I had to depend on myself, my own wit and will. I had to find a way to survive. I had to play the game to win. That had been my life as a hostage of the Queen. Until Codero arrived I'd never known a kind touch of a lover, or the soft words of hope that now whispers in my mind. He lit a fire in me and I swear I will never become that slave to someone else's whims again. Coming home to the United States was supposed to be a happy homecoming. It's been...