In this richly textured historical novel, best-selling author Kathryn Harrison spins a mesmerizing tale of forbidden passion and terrifying superstition in 17th-century Spain. As the Spanish Inquisition conducts its ruthless reign of terror, the lives of two women-one, the free spirited daughter of a poor silk farmer; the other, the French princess doomed to marry the deformed King of Spain-unravel like the cocoons of silkworms. A nationally-acclaimed writer of exquisite talents, Kathryn Harrison will leave you breathless.