Following the deaths of her father and brothers in an ambush, Melindra Jorren faces the loss not just of her family, but of the home and people she loves. To successfully defend them, she must overturn centuries of tradition and prejudice, while coming to terms with her own confused emotions and needs. Covetous eyes seek to destabilise Capathia and law and order breaks down. Meanwhile Melindra faces yet more personal tragedy, culminating in her abduction by a power-crazed tyrant. Her eventual rescue only gives rise to more heartache as she is forced to re-evaluate her feelings about loves old and new, while seeking to uncover the truth of her family's demise.