Called back from Oralia to serve the High King, Lexin of Bellmore is sent on a quest for a lost son long thought dead. The seemingly futile quest is made more difficult by secrets Lexin has learned prior to his departure, ones that alienate him from kin and any hope for love. Cerise MacKinnon is kinswoman to the Dark Lord of Kismera and his wife Ki, ruler of Oralia. With feelings for Lexin left unexplored when he departed for the High Kingdom, Cerise uses her viable talents to ensconce herself in the castle in order to contribute to the prosperity of Oralia. When Lexin returns, seeking aid in his search, Cerise finds a way to insert herself into the mission, hoping to rekindle the spark between them.