Twenty-three-year old zentek Khristophane Lord, a seeker of enlightened power, can be a real stiff sometimes. Though he is totally set on the zentek path, he's also the ruling Duke of a small province in the chilly northeastern corner of Idlewild. To make his life even more difficult, in the last three weeks he's managed to re-focus the perverse attentions of the Manticora Cult, whose assassins have been after his family for centuries, when all he set out to do was complete a mission of diplomacy across Idlewild on behalf of his older half-brother, the Prince. On his return to Idlewild's capital, he even breaks up a corrupt police bribery scheme that offends his sensibilities.

Within minutes, a clever thief with the most stunning aura he has ever seen steals his ducal signet ring right out of his pocket, in spite of all his powerful disciplines, and his life focus upends. He finds himself thinking about her in his every idle moment, even while training in the next discipline on his zentek path. When they actually meet for the first time, they refuse to admit their instant love. He impresses her into his service, complete with training, clothes, equipment and irresistible adventure, to help him reclaim his throne. Along with Khris's best friend and bodyguard, they set off on a complex journey to confront his enemies and uncover her secrets.

While a seemingly endless parade of assassins continues to disrupt his life and menace his family, his new fixation on the clever thief, whose dark secret may be his greatest peril, further complicates his quest. Khris is determined to reclaim his throne from the Prophet's agents by peaceful means against their extreme violence. To overcome his enemies, win the love of his soul-mate and complete the zentek path, he must cleave to his integrity, or fail and lose his soul.