A romance between a teacher and his student.

The title story is set in some middle eastern desert place and is about 2 half brothers of different social standings because one has got a mother who's a slave. The legit heir, Kumal, has always accepted his "inferior" brother, Shin, and assures him that they're equals and that Shin's very important to him. While on a trip together, Shin hurts his foot so they had to rest at a place of a rich and powerful guy called Solon. When Solon expresses an interest in Shin, thinking that he is Kumal's "vassal", Kumal betrays Shin by giving him to Solon. So the story is about how Shin negotiates and comes to terms with his relationship and feelings for his new "master". There's also a short story at the end of the book, a Japanese period piece which is very beautiful and tragic.