City of Dragons: Of Flesh and Blood by Adrienne Wilder Page A

is what I was designed for. And I was designed specifically for Medan, remember? Servicing a Queen isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”
    Which is exactly why Farley had a hard time seeing Deshi in line for the job. They made lawn gnomes with more aggression.
    Deshi said, “Theoretically I’m supposed to be able to take her entire RHage, so a small
    part should be easy.”
    “Fuck theoretical, will you be able to do it or not?”
    “I didn’t exactly get to that point, remember? Medan refused me. I wasn’t what she wanted.”
    “Christ on a Cross, Deshi, this is not the time to lose your cherry.” Farley couldn’t risk Haley on a theory. He pulled out of the Prince’s grip and headed for her apartment.
    “Farley, wait.” Much to his dismay, Deshi caught up to him at the door. “You won’t be able to handle this.”
    “I’ve handled a lot of ugly things.”
    “She’ll kill you.”
    “Yeah, well you’ve never done it. I know how to get Haley to Roll me. Trust me. I’m really good at it, too.” Farley tried to figure out how to get the key without putting Haley down. Deshi fished it out from under the clay flower pot sidelining as a graveyard for forgotten flowers.
    “This isn’t the same thing.” Deshi stood back up. “Please, let me help. She’d never forgive herself if she hurt you.”
    Farley pegged the Male with a glare, but he was too busy getting the door unlocked to notice. In his arms Haley struggled. Heat boiled out of her skin as if she was about to shift. The wave of preternatural power rolled over Farley again, and he crushed her against his chest even though his instincts said, “Run away.”
    “Fine.” Farley shoved his way inside and headed across the living room while Deshi closed the door. “Help me get her into the…”
    In an explosion of pain and violence, Haley lit into his shoulder, her jaws penetrating deep into the bones dangerously close to his throat. Farley spit a juicy curse and lost his legs as she rode him down and into the floor.
    “Christ!” His eyes rolled over. “Aw, shit, Haley, this was my new shirt.” A groan bubbled out of Farley’s throat, and he arched his body, responding as always to the prospect of being Food. And he couldn’t decide what hurt worse, her teeth scraping bone or the ache between his legs.
    Farley looked up at Deshi as he knelt down. The Prince pushed back Haley’s hair and tried to get her attention. When she flicked up her crimson glare, he flinched and pulled back.
    “Goddamn it, you said you wanted to help. Help! Now is not the time to be a nancy!” Farley groaned. “God, Haley…you’re taking too much…” But fuck him, it felt good. “Her back…Deshi…” He was going to die if she kept this up.
    Deshi did as he was told. As soon as he hit both Ulysiss points along Haley’s spine, her mouth popped open and she rolled off to the side, her eyes going from crimson to gold.
    “I’m sorry…God of Man…I couldn’t help it.”
    “It’s okay.” That from Deshi. He hovered over her, not quite willing to touch.
    “Come on, Deshi. Help or get out.” Farley was lit, one big roaring fire. But then he always burned hot during the
feed
or sex. He sat up and pulled off his shirt and kicked off his shitkickers while undoing his pants.
    Deshi took off his coat but stalled again, breathing hard. Farley growled at the Male. Fuck it. He’d take care of Haley on his own. Prince Perfect was too caught up in his head, probably thinking about his damn Human.
    Stripped bare, Farley turned to Haley and pulled off her blazer, then her blouse. “Haley…” She made a sound and Farley petted her cheek. “Things are always like this for us, huh? No clue what to do and just doing it…” God of Man, there had been so many things they’d gone into together blind. Him Food and her a Human-impressed Female. He’d managed to survive her first Roll, albeit barely; surely he could survive this, too.
    “We’ll get through this. Just like