Page 262 of Axis of Fire

Letting out a slow breath, I finally said,

“I didn’t start the argument with Joelle.”

Nothing changed in Airis’s expression.

But he still looked slightly irritated.

“We were trying to defend ourselves.”

“Fireling, I don’t give a damn whether you threatened Joelle Fokas or not.”

He sounded as though he wasn’t breathing at all—

As though sheer self-control was the only thing keeping his anger in check.

“What I don’t understand,” he continued, “is why the hell you’re avoiding me.”

I swallowed instinctively.

“What makes you think that?” I frowned.

“Didn’t Stasia tell you I was going to sleep?”

“At seven in the evening?” he asked, raising a brow.

“And why not? I—”

“Didn’t sleep well?” he interrupted.

His tone alone sounded almost mocking.

Irritation flared through my blood instantly.

“I was tired.”

“And what’s the point of us seeing each other if my magic is blocked right now?”

Our eyes carried on a conversation of their own.

Both tense.

Both saying far too much for lips that remained closed.

I could’ve assumed he came because he felt guilty after our last conversation.

But damn it.

This was Airis.

What guilt?

No...

He did feel guilty sometimes.

Mostly during those nights when we fell asleep in the same bed.

But I refused to let anything like that happen again.