Page 193 of Axis of Fire

I ignored it.

And somehow, that only seemed to make it worse.

I tried to push away the thoughts crowding my mind.

That only made them louder.

Mentally.

Emotionally.

Even physically.

The ache of sadness felt almost tangible.

As though it were trying to pull me apart from the inside.

And eventually...

I gave in.

I broke down crying.

The body next to me tensed instantly.

Only then did I remember I wasn't alone.

How many times had I already cried in front of Airis?

How many times had I shown him my weakest moments?

I could feel it.

He was awake now.

Or maybe he had never really fallen asleep.

“I need to...” I whispered, pushing myself upright as I searched desperately for somewhere to hide where no one would see me like this.

Airis's hand caught my wrist.

Without a word, he gently pulled me back until my back rested against his chest.

“You need to let yourself feel it,” Airis said quietly.

“And you need to stop hiding your weakness from me.”

His fingers slowly traced comforting circles over my wrist.

“Weakness doesn't make someone worth less.

Quite the opposite.”

“You're saying someone would actually value me more after watching me fall apart?” My voice trembled beneath the tears.

“But I can't stop.”

The thought of losing them tightened around my throat like a vise.