Page 136 of House Ignis

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I got back to my dorm, my heart aching like something had been carved out of me with a dull blade. I didn't even know why I let myself get this close—why I let the bond pull me under. I hated it. I regretted it. But gods, I didn't.

My brain was a mess of maybes and almosts and his damn shadows.

I opened the door, and the scent of earth and moss hit my nose instantly.

Jeremy.

He was sitting on my bed, casual and golden, a soft smile tugging at his mouth. "Hello, sweetheart," he murmured as he stood.

I closed the door, and his arms were around me before I could even draw full breath.

The bond might miss Asher—might ache for what it thought it needed—but Jeremy? He was right here. Smiling. Choosing me. I knew doing this wasn't entirely fair to him.

My soul was tethered to a shadow-wrapped commander who treated me like a mission, yet here I was, seeking sanctuary in the arms of my betrothed.

We weren't technically together anymore. Or were we?

My life had become a fucking disaster since the moment that bond snapped into place.

"How was training?" he asked, nuzzling his nose against mine.

I giggled despite the weight in my chest. "Fine," I said, slipping out of his arms and kicking off my soaked trainers. My muscles screamed at the movement, and I groaned aloud.

"Just fine?" he asked, raising a brow as he followed me to bed.

"Yup," I muttered, stretching out and propping my sore feet on a pillow. He sat beside me and immediately started rubbing them, his thumbs firm and warm. I sighed, a soft smile finally creeping onto my face.

Then, he started tickling me.

"Jeremy!" I laughed, swatting at him, but he didn't stop. His fingers slid along my ribs, my stomach, and down my arms until I was breathless and flailing. He moved over me, pinning me gently, his smile turning darker, more predatory.

"I missed you," he whispered.

And gods, I’d missed him too. We had barely seen each other all week. I hadn’t let myself, not after everything with Asher. Not when my heart still felt bruised and raw from a male, I had no business missing this much.

Maybe I didn’t need to heal tonight. Maybe I just needed something familiar. Something that didn’t hurt quite so fucking much. And Jeremy was right here.

So I kissed him. Hard.

My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down until there was no air left between us. His groan rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating against my mouth as he pressed me into the mattress.

His shirt was off in seconds, his warm, solid skin meeting mine. My sports bra followed—fingers desperate, mouths searching, devouring.

I needed more. I needed to be consumed. Asher had left me high and dry, wrapped in silence and confusion, but Jeremy knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to claim me.

I pulled back just enough to catch my breath, my chest heaving. Jeremy's eyes widened, his grin turning lazy and hungry. I pressed my palms to his chest and pushed him gently back against the pillows, enjoying the way his breath hitched.

"Fuck," he muttered, his pupils blown, his eyes storm-dark and desperate.

I hooked my thumbs into my waistband and slid my leggings down, tossing them to the floor with a slow, deliberate movement. His gaze turned molten as it raked over every inch of my body like worship, lingering on the curves he knew by heart.

"Fuck, Ava…" he whispered, his voice thick and raw. "I can't get over how beautiful you are."

I leaned down, my hair spilling over his shoulders as I bit my lip, watching his jaw clench. I was going to use this heat to drown out the shadows, even if only for a night.

I leaned in, my lips grazing his ear as I whispered, "Then show me."