Page 120 of Axis of Fire

“Should I be worried about a vicious dog or anything?” Airis asked, eyeing the perfectly polished Graynory estate suspiciously.

The house where I had always been the unwanted part.

“Sometimes my parents bite,” I shrugged, walking around the side of the house toward the backyard.

The sun beat down relentlessly overhead, and my mother never missed an opportunity to lounge by the pool.

“You still haven’t told me why you don’t get along with them,” Airis said, matching my pace.

I could feel it—he wanted some kind of truce between us.

But he wasn’t getting one that easily.

“I’m not in the habit of sharing personal things with people who see me as the enemy.”

I sped up, trying to put at least some physical distance between us.

But just as I reached the corner of the house, before I could step into the backyard—

someone grabbed my wrist.

And pinned me lightly against the wall.

Airis stood close.

Close enough to make my pulse stumble.

But not close enough to cross the line.

Though sometimes it felt like that line shouldn’t exist at all.

“I’m sorry.”

Silver eyes held mine with unsettling seriousness while his hand remained wrapped around my wrist as though he had no intention of letting go.

“I’m a representative of Istarus and the chief lieutenant of the combat divisions across all twelve worlds,” he said quietly.

Then paused.

“I don’t have the right to make mistakes.”

He exhaled and glanced away for a brief moment.

“If even one person got hurt because my feelings clouded my judgment…” His jaw tightened. “I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

Silence rang in my ears.

I kept staring at him, even though he no longer met my gaze.

And if not for that—

I might have convinced myself he’d never said those words at all.

“Feelings?” I asked quietly. “You like me?”

“Being attracted to you and liking you aren't necessarily the same thing,” Airis said.

Then, after a brief pause: