Elisio Cuero has worked hard to rise from Serf to Shopkeeper caste in a world based on social status. A master leatherworker with a sharp tongue and no patience for the powerful, he’s earned his place -- and will fight to keep it.
Nyx Banks is the privileged son of the Banks family: Senators who run the banking system and control all the finances across the planet. When Nyx crosses paths with Elisio, sparks fly, and not necessarily the good kind. The problem is, Elisio despises the ruling caste so Nyx lies about his family, denying he is a Senator. When the truth comes out Elisio is furious and banishes Nyx from his life.
They come from different worlds. They want different things. Neither man can ignore their attraction to each other, but in a society built on caste and control, love is never simple.
Can they forge a future together or will Nyx’s lies tear them apart?
Elisio stepped outside into the bright morning sun inhaling the scent of the river. All along the street the river was banked like a canal and each shop had a small dock and a boat to transport goods. Elisio was about to go back inside when he caught sight of a young man sitting on the embankment, his feet dangling down just above water level. His dark blond hair was woven into a long braid falling to his waist, and it was that that Elisio recognized from the night before.
He strode over and grabbed the young man by the back of his shirt, dragging him away from the embankment.
“Get your hands off me!” the man bellowed, scrambling to his feet. “I’ll have the vigiles down on you.” When he faced Elisio, he fell silent, staring at him as people often did when first clapping eyes on him. After a moment the young man said, “You kicked my rear end last night. Wasn’t that enough punishment?”
“You deserved that and more.”
“She was a prostitute,” he said, his nose wrinkling. “Anyway, I didn’t touch her. The others did.”
“You stood by and watched, and why would you assume she was a prostitute?” Elisio demanded.
“The woman was wandering about after dark with no one to accompany her or protect her. What else would she be? It was you who attacked us, wasn’t it?”
“I attacked no one. I protected a girl from a group of louts. You had no right to put your hands on her.”
Seeming somewhat cowed, the young man dropped his chin onto his chest, but only shrugged.
“You will apologize to the girl.” Elisio took him by the upper arm and hauled him across the pavement to his shop where he forced him inside. At the bottom of the stairs, still holding tight to the young man’s arm, Elisio shouted, “Rain. Come down.”
Both apprentices appeared in the workshop doorway to see what the fuss was all about. Elisio was about to tell them to get back to work when it occurred to him that it might be a good lesson for them to watch the young man’s discomfit.
A moment later Rain’s light step could be heard on the stairs. “Yes, sir? Oh!” Her good hand flew to her mouth when she saw the young man.
Elisio released the lad’s arm. He made no attempt to run away but stood, head hanging, his cheeks blooming bright red. “Go on,” Elisio ordered.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“More!” Elisio demanded.
“I behaved badly last night, miss. I should have made them stop. I hope you can forgive me.”
Rain looked at Elisio who nodded.
“All right. I forgive you,” she said.
“Your name?” Elisio demanded. For a moment the lad paused, prompting Elisio to say, “Can you not remember your own name?” William and Alfred sniggered, but Elisio did not discipline them. A little humiliation would do the young rascal a world of good.
“My name is Nyx. I really am very sorry.”
Elisio now turned his attention to the apprentices, who were eyeing Rain’s sweet face and long dark hair appreciatively. “You two!” They stood up straight. “This girl will be staying here for a few days.”
“Who is she?” William asked.
“She’s my niece,” Elisio said without pause. Rain’s eyes opened wide with surprise.
“I didn’t know she was your niece,” Nyx said.
“What difference does it make whose niece she is, or if she is anyone’s niece? You and your friends had no right to do what you did. You behaved like Senators. Are you a Senator?”
“No, sir. Sorry,” Nyx said.
Looking at the apprentices again, Elisio said, “She’s my sister’s girl, Rain Marsh. And if either of you so much as look at her the wrong way, say anything within her hearing that you would not want your mothers to know about, belch or fart in her presence, I will beat you with the belts you made and throw you out of my shop. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!” they said as one and disappeared into the workshop.
Rain ran back up the stairs leaving Elisio and Nyx alone. “Are you still here?” Elisio asked.
“I’m looking for a job. I don’t suppose you could employ me?”
“I have enough responsibilities. I need no more workers. What is your caste?” When the young man did not answer at once, Elisio said, “You’re clearly not a slave and you don’t appear to be a Serf. Your clothes are well made and look expensive, you speak well, and you have an arrogant attitude. You’re a Senator.”
“I’m not wearing leather and you are,” Nyx pointed out.
“I have been allowed to wear my own merchandise these last three years. I’m Shopkeeper Caste. What are you?”
“I’m Shopkeeper caste, like you.”
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