Page 48 of House Ignis

"I am always babysitting you," Aether muttered darkly through the bond as we wove through the dancers. "Always preventing disaster. One of these days, I'm letting the shadow male eat you."

I didn't have the strength to argue. I just let Jeremy lead me into the cool night air, away from the music and the silver eyes.

We made our way to the marble fountain outside the glass dome.

I sank onto its cool stone edge, Aether settling at my feet with a heavy huff.

Jeremy offered me the water bottle, his eyes searching mine. "I'm sorry," I started, my voice shaky.

He didn't let me finish. He cupped my face in both hands, his touch warm and grounding.

"Hey," he murmured, soft and earnest. "Sweetheart... don't be sorry." Worry flickered in his emerald gaze before he squeezed my hands. "How are you feeling?"

Before I could answer, the air shifted. My gaze drifted across the courtyard and landed on Asher.

He was leaning against the fountain's far rim, surrounded by a cluster of Umbra students. A tall girl with long pink hair and a daring skirt was pressed flush against him, grinding slowly under the low glow of the lanterns.

Asher looked up, his silver eyes locking onto mine for one searing second, before he let the girl fall into his arms and kissed her.

Breathe, Ava. It's fine. He was just a maddening, shadow-kissed asshole. I swallowed the lump in my throat, the weight of my betrothal crashing back down on me.

I ripped my gaze away from Asher and looked straight into the familiar green depths of Jeremy's eyes—the ones that usually felt like sunlight and safety. Without thinking,

I cupped his face and pulled him to me.

His lips met mine like he'd been starving for the touch. His arms wrapped around my waist in a possessive grip, hauling me effortlessly onto his lap.

I let out a half-shocked squeal, my legs instinctively curling around him as his tongue sought mine.

This was not the restrained, careful prince I knew. This was something feral. Unhinged. Hungry. I wanted his strength, his fire, and even his jealousy.

"Finally," Aether muttered through the bond. "Now can we go home?"

I broke the kiss, breathless, my heart hammering against my ribs. I pressed my lips to Jeremy's ear, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Come with me."

He stilled, surprise and raw hunger flashing in his gaze before a slow, tender smile curled his lips.

"Of course, Princess," he said, his voice thick with need. "I am at your command."

I giggled, taking his hand as we darted off the stone path into the dappled moonlight of the trees. Suddenly, with a growl of laughter, Jeremy scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder like a barbarian.

"Jeremy! Put me down!" I shrieked, laughing uncontrollably while Aether stalked behind us, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

He finally set me down, only to spin me and press me against the rough bark of a tree. His mouth crashed onto mine—a bruising, desperate kiss that tasted of starlight.

"Fuck, Ava…" he breathed, his forehead resting on mine.

"We are leaving. Now," Aether hissed in my head. I glanced past Jeremy's shoulder to see my panther and Kora pacing the undergrowth like fed-up chaperones.

But I couldn't move.

My legs were wrapped tightly around Jeremy's waist, heat pooling low as his lips trailed heated kisses down my neck. His hands were firm, fingers digging into the soft curve of my hips with a desperation that made me moan into the night air.

He stopped abruptly, his breath ragged. His brown curls fell forward, damp against his forehead, but it was his emerald eyes—now glowing faintly with the raw pulse of magic—that snatched my breath away.

It was the feral edge of a male fae losing control, instincts rising to claim skin and scent.

I loved it.