Sixteen-year-old Matilda's placid life at Hafton Castle is turned upside down when she is chosen to be waiting-lady for the Queen of Scots. A queen who is brought to the castle as a "guest"... At the same time, Matilda falls in love with a handsome guard, Jondalar-who she is certain is "the one" for her. But everything changes when Matilda learns that Jondalar has deceived her. He plots against the queen, and Matilda is forced to choose between her...