Page 395 of Axis of Fire

"But compared to everyone else..."

"I'm weak."

"And my fire and I still haven't learned how to understand each other."

Silence settled between us.

Inside my head, though...

My thoughts were anything but quiet.

Because the moment I allowed myself to think those words—

They would become real.

"You don't have to be the strongest."

Airis's voice was quiet.

"You don't have to be the strongest person on your team... or anywhere else."

A bitter laugh almost escaped me.

Part of me was still haunted by words I'd never managed to forget.

Either I'll fall in love with the strongest woman—one who can always save herself...

...or I won't fall in love at all.

God...

I wanted so desperately to become the woman Airis could truly love.

And realizing that terrified me.

A light touch pulled me from the storm inside my head.

When I looked up, I found myself staring into silver eyes.

"What is it that's really bothering you?" he asked softly.

I wished I could turn back time.

Erase the question before he'd ever spoken it.

I didn't want to lie to him.

But my pride refused to let me tell the truth.

"It's just..."

I forced a small shrug.

"Everything is still so new."

"I'm still trying to adjust to how much my life has changed."

Airis intertwined his fingers with mine.