Morwenna, a widow with an infant son, agrees to hide and nurse a poisoned Orc as a service to the Queen. The Orc was human as a boy, turned by a bite into an Orc Warrior. For her help, the Queen will give her an estate in the North, not far from Morwenna's childhood home.

As she gets to know Sherrow, she realizes he is a good man, not a monster. Sherrow heals enough to journey north before winter weather keeps them from traveling. The caravan they join is in the hands of rebels, and they must get away.

Sherrow has secrets — He is not as weak as he pretends, he has Orc magic, and he is in love with Morwenna.