Andi and her friends from Eadron go to Littan one of the planet’s moons for a bit of needed relaxation. Her confrontation with her father still fresh she just wishes she could escape her imminent marriage. The temporary haven is where these Eadroni women are captured by the enemy Martans and taken to their home planet to be sold as slaves. This was not what Andi had had in mind when hoping to avoid marriage to Klemeth.

Jason Dumont isn’t in the market for or in agreement with the selling or buying of slaves. However, it is an accepted custom here on Martan. He spots a beautiful Eadroni woman being mistreated by a potential buyer. When the same man, Darius, seems about to win the purchasing bid, Jason finds he can’t stand by and do nothing.

This is how the planetary councilor finds himself the owner of a sex slave, termed here a companion, who has given her name as Miranda. He is at first unsure whether he will have her fulfill her obligations to that role but his mind is changed quickly as he succumbs to his attraction to her.

As their relationship grows into more than either expected, another problem comes forth. Both enemy planets are negotiating peace. Two points seem non-negotiable. Eadron requires that all their women who were captured and enslaved be freed to return home and that an alliance through marriage be made between one of the members of Martan’s High Council and an Eadroni Princess. This leaves Councilor Dumont in a tight fix.

Would Miranda choose to return home and would Jason ever be able to let her go?

This is a spicy entertaining futuristic romance that cleverly displays the views of both hero and heroine. Fear of repercussions from an owner as described by the cruel man who sold her keep the normally lively young woman acting within very confined strictures. In the meantime, confusion over lack of overt physical actions displaying affection has a normally self-confident man feeling vulnerable. Readers will thoroughly enjoy the misunderstandings and the resolution of this situation for our main characters.

Jason is innately a kind and sensitive man. It is a pleasure to see his gentleness with the heroine even when being firm and the growth of his need to be loved by her. There is a strangeness in his feelings against slavery though when weighed against his attitudes of Miranda being his and therefore his usage of her body being his right.

It is quite a plight that Miranda finds herself in and we enjoy watching her charm almost all around her. Our heroine has no recourse as a slave if she is treated badly. Thank heavens that Jason is not one to do so, but this is why her lasting fear of physical punishment by the hero is less credible over time.

Villains and a bit of intrigue flavor this romance. Ms Taylor has written movingly of a difficult situation and gives the story interesting twists that keep us turning the pages.

Some readers might be uncomfortable with a rape though the scene shows coercion and not violence as well as the portrayal of slavery and its possible abuses.