.… (more)