Page 99 of Crave Me

“He’s fake to me,” I clarified. “Because I know the real Odin.”

“Yes. From your world. I remember.”

“My reality, yes.”

“But in this one, he’s very real. And you’re right, he is well respected. Therefore, it’s not impossible. However, my concern is in regard to how fast this has evolved. Many of the Houses will see it as a threat.”

“What if we keep it quiet?” I suggested. “Ease them into it by demonstrating that we can control ourselves.”

“Can we control ourselves?” he asked, his voice earnest as he searched my expression. “I think that’s Kaspian’s primary concern. And if I’m honest, it’s mine, too.”

“I can control my power,” I told him, frowning. “I’ve done it for thousands of years.”

“But your abilities far surpass everything known to this reality, Goddess,” he whispered, his thumb tracing a line up my throat. “Control or not, your abilities are intimidating to those who don’t understand them.”

“That’s because the beings of your world won’t give me a chance to speak. They just want to shoot me.”

“I know,” he replied softly. “And that’s what scares me most of all, Nyx. I know what it feels like to almost lose you now, and I am terrified of feeling that way again.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

VESPERUS

It wasa confession that came from my soul.

I’d felt her die. It’d taken a piece of me with her, making me realize just how linked our spirits were in this life. Even without the full impact of our bond in place.

And now… now we were fully mated.

Losing her would destroy me on a level that nothing else could. Which meant that for the first time in my existence, I had a true weakness.

Fortunately, she was a goddess and capable of taking care of herself.

Unfortunately, she was the target of the world leaders at present.

“Most of them have demanded your removal, whether by death or by sending you back to your realm,” I told her. “If those are my only two options, I choose your realm. Only, I would need to go with you.”

She studied me intently. “You would go with me?”

I nodded, having already made this decision. “Our souls are linked, for better or for worse, Nyx.”

“What about your House? Your throne? Your life here?”

I stared down at her, my heart in my throat. “A good leader knows when to sacrifice himself for his people.”

She blinked at me, the respect in her gaze telling me she understood what I meant.

“If this world won’t let me have you, then we need to find one that will.” It was our only choice. “If you leave, it will feel like you’ve died. And we’ve already established what that’ll do to me. Hell, we’re seeing it in Fallon’s actions.”

I grimaced thinking about the witch who was shattered over Klas’s death. While I didn’t condone her actions, I understood them to an extent.

Because for a few brief moments, I’d experienced that soul-crushing reaction to losing a mate. And she’d been enduring that for over a week.

That didn’t excuse her behavior or her choices, but on some level, it explained the insanity of her choices.

“And even if I somehow survived you leaving, what kind of leader would I be?” I asked Nyx. “Being king means protecting my House, honoring my people, and keeping them safe. I can’t do that if I’m broken.”

It was precisely why I’d meant to avoid fully bonding Nyx. However, fate had made other plans for us. Plans that I’d accepted because there was nothing I could do to change them.