Page 15 of Crave Me

This otherworldly being spouting explanations that defied what I’d thought I knew about the situation.

It could all be a dangerous ruse, a way to usurp me. Or fate tying me to the most dangerous of complications.

“So if you didn’t cause the explosion, what did?” I asked, needing to take control of the situation again.

“I don’t know,” she answered.

And again I tasted the truth.

“I was searching the bar for my missing magic when everything burst with light. Then I woke up covered in rubble.” Her brow puckered. “I shadowed everyone out. But two of them were already dead.”

The third must have died before Trixie had arrived on the scene.

But that detail wasn’t important.

What mattered was the truth in Nyx’s words. If she’d caused the explosion, it didn’t appear to be intentional.

And considering she hadn’t tried to hurt anyone else—that I knew of, anyway—it seemed in line with her behavior thus far.

Of course, this had been the first time my men had come close to capturing her.

“So you arrived in this realm via a magical medallion that you’ve since lost. And you’ve been, what, just wandering around searching for it all these months?”

“Yes.” Her lips twisted again. “Well. I’ve also just been enjoying the world and deciding if I want to stay. That’s the point of my journey—I’m looking for a new home.”

My eyebrows lifted. “A new home?”

“I’m bored with creationism. I thought it could be fun to live in an existing reality, and this one has intrigued me the most so far.” Her eyes went to Kaspian. “Except everyone here seems to want to kill me.”

“Because you entered illegally and therefore have no ties to any of the Houses,” I told her. “We don’t tolerate outsiders here. Affiliating with a House is how we stay alive.”

“I’ve stayed alive just fine on my own,” she returned, her expression darkening as she met my gaze once more.

“Because you haven’t crossed a being of equal or greater power yet.” I tightened my grip on her wrist. “But now you have.”

Her nostrils flared. “Don’t make a mistake by underestimating me,King.”

“I don’t make a habit of underestimating anyone,Goddess. But the fact remains that you arrived via illegal channels. And you have no House affiliation. That’s why there’s a bounty on your head, one my House has personally been overseeing.”

She frowned. “So you all want to kill me?”

“Yes.” A blunt response, but I believed in the truth. Which was why I added, “But I’m willing to grant you temporary asylum with the House of Gold and Garnet.”

CHAPTERFOUR

VESPERUS

I didn’t needto look at Kaspian to know he disapproved of my rash decision.

But he wouldn’t fight me on it.

She was my fated mate. And I was the Gold and Garnet House King.

I’d also saidtemporary, which was a key phrase in my proposal. Because I couldn’t offer her anything permanent.

The other House rulers would immediately object to this deal. Nyx was too powerful. And having her under my House would give me an advantage the others would not be keen on allowing to exist.

However, some of my allies would begrudgingly agree to my temporary terms. Primarily as they all owed me some manner of a favor.