Page 35 of House Ignis

"I'm coming," I said, the words tripping out of me far too quickly.

I forced my legs to move, the heat still humming beneath my skin as I hurried toward the exit.

Ember fell into step beside me, her grin sharp with a thousand unasked questions she was undoubtedly saving for later.

But as we reached the heavy oak doors, I felt it one last time.

A whisper of darkness.

A final, ghostly brush against the hem of my skirt.

A warning. A promise.

I didn't look back.

Gods help me—I wanted to.

CHAPTER FIVE

We navigated the crowded cafeteria, my stomach growling loud enough to draw a smirk from Ember.

The hall was a cavern of vaulted stone, with long wooden tables etched in shimmering elemental sigils and fae-lanterns drifting lazily overhead. The scent of fresh bread and spiced meats wrapped around me—a banquet fit for royalty.

I stacked my plate high, ignoring the potential for judgment, and we claimed a sun-drenched table near the windows. Jules joined us a moment later, balancing her tray with wide-eyed focus.

"So, Jules," Ryven said between massive bites of steak, "where are you from?"

She blinked, surprised by the attention. "Eldrethine," she said, adjusting her glasses. "My parents are weaponsmiths for the Litharyn division of the Astral Guard."

I raised my brows as she popped a purple moon cherry into her mouth. Humans lacked raw elemental magic, but they were the realm's master creators—Seers, enchanters, and rune-carvers.

The quiet, essential force behind every victory.

"That's incredible," I said, leaning in. "Your family must be proud."

Jules flushed. "I hope so. I'm aiming for the enchantment program at the Tower."

"You'll get in," Ember said, pointing her fork at her. "You've got the vibe."

"The vibe?" Jules blinked.

"Cute, clever, and I'd actually trust you to craft me an anti-assassin charm," Ember said easily.

"High praise from a Pyreson," Ryven added with a grin.

Jules laughed, her cheeks pink, and for a moment, the heavy tension of the morning finally settled into something normal.

"How are we feeling about the Aegos Trials?" Maddy asked, picking at her greens while I demolished a plate of meat and pastries.

I froze mid-bite.

"You're smaller than the others," Aether noted smugly through the bond. "Eat the protein."

"Thanks for the encouragement," I muttered back.

"I'm pumped," Ember declared, her chin lifted. "You win the Trials; you earn a place with the Astral Guard. It's the ultimate test."

She said it as if it were already written in stone. But the Aegos Trials weren't about glory—they were a brutal gauntlet of strength, endurance, and strategy. Jax had told me his first year nearly broke him, and Jax never broke.