Laura Vakhtangova returns to a Principality still struggling a year after the revolution. Burdened with guilt for Olaf's death she is torn by her growing feelings for Fredrik von Schmidt and the desire to secure the throne for her daughter Alexandra.

But Dalnerechensk has always had a tsar, and he has always been Vsevolod...

As a dangerous counter-revolution begins to grow and the Vakhtangovs and Parliament vie for control a devastating plot is uncovered; one that will force Laura to make a choice between her daughter and the man she loves.