To save them from the Guillotine a spell is cast, and Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France, daughter of Marie Antoinette is changed into an owl, her brother, the young dauphin, into golden stag. The old gypsy witch who repaid a blood debt by saving their lives, takes the princess's memories and names her Velvet. For eight years Velvet exists safely wrapped in the spell. On her eighteenth year, rumors of her life reach the ears of King George III. In a bout of fearful madness, he orders the death of the French heirs. When soldiers torch their camp, Velvet and her brother, are forced to run for their lives.
Nora Hardington, a young woman, on a mission into the dangerous underbelly of London, finds Velvet wounded and dying. Risking her own life, she rescues Velvet. Together they enlist the help of the dark stranger sent to carry out the king's command. As they search for the spell to return her brother's humanity, Velvet lives all the sides of life she was previously denied. Her adventures are fraught with assassins, pirates, ancient enchantments, bloody battle, mythical lore, and all manner of dastardly love.