Deria Martell was a striking figure of her age. Her beauty drew many admirers, and more than one noble lord sought the hand of King Daeron's II niece. Yet he loved his foster daughter dearly and never sought to impose his will upon her. The girl's heart, as was oft whispered at court, belonged to but one of the four brothers-the coldest, harshest, and most withdrawn among them. The story of her relationship with Prince Maekar was a tangled and thorny one, and in time gave rise to countless tales, half-truths, and legends.