In marrying the esteemed Sultan Aki Katabi, Eleanor had brought her exiled father back to his beloved home country of Talina. But more than that, she'd tied herself for life to a man who was dangerously attractive and overpoweringly appealing. That she wanted him was obvious, but any hopes she held that her desire would be returned were smashed by an overheard conversation on her wedding night. He hated her, and her family, and had married her only to remove the threat of civil uprising from his life. Well, if he thought she'd come willingly to his bed when he felt like that, he had another thing coming! Aki is robbed of the chance to choose his own bride by the necessity of making a strategic match. His wife is completely foreign to Talina culture, and he resents her presence. But gradually, he begins to realise there is more to her than a much despised bloodline. He's not sure he can overcome his hatred for her father, but slowly, he finds his feelings for her changing. Desiring his wife is not something he's prepared to do, and yet he apparently has very little say in the matter.