Page 25 of Crave Me

“I’ll behave,” I promised him. “But only to clear my name.” Not that I should really care what these supernaturals thought of me. They hadn’t been all that welcoming, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to stay.

Alas, it seemed I might be here for a while if my magic continued to defy me.

Is this what you want?I thought at it.For me to give a realm a proper chance?

Maybe that would provoke the mischievous enchantment into returning to my palm.

I could test that possibility and play with Vesperus in the interim.

The magic in my chest pulsed at the thought, approving of the notion.

Yes. Play with Vesperus. And continue hunting for the magic.

“Lead the way,my king,” I said, doing my best to appearobedient.

The dark glitter along the edges of his silver irises told me he saw right through the act.

But he silently offered me his hand anyway.

I accepted it, more than happy to resume touching him again.

Is this how he behaves with all his new House members?I wondered as we started walking, my lips curling down.I certainly hope not.

Which was a strange thought.

Why should I care how he interacted with others?

A weird vibration shook my chest, the sensation reminding me of a growl.Strange.But the idea of him touching anyone else suddenly had me wanting to commit murder.

I blinked, startled by the foreign inclination.

This magic is… dangerous.

Yet I couldn’t seem to dismiss it. I didn’twantto ignore it. Or reject it. I wanted to embrace it. To revel in it.Thrive.

Vesperus gave my hand a squeeze. “I’ll do the talking.”

Like you did with Kieran?I thought, snorting.

“Nyx.”

I glanced at him, arching a brow.

“Respect,” he mouthed at me.

Respect is earned,I thought.So we’ll see.

But I didn’t say that aloud.

Instead, I smiled and gave him my best obedient tone as I replied, “Of course,my king.”

CHAPTERSIX

VESPERUS

If Nyx referredto me asMy Kingone more time, I was going to rip that dress off her and fuck her up against the first surface I could find.

Yes, I’d told her to be respectful.