Page 58 of Axis of Fire

“Damn it,” I heard Airis say.

“Don’t give in to your emotions.”

His voice was harsh.

But my emotions didn’t hear it as a command.

I held my breath, not knowing what to do.

It felt as though if I inhaled, everything around me would ignite.

Then his face appeared in front of me.

Slightly concerned.

Airis dropped to his knees in front of me, where I sat frozen in the chair.

“Good girl,” he said quietly—

as if he himself was afraid to move.

His fingers touched mine.

Carefully.

Too carefully for someone like him.

And my fire... hesitated.

It didn’t understand what was happening.

Didn’t know where to go.

And that terrified it.

Like a wild beast trapped in a cage, ready to tear everything apart.

“Now take a slow breath,” Airis said softly, not breaking eye contact.

I tried not to look at him.

I was so damn ashamed of the tears burning in my eyes.

Still—

I obeyed.

I took a slow breath.

And felt the fire in my lungs recoil in surprise.

“Keep breathing.”

I did.

Because I didn’t want to be a threat anymore.

Didn’t want anyone else to suffer because of me.