A Fire in the Flesh

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual content.

In the world of the Flesh and Fire series, blood symbolizes the interplay between intimacy and power. The Primals and gods must consume blood to sustain themselves, and those fed upon often experience feelings of pleasure and arousal during the act. There are many examples in the novel of the drinking of blood as part of the intimacy of consensual sex, such as between Sera and Nyktos at the end of the novel.

However, there are also examples of it as representing sexual violation. For instance, while Kolis is holding court, Sera sees one of the gods feeding on a Chosen servant. She objects, and Kolis dismisses her concerns by saying that the woman appears to be enjoying herself. Sera replies, “That means nothing when a bite can bring unwanted pleasure” (257), highlighting how apparent pleasure still doesn’t equal consent. 

Kolis himself also feeds from Sera against her will in Chapters 18 and 19, using the act to assert his dominance over Sera. By taking her blood against her will, he attempts to diminish her power and reduce her to an object that he can control.