Page 132 of Axis of Fire

“Absolutely not. I can’t separate sex from feelings.”

I’d realized that back when things started with Kai.

What began as harmless flirting quickly turned into something much deeper.

At first, I hadn’t even considered becoming intimate with him.

For one thing, I was terrified my magic would suddenly appear because of arousal, just like it had with Kevin.

And secondly—

I knew I’d never be able to stay emotionally detached afterward.

And I’d been right.

I already liked Kai before we slept together.

Afterward, I completely lost my mind over him.

Even now, it felt impossible to imagine someone treating me with the same tenderness, care, and attention he once had.

Maybe that was for the best.

Even if the pain still hadn’t faded.

Even if the memories refused to dim.

“So what are you planning to do about your second ability?” Gwen asked.

I sighed, glancing toward the shelf lined with feminine hygiene products.

“I want to ask my parents how I ended up with them. Maybe they’ll at least give me some clues.”

I shrugged and tossed several packs of pads into the basket.

Honestly, I had no idea whether Istarus even had things like this.

But asking Airis about feminine products somehow felt mortifying.

Turning slightly, I glanced toward him.

He stood about ten meters away, speaking on the phone.

I quickly turned back to the shelf and grabbed a box of tampons too.

What if they didn’t even exist there?

“And when are you planning to talk to your parents?”

“Today,” I answered immediately.

“I don’t want to put off this conversation. And if they really did adopt me from some orphanage, I’ll still have time to visit it afterward.”

“I’ve got a work meeting tonight,” Gwen said, crossing her arms while inspecting the contents of my basket. “Is Airis going with you?”

“Unless someone distracts him long enough for me to escape, then yeah, he’s coming.”

I sighed at the thought of being alone with him again.