Page 432 of Axis of Fire

I smiled faintly.

"And I don't think I'd ever be able to stay angry with you."

I saw the tension ease from his shoulders.

Even the crease between his brows relaxed.

"How's Rosalie adjusting?"

"Better than I expected." He nodded. "They found her a temporary mentor who's... not connected to bones."

He paused awkwardly before running a hand through his hair.

A habit I'd learned to recognize.

He was nervous.

"I still can't believe my little sister can break bones with nothing but a thought."

We hadn't really talked about it before.

And somehow...

I'd never stopped to consider what that must have been like for him.

"She's a rare mage," I said softly.

"An incredibly gifted one."

"You should be proud of her."

He nodded.

"I am."

Another silence settled between us before he spoke again.

"But I still can't get over the fact that you were the first person she ever used that power on."

I looked away, pretending to study the tall pines lining the training grounds.

"I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

I shrugged.

"It happens."

My polite smile was beginning to feel dangerously close to becoming a nervous one.

"I hate the thought of the people I care about hurting each other."

His voice was quiet.

Almost defeated.

I didn't answer.

Because I wasn't ready to tell him the truth...