Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father is too kind-hearted to collect his debts.

They face poverty, until Miryem hardens her own heart and takes up his work in their village. Her success creates a rumour that she can turn silver into gold, attracting the fairy king of winter himself. He sets her an impossible challenge – and if she fails, she will die.

Yet if she triumphs, it may mean a fate worse than death. And, in her desperate efforts to succeed, Miryem unwittingly spins a web which draws in the unhappy daughter of a lord . .

Irina’s father schemes to wed her to the tsar – he will pay any price to achieve this goal. However, the dashing tsar is not what he seems.

And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of mortals and winter alike.