Shadow of the Swan — M.K. Wren

The author of Sword of the Lamb continues the Phoenix Legacy trilogy, in which a proud galactic empire struggles for supremacy.
 
After forfeiting his identity as heir to the House of DeKoven Woolf, Lord Alexand morphs into Alex Ransom, leader of the Society of the Phoenix, sworn to bring about the evolution of the Concord in order to prevent its threatened collapse.
 
But his birthright isn't all Alex lost when Lord Alexand died. He gave up the extraordinary Lady Adrien Eliseer, and it was like tearing out his own heart. He realizes ultimately that as desperate as he is to bring peace to the Concord, he is equally desperate to be reunited with Adrien, especially when he learns that she is about to pay a terrible price for Lord Alexand's death.
 
“A new classic! Has the sweep and power of Asimov's Foundation Trilogy.” -- Jean M. Auel, author of the Earth's Children series