1351. The namesake of a murderous queen, Princess Isabella is torn between running from the bloody legacy or following the path of a woman who fought all the rules. Devoted to her family, Isabella's father arranges her marriage to a young man far from her home. Though she wants to help her father's ambitions, she knows this is the wrong choice for her. After defying her family, Isabella decides she would rather remain alone for the rest of her life. Then an enemy is thrown into her life and she makes a decision that could destroy everything for her. But like her family, Isabella never fights a war that she won't win.

Joan Beaufort will never be anything other than a May Queen. Her family is royal, but not. Because of its scandalous origins, the Beaufort family is barred from the crown. Joan doesn't expect more than a life of an ordinary English lady. Then she met him. James, the captive king. Imprisoned since he was a child, he has nothing to offer her but his love. Even though their relationship is impossible, Joan finds herself falling for the poetic young man. She becomes determined to do whatever it takes to free him.