Solly has traveled to many places on different planets, and she has eventually become the first Envoy of the Ekumen to the Divine Kingdom of Gatay. In Gatay, Solly is joined by her guard Teyeo. Solly finds it hard to fit in on Gatay, because women are not allowed in public there, so she dresses like a man so that the political leaders will be more respectful. She also does not approve of the separation of the society between "assets" and "owners." Solly convinces her guard and etiquette advisor to let her go to a performance, where she meets an "asset" actor named Batikam who she befriends. Solly and Batikam begin hooking up regularly. Solly does not like Teyeo, and he does not like her. Teyeo is a former soldier, and he believes that Solly is immodest and speaks too freely. There is religious dissidence in Gatay, between the old religion and the new religion forced upon everyone by the king. Solly is invited to take place in a festival, but Teyeo thinks she should not go, because the festival is on the highest holy day of the old religion. Teyeo also receives a note that someone is trying to assassinate Solly. Solly does not listen to Teyeo, and they go the the festival anyway. She and Teyeo are kidnapped. They begin to work together more, and the kidnappers make Solly write a note to the king because they want something from the government. Solly and Teyeo do exercises together, but they stay on separate sides of the room. Soon, they learn that a war has broken out, because Teyeo's home country believes that he and Solly were killed. The Old Believers tried to blow up Solly and Teyeo at the festival, but their kidnappers rescued them. However, there was still a funeral for them both, so everyone believes that they are dead. Teyeo's home country, Voe Dean, has taken control of Gatay, and he and Solly do not risk showing themselves because Voe Dean will be angry and embarrassed that they are alive. Teyeo and Solly decide with their kidnappers that the "assets" are the only ones who can beat Voe Dean. They send a message to Batikam, Solly's former lover, who Teyeo suspects is a part of an underground movement that works against the government of Voe Dean. Teyeo and Solly begin to have sex and fall in love. Soon, they are rescued by Batikam. Solly is sent as an Observer to the leader of Voe Dean. Teyeo returns to his family farm, where is father is ill and soon dies. He and Solly only see each other a few times over the years. A few years later, Teyeo's mother dies, and he sells the farm. He tracks down Solly at the Embassy, where she has been given a new job as an ambassador. She asks Teyeo to come with her, and he agrees. She serves many jobs over the years, and Teyeo travels with her as her husband.