The Hastinapura Empire has ruled the world of Isavalta for five hundred years, but is now threatened by the capriciousness of its own ruler, Emperor Chandra. Chandras actions especially distress Samudra, his well-respected younger brother, who has returned to the palace after a years absence to find that the world he knew is gone. Before returning, however, Samudra has one last order: to take princess Natharie of neighboring Sindhu to live in the powerful Hastinapura court as a political trophy. At the court, Natharie learns of plots that threaten to pit her homeland against Hastinapura in a disastrous war. Appalled by the power and brazenness of Samudra, she realizes, as each day brings war ever nearer, that the powerful prince may be her only hope to prevent a war that could destroy them all.