Vicious warlord Vicktor destroys and dominates every land he conquers and every slave he captures. When he offers his brother and commanding general Valerian a rare gift, a defiant slave of surpassing beauty, neither man dreams Vicktor's gift will reshape their kingdom. Melena Ni Coro fears her brother has been killed by the man who now holds her leash, and she wants Valerian to know she would rather die than be tamed by him. Yet in spite of her hatred, Valerian begins to tear away at Melena's defiance and anger. Together they will learn there is more pleasure to be found in each other's surrender than either of them realizes. Melena comes to realize that she, too, has power to wield, but is her love enough to convince Valerian to betray Vicktor? She never planned to ignite a war, but Valerian will do whatever it takes to protect her.