Page 17 of Crave Me

The flash in her golden irises suggested she was listening and considering my words.

“If you deny my offer,” I added softly. “You’ll continue to be hunted and attacked and never truly given the opportunity to see what our world has to offer you aside from death.”

And that was assuming I let her leave Dublin without a fight.

It would be better for us both if she agreed.

It may just be pleasurable, too,I thought, my gaze dropping to her mouth.

Of course, if I fucked her, I would no longer be able to break our bond with a rejection.

However, there were other things we could do. Things I should absolutely not think about or entertain in any way.

But she wasn’t the only one drawn to the power thriving between us.

A taste won’t kill anyone, I mused. And I’d always been a risk-taker. Why stop now?

“My experiences so far haven’t made me feel very welcomed here,” she finally replied, her dilating pupils telling me she was fully aware of the lust firing between us. But I wasn’t sure if she understood the fated connection or not.

Do goddesses even have fated mates?

Her reactions to me proved it wasn’t a one-way connection. But that didn’t mean she felt eternally bound to me.

“Perhaps I’ve already seen enough and don’t wish to stay,” she added.

I smiled. “Trust me, Nyx.” I stroked my thumb in a slow circle against her inner wrist. “You haven’t truly seen or experienced this realm yet. I can change that.”

“Can you?”

“I can,” I promised, fully confident in my ability to ensure a proper welcome to this realm.

Or, more accurately, my bed.

“And if I say no?” she pressed. “Then I continue this fight on my own and battle you?”

Yes, I thought.That’s exactly what happens.

I let her see the answer in my eyes.

But rather than confirm it out loud, I said, “You’re hunting for your missing medallion. Why not take advantage of my offer and use my resources to help search for it?”

“You’re volunteering to help me find my missing magic?” The note of intrigue in her question told me this had been the appropriate avenue to take for her to truly consider my proposition.

“Yes.”

“Why?” she pressed. “Why give me temporary sanctuary at all? What’s in it for you?”

“The bounty is for your capture, not your death,” I told her. “By granting you asylum and restricting your power, I’m technically following the rules.”

“That doesn’t tell me what you get from keeping me as a willing hostage,” she replied.

“The bounty carries a heavy reward,” I murmured.

She seemed disappointed in that. “This is about money?”

I shook my head. “Spells. Fae hair. Various other precious items from all the different Houses. Everyone wanted you caught, Nyx. And they’ve ensured the bounty is appealing to anyone and everyone who chooses to take it on.”

She still didn’t appear all that impressed. “So you’ll win a wealthy prize in exchange for me accepting your asylum.”