Page 74 of House Ignis

"Sleeping off the worst of it in the stables," Ember said, her voice softening slightly. "He fought like hell, Ava."

He always did. And I’d nearly lost him.

Before another word could be said, the infirmary doors slammed open once more.

Jeremy.

He entered like a soldier walking into a skirmish—his earth energy heavy, grounded, and radiating protective fury. His gaze swept the room with clinical efficiency before landing squarely on Asher.

His jaw tightened.

"Asher," he said stiffly, giving a short, sharp nod.

Asher didn't move from his spot against the wall. "Jeremy," he replied, his tone perfectly smooth.

Jeremy dismissed him with a single, icy look and strode toward my bed. He took my hand, his grip firm yet careful. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I muttered, the lingering exhaustion making my limbs feel heavy. "Just drowsy."

His brows furrowed in a deep, troubled line. He brushed his thumb along my cheek before pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead.

"They should've known better than to match you against him," he said, his voice vibrating with tight, controlled anger.

"Knowing his history. The bastard plays dirty. And you're the heir."

I huffed, forcing a small, defiant smile. "Just because I'm the heir doesn't mean I can't beat the shit out of him."

"You were close, Pyreson," Asher interjected from the doorway, his tone maddeningly casual.

Jeremy didn't turn. He didn't even acknowledge the shadow wielder's presence, but I felt the sharp tick in his jaw and the tension pulling down his arm like stone grinding under immense pressure.

"Yeah," Ryven added, letting out a low whistle. "Especially after the stunt he tried first. I'm surprised there aren't guards posted outside this room."

Jeremy froze. The air in the room seemed to drop several degrees as he spoke, his words slow and deliberate. "What stunt?"

I could've screamed. I shot Ryven a look of wide-eyed, silent pleading—don't you dare—but it was too late.

Asher chose that exact moment to push off the wall. He took a lazy, predatory step forward, his shadows stretching behind him as if they were enjoying the show.

"Oh," he drawled, his silver eyes gleaming with pure, calculated chaos. "She didn't tell you?"

The room went deathly still. Ember stopped breathing entirely, and Maddy looked ready to strangle Ryven where he stood. Jeremy's shoulders squared, his frame becoming a solid wall of earth and muscle.

"It doesn't matter," I cut in quickly, my voice firmer than I felt. "It's over."

Asher's gaze flicked to me, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips.

Ember cleared her throat, trying to break the suffocating tension. "Yeah. Over. Dead. Buried."

Maddy elbowed Ryven hard in the ribs. "Really? You couldn't keep your mouth shut for five minutes?"

Ryven raised his hands defensively. "What? It was relevant!"

"I really need to see Aether," I said, pushing the blankets back. I was desperate for air, for distance, and for significantly less testosterone in such a confined space.

"We'll take you," Ember said instantly, moving to help me sit up.

Jeremy straightened, his gaze lingering on me. "I can't come," he said quietly, his voice softening. "But I'll see you tonight?"