Agnieszka ama su pueblo, situado en un tranquilo y profundo valle. Pero el cercano bosque encantado proyecta una sombra sobre su hogar. Son muchos los que se han perdido en el Bosque y nadie regresa igual que se fue. Los aldeanos dependen de un mago eterno, el Dragón, para protegerlos de la magia oscura del bosque. Sin embargo, para obtener su ayuda hay que pagar un precio terrible: una joven del pueblo debe servirle durante diez años, dejando todo atrás. Agnieszka teme que su querida amiga Kasia sea la próxima elegida, porque ella es todo cuanto Agnieszka no es: hermosa, elegante y valiente. Sin embargo, cuando llega el Dragón, no es a Kasia a quien se lleva.
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. There is no way to save her, but Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.