After her mate's death, Lydia must carve out a new life on an alien world. She becomes the first human initiate accepted into the respected teacher clan, thrusting her into the sensual and secret domain of the warrior-born Tauran males. Sexual pleasure paired with punishment is required to overcome their fierce rage after blading. Lydia must battle her own morals and self-doubts while she masters all the basic methods required to soothe the newly-bladed warriors.Taelor, a Tauran warrior, is summoned by his sister. Her warrior-born son suffers from blading fever and her ship is days away from the teachers who can save him. Reluctantly, Taelor agrees to help, but his nephew's plight dredges up unpleasant memories for him, ones he'd hoped to bury forever. While he was away on a mission, his mate, the female he loved, took her own life. The idea that she'd choose death over being mated to him torments Taelor. Although he knows the choice isn't his to make, he vows to never claim another unwilling female.Two broken souls from different worlds live separate lives until fate brings them together. Afterward, only death can keep them apart.