Page 103 of House Ignis

We walked toward House Terra, my heart beating wildly in my chest. Every step down the enchanted forest path tugged at the bond, pulling like a silken thread from my collarbone to the shadows ahead. I had tried to ignore it while we were getting ready, but my heart betrayed me, beating faster the closer we got.

The woods around us shimmered with ancient magic. Lanterns floated between branches like glowing seeds of life, lighting our path as laughter and music drifted through the trees. The scent of moss, wet stone, and something floral tickled my senses. And then—House Terra came into view. It was stunning, alive, and ancient.

The Earth House was carved directly into the hillside, looking as though it had always belonged there. Vines wove across its towering facade, climbing columns of polished stone and thick, arching roots that wrapped around the balconies like living sculptures. Crystals glinted from the walls, catching the lantern light in bursts of green and gold. The entire structure pulsed faintly with elemental energy, as if the mountain itself breathed beneath our feet.

Stone walkways twisted through flowering gardens that bloomed in every shade imaginable—lilac, marigold, and deep forest blue. A waterfall cascaded down the eastern side of the building, feeding a spring that glowed faintly with enchantment. The entrance was framed by massive, twisting oak doors, wide open, with fae filtering in and out dressed in glitter and glamour.

Ember, beside me, breathed, "Okay, House Terra knows how to throw a party," her eyes scanning the gardens. I took a breath, willing my heart to slow down, but I felt him. He was already inside, and the bond was tugging like a live wire.

I didn't care. Tonight, I played the game.

All our boundlings had already wandered off toward the grove of ancient trees near the edge of the garden, curling up together in irritation. Aether huffed audibly through the bond. "Babysitting again? I'm a warrior, not a nanny."

"You're lucky you're cute," I muttered back, ignoring his theatrical sigh.

As we stepped under the ivy-wrapped archway of House Terra, I felt the shift instantly.

The music was low and hypnotic, pulsing from a DJ booth nestled between two massive stone pillars surrounded by glowing moss. Vines crept along the walls, blooming with soft golden petals that pulsed to the beat. It was the kind of magic that felt alive, rich with old earth and deeper rhythms.

Heads turned.

My strappy purple dress clung tighter than I remembered, the cool night air kissing every inch of exposed skin. My collarbone tingled—then flared with heat. The bond lit up. He was close.

My eyes betrayed me, scanning the crowd until they found him. Ryven, Ezra, and a fae male from House Tideris I didn't know were standing together. And Asher. He was leaning casually near the far courtyard wall, silver eyes locked on mine, shadows already curling at his boots like smoke licking a hungry flame.

"Hey guys," Maddy grinned, already striding toward Ryven with that familiar sparkle in her eye. Sera and Darcy peeled off toward the bar. "We'll meet you there with drinks!" Darcy called over her shoulder.

But I was frozen.

His eyes raked up from my sneakers, tracing every inch of exposed leg and pausing at my thighs, which I instinctively pressed together. The hem of my dress felt microscopic.

His gaze traveled up, over the glitter-dusted fabric hugging my hips to the deep V neckline that revealed just enough chest to tease danger.

Then, his gaze landed on my collarbone. The bond sigil flared like fire meeting oil. And then—he dropped his wall. The bond sang with approval, desire, and a low purr of heat that slithered through my blood.

"Gods," Ember whispered beside me. "I've never seen such blatant eye-fucking in my life."

I glared at her, but it was already too late—she was sauntering toward the group, swaying like she knew exactly what she was doing. Ezra let out a low whistle as she approached. Typical.

"Let's go," Sera said beside me, nudging my elbow as she and Darcy appeared with a tray of glowing amber shots. I snatched one without looking, locked eyes with the devil himself, and threw it back. The liquid burned, sliding down my throat like liquid flame. I walked through the crowd, never breaking eye contact.

He stood casually near the drinks table in loose black sweats and a low-cut vest that clung to his frame and did absolutely nothing to hide our bond mark—etched like fire above his heart.

He was displaying it. Deliberately. My eyes trailed down his arms, ink curling around muscle that flexed as he leaned back against the wall. I licked my lips without thinking.

He smirked. Gods.

As I reached him, Ryven was the first to speak. He offered a dramatic bow, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Purple, very interesting."

"Purple's my favorite color," I said simply, and caught Asher's grin deepening as he pushed off the wall and closed the distance between us.

"Princess," he murmured over his drink, his voice like honey and sin.

"Bond," I replied—maybe a little too possessively. The shot had definitely gone straight to my head.

He growled, low, but I felt it in my soul. A shiver slipped down my spine, and shadows curled at my ankles like they had a mind of their own.

"Drink?" he asked, reaching for one on the table beside him. The music thumped louder behind us.