Page 98 of Axis of Fire

Like he’d been made for me.

“Was he the one who ended things?” Airis asked quietly.

“Have you ever been in love?” I shot back suddenly, trying either to change the subject or wound him in return.

“Never.”

His answer came low and calm.

“Love...” He stopped himself.

“Love was never meant for someone like me.”

I snorted softly.

“Is that even possible?”

A pause followed.

“I think love is the meaning behind all existence.”

Maybe it sounded naive.

Stupid, even.

But I truly believed it.

“Tarven and I formed a union,” Airis began after a moment.

The gears in my head immediately started turning over his words.

“It’s called the Balakla Bond. Two warriors bind themselves through loyalty, understanding, and protection—creating a bond deeper than blood.”

“And what’s the point of it?” I asked immediately.

“Does it give you some kind of advantage?”

“It improves combat efficiency,” he explained.

“And allows me to use my air magic alongside his earth magic even when Tarven isn’t physically nearby.”

“How did a conversation about love turn into one about friendship so fast?” I asked, unconsciously turning to face him.

Airis was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

“When Tarven and I formed the Balakla,” he said slowly, “we swore an oath. It mattered to him.”

I heard the way he swallowed before continuing.

“If we were ever forced to choose between saving our brother... or saving our soulmate...”

He paused again.

I saw his hands tighten around the blanket.

“...we would choose the soulmate.”

I froze.