Isalinah never wanted to be someone important. She never wanted to spotlight or the weight of responsibility that came with high office. As second child of the Doeshar of the House Odimah she believed she had escaped that fate. However fate is rarely kind and always gets its way. Massillon Marasar, Doeshar of the House Marasarah is looking for a consort and is determined to mate the best female he can find. She must be of excellent breeding, the direct blood descendant of a Doshar of equal rank to his own House and with great intellect to match. This tall order leave the field rather narrow but Massillon is determined to have his way and he is not above a little white lie to get his way either.