Henri had a passion for Napoleon & Napoleon had a passion for chicken. From Boulogne to Moscow Henri butchered for his Emperor & never killed a single man. With a de-frocked priest & a midget groom Henri witnessed the scourge of Europe. In Venice the city of chance & disguises a great beauty was born with the webbed feet of her boatman father. In the casino Villanelle learned that what people risk reveals what they value
- she gambled her heart & lost. For eight years the soldier-chef watched young men die & his love for Napoleon turned to hate. Passion does not take disappointment well. He found the Venetian beauty whose heart was lost & together they fled frozen Russia to the canals of darkness & paradox.