Page 30 of Crave Me

Which, perhaps, might be the reason I’m protecting Nyx,I thought as she continued to dance with a childlike energy around the restaurant.

I pushed away from the table, more than curious to hear whatever tune she’d started humming, and left Kaspian to talk to the others. He would handle the investigation details, as well as assign trial-like tasks to Nox and Bane. They would all be trust-based and a way for us to decide their worthiness within our ranks.

Meanwhile, I’d handle the whirling goddess.

I caught her by the hip as she twisted right in front of me, then I dipped her down to the floor, my eyes on hers as she continued to hum an old Irish tune.

It was one I recognized as being at least a thousand years old.

I whispered some of the lyrics to her before pulling her back up into my arms. “How do you know that song?” I asked her.

“I heard it in one of the alternate realities,” she murmured, falling easily into a dance with me. “Just like I heard every word spoken at that table over there mere moments ago. You’re keeping me until you find the culprit behind the explosion.”

Not a question, but a statement.

“I also said I would help you find your medallion.”

She nodded. “And that you trust my truth because you’re a lie detector.”

“I didn’t voice that part.”

“No, I just inferred it.” She rotated her hips, trying to take the lead of this dance.

I yanked her back to me, my hand tight on her hip while my opposite one found her palm. Then I led her around the room, my movements purposeful and commanding.

If we were going to dance, then I sure as fuck was going to lead.

She smiled as though indulging in my fun, her long black hair touching the ground when I dipped her again. The crescent moon between her breasts glistened, the hint of blood on the center giving it a brownish-red glow that resembled garnet.

Mine,a primal part of me thought.This enchantress is mine.

It came from the fated bond pulsing my chest, the magic one I really should just break with a simple rejection.

Yet I wanted to entertain this risk just a little longer. Push the limits a little further. See what destiny lay on the other side.

Just for a minute.

Then I’d regain control of the situation and send her back to her realm.

Unless I find a way to keep her.

Because there was no denying how powerful she would make our House.

Decisions, decisions.None of which I was going to make right here and now.

Which left me with only one thing to say to her. “Are you ready to see what Iceland looks like in this realm?”

She stopped dancing, her eyes sparkling. “In winter? When the moon shines almost all day and night?” Her excitement was palpable. “Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

NYX

I couldn’t rememberthe last time I’d flown anywhere. I typically traveled by phasing, but there had been a few moments in my past when I’d opted to take a plane.

Mostly to fit in.

And to see what it was like.