Dance of Cat and Amber` - The Valrayne Saga, #3

When her sister's murderous intrigues lead to the betrayal and death of the King and the transformation of her brother Amaury into the Avatar of Darkness, Princess Lirienne Valrayne flees to the swamp-filled refuge of the Wetlands. Here she huddles with her loyal followers of the Varangian Guard. But she cannot stay, because Grayfell, her Champion, lies in a coma from wounds inflicted by the Avatar.
Amaury can no longer be killed by mortal hand, and only Grayfell can inflict enough damage to drive him off.  So Lirienne must make her way alone to Castle Chenoine, where she hopes Sicard Pelhisson's elixirs can strengthen her Dance enough to retrieve Grayfell from the Shadowlands. Before her awaits a landscape overrun by Free Companies mercenaries, Marphisa's ruthless allies, and most fearsome of all the Soulless, who now call out Amaury's name as they tear open their victims in a vain search for something to fill the void that maddens them.
Against such hazards, Lirienne must discover ever-deeper sources of strength within herself and her Dance. Dance of Cat and Amber forms the third volume of a five-book epic fantasy full of action, love, and magic, where characters try to navigate a constantly shifting reality as they fight for the highest stakes of all; the future of the human soul.