Page 453 of Axis of Fire

Tarven clearly had other plans.

"Don't you think you're taking this a little too seriously..."

"...for someone who's supposed to be my best friend?"

"I'm worried about you."

A small smile found my lips.

The armor around my heart remained firmly in place.

Setting the empty glass back onto the table, I nodded toward Rosalie, who was chatting with Dilraba nearby.

"You already have someone to worry about."

He didn't answer.

For the first time in a long while...

I genuinely didn't know what to say.

More importantly—

I couldn't understand him.

His behavior made no sense to me.

Thankfully...

the thought that he might actually like me had never even crossed my mind.

"I think I can manage both," he said with a small shrug.

One eyebrow lifted.

A quiet laugh escaped me.

"I don't think so."

"And now," Azriella's voice rang across the plaza, "please welcome Headmaster Draksen Ardevain."

Her announcement pulled me back to reality.

Back to the present.

I couldn't afford to lose myself in thoughts about Tarven.

Not now.

I needed to think about myself.

And about the vision I desperately hoped would never come true.

Illariana Arden's POV

Draksen's voice echoed somewhere behind me, but I didn't even try to listen.

My eyes searched for the flower-covered columns leading to the pavilion.