Aeris Delaya is a woman living, literally, in a man's world. The words mother, daughter and sister are considered obscenities in Alyria, where women are forced to wear concealing cloaks called follyblankets to keep them from the sight of men. Aeris isn't the only girlchild being raised as male, but when she catches the attention of Prince Regent Daelyn Avigdor, the game she's been playing her entire life suddenly becomes that much more dangerous.

Brought to the White Palace to serve as the Prince Regent's fetchencarry, Aeris finds herself caught in a world of luxury and intrigue — companion to a prince yet constantly afraid of being discovered as female. When rumblings of revolt against those who insist on keeping women subjugated begin to rock Alyria, Aeris's loyalty to her prince is tested. Soon enough, the entire country is at war — and Aeris learns she's not the only one with secrets.