Genya lives somewhere between the Little Palace and the Grand Palace, forced to go wherever she is needed, at home everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She spends her life trying to find someone who will not love her for just her beauty or her powers. Genya is living a nightmare, which seems to come to its horrifying peak when Alina arrives at the Little Palace.

February 1550. Diane is back at court, Catherine de' Medici's marriage in shambles. This and the desperate need for another heir have changed her. But when in an accident she loses any memory of the past two years, she finds herself wanting to find out where it all went wrong - and the truth isn't always pretty.

Stripped of their crowns and titles, Catherine and Henry have to flee France's royal court for their own safety. They're leaving France in Francis' and Mary's hands, hiding amongst villagers. Events from the recent past have made Catherine and Henry nearly hate each other - though now, their only chance to survive is to stick together.