The Everards have lived for generations under a blood curse that the Nova clan wields. Eight years ago, Elara watched Morwen kill her mother Lyra. Her natural mental resistance kept her from falling fully under the curse, so she pretended to have lost her memory. For eight years she was trapped in Nova Castle, forced to stand in for Seraphine, whose face she shares.
As she grows up, Elara hunts beasts, masters noble manners and draws close to Crown Prince Aldric in Seraphine's place. She humiliates the vain young lady in public again and again. Inside the palace she forms an alliance with Samuel, the king's illegitimate son who has long been mistreated. Together they plan to unseat the crown prince and take power, and Samuel's help comes with a price that will reshape both of their futures.
