Elfgift is a half-breed, a devil-spawn, an illegitimate child of a king. And now Elfgift's dying father has named the thing his heir. But Elfgift has legitimate brothers, who have been brought up as members of the court. No elf-child will deprive them of their birthright.

Elfgift is King. But the throne is not yet secure. Elfgift's hated brother, Unwin, is raising an army against the devil-spawn. A truce is struck to celebrate Christmas and Jul's feast but Unwin's power-hunger convinces him to dishonour the holy night with treachery and bloodshed.