In the third volume of the phenomenal series that began with the bestselling Across the Nightingale Floor and then Grass For His Pillow, the teenage lovers, Takeo and Kaede, are now married. But their destinies are determined by forces beyond their control. Takeo leads an army into battle, and Kaede, far from his protection, is treacherously betrayed. Their love will survive until death - which, in the savage, beautiful world of the Otori, is only ever a lightning sword-stroke away.