Luska, the orphaned girl introduced in A Petal in the Wind, begins a new life in Bohemia as Lala Hafstein, adopted daughter of Jakob and Sarah. It's 1914; Lala is now a young woman with one desire--to study art--but her parents won't let her reside alone in Prague. She contrives a marriage to her childhood friend and art student Armin, her father's wealthy employer's son; she would be free to join him, and he could silence gossip about his disinterest in women. Armin agrees, but Lala's heart is troubled. Both families are thrilled about the engagement, and now Armin is too--believing they can make the marriage "real." Lala is shocked when she uncovers proof Armin and his male classmate are more than just good friends. But with both families intent on the marriage, and Lala wearing the heirloom family engagement ring--how can she renege? She's haunted by a recurring vision--at her easel wearing her ring, and feeling the warm embrace of her true beloved, unseen behind her. How could this splendid dream ever come true? As both families travel to Berlin for Armin's art show on August first, a desperate Lala devises a way to change her destiny--but no one is prepared for the horror that begins that momentous night. As the world around her plunges into war and fate drops a surprising hint about her repeating dream, Lala finds she must battle the nightmares of the past, or risk being set adrift again--like a petal in the wind