In 1199, Lady Eleanor de Levan and Sir Alec Earnblaec have finally settled into a life of peace. That is, until a chance encounter in a marketplace resurrects old ghosts and leaves Eleanor scrambling to piece together more of her past.

Twenty-seven years prior, Lady Igraine le Brun betrayed her family to marry for love. As Eleanor's parents' love story is revealed, so are the layers of loyalty binding Igraine to Lord Montag, the brother she will one day entrust her only child to. In this prequel to J.A. Stein's page-turning debut Knightess, family secrets are revealed that are tangled with love, betrayal, and echoes of a monster who is stepping out of shadow.