Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

Aretia has been burned by dragon in accordance with the Treaty ending the separatist movement. Those who fled, survived, and those who did not remain entombed in her ruins.

“Decision was simple. She’s worth a dozen of me,”

It is the valley above Riorson House, heated by natural thermal energy, that is its greatest asset. For there lie the original hatching grounds of the Dubhmadinn Line, from which two of the greatest dragons of our time—Codagh and Tairn—descend.

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.

“Can you fly her back to the Vale?” I ask Tairn. “She’s…huge.” “I’ve killed lesser riders for that kind of insult.”

“He might get tired and drop you.” “His pride would never allow it.” “Says the dragon who spent twenty minutes refusing to put on her harness,”

“Good luck with that. I tried it for a good five months. Let me know how it works out for you.”

“Garrick Tavis. Xaden Riorson.” Captain Fitzgibbons’s voice carries over the formation as he reads from the death roll. “Well, this is awkward,” Xaden calls out. And every head in the courtyard turns in our direction.

“Touch me and I swear to the gods, I’ll cut your fucking hands off and let the quadrant sort you out in the next round of challenges, Dain Aetos.”

“Violence, indeed.”

“Secrets make for poor leverage. They die with the people who keep them.”

“If Solas comes near you again, he knows I will devour his human whole and let him rot within me while his heart still beats, and then I’ll take the eye I so graciously left him.”

He grabs hold of her head and twists, snapping her neck.

What the fuckkkkk??!!!

“Secrets die with the people who keep them,”

Fucking bastard aetos!!

“No, Violet.”

“Just you and me.”

I’m begging you, Violet. Don’t offer me your body unless you’re offering me everything. I want you more than I want to fuck you. I want those three little words back.”

“You. Are…” Imogen shakes her head as she catches up to me. “I see it now.” “What?” I ask. “Why Xaden fell for you.”

“Before last year, I might have seen you as an appetizer.”

“I haven’t hidden shit from you. I’ve simply told you selective truths.”

Yea girl give it to him!

“Tell me something real.”

“I know who you really are, Violet. Even when you keep things from me, I know you,”

“Now go to sleep before I forget all my honorable intentions.”

“Violence, remember it’s only the body that’s fragile. You are unbreakable.”

“I believe you all know Wingleader Aetos?”

What the actual fuck!!!!!!!!!

Reaching for the handle, I hold my breath as the latch depresses. I pull. The door opens. “Holy shit.” It’s coincidence. It has to be. Magic isn’t tied to objects like that.

It's A TRAAAAP!!!!!

“I’m fine, thanks for asking.” “Of course you are. I chose well.”

“He was crushed under the weight of a mountain a few months ago, but Nolon has mended bone after bone to return him to your quadrant.”

No fucking wayyyy!!

“Join me in welcoming back your fellow rider, Jack Barlowe!”

Whatttttt?!!!!! NO NO NOOO! Abso-fucking-loutly not this can't be happening !!!

“They attacked Samara a little after sundown, while most of the riot was wrapping up the day’s patrol.”

“Who the fuck’s flight jacket are you wearing?”

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

“That was abrupt.” Good thing I’m still strapped in. “Next time, you fly and I’ll ride.”

“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 told you in Aretia—I would rather lose this entire war than live without you.”

“Odd. Would that mean you influenced Solas when he set fire to that squad of bonded riders after Parapet?”

“I’m not pissed at you, Vi,” Rhiannon repeats, her gaze locked on mine. “I’m just really sorry you didn’t feel like you could tell me. Am I disappointed and more than a little frustrated that you didn’t trust me earlier? Absolutely, but I can’t imagine how heavy this has been for you to carry.”

“Even if it makes me a target to know all of this, you put your own life at risk and shared your boot with me at Parapet when we were complete strangers. How can you think I wouldn’t want to share this risk with you now that you’re my best friend?”

“Well, that death was kind of a second chance for me. You don’t know who you really are until you face down Malek. So, the way I see this is I just gave you a second chance, too. We’re even.”

Something is not right

“Maybe,” Liam says, and I open my eye just enough to see him sit on the floor beside me. He pulls his knees up, resting his elbow on the side of the bunk just beneath my fractured arm. “Or maybe Malek sent me as a kindness.”

“I know,” Liam says gently. “But you’re staying strong. I’m so proud of you.”

“Hold the line, Vi.” Liam rests his hand against my side, and gods it feels so real.

“Don’t leave me,” I whisper to Liam.

“I won’t. I swear.”

“I’m here,” Liam promises. “And I still don’t regret it, Vi. Not one second.”

“You’re all right.” Liam steadies my shoulder. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going to leave you.”

Tairn. Andarna. Gods, I hope they survive it. Xaden has to live. He just has to. I love him.

I should have told him every day, been honest about my feelings even through t...

“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, remember?”

“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.”