Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

“We will no longer speak of the one who came before.” Tairn’s voice is rough.

did he turn venin???

Because love, at its root, is hope. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for what could be. Hope that the someone you’ve entrusted your everything to will cradle and protect it. And hope? That shit is harder to kill than a dragon.

“I will not die today,” I whisper to myself.

I meant what I said on the parapet. Even when I’m not with you, there’s only you.

“You do not have the right to burn what is mine.”

“Gods, Sloane.” Imogen snorts, laughing off to the right, where she watches with Quinn. “You really feel like dying on your first day?” “Did she compliment you?” Rhiannon whispers. “Oddly enough, I think so.” “I can take her,” Sloane fires back, white-knuckling her knife. “From what your letter said last year, her joints pop right out. How hard can it be?” “Seriously?” I shoot a reproachful look at Imogen. “I can explain.” Imogen puts her hand over her heart. “You see, I didn’t like you last year, remember? You’re kind of an acquired taste.”

“Secrets die with the people who keep them,” he whispers, bringing his nose an inch from mine. His eyes are light brown but rimmed in red as though he’s on some kind of drug.

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives,” he says softly, tucking my damp hair behind my ear. “The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity. It’s all part of the process of turning us into effective weapons, and don’t forget for a second that’s the mission here.”

“Third floor, south wing, second door on the right. The wards will let you in.” His barracks room. “Let me guess—warded for sound and to let in you, me, and anyone you tug through?” The idea of him using that soundproofing for breaking armoires with someone else is enough to curdle the soup in my stomach. We might not be together, but jealousy’s not exactly a rational emotion. “No, Violet.” He lifts both swords overhead, then slips them into the sheaths on the pack behind him with practiced expertise and a hint of a smirk. “Just you and me.”

“Like a moth to a damned flame.” The lament slips from my mind, into our mental pathway. He’s gravity, pulling me back to him by the force of his existence. “I’m more than willing to let you burn me.”

“You still don’t trust me, and that’s all right. I told you I’m not in this for a battle. I’m winning the damned war. I’m a fucking fool for saying this, but when haven’t I been a fool when it comes to you?”

“You’re not going to ask about the book I shouldn’t have?” “No. I, unlike some people, don’t feel the need to know everything someone else deems private.” I scoff at the obvious dig. “Yeah, well, you’re not sleeping with me.” “You wish you were my type. I’m phenomenal in bed.”

“Before last year, I never would have considered that the safest place in the world was on the back of a dragon.” “Before last year, I might have seen you as an appetizer.”

“Humans have the memories of gnats. Dragons hold grudges.”

“You didn’t get leave?” His voice lowers to that dangerous tone that terrifies everyone in the world besides me. “When you already know that Varrish is going to—” His words die abruptly as his focus drops to my shoulder. “Who the fuck’s flight jacket are you wearing?”

“And you’re wrong about me. I wouldn’t have waited for all the information—or even proof—if I’d heard you’d been hurt.” This time, I don’t step away when he reaches for me. His arm winds around my waist, and his hand splays on the small of my back to guide us out of the water’s direct spray. The inches between us are both a gift and a curse as he leans in. “I’m not always calm or collected, and I’m never in control when it comes to you.”

“I would have done the same thing you did because I’m just as reckless for you as you are for me.”

“I want you exactly how you are, emotions and all. I want the woman I fell for. It kills me every time I have to keep my hands off you, every night I lie awake next to you, both blessed and damned with the memory of how hot, how wet, how fucking perfect you feel when I’m losing myself in you.”

I want to be the only person he unravels for.

There’s no logical reason for me to feel this ugly twist of irrational— Shit. What is this? Jealousy? Anxiety? Insecurity? “All three,” Tairn responds in utter annoyance. “To which I will remind you that not a single dragon chose her. You were selected by two. Pull yourself together.”

I would rather lose this entire war than live without you.”

A midsize red the shade of a strawberry flies in, whipping her daggertail behind her when she lands in the middle of the field. “A Red Daggertail,” I whisper, relief flooding my veins as Sloane clumsily dismounts, clutching her shoulder. “Just like her brother.”

“You’re not going to argue? Or tell me there’s another way?” “Me? Argue with you about books?” He shakes his head, sliding his hand to my cheek. “I only pick fights I can win.”

“You’ll lose everything you’ve worked for.” My voice breaks. “Because of me.” “Then I’ll have everything I need.” He lowers his face, leaning in so he’s all I see, all I feel. “I will happily watch Aretia burn to the fucking ground again if it means you live.”

“There are hundreds of people in this palace of a house.” How I can string together more than two words is beyond me. He leans over my back, then drags his teeth across the shell of my ear. “And I want them all to know you’re mine.”

“Civil is overrated,” Andarna notes, flexing her claws in the grass. “I’ve never tasted gryphon—” “We do not eat our allies,” Tairn lectures. “Find another snack.”

For fuck’s sake, it was like you were leading up to asking her out or something.” He visibly shudders. “What if he had been?” I counter. “Then I’d be stuck cleaning little pieces of him off our shared floor when Riorson ripped him to shreds.” Ridoc shakes his head. “So messy.”

“They’re going to let us beat the shit out of them?” Ridoc asks quietly. “I think so,” Sloane whispers in response. “It’s going to be a phenomenal afternoon.” Imogen grins, cracking her knuckles.

“Scratch her eyes out,” Andarna suggests. “Really. The eyes are the softest tissue. Just jab your thumbs in there—” “Andarna! Use some common sense,” Tairn snaps. “The kneecaps are a much easier target.”

I’m going to fucking kill her. How dare she come after me, like I had a choice in Luella’s fall? Like I had anything to do with Xaden’s choice to leave her? Fuck that. How dare she come after what’s mine. He isn’t a crown. He isn’t a stepping stool for power. He isn’t a tool to elevate her standing. He’s everything.

“She wants you for your name.” “I know.” He braces his hands on the arms of the chair and leans in, brushing his lips over mine. “And you love me in spite of it. That’s one of the many reasons I will always choose you.”

“My house. My chair. My woman.”

“Look at how beautiful you are, Violet, coming for me on Tyrrendor’s throne.”

“Every time I have to sit with the Assembly, I’ll be thinking about this, about you.”

“And to answer the question, I’d feel jealous, which is something you have a unique ability to bring out in me. And then I’d kick his ass, partially because that’s what I do when someone challenges me, and more importantly for implying there’s any other future besides the one where you and I are endgame.”

“You’re welcome to try and make me miserable,” I tell Cat, letting go of Rhiannon to walk back to the flier. “Oh! And one more thing.” I lower my voice just slightly, well aware of every head within our squad that turns our direction. “What?” she snaps. “That trick you mentioned? You know, with the fingers?” A slow smile spreads across my face. “Thanks.”

“Are you in love with him?” he asks, his voice breaking on the last word as he pivots to face me fully. “Because Garrick and I heard the end of what he said in the interrogation chamber, and trust me, I might be in love with him after that declaration, but are you? Really and truly?” “Yes.” I hold his stare long enough that he knows I mean what I say. “And that’s never going to change.” Dain’s jaw flexes and he nods once. “Then I’ll trust him as much as you do.”

“I’ll never say this in front of the others, but we’re fifty years too late.”

“Thank you, but as annoying as it is, I get it. We’re tethered.” I shrug. He kisses me quiet, hard, and quick. “For the rest of our lives.”

“You definitely need to make him tell you about the venin he took down just outside Draithus.” “You what?” My stomach pitches sideways. “Thanks for that, asshole.” Xaden glares at Garrick. “Just doing my part to help your communication skills thrive in a stable relationship.” Garrick turns and walks backward, lifting his hands in a shrug.

“She is as Naolin was,” Tairn says. “You’re not turning.” I take her hands from my shoulders and stare into the darkness as footsteps sound, talons clicking along the rock. “I’m not?” “Your signet manifested,” I whisper, my eyes straining to see into the cave opening. “You’re a siphon.”

“Don’t tell me you’re taking Xaden’s side of this argument.” I unbuckle from the saddle and wince as I climb out of my seat. “I need to stretch my legs.” “I don’t take the lieutenant anywhere.” He chuffs. “As if I have nothing better to do than listen to your romantic issues.”

“You’re an inntinnsic,” I whisper. Even the accusation is a death sentence among riders. “I’m a type of inntinnsic,” he repeats slowly, like it’s the first time he’s ever said the words. “I can read intentions. Maybe I would know what to call it if they didn’t kill everyone with even a hint of the signet.”

“Less than a minute,” Xaden whispers as Sgaeyl moves toward him—toward us. “That’s how long it took for you to fall out of love with me.” My gaze flashes to his. “Don’t read my…whatever!” Tairn stalks toward me, his head low and his teeth bared as he places himself at my back. “I didn’t.” The saddest smile I’ve ever seen tugs at Xaden’s mouth. “First, because your shields are up, and secondly because I didn’t have to. It’s all over your face.”

“My love isn’t fickle.” I shake my head slowly, keeping my gaze locked on his. “So you’d better live, because I’m ready to ask you all the fucking questions.”

Mom and Dad are fighting, and everyone knows it.

“You’re capable of hurting me in ways I’m not sure you’ve even begun to fathom, Violet. I might be skilled enough to land a death blow, but you alone have the power to fucking destroy me.”

“I love you,” I whisper. “You could throw my entire world into upheaval, and I would still love you. You could keep secrets, run a revolution, frustrate the shit out of me, probably ruin me, and I would still love you. I can’t make it stop. I don’t want to. You’re my gravity. Nothing in my world works without you.” “Gravity,” he whispers, a slow, beautiful smile curving his mouth. “The one force we can never escape,” I tease.

We do not eat our allies. —Tairn’s personal addendum to the Book of Brennan

“We get both of you?” Ridoc offers a quick smile. “Maybe we have a shot of lasting an hour.” “My money’s on two,” Sawyer chimes in with a nod. “Both of you shut up before I knock your heads together,” Imogen warns from a seat behind us. “Anything less than four hours is unacceptable.”