For years, Raymond du Sable has chased rumors of a woman shrouded in legend, a woman of unearthly, hypnotic beauty. Finally, on Crusade, he finds her. She is Cytharea, daughter of Aphrodite, irresistible to mortal man — and Raymond's key to grasping the throne of France. To transport her there safely, Raymond hires a Templar Knight, Gerard d'Amiers.

Sworn to chastity, Gerard has a deep mistrust of women, born of the infidelity of his boyhood love. Yet Cytharea stirs him in a way no woman ever has. And Cytharea herself is battling a deadly imperative — she must feed from the sexual energy of a man soon, or die.

Together, Gerard and Cytharea discover a passion so overpowering it shakes the very foundations of Gerard's faith. Upon reaching France, he must abandon every vow he's ever made or lose Cytharea to the abusive ambitions of a madman.