Page 429 of Axis of Fire

I had to say them.

"You know..."

"You know..."

We both spoke at exactly the same time.

Airis blinked in surprise before a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You first."

My pulse hammered painfully against my ribs.

"I think..."

I swallowed.

"I think I like you."

My voice came out far steadier than I felt.

"More than I ever wanted to."

I forced myself to keep going.

"That's why I haven't been able to open up completely."

A slow smile spread across his face.

His hand rose, gently cupping my cheek.

He didn't say anything.

My heart immediately filled the silence with every terrible possibility it could invent.

"Forgive me for being blunt, Fireling..."

His thumb brushed lightly across my skin.

"That part was fairly obvious."

I narrowed my eyes.

"That wasn't the point."

He waited.

So I sighed.

"What I meant..."

"...is that I'm ready to try."

"To let you in."

I could already feel myself getting annoyed with him.

Somehow, he'd managed to make me say everything out loud...