This has been on my TBR list for awhile, not sure why I didn't pick it up sooner. Yesterday, in a fit of 'What do I read next?' I spun the wheel. Actually I picked a random page on my list and pointed my finger but you get it.Anyway, I am so glad I picked this up. I read it straight through until 1AM! My eyes are tired but it's worth it! We start off with Black sitting in his mistresses harem and get a little backstory about the war between his country Astoria and Tranenden. Black, what his mistress named him is a former soldier, defeated and he and his eight year old sister are sold into slavery. Separately. That scene tore my heart out!! It's been 4 years of to torture, humiliation and pain but he has learned at least the appearance of submission. His mind and will is still his own. Escape and rescuing his sister his only reason for surviving.Poor Black still has nightmares of the Captain responsible for his slavery and the crazed look in his eyes as he murdered Black's superior officer. Suddenly Black finds himself back in Tradenden, given as tribute to the Emperor so his mistress can bring her mercenaries through the kingdom. Here we find that Black's real name is Jaden and the Emperor is the very man Jaden fears, the crazed Captain who killed his superior in cold blood. What follows turns everything Jaden knew, or thought he knew upside down. I read a bad review of this book and I don't think that reader understood the type of book she was reading. It's not a historical with kings and emperors set back in the romanticized dark ages. It's an alternate universe. It's the story of a slave falling in love with his master. Yes, that master deserves that love.That reviewer also stated they felt sometimes Jaden was a girl. I didn't get that feeling here. When the war happened he was still a teenager, orphaned with the responsibility of a young sister. They are cruelly separated and Jaden endures four years of harsh slavery only to find it was all a mistake. His anger, confusion and suspicion is understandable. He has also found that the man the entire known world fears is just a man, with his own demons. I hope I didn't ruin the story with any spoilers here. This is a beautiful story and well worth the read. Uhm idk how to rate this book,is not 3 star but neither is 4....i'll stay on 3.5,this rate because the plot is a bit weak,the sexy parts are good and hot and the last part awesome.Dersai the imperor and Jaden (1st his slave and then his lover)fall in love.Dersai feared by all the other countries,was always gentle with Jaden and also smiled to him,a thing he never did.Youg and with the burden of his country,he finds in Jaden his wolf and his mate.The confession the imperor makes to his wolf in the end,when Jaden saves him form his curse of madness,is really beautiful."Stay with me,Jaden.Be my consort,my love,my partner in everything.Be my wolf,for whatever time the gods gift us.Never leave me."OMFG this was great and after he says he will bring his sons at the castle and them both will raise them,useless tell u that Jaden was crying hearing this XD i would too ç_çJaden and his sister are again together and happy.The book ends talking about 3 years later,when there's Dersai's birthday,all are happy and the party is good,Jaden takes Dersai near his gift so he can see it.The portrait of Dersei relaxed on the throne an hint of a smile on his face,and near him,his consort Jaden smiling with a wolf tattoo on his neck.Dersai sees the portrait and then thinks this at last deserves a kiss.The book ends well and for this i almost gave 4 stars...the plot stopped me,but i advice u to read it.Like always ignore my grammar.
