A sequel to The Crown's Game finds new Imperial Enchanter Vika struggling with dangers in her once-coveted position while Pasha grapples with disputes about his legitimacy and Nikolai considers how far he is willing to go to return to the world.

Rémy Brunel, acrobat and former jewel thief, stayed behind in London when the circus left, but she is starting to feel lonely, so when magician Yannick, an old friend, turns up she decides to return to France and the circus with him--but detective Thaddeus Rec believes Yannick is up to no good, and determines to pursue them in an airship to win her back.