Seventeen-year-old Kestrel, the daughter of the commander-in-chief of the regiments of a warlike and powerful empire, has only two options: join the army or get married. But the girl has other intentions.

One day at an auction, she is amazed to meet a kindred spirit in a young slave. Arin's eyes seem to challenge everything and everyone. Following instinct, Kestrel buys it, and this leads to unexpected consequences. Very soon she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he also has a secret, and Kestrel quickly realizes that the price she paid for a living person is much higher than she thought.