A Devil of Vitality always stalks the one they love.

Zane Solace is determined to make himself irreplaceable.

All his life, he's either been a second choice or someone's backup plan. Zane's promised himself that won't be the case ever again, and the best way to achieve that goal is by becoming the Royal Physician of the Imperial family. As a senior at Vail University, he's close to his goal, but juggling his responsibilities among the Retinue, his duty toward the Imperial Heir, and keeping his brother out of prison keep him busy. The last thing he needs is another distraction, especially one in the shape of Pavel, a fellow Retinue member who suddenly seems far too interested in Zane for comfort.

Pavel Hart is desperate to be seen.

He's spent the better part of the last five years standing on the sidelines, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make himself known. When he finds out Zane has finally ended things with his other lovers, he realizes that perfect time has come, and he isn't willing to take things slow or gently. Pavel has wanted Zane for a lot longer than anyone realizes, and that want has grown into a cloying obsession even he can't control. He'll seize every opportunity he can to bring Zane closer to him, to make him accept that the two of them belong together and always have. Even if Zane can't seem to remember the past they once shared or the promises they once made.

Zane isn't willing to be used and discarded ever again, and the last thing he wants is to trust the wrong person based on pretty words--no matter how great the chemistry in the bedroom is. He's torn between his growing interest in a man he hadn't paid any attention to in the past and his goal. When the Imperial Heir and his brother both cause issues, Zane has to decide if he should lean on Pavel or abandon him.

No matter what he chooses, one truth remains. Pavel isn't willing to let go, and it isn't that easy to escape the devil.