Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

Says the man who’s never so much as told me he loves me. If he does.

Ooof, she didn't hear him

“What am I doing here?” Dain demands. “Testing a theory.” Varrish smiles. “But while we’re waiting for our guest to arrive, you should practice on her.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. He knows about their connection and knows Xaden is coming now

“Then who are you going to practice on to extend your ability past recent events? We’re running out of civilians around here for Nolon to mend, and if you think she hasn’t told the rest of her squad your little secret, you’re giving her far too much credit.”

Holy crap, Varrish is forcing Dain to practice memory reading on civilians and it’s hurting them so badly Nolon has been having to mend them?!?

A scribe cadet walks by, but I can’t see who it is with the hood up. That’s odd. Usually they’re only in the quadrant for death roll or whenever Markham needs extra people.

Coming back to highlight after Markham tried to brush off the leaflets as propaganda to test them all… this was a scribe who was trying to warn everyone what was actually happening. Was it Jesinia?

“He was crushed under the weight of a mountain

FUCK STRAIGHT OFF. JACK DESERVED TO DIE

Menders are not healers. Healers are bound to the Code of Chricton, sworn to aide all in time of need and never to harm a beating heart. Menders are riders. They’re only sworn to the Codex. They can as easily bring harm as heal. —Major Frederick’s Modern Guide for Healers

So that was a fucking *choice* that Nolon made. Unless he was forced to heal him. But if he was forced, what did they threaten him with?

“Maybe you struggle,” Varrish snips, losing his customary slick indifference. “Some of us do not bow to the whims of our dragons. In fact, we influence them.” “Well, that’s certainly a theory worth contemplating.” Kaori pauses, waiting for a reply that doesn’t come. “Odd. Would that mean you influenced Solas when he set fire to that squad of bonded riders after Parapet?”

He hands me the mug, then stands at my side, looking up at the sky. “It’s your favorite, if I remember.” “That’s too kind of you.” I lift the mug and drink deeply,

Dumbass

I take another sip of the lemonade, then glance down at the contents. The kitchen must have changed up the recipe, because it has a funny yet familiar aftertaste.

DUMB. ASS.

“You want to know something true? Something real? I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been since the night the snow fell in your hair and you kissed me for the first time. I’m grateful my life is tied to yours because it means I won’t have to face a day without you in it. My heart only beats as long as yours does, and when you die, I’ll meet Malek at your side. It’s a damned good thing that you love me, too, because you’re stuck with me in this life and every other that could possibly follow.”

“I put you into the Riders Quadrant so you’d have a shot at surviving, and then I called in the favor Riorson owed me for putting the marked ones into the quadrant.”

You were that favor.

“We won’t stop you,” Devera says to Xaden, then shifts to where her own dragon perches beside the parapet. “In fact, some of us have been waiting to join you.”

I knew she was a real one

“Who do you think left the news about Zolya all over Battle Brief?” She nods.

Oooo, I thought it was a scribe!

Lmao

But Xaden’s been here often enough to drink? To have fallen into this pool?

Has he been trapped here for a while? Does time slow down? Or is this where Cat is from?

My niece will see you properly attired, won’t you, Cat?”

Ouch