Young Circelae is a dreamer. Living with his family in a little village in the world of Alterra, he is happiest with his nose in a book, imagining all the excitement his life could bring. Yet all too soon, the boy gets more excitement than he bargained for. Alexiel, ruler of an enchanted kingdom, sees Circelae in the forest and falls in love with the handsome youth. He asks Circelae's father for the boy's hand in marriage. A tempting offer for the poor family. But can Circelae learn to love the mysterious Alexiel, whose face he has never seen? And what about the terrible curse that is rumoured to lie upon the kingdom?.