Page 10 of House Ignis

Politics.

I turned back to the Orb, and the hall fell silent. My hand trembled as I pressed my palm to its blazing surface.

Power slammed into me like a tidal wave.

Light exploded outward—first orange, then molten yellow, searing so brightly it flooded the chamber and drew gasps from every throat.

My magic surged up from my core, wild and unruly like it always was. Chaotic. Temperamental.

The kind of power that never quite did what it was told. I braced myself, silently praying to every god listening that it would behave this time.

For once… it did.

The blaze settled instead of spiraling out of control, snapping back from blinding gold to orange before hardening into a fierce, unrelenting red.

Flames licked up my arms, scorching heat racing over my skin as the mark burned into the back of my neck.

I clenched my teeth against the pain, refusing to make a sound.

Then the fire vanished. And the real pain hit.

It seared through my abdomen, sudden and vicious, like something inside me had twisted a blade and set it on fire.

My stomach cramped violently—the familiar agony of my body fighting itself.

But no one could see it. I forced a smile, shoulders straight, my nails digging into my palms as I ground my teeth together and held the pain inside my ribs.

Princesses didn't double over in front of a room full of nobles. Even when their insides felt like they were burning alive.

And then it was over.

"Ava Pyreson," Headmaster Silas thundered, "House Ignis. May you rise through Ignis' fire."

The hall erupted again. Still humming with power, dizzy—and with a sharp knot of pain twisting low in my stomach—I pulled my hand from the Orb and stepped back. My traitorous gaze slid sideways.

He was still watching me.

I tore my gaze away and hurried back to our bench, praying to every god I wouldn't trip and make a bigger fool of myself.

My legs barely remembered how to move, and my stomach churned angrily with every step, but I managed to slide into my seat at the end of the row.

Ember hooked an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into her side. "Gods, Ava," she breathed, her grin bright. "I mean, I've seen your power before, but that was—"

"Breathtaking," Maddy finished for her, blue eyes glistening. Ryven gave an approving nod.

"Guys, stop," I muttered, my cheeks blazing until I was sure I looked more flame than flesh.

I pressed a hand lightly to my abdomen, hoping the movement looked casual instead of desperate.

"Well done, cub," Aether purred through the bond, smugness dripping from every word.

I tilted my chin up at him, narrowing my eyes.

"Proud?" I asked, daring him to admit it.

"Don't push it," he muttered.

But the bond thrummed with warmth, pride pulsing through like sunlight, and despite the ache twisting through my stomach, I smiled.