Page 174 of Axis of Fire

Above the pale cloud, a dark sky had appeared.

Black gradually dissolved into deep blue, creating the impression of approaching night.

I smiled faintly.

Then dipped my brush into white paint.

One star.

Then another.

Then a third.

Scattered carefully through the darkness.

I hoped I wasn't ruining whatever vision Airis originally had.

“I’m ready.”

We exchanged canvases again.

This time I immediately looked at my own.

Ocean waves had appeared in the lower left corner.

Restless.

Wild.

Almost aggressive.

Emotionally, they felt like the complete opposite of the trees.

And because of that, I dipped my brush into black paint and enclosed the waves inside a sharp triangle.

A boundary.

Or maybe a warning.

Even I wasn't entirely sure which.

“You're taking a risk right now,” I said quietly.

To my surprise, Airis didn't argue.

The only sign I'd hit the mark was the tension that appeared along his jaw.

“By letting me interfere, you're surrendering control.”

“I can't think of a better way to earn your trust than lowering my shield.”

A bitter smile touched my lips.

“That's a shame.”

I glanced toward the sea.

“Too bad there isn't a Temple of Nereida here that I could actually trust.”