The book tells the story of Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, who agrees to marry a Gauri woman to seal a trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis. His bride, Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, is horrified to learn that her intended groom is the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Despite their differences, the two discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.