Anyar, a young black-winged guard, could only be accused of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He captures the attention of a commanding, white-winged prince of the enemy, Vanyae, and is swept away into the conflict between their peoples.

Vanyae takes the incredible, black-winged prize from his home and all he knows to a place of submission, of slavery. And though Anyar vows never to give in and despairs of his freedom, Vanyae finds pleasure in his body and his spirit.

Even while the battle rages, Vanyae starts to realize that his black-winged bird is much more than a slave to him.