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“Just expressing my gratitude.” I shrug, trying to keep a smile from splitting my face.

“Oh, in that case,” Jared says, “I did help too, you know.” His eyes sparkle mischievously. Twin growls erupt from my brother and Tate, both so similarly threatening I burst out laughing, and Jared joins in.

At his unhappy expression, I scramble out from under the cover and launch myself at my brother, who catches me like he always does. His strong arms hold me close.

“You scared me there, little sparrow,” he grumbles into my hair. And my heart bursts with love for my softy of a brother who always has to play the cold and hard one.

“You know what they say: pests are hard to kill.” I make light of the situation, but it doesn’t have the desired effect.

“It was pretty close this time, little sparrow. And not the first time, from what I heard.” His gaze wanders over my head before coming back to mine. “I want you to come home with me.”

I wriggle out of his hold at that, huffing out a breath and taking a step back to get some space between us before he simply throws me over his shoulder and takes off.

“I don’t want to go home yet, and it’s not like I can either. I made the vow, Dar.” He waves away my argument like it’s nothing.

“I’m serious,” I insist.

He shakes his head. “You know I can solve that problem in a heartbeat. I want you home. I want you safe.”

“And what about what I want?” I ask. When he shakes his head in exasperation, I feel like a child all over.

“You can’t make me, Dar.” I realize I chose my words poorly as soon as his face hardens.

He hates being told he can’t do something as much as I do, and in the heat of the argument, I forgot something important: he’s the commanding general, and I’m a rider, part of his forces now. So he has total command over me.

“Oh, you will soon realize I can make you do a lot of things,” he says, a clear warning ringing in his voice. Dammit.

“I’m sorry, Dar.” I wrap my arms around him, and he stiffens for a second before he relaxes and his arms come around me. I push to my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

“How about you arrange for me to have a few days off, and I come home with you so we can talk about everything in peace?” I suggest. “Giving both of us time to cool down a little. We could even have a family meeting about it.”

I know I have him when he sighs at that. Of course, he jumps at the chance to hear everyone’s input before making a decision.

“Okay.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“That sounds actually like a very grown-up suggestion.” He pauses. “I’m impressed. We will leave in three days. I have a few things I have to take care of first.” He takes my face in his hands and bends down to kiss my brow.

“I’ll clear everything with Legatus Janus. Now rest, little sparrow.” He looks behind me. “Preferably in your bed. And I will see you in three days.”

I nod.

He sends a warning look over my shoulder at Tate, whose presence hovers two steps behind me, then nods at Jared and leaves the room.

I release my breath in a sigh.

“Impressive,” Jared comments. “I did hold my breath there for a second.” He smiles, his eyes flying to Tate and then back to me. “I’ll leave you to…talk things through. Glad you are fine, Ara.” He gives me a wink before he leaves the room, too.

I’m painfully aware of Tate behind me, but something in the tense silence makes me almost afraid to turn and face him.

What is he thinking? Has he taken my offer of coming home for a break as giving in? Does he think it’s that easy for me to walk away from him?

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest, and I melt into him, drinking in his strength before I turn in his arms.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how else—” His lips stop my apology, ghosting over mine in a featherlight kiss.

“I know, sunshine. You did everything you could.” His lips meet mine again, more demanding this time. “I thought I lost you today,” he breathes. “The moment I realized you were in that inferno.” I crinkle my brow in confusion. Inferno?

“Which reminds me. I need a name?” he growls.

“What are you talking about?”

He frames my face with his hands, all serious now.

“Someone attacked you, hurt you. And in case that person survived the fire, I need a name to remedy that.”

He watches me, waits for an answer, and I rack my brain, but there is nothing. There has to be something.

“I … I don’t know.” I stare at him, and he must see the panic, the helplessness in my eyes because he pulls me into his chest, holding me tight.

“Shh, it’s fine. Give it time. It’ll come back to you.”

“Let’s talk to Calix and Mariel, and maybe that will — ”

“Yes, we’ll do that, but later. Right now, I need to hold you, kiss you, feel you right next to me.” My body heats at his words.

Gods, this man is everything. I rise up on my toes and bring my lips to his in an attempt to get closer. Our kiss turns hungry and desperate, but to my disappointment, he lets it slow down again to sweet and light kisses, not nearly enough to sate the hunger he roused.

I pout, and he chuckles, sweeping me up into his arms.

“You were on the brink of death a few hours ago. Rest, sunshine. Sleep, get your energy levels back up, and then I’m all in for whatever you want.”

I’m still grumbling while he tucks me in close to him. His warm body at my back relaxes, his arms safe and reassuring wrapped around me, keeping me close. He places a kiss on my temple, and I simply melt, a huge yawn sneaking up on me.

Okay, maybe I could do with a little sleep first.

The next thing I know is Tate kissing me awake at the crack of dawn. My hands snake up before I open my eyes, my fingers hitting the smooth leather of his uniform.

What?

That is not what I hoped for. I blink my eyes open, and he grins down at me, fully clothed, his hair still wet from a shower.

“What are you doing up and dressed?” My question sounds exactly like the accusation it’s supposed to be, and he smiles.

“I already got a new uniform for you since the other one was ruined anyway. I hope it fits. I had to guess the size since the other one was always a little big.” He leans down and kisses me again.

“I have to leave. You have an hour until formation, and I have a division leader meeting in a few minutes.”

“No,” I whine, too tired to be embarrassed about sounding so needy. It earns me another long kiss and a groan before Tate hurries out the door, probably a little late by now.

A full day is in front of us, but gods help me, tonight, I will make sure that man ends up in my bed, or rather I in his. As far as I know, single rooms are out of the question until at least the second year.

“ We have to work on your shields first,” a voice grumbles in my mind. It’s the same one I remember from yesterday, right before Tate healed me.

“ Who are you?” I ask tentatively.

“ If I hadn’t seen and felt the state you were in, I would take offense at that,” he tells me.

Now that I concentrate on him, I can sense him too, more vicious than Tate’s warmth, and my mind seems to stretch on where it once ended, a swirl of color, thoughts, and emotions only separated by a thin veil.

“ Are we…are we bonded?” Even my thought carries my disbelief.

“ At least you are fast to catch on. Now that your head is no longer a scrambled mess, let me introduce myself again. I’m Solaris. I’m a Phoenix of the line of Sa…”

“ You are a Phoenix? I’m bonded to a fu—”

“ If you call me a fucking Phoenix again, I will roast you alive,” he snaps with indignation, making me chuckle despite his threat.

“ I’m sorry.” I bite my lip, trying to contain my giddiness.

I did it. I’m bonded. I’m bonded to a Phoenix.

My body is still sore, but I don’t notice it over my elation. I shower and dress, grinning from ear to ear and talking to Solaris through all of it. It’s like I’ve known him for years, but I could listen to him talk all day.