Queen Emma must navigate a treacherous court and protect her infant son as Viking threats loom and internal power struggles endanger England's throne. Queen Emma, now the mother of a potential heir, finds her position as Queen Consort precarious in the volatile court of King Æthelred. The aging king's grip on power weakens, fueling betrayal and violence, while Emma's affections lie with Athelstan, the king's eldest son. Simultaneously, Viking incursions intensify, bolstered by alliances with powerful English nobles like Ælfhelm, who uses his daughter Elgiva as a political pawn. Emma's primary objective is to safeguard her child and her royal standing amidst these converging threats, all while grappling with her personal desires and the demands of her duty.

The Price of Blood is the second installment in Patricia Bracewell's Emma of Normandy series, continuing the historical narrative with a focus on political intrigue and personal conflict. The novel is set against the backdrop of 11th-century England, a time of significant upheaval due to Viking threats and internal power struggles. Readers can expect a detailed portrayal of court life, the challenges faced by Queen Emma, and the dramatic events shaping the future of Britain. The narrative weaves together historical events with the personal dilemmas of its characters, offering a compelling look at a pivotal era.