As a decorated soldier, young General Tao knows only one kind of honour — to his people. But when his own king betrays him, he discovers that his sacrifices and successes may not have been for the good of the country at all.

Fate — and his enemies — throw him together with Elsabeth, a red-haired beauty who has served as the royal tutor. However, Elsabeth's loyalties remain with her father's people — the rebellious Kurel — who worship the old ways, even harbouring the forbidden arks that brought the Kurel to this planet decades ago.

When a threat greater than their peoples' war looms — intent on destroying the world they both know — the fierce warrior and the sensitive scholar must unite. Together, they must fight for their planet and for their forbidden love.