Page 56 of House Ignis

But the damage was already done. As we walked back, I could still feel Asher's gaze on the back of my neck—and the heat of the full moon was only just beginning to rise.

•••

The next class was Boundlings 101, and I was a wreck. Not just first-day jitters—real, bone-deep nerves.

Aside from Asher, no one else had a celestial panther, and Aether was already acting like the lesson was a personal insult to his intelligence.

He moved with a lethal, predatory grace, his shoulders rolling as he cast looks of quiet superiority at the passing students.

"Please be nice," I sent down the bond. "Play well with others."

"I always play well with others," Aether replied smoothly.

"Then why have you been glaring at Zya this entire walk?"

His ears twitched, the faint flames at the tips flaring hotter. He didn't answer. He didn't need to; the low, vibrating rumble in his chest said it all. My bonded panther was preparing for a silent war over mere eye contact.

Ahead of us, Ember and Maddy were locked in animated conversation, while Ryven and Ezra trailed behind, bickering over something ridiculous. A few paces ahead, Asher walked with Darcy and Sera, Zya padding silently at his side—though her silver eyes kept drifting sideways to Aether, and the fire on his ears burned brighter every time they did.

I was so preoccupied with the escalating glow that I didn't notice the shadow lengthening beside me.

"Seems we have some prissy cats," Asher drawled.

His presence slid into place as naturally as his shadows, which curled lazily at his boots. I schooled my expression into something neutral, even as a shiver raced down my spine.

"Did you have a good night, Princess?" He leaned in, his smirk deepening.

"Of course I did," I said, forced sweetness dripping from my voice. "I spent it with Jeremy."

"Hmm." A low, dangerous sound. "Well," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear, "Predictable."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, Princess," he murmured, his voice velvet and poison, "you don't like danger. You like it safe."

My pulse kicked hard. Traitorous heat bloomed under my skin, and my body reacted instantly to his proximity, craving the chaos he carried. I hadn't realized my hands were clenched into fists until my nails bit into my palms.

"Didn't like my choice, I see," I muttered.

He laughed under his breath, his eyes raking over me with devastating slowness. "Seems like your body's already chosen."

Then he straightened and walked ahead, melting back into the group as if he hadn't just set my blood on fire. I stood there for a heartbeat too long, my stomach twisted and my heart racing.

"You really are like a female in heat," Aether observed dryly through the bond. "Pathetic."

I groaned, pressing my fingers to my temples. "I just don't understand why he does this to me," I whispered. Gods, I was betrothed. To an amazing male. Jeremy kept me grounded and safe, and… safe.

There it was. Exactly what Asher meant.

Aether chuckled, his tail flicking against my ankle. "Maybe your body needs more… danger."

I nearly choked. "Well, clearly the goddess of love hates me," I muttered.

"Or she's testing your taste," Aether replied, "and so far, you're failing."

I glared at him. The celestial panther just stretched luxuriously, not a single care in the world.

We rejoined the group just as we exited through the left arch, out into the crisp morning air.