Chapter One Summary:

Lulia surprises Joppy in the woods with a romantic situation.  Her seduction is rejected and she confronts Joppy about his constant sexual rejection of her and expresses her frustration.  He explains that he doesn’t want to have sex until they are married, and even then, only to impregnate her.  Lulia tells him she regrets becoming engaged to him, as she didn’t think it would be that way.  She needs more sex than that.  Joppy storms off, embarrassed and angry.  Lulia goes home, removes her engagement ring, leaves a short note, and leaves in the middle of the night to go to the big city. 

Once there, she is robbed by a gang of children.  She considers going back home.  With her last coins, she goes to a bar (The Ladder and Mud) and sees Cannon playing music, is inspired by his good looks and his skill and decides to ask the bartender if he is hiring.

Chapter Two Summary:

Lulia decides to not take the job at the tavern.  Wes (the bartender) offers her a place to stay.  She accepts and they have sex.  During the act, Lulia’s body starts glowing.  She explains this happens “When I feel everything at once”.  Lulia feels beautiful and powerful with Wes’ considerate lovemaking.  Afterwards,  she expresses that she feels that she used Wes.  He empathizes with her and assures her it was not a negative experience, only a human one.  He tells her he will help her navigate the pressures of the city and encourages her to find out who she is and what she really wants.

Chapter Three Summary:

Lulia finds Cannon alone in The Ladder and Mud.  They share a kiss and Cannon leads her to his dressing room where she goes to her knees and begins... blessing him.  Suddenly, there is a crash in the tavern and they come out to see Joppy there, drunk and yelling for Lulia.  Cannon confronts Joppy, asking him to leave and Joppy uses magic force to throw Cannon across the room, knocking him out.  Wes comes to the rescue, using a magic item to summon a spectral beast that attacks and kills Joppy.  Lulia tries to save Joppy’s life with her magic, but it is too late.  She primal screams and her magic power bursts forth, upending the bar furniture and exploding the lanterns, setting the tavern on fire.  Wes tells Cannon and Lulia to leave immediately, as Joppy’s family is rich, powerful, and will be out for revenge.  Cannon and Lulia leave through the back.

Chapter Four Summary:

Wes stops Lulia and Cannon's escape from the burning tavern and tosses them a bag of supplies.  Lulia and Cannon find Joppy's carriage parked nearby, pulled by a demon horse.  As they ride away inside, Lulia notices Cannon has an injury on his head.  She uses her power to heal him.  She tells of how Joppy had been so controlling of her during their relationship.  Cannon comforts her, telling her she is beautiful and independent and he is not intimidated by her glowing powers.  Things get steamy and Cannon... blesses Lulia in the back of the carriage.  After the act, the pack given to them by Wes bursts open and a star map is revealed, glowing inside the cab.  Constellations glow: "Moon Boat", "Dakari Duskhollow", "Space Cowboy".  The coach stops at a gate guarded by a man "a tall figure, unmoving, cloaked in something not quite fabricdarkness stitched with starlight. His hat tilted back, his gaze like twin moons."  Lulia seems to recognize him.

Meanwhile, at the ruins of The Ladder and Mud, Wes has been captured and is being tortured by Joppy's kin.  There are three, an older woman, a young man, and a mysterious, undescribed someone.  It is revealed that they are able to track Lulia because of her love glow, and know she is near Dakari Duskhollow.

Chapter Five Summary:

The gateman at Dakari Duskhollow recognizes Joppy’s carriage and lets slip Joppy’s violent and sexual usual activity, thinking Joppy is inside.  Lulia and Cannon reveal themselves; Lulia is furious, Cannon tells the gateman Joppy died in a barfight.  The gateman invites them to stay in the brothel, glad that Joppy is dead.  

Cannon and Lulia are shown to a room and Cannon plays his lute for her.  The romance is broken by Joppy’s family storming the brothel and a bloody massacre ensues.  Lulia is injured, but uses her powers to annihilate several family members.  Cannon takes a couple down, but is attacked by a spirit beast that destroys his arm.  Cannon lay bleeding on the floor.

The Space Cowboy enters and uses his magical starfire guns to take out the last of Joppy’s kin.  He is startled by and drawn to Lulia and her glow.  Lulia tries to heal Cannon as he lay dying on the ground, but her reserve of magic is exhausted from the fight; she demands an artifact to empower her.  She feels the presence of the Space Cowboy, and his fearful reverence for her.