Neffa was raised to forage, heal, and embrace her local community. Her skills are stellar, earning her a place in the royal palace when healing is necessary. Born of a local and a member of an alien race, she is hated by the occupants of the palace. While treating the king, she is injured in a skirmish with the crown prince. The resulting laceration isn't serious, but the guard commander realizes what he's seeing. Her blood is the blood of the royal house. There can be no mistake. Duke Morro is sent to guard her on the way to the compound where her kind is contained. He learns a few things when he meets her parents, and after the shock wears off, he understands a bit of what is going on in the village. The world they stand on doesn't belong to his people; it belongs to hers.