Freedom is only an illusion. At twenty-seven, Tamelik has been a slave more than half his life. Submissive by nature, he can't help but fall in love with the master who treats him kindly. When the mistress walks out, Tam dares to hope his love will be enough. Then he's ordered to purchase another slave. He wants to hate Kai for being unruly and ungrateful. For being of the same race as the men who murdered his family. For being his eventual replacement in their master's bed. But it's hard to hate a man who cries himself to sleep, flinches at the slightest touch, and blushes beautifully when he's kissed.