Page 268 of Axis of Fire

My silence only helped.

Meanwhile, I simply kept admiring him.

And thanks to the playful mask I always wore around him—

I never had to hide it.

“Tomorrow we’re visiting Wahlslan,” he announced suddenly.

At my questioning look, he continued,

“I’m going to teach you how to use weapons.”

“Can’t we do that here?” I raised a brow.

“Where else would we train with weapons if not in the City of Defense?”

The question sounded more like a statement.

I’d only visited Wahlslan once before.

Just passing through.

The memory of it still lingered beneath my skin.

Chapter 28

Illariana Arden’s POV

The first thing I thought about that morning was what to wear.

And no, I wasn’t dressing up for Airis.

I simply wanted to feel like myself again—

To hold on to the remnants of my life in Vuduarus.

To cling to familiar habits.

At least for today.

That was exactly why I chose one of my favorite dresses:

A fitted white dress that fell above the knee, with neck ties and a square neckline.

I would remember the day I bought it forever.

Because that was the same day Kai disappeared from my life without a word.

Without a trace.

The dress had become a symbol of moving forward—

Of refusing to let heartbreak define me.

After tying my hair into a high ponytail and slipping into a pair of low heels, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the room.

Then out of the studio itself—