Page 45 of House Ignis

"I'm fine, Aether," I thought, though my head was already beginning to swim with the music.

"Look," Ember whispered, nudging my shoulder.

I followed her gaze to the far side of the dome, where the shadows seemed thicker, darker.

Asher stood there, leaning against a curved glass wall that looked out over the ocean. He was dressed in black silk that seemed to drink the light, a silver chalice in one hand and the other shoved into his pocket.

He wasn't dancing. He was watching.

And the moment our eyes met across the crowded room, the sapphire heat in my veins turned into a slow, steady burn. He didn't smile. He just lifted his glass in a silent, lethal salute.

•••

We danced for hours. By midnight, the sapphire liquor had turned the world into a delicious, spinning blur.

Darcy had long since vanished with a sly smile and a comment about "scoping the talent," leaving the rest of us to drown in the music.

"Breather! I need a breather!" I shouted over the bass, staggering toward the garden doors.

"We're right behind you," Ember promised, catching my arm as we spilled out into the cool night air.

We collapsed onto a stone bench beneath vines heavy with glowing lanterns. Aether paced nearby, his golden eyes narrowed in royal disapproval, while Luna sat alert.

"Guys..." Jules slurred, her laughter sounding thick and heavy. "I've... I've never felt like this."

My head snapped toward her. She was wobbling, her knuckles white as she gripped the stone.

"Oh, gods," Ember whispered, horror dawning. "I forgot you're human. I gave you fae liquor."

I stared at her, incredulous. "You forgot? Ember, she literally doesn't have pointed ears!"

Jules swayed, her face turning a ghostly shade of pale. Before the panic could peak, Ryven appeared out of nowhere, his expression shifting the moment he saw Jules.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his playfulness vanishing. "Luna told Solstice you needed help."

"Human. Fae liquor," Ember snapped, her voice trembling with guilt.

"Fuck," Ryven muttered, instantly scooping Jules into his arms. "She needs an antidote. Now."

Maddy was already on her feet, grabbing Jules's bag. "We've got her. You guys stay—enjoy the night."

I watched them disappear toward the healer's wing, my stomach twisting. "You're an idiot," I muttered, slumping against the bench.

"Fae liquor was a foolish choice for the curly one," Aether rumbled in my head.

A few minutes later, Ryven reappeared, hands shoved in his pockets and looking entirely unbothered.

"She's passed out at Maddy's," he announced. "Maddy's staying with her. I decided to come back."

I stared at him. "You left your girlfriend to babysit our human friend so you could come back to a party."

He shrugged. "Maddy told me to." He paused. "Also there's still aged moon-wine."

"You're as bad as Ember," I muttered.

He grinned. "Worse."

He vanished back into the dome before I could argue.