Page 311 of House Ignis

Asher didn't pull away. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his breath hitching in a way that told me his anger was finally losing the war against his fear. He looked at me then, his silver eyes anchoring mine with the weight of our blood-oath.

"Listen to me, darling," he murmured, his voice dropping into that low, lethal rasp that made the air in the room go still. "I don't care if it's a third-year squad, a kingdom, or whatever the hell is happening inside you. I am your shadow. Where you burn, I stay. If you're fighting a war inside yourself, then that's my war too. That is my vow to you, Ava. To my flame and ruin, until fire and shadow cease to exist.”

He tilted his head, his nose brushing mine, his gaze softening into something so tender it made my chest ache more than the illness ever could.

"Promise me, darling," he breathed, his thumb catching the tear that escaped my eye. "No more secrets. No more fighting this alone. If you feel it creeping in, you tell me. You let me carry some of the weight.”

A small, genuine grin tugged at the corner of my mouth, a flicker of the old Ava sparking back to life despite the exhaustion.

I squeezed his hand, my heart finally finding its steady rhythm against his.

"Deal," I whispered.

His expression broke into a rare, devastatingly beautiful smile—one that didn't reach the drones or the crowds, but was meant only for me. He pressed a lingering, soft kiss to my temple, his scent of woodsmoke and an oncoming storm wrapping around me like a shield.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Day Two of the Trials arrived, and the entire Academy was a living storm.

“Welcome to Day Two of the Aegos Trials! Yesterday, twenty-five teams fell. Today, fifty remain!” The announcer’s voice boomed, and the roar that followed shook the dome, rattling straight down into my bones.

“Today’s challenge—the Elemental Phase!”

The arena floor groaned, shifting and splitting into massive, distinct sections.

Gates rose like jagged teeth, each glowing with the iridescent wards of the elements: fire, shadow, earth, wind—and finally, water. A cold, heavy mist rolled from the Tideris gate, spreading dampness across the dirt until silver droplets clung to my skin.

“Each team will face a randomized elemental trial,” the announcer intoned. “Timed. Ruthless. Designed to test not only your magic—but your bond. Only the strongest will move on. Remember: there is no killing.”

The crowd erupted again, a wall of thunderous sound.

Beside me, Asher’s shadows curled possessively around my boots, tugging at the bond like he was staking his claim in front of the entire continent.

After nearly losing me yesterday, he had spent the night worshipping every inch of me; I still felt the shiver of it in my marrow. He leaned closer, his voice a low, dark growl against my ear.

“Breathe, darling. We’ve got this.”

Gods, my knees nearly buckled.

The bond purred so intensely it made my head swim, and when he caught my eye, he gave me a slow, knowing grin that promised even more once we were out of this pit.

I looked toward our friends standing nearby.

We had all survived Day One, but we certainly didn't look our best—bruised, soot-stained, and weary.

Ezra and Ember were already in their combat stances.

Havoc and Ruin, the twin heads of Ezra’s massive bloodhound, watched Luna with fierce protectiveness.

"They are surely mates," I whispered through the bond to Asher.

Asher assessed them, his gaze sharp.

"I hope so. I’ve never seen Ezra like this—acting like one of those damn lovesick puppies." He tapped his boot against the ground, a restless, anxious energy radiating off him.

“Do you hope we are?” I whispered. “Mates, I mean.”

His boot stilled.