In 2250, Deroes kan Ingan, Margrave of the Emeraunt Galaxy, reopens negotiations with Earth, a planet his ancestors placed under quarantine two thousand years before. Stubborn and strong-willed, he manages to avoid all attempts by his Advisors to have him marry, and never intends to fall in love. But during his Earth tour, he meets Elizabeth Sheffield... and that is exactly what happens.
Spoiled, beautiful, and accustomed to having her own way where men are concerned, Elizabeth is calculating enough to see the status in marrying the ruler of an entire galaxy. Yet there is an unexpected obstacle to her perfect plan to power — Deroes' nephew, Aric.
Taken from his mother at the age of twelve and raised as heir to the Arcanian throne, Aric is furious at being disinherited. Rebuffing Elizabeth's overtures of friendship, he intends to make her life on Arcanis as miserable as possible, only to have events take an unexpected turn when he falls in love with his uncle's wife — and she returns his interest.
As Aric and Elizabeth begin their furtive affair, other forces in the kingdom conspire rebellion and murder in an attempt to rid Arcanis of the Margrave's alien bride and his half-Terran child. Betrayed by his people, the Margrave turns on the one person he believes behind it all:
The not-so-innocent pawn, Aric.
