Cursed by riches--and radiation..The people of Nuala had long fought a unique battle for survival. As their planet's high radiation levels mutated the race in unexpected, often deadly ways, the rate of fertility diminished with generations. And the founding families, those who had made their fortunes off the trinium mines, used their wealth to find people from other worlds to broaden the planet's gene pool. Indeed, in the ruling Atare family, it had been decreed that ruler and direct heirs alike must marry offworlders to ensure the purity and continuation of the line. But now someone had ruthlessly slain both the Atare elder and almost all his heirs. Was the traitor one of their own, or offworlder agents out to seize control of the government and the mines? And could the new Atare leader and Darame, a beautiful thief from the stars, unmask Nuala's enemies before it was too late?