Page 426 of Axis of Fire

I knew I'd started blushing.

Only then did I realize...

Airis was still looking at me.

And something in his expression had changed.

It wasn't just pride anymore.

The memory of Dwayne's letter surfaced in my mind.

Along with the promise I'd silently made to myself after reading it.

I drew a slow breath.

Then I decided to do one of the bravest things I'd ever done.

******

Making my way along the now familiar path toward the Temple of Nereida, I tried not to think.

Every thought felt dangerous.

Whether hopeful or fearful, it had the power to change everything I had planned.

I spotted Airis almost immediately.

He was leaning against one of the marble columns, his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Couldn't we have had this conversation somewhere closer to the training grounds?" he asked.

As I walked toward him, I noticed the dark circles beneath his beautiful silver eyes for the first time.

Back in the arena, I'd been so consumed by my own thoughts that I hadn't realized how exhausted he looked.

"I missed you too," I blurted out.

Airis froze.

Even his breathing seemed to stop.

Embarrassed by my own honesty, I hurried to change the subject.

"How are you feeling? You look exhausted."

He lowered his gaze to his boots and let out a quiet sigh.

He didn't answer.

And with every passing second, I felt the confidence I'd come here with beginning to crack.

"Did something happen?" Worry sharpened my voice before I could hide it.

"Dwayne, Gwendolyn, and Mike are all fine," he replied automatically.

"I wasn't asking about them."

I stepped closer before I could second-guess myself and rested my hand lightly on his shoulder.