Page 44 of House Ignis

Jules nearly tripped, her eyes wide as Void fluttered near her shoulder. "You were trained as an assassin?"

Darcy shrugged, unbothered. "

We all were. Umbra serves Nyxira, the goddess of death. We learn early to honor secrets."

I was still reeling. I'd never had a friend from Umbra—certainly not one this lethal. Asher was something else entirely.

Aether padded beside me, his tail flicking in irritation.

"You're very silent," I murmured through the bond.

"Observing," he replied. "And resisting the urge to claw someone."

I rolled my eyes. My fire. My tether.

"Wait," I said, glancing at Darcy. "What is Asher's boundling? We haven't seen it."

"Ooh, good question," Ember chimed, practically skipping. "Bet it's something epic. A dragon or a shadow demon."

Darcy's smile was slow and secretive. "You might see her tonight. If she's in the mood."

"Sounds familiar," I muttered.

"You are equally dramatic," Aether growled.

Laughter rippled through us as the trees thinned, revealing the glowing blue torches of House Tideris dancing over water-carved stone.

The courtyard was breathtaking.

A marble fountain dominated the center, sea deities reaching toward the moonlit sky, while behind it, a waterfall cascaded into a luminous pool where students summoned shimmering ribbons of water.

The air, heavy with salt and jasmine, pulsed with bass-thick music.

"Hey, ladies!"

Ryven appeared as if conjured, shirtless and damp from the pool. Maddy launched herself at him, wrapping her arms and a leg around his waist. He held her like she was the only thing in the courtyard worth touching.

Ember rolled her eyes. "Drinks?"

Darcy, Jules, and I nodded while Maddy remained occupied.

We entered the glass dome. Fountains arched overhead while a DJ's magic-enhanced mix vibrated through the marble floors.

Students danced in spell-thread silk and leather, and guards moved through the crowd with trays of glowing cocktails. It was wild, elemental, and exactly what we needed.

As we pushed toward the bar, the attention shifted. Heads turned, and a low whistle cut through the music.

"Goddamn, Princess," someone murmured.

Heat climbed my neck. "This is too much," I muttered, wishing the floor would open up.

"Stop it, Ava," Ember said firmly, snagging a tray of glowing shots from a passing guard. "You are the heir. Own it."

She pressed a glass of sapphire liquid into my hand and raised her own. "To tonight."

We downed the shots in unison. It hit my throat like liquid frost and starlight, a sharp kick that sent a shiver of confidence straight to my core.

"If you're planning on getting drunk, do it quickly," Aether's voice rumbled. "I'd rather not be the one steering your body back to the dorms."