Page 79 of Crave Me

Which meant we needed to find a path forward—one where we moved as one, not as two separate entities.

Because it seemed fairly clear to me that we couldn’t just reject this.

The only way out is death.

And if today’s demonstration was anything to go by—deathwould apply to both of us.

I ran my hand over my face and blew out a breath. “Right.” I could dwell on this all afternoon and evening, and it wouldn’t fix a damn thing.

But I could help her right now, right here, by ensuring she woke up warm and comfortable.

I stood and turned on the bath, finding the right temperature, and let the tub pool with water. Then I removed my soiled clothes and tossed them into the corner to be burned. They weren’t too bloody, as my sleeves had already been rolled to my elbows, but they reeked of death.

Of Nyx’s death.

And smoke.

And carnage.

And destruction.

Just like her dress, which I carefully removed, along with her sandals.

I put everything in the same pile to be dealt with later.

Then I checked Nyx’s sternum and back, noting the fresh layers of skin covering her previous injury. Her unconscious state told me she was still healing her insides, but externally, she appeared healthy again.

Minus the blood hardening on her skin.

I considered the bath, noting the low water level, and decided to pull her into the shower first. Otherwise, we’d just be sitting in our filth.

Laying her on the bench, I turned on the various showerheads and grabbed a removable one to begin washing her off. She didn’t wake, but her skin turned a rosy shade beneath the warm spray.

The blood and grime swirled around the drain, followed by soap as I cleaned us both.

By the time I finished, the bath was ready, the faucet having automatically turned off when it’d reached the appropriate level.

I added some citrusy scents to the water, then returned to grab Nyx from the shower.

And found her sitting on the bench, observing me with a curious expression.

I froze, her golden irises making me forget how to breathe.

Because she was staring at me like I wasprey.

“You’re naked,” she said, those alluring eyes tracking downward. “Andwet.” She canted her head, her gaze on my groin.

Which had started to react to her perusal.

Because she was naked, too.

And looking very hungry.

She licked her lips. “Hmm,thatwas worth the wait.”

I lifted my brows. “You didn’t have to nearly die to see me naked, Nyx.” I would have gladly stripped for her and done anything else she’d desired if it had meant never having to see her wounded and dying in the street.

“Die?” she repeated, her gaze returning to mine. “What do you mean?” She glanced around. “Is that… is that why I can’t remember how or when we ended up here?” Some of her hunger seemed to subside as she sat up a little straighter.