Both the beauty and the friendliness of the islands' inhabitants seem to have been somewhat exaggerated.

When Jeryl, an aristocratic ship's captain, set sail for the legendary Easterlies, he expected to find a land of beautiful women and unimaginable riches. Instead, the land where he is washed ashore after a shipwreck is ruled by a society of armored women who enslave and control men with swords and dark magic.

Delinda has sworn to recover the hereditary title of Rahntadrine, stolen from her mother through deception and betrayal. She also has plans to end the cruel system of male bondage, and Jeryl, a man who knows what it is to live free, is exactly the right person to help her.

But the evil Bloduewedd will never give up her stolen title, nor will she relinquish the dark, seductive power that allows her to control all those under her rule. When Bloduewedd learns of Delinda's plans, Delinda and Jeryl must work as equals to save themselves, as well as all those who have come to believe in their vision of a world without slavery.