Page 168 of Axis of Fire

I was acting like a teenager.

“So painting was one of Gwendolyn's methods for helping you control your powers?” Airis asked unexpectedly.

“Nope.”

I smiled faintly.

“I've loved drawing since I was a kid.”

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

The wind rolled in from the sea, carrying the scent of salt and rain.

And somehow, after everything that had happened over the past few days, the silence didn't feel uncomfortable anymore.

The wind tangled itself in his silver hair as Airis used the end of a thick brush to dig a small hole in the sand.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The distant sound of waves mixed with laughter from the others.

And for the first time in days, the silence between us didn't feel sharp.

It felt peaceful.

Then he carefully secured the cup of water inside the hole.

“And what about you?” I asked. “Decided to train your hand control?”

As far as I understood, painting really did help with controlling magic that flowed through the palms and fingers.

“Nope.”

Airis didn't even hesitate.

“I've loved drawing since childhood.”

A quiet laugh escaped me.

Looking down at my palette, I studied the scattered colors, trying to decide where to begin.

Which color felt right tonight?

“What kind of paint do you like working with most?” Airis asked while peeling the plastic wrapping from two small canvases.

He didn't hand them over immediately.

Just set them beside us.

“I don't know.”

I shrugged.

“Probably watercolor.”

His eyebrow lifted slightly.

“I like never fully knowing what the final result will look like.”