Page 14 of House Ignis

In the kitchens, a tray of fresh cookies waited, the air thick with the scent of cinnamon. Ember snagged one with a grin and tossed it to me.

"Okay, up we go," she announced, darting for the stairs with Luna padding behind her.

I followed, Aether stalking beside me while Luna trailed at a distance. Aether kept hissing every time her fiery coat brushed too close to his flank.

We passed hall after hall, climbing higher into the tower.

My legs were starting to burn by the time Ember let out a theatrical groan. "Of course the heir gets the gods-damned highest dorm room."

"Don't be so moody," I shot back, though my own lungs were working hard. "You know you're happy about the view."

We climbed the final stretch of stairs, heat still pulsing faintly from the emberstone walls.

At the top, the corridor opened into a wide landing lit by enchanted sconces, their flames burning steady in hues of deep red and gold.

Two doors waited there. Just two.

Each bore a name etched into the wood in glowing, elegant script.

Ember Pyreson. Ava Pyreson.

We moved together toward the last one. My name shimmered across the surface in gold, the letters glowing as if they had been freshly forged just for me.

"Let's go, Pyreson," Ember said, flashing me a wicked grin.

I set my palm against the cool brass handle, drew in one last steadying breath, and pushed the door open.

Ember crowded in right behind me, our boundlings brushing past my legs as we stepped inside.

My mouth fell open.

"Oh my gods," Ember whispered, her voice hushed for once.

It was magnificent.

The chamber soared upward into a high, vaulted ceiling streaked with glowing veins of emberstone that looked like lightning caught in rock. The white marble floor shimmered with faint gold etchings that pulsed in rhythm with the firelight, while heavy crimson curtains cascaded from the ceiling to the floor like velvet waterfalls.

Enchanted sconces bathed every corner in a warm, steady glow that made the room feel alive.

At the center stood a massive bed draped in white sheets, embroidered with intricate gold thread.

A black-stone desk waited along one wall beside a seating area, where a hearth already burned with a quiet, flickering fire.

On the opposite side, a walk-in closet stood ready, flanked by towering balcony doors that looked out toward the horizon.

I drifted toward the bed—and stopped.

Resting on the coverlet was a neatly folded bundle. My official House Ignis leathers.

A phoenix blazed across the breastplate, its wings outstretched and every feather etched in gold.

My throat tightened, a sharp ache settling behind my ribs. Only one person in centuries had been bonded to a phoenix.

Gods, I miss him.

Ember darted toward the adjoining door and flung it open with a triumphant squeal.

"Eeek—this one's our bathroom!"