Twelve years ago, Penelope rescued a battered half-blood youth from bloodthirsty bullies, keeping his engraved silver cuff as a treasured memento. When crippling family liabilities force her into the aristocratic Blood Choosing ritual, vampire heir Louis selects her as his consort solely because her bloodstream emits no scent. Emotionally detached, Louis remains obsessed with finding the childhood savior he nicknamed Pippy.
Penelope soon realizes Louis is the identical boy she saved, but an ancient occult taboo prevents her from speaking the truth aloud. Her silence turns agonizing when a calculating socialite appears at court claiming to be Pippy and brandishing counterfeit relics. As Louis showers the imposter with affection while ignoring his legal wife, Penelope must navigate gothic parlor traps to reclaim her place.
