The son of the king of Gil-Lael arrives in a foreign land to take his place as emperor. Though Jonathan fiercely desires to provide a good and honorable life to his people, he can barely read their writing and finds their customs bizarre. He sees a willing advisor in Tameka.

For Tameka, being near Jonathan is a welcome solace away from her abusive arranged marriage and husband, Ose. However, she must confess the devastating news that the people will never accept Jonathan as their true emperor while he doesn't possess the magical Bracelet of the Moon and Stars. Lost with the death of the last emperor during the war he fought with Jonathan's father, no one has seen this talisman in all these years.

Then, Tameka learns the horrible truth, her husband, Ose, has the Bracelet, and what he plans to do with it will shatter her world.