The one thing that could free him could be his undoing. As the prince of Aegea, Troy is the envy of his peers. Unlike the slaves who serve him, he’ll never know what it’s like to go hungry or what it’s like to be bought and sold like a pair of sandals. But they didn’t know that being at the top comes at a cost - that he’s not truly free. From the education he receives to the dormice he had for supper, everything is carefully planned. 

Just like his future role as Mediator, even though he feels anything but prepared for the role. Nor is he prepared to face the anniversary of the Quake that took the one person he loved the most. He’s ready to lose himself to be the son his father always wanted. To forget the pain that still haunts him. 

Then something unexpected happens. Hiding in his family’s villa is a mysterious dog that appears seemingly out of nowhere. He doesn’t know how or why it came for him, but he knows that the two share an unexplicable bond. But the dog is not safe in his possession and if he stays, his life is in jeopardy. Now everything Troy has been taught to believe is quickly crumbling, as he’s confronted with conflicting loyalties. He must choose between honor vs. dishonor. Conformity vs. individuality. Lies vs. truth. Grief vs. joy. Safety vs. freedom. What he chooses, in the end, could shock his family - and himself. In this thought-provoking coming-of-age tale, discover the power of friendship, life after loss, and finding your voice.