Gabriel wants to be an artist. His father wants grandsons. His teacher wants refuge. And the ghost of a young woman who drowned for love of one of his ancestors wants revenge. When events spiral out of control Gabriel heads to Constantinople, but his past is not far behind. Damian isn’t sure what he wants. He doesn't want his father’s business, whatever his stepbrother thinks. He doesn't want his betrothed even though she may still want him. But he does want beauty, and he may find that in the yet to be consecrated church of Saint Thekla, a personal project of the Emperors of Byzantium. But is it in the painting he will find beauty, or the painter?