Page 393 of Axis of Fire

Nothing but towering trees with long, vine-like leaves surrounded us.

I frowned.

"You're kidding."

"Not this time."

Airis brushed one hand across the hanging leaves.

They parted at his touch.

Revealing a small lake.

It glowed from within.

As though thousands of tiny white stars had sunk beneath its surface.

I didn't wait for him to explain.

I stepped forward on instinct, unable to hide my amazement.

The lake rested at the edge of a cliff.

Beyond it stretched the entire city—

Its countless lights painting the night in shimmering colors.

"How did we get so far away in such a short time?" I asked quietly.

I genuinely couldn't understand it.

We'd been walking through the forest for less than an hour, yet the city looked as though it lay twenty miles away.

"We crossed two portals," Airis explained as he lowered himself onto the grass beside the lake.

He slipped off his tailcoat and spread it over the ground before patting the space beside him.

"They shorten the distance. People who weren't raised in the magical worlds usually don't even notice passing through them."

"What happens in ten minutes?" I asked, secretly relieved that I could finally relax.

My gaze drifted to the lake.

Its surface shimmered with hundreds of translucent, winged creatures.

"What are those?"

"Fireflies."

"They come here every year to gather light."

I looked at him, silently asking for an explanation.

Instead, he tilted his head and studied me.

"How's training going, Fireling?"

I sighed, breaking eye contact.