Blaentywi, AD927 Orphan and prisoner of war, hostage and bondservant, beautiful and arrogant, soft and frightened. Heledd's uncle has offered every incentive to his warriors but no man will have her... until her honor and life are threatened by the man who butchered her family. Her honor or her life, her life or her love...his choice. A woman is the last diversion Garmon Dolwyddlan expects, or wants, when he responds to an urgent message from his foster brother. Heledd Ieuan's pride sears the warrior-scholar's soul as much as her fire-brand hair sears his senses. Obsessed with the desire to lower her arrogant chin, Garmon buys her bond. Six months in Llew Talgarth's service seems a fair trade to own her-until he learns the truth. Claiming his property means breaking his word of honor but Garmon vows he will never abandon her to the vicious landowner, Meilor Gwesyn, or leave her undefended against the constant humiliations devised by her cousins. A soldier's bondwoman - no fate is worse for Heledd - until Garmon Dolwyddlan no longer wants her. Her uncle, vengeful and devious, craves she bears the disgrace of her family and pays for their betrayal for the rest of her life. When her bond is sold a second time to an old man in a distant region, Heledd lifts her chin higher to face a new life, hopeful she can escape the shame of her father's treachery.