Page 61 of Axis of Fire

“I’m sorry for being harsh,” Airis said suddenly.

“You don’t apologize for telling the truth,” I replied.

He let out a heavy sigh.

“I wanted you to let go of your distrust toward us, not trap yourself in guilt.”

“Good for you. You almost managed the first one,” I said evenly, hoping it didn’t sound like an accusation.

Because I didn’t want to blame him.

At least not for that.

“I’m not good at... communication,” he admitted quietly.

I stayed silent.

Not for long.

“I’ve realized that every action I take—or don’t take—comes with consequences,” I said, exhaling as my fists clenched.

“And I hate that it took Angela’s death for me to understand that.”

That was the truth.

“Angela is a spirit,” Airis said after a short pause.

“Only her human vessel was destroyed. She’ll find a new body. She’ll be reborn.”

“And still,” I said quietly,

“it could’ve been someone else. Someone who died because of my stubbornness.”

“We didn’t expect you to trust us easily,” he said, shifting slightly—his side of the bed creaked softly.

“But we also didn’t expect it to be this difficult to bring you to Istmond.”

“I have trust issues,” I replied.

“So it’s better if I warn you now—so you know what you’re dealing with.”

I fell silent again, drifting back into my thoughts.

Selfish people survive.

Kind ones bury themselves

along with those they couldn’t save.

I had to be the first kind.

“I’m not exactly great at trust either.”

“I noticed.”

“Your question about Butuarus...” he began—

but I cut him off sharply.