Page 283 of House Ignis

“He’s family.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my skull.

I stiffened in Asher’s arms, my brain short-circuiting as the King of Zymarra—the man who usually demanded a formal bow from every living soul—gave the man carrying me a nod of approval.

I looked up at Asher, expecting confusion. Instead, he gave me the widest, most infuriatingly smug grin I had ever seen.

“Had to mingle with Daddy Pyreson before coming to see you, firecracker.” His voice slid through the bond, dark and purring with a satisfaction that made my toes curl.

Oh, my fucking gods.

“Ava,” My head snapped back to my father’s gaze as he continued.

“I won’t see you two tomorrow. I have business with the Council, but I know you are in good hands,” my father said, his voice thick with a pride that nearly brought me to tears.

He stepped forward, undeterred by the swirling, ink-black shadows Asher had draped over me.

I was acutely aware of what a disaster I must have looked like—caked in dried mud, damp with sweat, and smelling unmistakably of the forest and our shared heat.

My father reached out, his hand cupping my cheek with a tenderness that broke through his royal mask.

His eyes glistened for a fleeting second before he cleared his throat, the King of Zymarra snapping back into place as he withdrew his hand.

“I am proud of you, my darling daughter,” he murmured. Then, his gaze sharpened as he looked pointedly at Asher, lifting a brow in a silent command.

“Now, go get bathed and dressed. And rest these next few days—you’re going to need it. The Trials are approaching, and you better win.”

With a final, decisive nod, he turned on his heel and disappeared down the hall, his cape billowing as the guards trailed after him.

Even Asher was silent for a moment, his silver eyes tracking my father’s retreat before he looked down at me with a slow, devastating grin.

I rolled my eyes, the mortification finally reaching its peak.

Asher leaned down, his nose brushing mine in a slow, predatory gesture.

“You heard the King, princess. Now, show me your room.”

His wicked grin told me everything I needed to know.

Gods help me, I knew exactly how much resting was actually going to happen over the next few days.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Asher carried me through the endless corridors, past the blur of waiters and staff who were still busy clearing the remnants of the night’s festivities.

My eyes felt heavy, the exhaustion of the hunt finally settling into my bones, but every time Asher looked down at me, a fresh wave of heat pooled between my thighs.

He chuckled darkly, the sound vibrating against my chest as he tightened his hold.

“Gods, you are my fucking sin, Ava,” he murmured, leaning down to nuzzle the sensitive cord of my neck.

I leaned into him, breathing in the scent of smoke and storm that clung to his skin.

I could have stayed in his warmth forever, lost in the quiet power of his embrace.

We reached the spiral staircase that led to my private quarters, the stone cool and silent compared to the bustle of the Great Hall below.

“Your own wing,” he whispered, his silver eyes tracking the luxury of the arched ceilings and silken tapestries. “Fancy.”