Page 431 of Axis of Fire

I hadn't wanted to lose myself in him.

And yet...

That's exactly what I did.

I thought the world would change.

But only one thing did.

I no longer wanted to run from him.

Anastasia Lang's POV

Waiting for Tarven outside the building, I felt an unfamiliar calm settle inside me.

This decision hadn't come easily.

In some ways, it still had the power to hurt me.

But I wouldn't let it.

After all...

We're the ones who decide what can wound us.

What can break us.

What can destroy us.

Somehow, it was Ria who had finally made me understand that.

I spotted Tarven the moment he stepped outside.

His stride was quick, but his eyes searched the courtyard as though looking for someone.

The instant he noticed me, his expression softened.

"Stasia."

He let out a quiet breath as he walked toward me.

"I've been looking for you."

"I've been looking for you too."

I smiled and started walking toward the academic building at an unhurried pace.

Tarven fell into step beside me without saying another word.

"I wanted to apologize," he said after a moment. "For what I said during the festival. Or... rather..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You misunderstood what I meant."

I gently shook my head.

"I'm not angry with you."