Page 402 of Axis of Fire

"We need to find Airis."

Illariana Arden's POV

"Thank you for tonight," I said, smoothing the perfectly spotless skirt of my dress.

I simply needed something to do with my hands.

I still had no idea how I was supposed to act around Airis anymore.

"That sounded awfully formal, don't you think, Fireling?" A teasing smile tugged at his lips.

"Why?" I shrugged.

"It seems like the perfect thing to say to a mentor..."

"...from his protégé."

"After what happened on the balcony," Airis said quietly, "I think we've moved a little beyond being just a mentor and his protégé."

For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.

The blunt honesty of his words caught me completely off guard.

Butterflies exploded in my stomach.

Along with every other imaginable creature.

"You said you wanted all of me."

I lowered my eyes.

"I'm just... not ready for that yet."

Immediately, Dwayne's disappointed face flashed through my mind.

I'd done it again.

I'd abandoned our Count to Five ritual.

I'd let fear win.

"So you decided to find someone who would settle for less?" Airis asked.

I frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"The guy who touched you three days ago."

His silver eyes never left mine.

"Or has there been more than one?"

Our gazes locked.

Steady.

Serious.