Page 280 of Axis of Fire

I snorted.

“It’s hard to ignore something that can paralyze not only your body—

But your soul too.”

I held his gaze stubbornly.

“The devil can do the same thing,” Airis replied calmly.

“And everyone says you should fight that.

So why should fear be treated any differently?”

Now I was the one left speechless.

“You’re not someone who runs from fear.”

His voice softened ever so slightly.

“The Fireling I’ve come to know over these past few days keeps moving forward no matter what.

Obstacles simply don’t exist for her.”

I looked away.

I couldn’t pretend his words didn’t affect me.

Because they did.

“What if you just imagined that version of me?” I asked quietly.

His hand rose to my cheek, gently guiding my face back toward him.

A faint smile touched Airis’s lips.

For a moment, he felt more like a dream than reality.

“Are you trying to justify yourself?” he asked, raising a brow as he absentmindedly caught his lower lip between his teeth.

I exhaled softly.

Trying very hard not to lose myself completely.

Instead, I rolled my eyes and gave in.

“Fine.

I’ll try to make peace with your flying death machine.”

I nodded toward the Beckbill.

A few minutes later, I was already sitting on it while Airis settled in behind me.

And honestly, I couldn’t tell what affected me more—

The cold metal beneath me,

Or the warmth of Airis surrounding my back.