When Kaede arrives at Shirakawa, she learns her sisters have been taken to Lord Fujiwara's house--and soon she too becomes a prisoner there. And neither Takeo nor Kaede know that Takeo's old teacher, Muto Kenji, has grievances and schemes of his own. As Takeo and Kaede face disaster at the hands of their enemies, the forces of nature are also conspiring. Are Takeo's skills of magic and his desire for revenge enough to outwit two armies? And will he and Kaede ever find a peaceful way to live their lives together?