Page 34 of Crave Me

Kaspian nodded. “And in the interim, it’ll give us a good idea of how the other Houses will react to her becoming a member of Gold and Garnet.”

“Exactly.” He sounded amused by the prospect. “I’m surprised Elias hasn’t called me yet.”

“Perhaps Kieran is giving you some time to convey the update yourself.”

Vesperus made a sound that suggested he disagreed, his palm going to the back of his neck to squeeze. “I’ll start making calls tomorrow. I want to sleep first.”

“No, you want to play first,” Kaspian corrected him. “You might be my king, Ves. But you were my best friend long before receiving that title. I know you better than anyone.”

How long before?I wondered. The magic coming off of them tasted old, suggesting at least a thousand years, perhaps two. Had they known each other growing up?

I nearly asked, my desire to know more about Vesperus overwhelming my thoughts.This is the fated-mate bond, I recognized.Shall I reject it to turn it off, or allow it to consume me a little more?

The former felt so boring and dull, as it would simply return me to my previous existence—assuming I’d understood Vesperus correctly.

While the latter option of indulging in this a little more had my heart racing with excitement. I rather enjoyed the concept of experiencing this a bit longer.

A fated mate.

Why not?

It sounds fun.

Maybe after I indulged for a bit, my magic would return.

Or perhaps the whole point of this was to ensure I met my fate.

Perhaps… I was meant to be here all along with Vesperus andthatwas why my medallion had crumbled.

I considered that train of thought as the jet began to descend, the familiar hum of night energy roaming over me in a kiss of tantalizing power.

Winter in Iceland was a treat, the moon almost always in the sky.

I sighed, content and pleased with this decision.

For now, I would indulge Vesperus and ourfatedmagic while reveling in the dark skies and enchanted night.

You win,I told my medallion.We’ll stay a little longer.

The energy hummed around me, the taunt reminding me of a happy giggle. Or perhaps a pleasing vibration. It was hard to say, as the magic seemed to have its own will and imagination.

But once I’m done with this realm, I expect you to return to me,I thought at it.

A soft hush fell over me, the magic neither agreeing nor disagreeing with my statement.

Perhaps it felt I would never be finished with this realm because it wanted me to stay.

I allowed that thought to follow us all the way to the ground.

Then I met Vesperus’s expectant gaze as he stood.

And I accompanied him off the jet.

CHAPTEREIGHT

VESPERUS

Nyx saidnothing as she followed us. She kept tilting her head back to take in the sky instead, her pale skin practically glowing beneath the moonlight.