Regis Hastur was the heir to the most powerful domain on Darkover. When his grandfather died, he would inherit the title Hastur of Hastur, Regent of Darkover--king in everything but name. But ironically, this mantle was the last thing Regis had ever wanted. For he dreamed of a different kind of life--a life with the freedom to live and love like an ordinary man, without the expectations and responsibilities of his position.

Yet even Regis recognized Darkover's desperate need for strong, rational leadership--leadership only he had been trained to provide. But now that his time was at hand, was Regis willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary to lead his world? Or would he turn away from his destiny and finally make his real dreams come true? For on his grandfather's deathbed Regis learns that he has a brother--an older half-brother who could finally relieve Regis of the burden of title he had never wanted.... Would Regis finally let himself be free to be the man he had always dreamed of being?