Page 60 of House Ignis

He hissed at the sudden contact, of course—claws flicking out with his signature drama—but then I felt it: the soft, vibrating growl of surrender. His powerful paws shifted, bracing against me in a feline embrace that felt like an anchor.

I smiled against his shoulder, my eyes damp and my heart finally full.

Aether might be grumpy, infuriating, and far too smug for a panther, but in that moment, I knew there was no other soul in the kingdoms I would ever want bound to mine.

"Don't get used to the cuddles," he grumbled into my mind, even as he leaned his heavy head against my temple. "The shadow male is still staring, and you look like a leaky faucet."

I let out a watery laugh, tightening my grip. Let him stare. For the first time since arriving at the Academy, the fire didn't feel like a curse.

It felt like home.

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Okay, little flame, get off me now. You're embarrassing me," Aether hissed down the bond.

I rolled my eyes but loosened my grip, wiping my face quickly before stepping back. He settled onto his haunches, golden eyes fixed on mine, the flames at the tips of his ears flashing white for a fraction of a second. Around us, the cheering hadn't stopped.

Professor Aldara stepped up behind me, his cloak rustling softly as he placed a steady hand on my shoulder.

"Well done, Ava. Your brother… and Solas… would be proud."

His smile was genuine, the fine lines creasing his weathered face as pride warmed his eyes.

My throat tightened instantly. A lump formed before I could stop it, and fresh tears burned behind my lashes. I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

"You're worthy," he said gently.

That undid me completely. Aldara had always been Jax's favorite professor, and in that moment, I decided he was officially mine, too. I turned toward Ember and saw her openly sobbing into her sleeves. Gods. Ember never cried.

The sight of her cracked something in me, and a shaky, relieved laugh slipped out.

Then, shadows curled around me like silk.

"Well done, Princess," Asher said, stepping to my side. His silver eyes moved slowly over me with a dangerous weight, his gaze dipping briefly to my collarbone where faint embers still flickered against my skin.

I swallowed hard. His mouth curved slightly. "See," he said softly, leaning in until I could feel the radiating heat of his skin, "you do like a little danger."

My pulse betrayed me with a frantic thud. Before I could even think of a retort, a pair of arms hooked around my waist and hoisted me clean off the ground.

"That's our badass fucking queen!" Ryven bellowed, spinning me in a circle like I weighed nothing.

The world tilted. "Okay, Mister Caldar. Language," Professor Aldara called sharply. "Put her down. It's time for dueling."

"Wait—dueling?" I asked, breathless, as Ryven finally set me back on the grass.

Professor Aldara clapped his hands, beaming.

"Yes! But first—five House points to every House. You all did magnificently today. Truly one of the most promising classes we've had in years."

As we moved toward the benches, the tension thickened with every step. Ember, Maddy, and I walked together, with Sera and Darcy drifting in close on either side.

I caught myself glancing at Sera more than once. Gods, she was stunning. Ahead of us, Ezra, Ryven, and Asher walked together with their boundlings.

And gods—all three of them had shed their shirts.

Training shorts hung low on their hips, skin gleaming with sweat under the blazing sun. Ryven was impossible to miss, the tallest of the bunch, with muscles flexing across his broad shoulders as his man-bun bobbed.

Ezra walked beside him, lean and sharp, his auburn hair glinting like molten orange in the light.