Juniper Harlow had always been a nervous young woman. Particularly when it came to the social obligations of a well-to-do family in a small village. There were only very few exceptions: her parents and her childhood friend Oleander Ambrose. He always seemed to understand her fears and often went out of his way to act as a shield against the perils of social interaction.

Oleander didn’t mind. After all, he wanted nothing more than to make Juniper his wife. As far as he was concerned, it was his duty to protect her.

When Oleander left to attend conservatory to gain his sorcerer’s diploma, Juniper was left to handle the overwhelming expectations of the people around her on her own. Which, for her, meant to avoid them entirely, retreating into her work as an herbalist.

When Oleander did return, he was unrecognizable, and Juniper and Oleander found themselves navigating an unexpected chasm in their once intimate friendship. Oleander, ever patient with his childhood love, was more than ready to move at her pace.

That is until Theo Vervain arrives in the village and sets his sights on Juniper with his own desires of courtship, seeming to have an inexplicable connection to the usually-timid young lady.