Page 67 of Ignite the Infernos

Pacey nods. “That and the sleeping on the floor, the strange back-and-forth between you and the scion’s Wing. The dress that attacks anyone who gets too close to you. Your mate locking you in a room,” the Healer lists off.

“What burn?” I demand, but Ever waves the question away.

“Your dad did it, but it’s fine. I shouldn’t have tried to break into his office,” she assures me, and I reel back, utterly stunned.

“When did any of this happen?” I snarl, closing in on her, but a massive male with a dragon mark down the center of his face steps forward protectively. Indignation ignites in my blood, and I round on him. “Stand down,” I growl. “I’m no threat to my Bonded, and your place is not between us. Not now, not ever.”

“Vesper,” Julian chides, and the male looks over at the Channeler and then glances back at Ever and waits for her to chime in.

“I’m good, big guy,” she declares, and I swear there’s a hint of laughter in it.

My suspicions are confirmed when Vesper steps his giant ass out of my way and I find Ever grinning from ear to ear. Her solitary dimple makes its first appearance since she was brought back, and of course it’s at my expense.

“This is going to be so much fun,” she taunts, and it takes everything in me not to throw her over my shoulder and call this whole thing off.

How is this backfiring in my face? It’s a Wing; it shouldn’t be this complicated, and yet here we are. I pinch the bridge of my nose and slow my breathing. This is what I get for trying to back her into a corner. I should know better by now. I drop my hand and fix Ever with an adamant scowl.

“Pick your six and let’s go,” I order, knowing damn well Ever is going to make me regret it. I aim my glare over at the six males and four females waiting for further instructions, all while witnessing me on the verge of losing my shit.

“They’re not menu items, Spare. I’m not just going to pick six randomly. I still need to see them in their full scale armor, and then I’m going to fight them.”

“That’s it!” I snap, finally giving in to the urge to throw the little menace over my shoulder and storm out of here.

Fight them?

Absolutely not!

“Are you out of your mind?” Ever shouts as she tries to break my hold.

“Are you out of yours?” I yell back, slapping her ass hard when she tries to bite me.

I pay no heed to the arguing that breaks out behind me, trusting my Wing to handle it as I stomp to the elevator.

“Aeson Noctis, you put me down!” Ever orders, and it’s adorable that she thinks that will work.

“Ever Tenebrae, no!” I mimic her tone, and she starts shoving her elbow into my kidney. I spank her again, and the scent of her arousal contradicts the threats she’s lobbing at me when I stride into the elevator and let the doors close behind me.

“Where are you taking me?” she demands while raking her nails up my back.

I swallow a groan and fight to keep her legs clamped in my grasp. “The Healer told you to eat, rest, and fuck. So that’s what we’re going to do.”

The elevator stops on my tower floor, and I stride out and head for my rookery.

“Well, you can certainly go fuck yourself, Spare. You’re clearly slow on the uptake, but caveman doesn’t do it for me,” Ever snaps, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Your sopping pussy would disagree, Claws.”

“Welcome home, Scion Noctis and Scioness Noctis,” the greeting chimes as the door to my rookery opens. Herm is sitting at the table, and he takes one look at the situation and shakes his head, an amused smile spreading quickly across his face.

I kick the door to our room open and slam it closed behind me, pulling Ever off my shoulder and sliding her down my body until she’s back on her feet. I expect her to take a shot at me, but she’s unexpectedly still and quiet as she looks up into my eyes.

“I’m Claws again?” she asks, her gaze searching my face, and there’s a hitch in her tone that makes my chest ache.

“Do you want to be?” I question, suddenly terrified she’ll say no and equally scared she’ll say yes. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life, but it’s all so terrifyingly complicated.

I cup her cheek, and Ever winces. My heart plummets at the sight. Then she presses her cheek into my palm, and suddenly I feel as though I’m soaring. A pained groan slips out of her, and worry crashes through me.

“Are you okay?” I ask and realize her face is warm against my hand—warmer than it should be. She grows paler right before my eyes, and wavers on her feet.