And I’m anxious my guest won’t even show.

It’s been over a day, and I know Emma got the message. It just depends on if she trusts me—no, correction, trusts us—enough to come by. I’ll understand if she doesn’t, but I’ll still be disappointed.

Dakh shifts in his chair next to me. I know he’s frustrated by the clothing and can feel my nervousness. I have him waiting to get the “meat” part of the meal until our guest shows. I don’t like the thought of sitting by a dead animal for hours, waiting to cook it.

She will be here, Dakh tells me. Be patient.

I shoot him a twitchy smile. How are you so sure?

Because I can smell her stench on the breeze.

“Oh!” I smooth a hand over my hair nervously. “That’s wonderful.”

It takes everything I have not to jump to my feet and run for Emma the moment she appears on the far edge of the parking lot. Flinging myself at her will probably scare her, so I force myself to sit and make it seem as if it’s a casual sort of thing. No big deal, just your everyday afternoon barbecue in the apocalypse.

Shall I leave to go get the meat?

I reach across the table and grab his hand. “Not just yet. If you change into dragon form right now, you might scare her. Wait until she sits down with us.”

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I’m pretty sure I hold my breath as Emma slowly makes her way forward in the parking lot. She’s got a baseball bat over one shoulder and wears a few weapons at her hips. Her jeans are torn, and her shirt is dirty, but she looks good. She doesn’t look like she’s starving, which is a relief. I cling tightly to Dakh’s hand. What if she hates me? What if she resents that we’re here in her store? I know how territorial people are in the After. All your stuff matters, especially when you don’t have much.

But she’s here, and I’m going to feed her and be friendly. It’s the least I can do.

She approaches, glancing around nervously the entire time. As she gets closer, I see she’s wearing something that looks like a bright yellow fireman’s vest under her zippered hoodie. Smart. They’re fire resistant. I’ve seen lots of people wear them during dragon attacks. That—and the baseball bat—tell me that she’s worried she’s walking into a trap.

Her smell makes my eyes water, Dakh tells me in a grumpy voice. She does not need to worry that another will snatch her as a mate. He would have to have no nose in order for that to happen.

Hush, I tell him, suppressing my laughter. You stole me and I smelled bad.

No, you smelled strong. Not bad. There is a difference. She smells foul.

I’m still smothering my giggles when Emma walks up, and then I can smell her, too. He’s right—she does smell awful. It’s that strange, musky, skunky smell that the store reeked of when we first moved into it and that I’ve practically drowned out at this point with some sprays and scented candles.

“Hi,” I tell her enthusiastically, jumping to my feet. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I gesture at my bad arm. “I’d offer you a hand to shake, but I’m still recovering.”

She nods slowly, the look on her face suspicious as she gives me an up-and-down look, then peers at the front of the store behind us. “Is there anyone else here?”

“Just us.”

“Mind if I go look inside?” The look on her face is wary.

“I don’t mind,” I tell her. I turn and gesture at Dakh. “This is my, um, boyfriend, Dakh. I think you met him before.”

Emma just stares at him. “The dragon. I remember.”

“Dakh’s going to go get us some fresh meat, aren’t you, sweetie pie?” I give him a bright smile.

Sweetie pie? His tone is disgusted.

If I wasn’t so nervous how Emma would take it, I’d laugh. I’m trying to make her comfortable. Just roll with it.

Very well. I shall endure this sweetie pie. He gets to his feet.

Emma jerks backward, clutching at her bat.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “He’s just leaving. You’ll be back soon, right, dumpling?”

That is worse than sweetie pie. Why are you calling me by strange food names?

It’s a human thing. Come give me a kiss and be on your way.

Dakh’s eyes flare bright gold. He stalks over to my side and puts an arm around my waist, hauling me against him before he claims my mouth in a fierce, tongue-slicking kiss that isn’t quite the sweet little peck I had in mind to demonstrate to Emma.

You said a kiss. You did not specify more than that. I prefer kissing you this way.

So I didn’t. When he releases me, I’m weak in the knees and lean against the patio table to stand. I watch as Dakh stalks a short distance away and then rips off his sweatpants, revealing taut bronzed buns.

“Oh dear,” I murmur. “I guess I should have been more specific with him about the clothing stuff.” I watch as he transforms and takes to the air, massive wings beating. I glance over at Emma and see that she’s gone pale, her grip on her bat white-knuckled.

She looks over at me, and her expression is slightly incredulous. “You’re not scared at all, are you?”

“Nope. Dakh’s a good guy. I promise.”

She eyes me. “He the one that bruised you up and broke your arm?” Her tone is openly skeptical.

Oh, of course. No wonder she’s so wary. “No, actually. Dakh saved me from the guy responsible for this.” I pat my arm in its sling, now fresh and clean and made from a pillowcase. “I know that Dakh looks scary as hell, but I swear he would never harm me. His customs are a little different than ours, but now that I understand him, I’m not afraid anymore.” Even as I say it, I realize it’s true. There’s a lot of things to be afraid of in this world, but Dakh’s not one of them. I feel secure and safe with him. It’s wonderful to realize.

Of course you are safe with me. Dakh’s thoughts drift through mine, and he sounds a little insulted.

It takes time for these things to filter through my mind, I tell him. You’ll have to be patient with me if I still get surprised by it now and then.

And you’re sure I cannot kill the one that broke your arm? His thoughts are grouchy.

I’m sure. I refocus on Emma, who’s watching me with a curious look. “You said the dragon wouldn’t hurt you, but what about me?”

“As long as we’re friends, I can assure you that Dakh would never hurt you.”




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