Page 219 of House Ignis

Eventually, I forced myself up and drew a bath, sinking into the water until the heat swallowed me whole.

But even there, with my eyes closed, the memories bled through the steam—Asher’s hands on my skin, the water sloshing between us, his voice low and possessive in my ear.

It didn't help.

He was everywhere, etched into the very air of the room. I squeezed my eyes shut, telling myself he was getting the help he needed.

That this was for the best.

That in two weeks, the silence would end.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sunlight filtered through the window, dragging me reluctantly out of the only peace I’d had in days.

I groaned and tried to bury myself deeper into the pillow—until a shadow cut across the light, cold and deliberate.

My eyes cracked open.

Sunset-orange eyes were far too close to my face.

I shot upright with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Ezra Valeor stood there like he owned the room—already fully awake, dressed in training shorts and a black Umbra T-shirt that stretched across his shoulders.

His auburn hair was actually brushed for once. He looked completely energized.

Completely insufferable.

Havoc and Ruin, the twin heads of Ezra’s massive bloodhound, watched from the foot of the bed, four ears pricking up the second I moved.

“Good morning, Sparky,” he drawled.

I blinked at him, then blearily at the clock on my bedside table.

Five. Five in the godsdamn morning.

“What the actual fuck, Ezra,” I muttered, the weight of the empty bond hitting me all over again.

I collapsed back into the pillow with a miserable groan.

“Come on, don’t be pouty, princess.”

“I am not pouting,” I muffled into the fabric.

“I am simply mourning.”

“He isn’t dead, Ava.”

Ezra took a slow sip from one of the two coffees in his hands, his smirk firmly in place.

“Well, he might as well be,” I snapped, my voice muffled. “Because that will be his state when he finally comes back to me.”

Before I could launch into a full tirade about the unfairness of the universe, Ruin head suddenly lunged forward.

A massive hellhound snout shoved straight into my face.

“Gods—!” I yelped as a wet, heavy tongue dragged across my cheek.