In the summer of 1890, Nathaniel, ninth in line for the British throne, meets Konstantin, his Russian counterpart. The two boys become playmates, then friends, then lovers, though circumstance and duty often separate them.

When the First World War devastates Europe, chaos and misinformation lead each man to believe the other lost forever. Nathaniel retires in despair, expecting to live out his days alone, never dreaming he might have a second chance....