Page 31 of House Ignis

I turned to the mirror—and froze.

She'd pulled my hair into two high ponytails at the crown of my head, my pale blonde waves cascading down my shoulders like silk.

A few loose, wispy strands framed my face, catching the morning light just right. I looked powerful. Beautiful.

"And?" Ember prompted, watching my reflection closely.

I smiled, a strange, fluttering sensation in my chest. "Perfect."

She grinned, looped her arm firmly through mine, and gave me a wicked wink.

"Come on. Time to show the world the goddess princess you are."

We moved through the academy's main halls, sunlight spilling gold across the polished stone as students surged around us in a frantic morning rush.

Beside Ember, Luna padded with feline grace. Aether, meanwhile, was busy picking a fight with every winged boundling within a five-foot radius.

"Behave," I snapped through the bond.

"The gods didn't listen half the time; why should I?" he drawled, his tail swishing with exaggerated flair.

I was so focused on catching that tail before it smacked a passing owl that I didn't see him until I walked straight into him.

Bam.

I slammed into a chest as firm as carved stone.

Hands shot out, steadying me before I could hit the floor. I looked up straight into stormy eyes.

Asher.

A low, amused "Hmm" rumbled in his chest, the vibration traveling through his arms and down my spine like lightning.

He held me there—one arm around my waist, our chests pressed together. His breath brushed my lips, making my brain stall.

"I—I'm so sorry," I stuttered, my motor skills failing entirely.

He let go slowly, his touch lingering just long enough to turn my legs to mist.

A lazy, lethal smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Princess," he drawled, his voice pure velvet.

"Uh… hey," I mumbled, forcing myself to step back. He started to turn away, but a sudden spark of courage made me stop him.

"Wait."

He paused, looking down at me with that maddening, unreadable expression.

"I just… I wanted to say thank you. For last night."

The smirk vanished. His eyes darkened, something shuttering behind the silver.

"Of course," he said, his voice suddenly flat. He gave a curt dip of his head and walked past me without another word.

I stood there, blinking. What the hell just happened?

"Smooth," Ember drawled, sliding in beside me with a wicked grin. "Truly breathtaking levels of charm."