Morgan Holland has risked death to protect his master and lover. He faced down a rogue vampire and became a vampire himself, bringing a legend to life in the process. None of this, however, helps with his present dilemma: Jeremy has neglected to provide an heir for the barony. Trapped in Japan for the New Year, Morgan faces what may be his most daunting task ever: the lady chosen to bear Jeremy's heir wants Morgan as a side dish to the bargain. To make a bad situation worse, enemies contest the family's rule, and they don't think much of strangers with pretensions.Jeremy Colbourne wishes he'd seen to the matter of an heir years ago. The dereliction has come home to roost. His breeding partner wants a taste of Morgan's legendary blood, and Morgan wants nothing to do with the matter. The impasse puts them in the middle of deadly politics – an ancient enemy wants to undermine the hold Jeremy's clan has over the Council, and wants to use Morgan to accomplish the deed.Can Morgan and Jeremy find a compromise before the Council fractures, or will their still-fragile bond shatter under the demands of Jeremy's family?