Page 96 of Axis of Fire

“Judging by your past relationships?”

I froze.

My fork suddenly felt too heavy in my hand, as if it wanted to return to the plate on its own.

My mouth went dry.

And not because of the stew.

My heart lurched painfully.

Like the past—the one that left the deepest scars behind—had found another way to crawl back inside me.

“I’m full,” I muttered, wiping my mouth with a napkin before placing it back beside the plate.

How did he keep finding my weak spots so effortlessly?

“Listen...” Airis started, and I physically felt his voice soften.

But I refused to react to it.

I wasn’t going to open up to him any more than I already had.

“I’m tired,” I said quietly.

“And I want to sleep.”

Even though going to sleep had been my idea, I couldn’t relax enough to actually fall asleep.

My thoughts kept circling back to the past, refusing to let my mind rest.

Airis’s words had awakened something I’d hoped was buried deep inside me.

Because of my anomaly, getting close to people had always been difficult.

First, I was terrified someone might discover my abilities.

Second, I wasn’t only capable of hurting people with words—there was also the fire I would’ve gladly given away for free if I could.

And third...

I hated saying goodbye to people I’d grown attached to.

I had always wanted love.

But eventually, I stopped dreaming about finding my soulmate.

Because I knew I’d have to hide an important part of myself from them.

And physically...

I didn’t think I could ever truly be with anyone.

I always remembered that moment—when my magic had awakened in the middle of desire and burned Kevin.

It had been impossible to control.

And if there was no control...