honour of Naamah (which pays for the marque to be tattooed onto the courtesans' backs). The Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, or the "Night Court," is in the City of Elua and comprises Thirteen Houses. Each house has a head, called the Dowayne. Each Servant of Naamah owes a debt to their House for the training they have received, and in many cases upbringing. Their debt is considered complete when their marque, a tattoo covering the entire back, is complete. Ruling classes Terre D'Ange exists in a monarchical system, which is currently ruled by the Courcel line. They are directly descended from Elua, and their signature physical attribute is a graceful neck, which parallels the fact that their emblem is the Swan. Each region has its own ruling elite in a feudal structure. The courts are separate from the feudal ruling class and function in a similar fashion to present-day European courts including various levels of appellate courts. Final appeals can be brought to the King/Queen, who will either hear a case or rule that the previous judgements were appropriate and thereby refuse to hear the appeal. D'Angelines are known to treat their criminals and prisoners in a fashion similar to that of present-day European standards, though capital punishment and public floggings are practised. Rape is a capital offense. Plot summary The book follows Phèdre nó Delaunay's life from birth. She's born with a mote in her eye, which makes her appear inappropriate for service as a religious courtesan, but it is revealed that this is actually a sign that she is an 'anguissette' or sexual masochist, deriving sexual pleasure from pain. Her bond is purchased by a nobleman who does train her as a courtesan, and discovers a plot against her homeland which she has a chance to interrupt. Characters Delaunay's household Phèdre nó Delaunay – Main protagonist Anafiel Delaunay – Noble, Phèdre and Alcuin's mentor Alcuin nó Delaunay – foster brother to Phèdre Joscelin Verreuil – a Cassiline Brother Guy – an expelled Cassiline Brother Royal Family of Terre D'Ange Ganelon de la Courcel – King of Terre d'Ange Rolande de la Courcel – son of Ganelon de la Courcel, Dauphin Isabel L'Envers – wife of Rolande; Princess-Consort Ysandre de la Courcel – daughter of Rolande and Isabel, Dauphine Companions of Elua Elua – "The Misbegotten" was conceived from the comingling of the Yeshua's blood from the Tiberium spear