On the day of her coronation, the newly crowned Queen Evelyn discovers that she shares a mysterious sensory bond with the royal signet ring worn by her uncle, Alaric, Captain of the Royal Guard. She must maintain her regal composure before the assembled nobility, even as his every absent-minded touch threatens to unravel it.
With the young queen’s hold on the throne still fragile, the Grand Duke of the West attempts to seize power by forcing her into marriage. Alaric repeatedly steps between them, leaving Evelyn to wonder whether he truly knows nothing about the ring’s secret.
After the duke is driven back, Julian—the flawless candidate for prince consort—arrives at court. At a royal ball, Evelyn uses him to test Alaric, pushing their jealousy, possessiveness, and hard-won restraint closer and closer to the breaking point.
In the end, Alaric resigns his post, leaves the ring behind, and heads north. Once their bond vanishes, Evelyn realizes that magic was never what she truly wanted. Then, on the day of her wedding, Alaric returns covered in blood—and places the final choice in her hands.
