Captured by Chinese slavers from the ruins of a shipwreck, Hayden Morissey has endured eleven years serving Sumatran sultans, survived man-eating tigers, monsoons and Malaysians and now is ordered to play nursemaid and babysitter to a female thief. A Chinese woman who incites his contempt. Mei Shih-min escapes death by hanging only to be handed over to Englissar, a man she despises on sight. His kind are responsible for her parents' deaths. Being forced to work as maid to the sultan's spoiled wife riles her fighting instincts, and Mei's keeper is the perfect target for her anger. To be free of each other is their greatest desire. All they have to do is convince their hearts.