Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare's Richard III, Aya Kanno's dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

Reigning as king at last, Richard slips out of the banquet to celebrate in Buckingham's loving arms. But due to Richmond's behind-the-scenes machinations, Richard's happiness is short-lived. And when questions arise about the true parentage of Richard's son Edward, the very foundation of his rule is shaken.