Page 206 of House Ignis

Ezra ran a hand through his auburn hair, looking completely floored. "They really do like you."

Amusement rolled through the bond, replacing his shock.

“Wish me luck, Firecracker,” Asher purred through the bond.

The whistle blew, sharp and final.

The waiting was over.

The war had begun.

Jeremy and Asher circled each other at the center of the pitch, neither willing to make the first move.

The crowd had gone so quiet that even the wind seemed to stall, afraid to move.

The bond was shut.

Asher had drawn his shields tight, shutting me out of his mind.

It was better this way. No distractions. But the silence from him clawed at my ribs like a physical ache.

"Here we go," Ezra muttered. His orange eyes never left Asher.

For a second, something strange and cold slithered up my spine, but I shook it off. Just nerves. Just the biting chill of the evening.

Asher's shadows stirred like living smoke, writhing around his body and curling over his tattoos as if they were feeding directly on his pulse.

He was darkness given form—beautiful and terrifying.

Jeremy's power was the antithesis: solid, grounded, and immovable. The earth trembled under his boots, cracks spidering across the dirt as gnarled roots tore free from the soil, flexing like muscles ready to strike.

Opposites in every sense. Shadows against stone. Hunger against discipline.

"Hey."

Ember appeared at Ezra's other side, sliding in close without a second of hesitation.

She bumped her shoulder lightly against his arm out of habit, then slipped neatly beneath his side.

Ezra's arm lifted automatically, settling across her shoulders like it had been waiting for her to get there.

He glanced down at her, a slow, effortless smile curved his mouth, and winked.

She rolled her eyes, but she didn't move away.

I didn't say a word. I just watched the way she leaned into him without even realizing she was doing it. The way her fingers curled lightly into the fabric of his shirt, revealing the softness she tried so hard to pretend wasn't there.

Gods. Ember. My reckless, iron-hearted, flame-tongued best friend.

She wasn't running or deflecting. She was just… staying.

Something warm bloomed in my chest.

She caught me staring and narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"Nothing," I said lightly.

But I kept smiling. Because for the first time, she wasn't guarding her heart like a fortress.