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LYSANDER

Just like I knew it would, getting on my knees for Ezra silences the tumult of the day. His cock in my throat drowns out all coherent thought, and by the time we’re done I slump to the bed without a single bone left in my body. The gentle noises of Ezra cleaning up lull me to sleep with his come cooling on my ass. I have faint regrets in the morning when I wake up sore and sticky all over, but mostly I’m just… happy.

Tap tap tap.

I roll over. The tapping at the window must have been what woke me. I’m tempted to roll over and ignore it, but I suppose that would be rude to the poor bird. Reluctantly, I extract myself from Ezra’s embrace and pad to the window.

The crow on the other side of the curtain gives me a baleful look and taps the glass again.

Tap tap tap TAP.

I can’t deny a frisson of excitement at seeing Maddox’s messenger. It could be word that the paperwork has finally been processed, which would mean the apartment Felix liked most is ready. I’m holding out hope that he’ll come around to the idea.I can tell he loves Ezra, and he must see how much Ezra cares about him and wants him close by.

“Craah!”the crow says, hopping inside. It presents a leg.

“Shh,” I whisper. I untie the scroll from its leg and unroll the message.

Come to my office. I have important news.

- M

I frown. That’s more abrupt than I expected. What would Maddox need to tell me that he couldn’t send by messenger?

“Whazzat?” Ezra groans, shielding his eyes from the light.

“A missive.” I sit on the bed. The crow paces across my dresser and taps the mirror with its beak intermittently.

Ezra reaches for me. “Get back here, Your Majesty. We have a little reciprocal role-play to finish.”

His touch is tempting, but I inch away from his fingers. I’m eager to be ready for when Felix agrees to my plan, anxious to reveal everything to Ezra. I want him to know what I see in his future — friends, community, love, all the things I never had until I met him. The things he deserves.

“Up,” I tell him, standing so I can shake the nervous energy out of my wings. “I need you to drive me to Maddox’s office.”

Ezra puts a pillow over his face. “What time is it?”

“Almost eight!”

“That’s just not right.” He turns over. “Two more hours. Come cuddle — my dick is awake, but I’m not.”

The Midsummer King’s crown winks at me from the covers, tempting me. Ezra looked so dashing last night, the gold nestled in his dark hair, his face flushed with arousal, brow furrowed while he teetered on the absolute brink of orgasm. I shudder at the memory of his fist in my hair, pulling me back, and both of us panting.

We’re going to have to clean the crownthoroughlybefore returning it to Syril. In the meantime, why not add to the mess?

But impatience takes over. I yank the covers down and he yelps. “This is important. We can have sex later.”

Ezra rolls out of bed with a groan, all his golden skin on display, the dusting of dark hair over his chest and down his belly making my mouth water instantly. “Fine, fine. Is that a crow? Arealcrow?”

“Crah!” the crow agrees, bobbing.

“Maddox uses them as messengers. They’re very demanding.” I dig through my drawer for a treat and toss it to the bird, who grabs it out of midair.

Ezra pulls his boxers on quickly. “It’s weird being naked in front of a crow. Why do I feel like he’s judging me?”

“By crow standards, you must look strange. Except for your hair. And nose.”

I cover my mouth as Ezra glares.

“I don’t look anything like a crow.”