Page 93 of House Ignis

By the time we reached my door, I was practically drooling at the thought of the leftover snacks sitting on my vanity. I stepped into the room and turned back toward him. He stood at the threshold, one hand braced high against the frame, his silhouette dark against the dim corridor light. For a heartbeat, he looked like he wasn't sure whether to stay or go.

Well,” he said, his tone shifting, the playfulness giving way to something quieter.

"I'll leave you to it."

I nodded, crossing my arms tightly over the black silk of the robe, even though my traitorous, newly-minted bond was practically screaming for him to stay. I needed the distance. I needed to breathe without his scent clogging my lungs.

"Strictly business from now on," I said, trying to summon every ounce of regal authority I possessed.

He smirked, that dark, infuriating curve of his lips returning. "Whatever you say, Princess."

He turned to head down the corridor; his shadow stretching long and lean against the stone. Then, his voice came lazily back over his shoulder. "By the way—training tomorrow morning. Early."

I poked my head out, my brow furrowed. "What? Why?"

He didn't even turn around, just kept walking with that predatory grace. "Aegos Trials are approaching, Sparks. You need to be ready. And I'm the only one who can push you hard enough."

And just like that, he disappeared down the spiral stairs, the shadows at his feet curling like obedient hounds.

I shut the door slowly, the click of the latch sounding far too final in the quiet room. I leaned my back against the wood, exhaling a breath I felt like I'd been holding since the Temple.

And then, the bond stirred—a low, humming vibration right above my heart where the sigil rested. It was warm, steady, and achingly familiar.

Gods help my soul; he'd been gone for ten seconds and I already missed him.

CHAPTER TWELVE

I couldn't sleep.

My heart pulled in opposite directions, tethered to a storm I couldn't escape and yet missing a piece of itself entirely.

"Aether!" I snapped through the bond.

The panther jolted, sliding off the chaise with a heavy thud.

"Ava!" he hissed, tail sparking. "He's on his way. Stop screaming through the thread."

"Who?" But I didn't have to ask. The bond pulled taut, a pulse of shadowed magic winding toward my door like smoke. Three sharp, rhythmic knocks followed.

I opened it to find Asher in a loose black vest and sweats, looking lethally tired. His eyes tracked me as I moved, the black sigil and silver sigil on his collarbone glowing with a faint, steady heat.

"I couldn't sleep," I muttered, stepping aside.

You practically shouted through the bond,” he said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, messy hair falling over his brow. "I figured you were either losing your mind or needed me. Turns out, it's both."

"Did not," I grumbled, though Aether let out a traitorous yawn of agreement from the floor. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to find some semblance of authority. "We need to talk. Boundaries."

Asher's brow lifted, a dark amusement sparking in his gaze. "Ah, the famous 'boundaries' speech. I'm all ears, Princess."

"This is serious, Asher. We are blood-bound now, and the magic is already messing with my head.

I need space. Control. Rule one: No getting too close. No weird shadow hugs. No lurking."

"Define lurking," he challenged, amusement playing on his lips.

"I know it when I see it! Rule two: No touching. Especially not... sensual touching."

He tilted his head, his voice dropping into a velvet rasp. "So, no brushing hair off your face while whispering sweet nothings? No tracing the line of your jaw?"