Queen Tamara, thrown into a dungeon by the evil sorceress Gwendolyn, is about to give birth. There's something about her baby that makes Gwendolyn want to possess it, and when Tamara delivers, Gwendolyn will kill her.

But Tamara's chamber maid Zenia is not going to let that happen! At great risk to her life, she rescues Tamara and helps her flee out of the kingdom of Fenweald. But in the midst of the Great Forest, Tamara gives birth to the baby, and Zenia discovers the terrible secret that makes Gwendolyn want to possess it.

Thus begins a great search for the child, with sorceresses and wizards and accursed monsters and village witches all struggling to gain power over the young princess, whom Zenia names Celeste. The fate of the whole world for centuries to come depends on who succeeds.