Verrin, a 20-year-old peasant boy, bears a deadly family curse: the power to transform into a dragon. What should be a legendary gift is instead a ticking clock. Each time Verrin takes dragon form, his body rapidly ages, stealing years from his life. No one in his family has ever survived past the age of 21, and Verrin’s birthday is only a week away.

As death looms, a mysterious young woman arrives in his village with a dire warning. A great and ancient Evil is awakening, one that threatens to destroy every kingdom in the land. The only hope lies in reaching the long-lost Kingdom of Etheria, where allies strong enough to stop the coming darkness may still exist. But the road is treacherous, and she cannot make the journey alone.

With nothing left to lose, Verrin volunteers to guide her, choosing purpose over fear. Along their journey, the two form unexpected bonds, gaining allies from fractured kingdoms, outcasts with hidden strengths, and warriors who have lost as much as Verrin has. Each new companion brings hope, but also new risks, as protecting them may demand the very transformations that shorten Verrin’s life.

As the Evil spreads and time runs out, Verrin must learn to control his cursed power, decide what kind of legacy he will leave behind, and discover whether saving the world, and the friends he’s come to care for, is worth the life it costs him.