Page 329 of Axis of Fire

Though another part of me desperately wanted to pretend nothing had happened.

That my little lapse in judgment wasn't worthy of this much attention.

“Why did you bring it up in the first place?”

Airis's quiet voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“What? Bring up what?” I asked, genuinely confused as I looked at him.

His eyes met mine.

“Your desire to have my body.”

I went silent.

My heart felt as though someone had struck the lowest key on a piano, sending the vibration through my entire chest.

“Why the rush?”

I stayed silent.

The truth felt dangerous enough inside my own head.

Saying it aloud felt impossible.

It already sounded foolish enough to me.

“Trust. Remember?” Airis said softly.

His eyes had softened.

I sighed.

“I do trust you,” I admitted.

“I’m just afraid that if I tell you the truth, I’ll look weak.”

I looked away, focusing on the edge of the blanket covering our legs.

“Weak is the last word I'd use to describe you,” Airis replied.

“Then why did you decide to act on something I said in that house?”

My fingers tightened around the sleeve of his hoodie.

“I just wanted to stop being afraid.”

He said nothing.

The silence itself seemed to ask for more.

For an explanation.

“I wanted to stop carrying around everything Kai left broken.” I swallowed. “I wanted to step over it. To prove to fear that I’m stronger than it is. That I can move forward.”

“What are you afraid of?”

I hesitated.