Page 290 of Axis of Fire

He spoke about love with such detachment that it unsettled me.

I couldn't stay silent.

“Obsession?” I arched a brow.

“That’s what you call love?”

“In their case?”

His eyes met mine.

“Yes.”

“And what exactly was wrong with them?” I crossed my arms over my chest, sensing the challenge hidden behind his gaze.

“Katherine—

The woman Ruel fell in love with—

Was already married.”

Airis lifted a brow slightly.

I waited for him to continue.

And for the first time in a while, I was grateful for the bracelet around my wrist.

“Ruel fell in love with her and pursued her despite the fact that Katherine loved her husband and barely acknowledged his existence.” Airis's voice remained calm.

“And it went on for forty years.”

“And that means it couldn’t have been love?” I asked.

No.

I didn’t think it was healthy.

But I wasn’t about to concede the argument that easily.

“Not for a single moment,” Airis replied.

“Especially considering he never truly knew her.”

He paused.

“How can you love someone you don't know?”

His eyes never left mine.

“And can obsession with someone's appearance really be called love?”

I let out a quiet sigh.

Damn it.

He had a point.

But there was no chance I was admitting that out loud.