Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

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.

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

“But 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.”

We were hoping to see that she’s improved over the week. She hasn’t.

“Your rank means exactly jack and shit to me.”

“I’ll be here when you’re ready because your friendship is precious to me. But please, for the sake of that friendship, don’t insult me by lying.”

“Exactly. Does he strike you as a letters kind of guy?” She shakes her head. “He’s not even a talking kind of guy.”

“I didn’t say you aren’t beautiful. I implied that you need a nap.” I nod toward my empty bed. “You should sleep.”

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

There’s a reason they want us to watch our friends die, Rhi.” I tap my chest with one finger. “We are the weapons, and this place is the stone they use to sharpen us.”

“I’d rather you scream at me than pretend everything is all right with silence.”

I’m striving to be better for you just like I promised, but I need you to know that monster is still there, screaming to use every ruthless part of me to get your words back.

“I can handle pain.” I turn toward her. “I live in pain. I practically built a house there and set up a whole economy. I can take whatever they dish out.”

“The day you can successfully block me all the way out is the day I’m dead. We’re both dead.

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

Suddenly, I feel fifteen again, my self-worth determined by this man’s opinion of my intellect and control.

Words are just as capable of eviscerating someone as a blade, and he’s a master.”

I wake up starving for you—only you—even

Ridoc shakes his head. “Fine, then what about the wabern, or whatever you called them?” “Wyvern?” Rhiannon offers.

My heart only beats as long as yours does, and when you die, I’ll meet Malek at your side.

“She is allowed to be concerned for you, as you are for her. Now go eat before hunger overpowers common sense.”

“Welcome to your first official Battle Brief as traitors,” Devera announces.

“What you want to be doesn’t change what you are without work.”

“I can kill just as easily in a gown as leathers. Want to see?” Only a fool would call Mira’s expression a smile.

I locate him within a heartbeat because he’s the center of my gravity.

If you so much as look her direction with anything but the utmost kindness and respect, I’ll kill you without a second thought and let Syrena take her place as your heir. Do you understand me?”

“Aren’t you going to tell me how brilliant that idea was?” Tairn scoffs. “I chose you last year for that brilliance, and now you’d like to be congratulated like it’s something new? How odd.” “You’re impossible to impress.”

The problem with mankind is we too often find our souls to be a fair price for power.

“That’s right, you can read Old Lucerish, too.” She nods. “Impressive.” “Thank you.” “She’s ours,” Ridoc says to the fliers, pointing at me.

Lol

The sight eases some of the tension in my chest. No one would ever believe that scary, badass Xaden Riorson would tie anyone’s shoes.

You want to keep control of your emotions? You need to have control in the first place.”

“Being in the same squad doesn’t change the fact that it’s still my crown,” she blurts. “Let’s feed her to Sgaeyl,” Rhiannon whispers as we pause.

“Good idea. I could use a snack.” Andarna’s tone is indecently excited. “We do not eat our allies,” Tairn lectures. “You never let me have any fun.”

I grin as Sawyer cuts off mid-sentence at the sight of Jesinia. “Good morning,” he signs at me. “Is that right?” “You’ve got it.” He takes off in her direction.

“Part of me wonders if that’s why they push it on us so hard. They transform us into their perfect weapons, teach us to critically think about everything except the Codex and the orders they give.”

I need you to love all of me—not just what you decide to see.”

“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.”

Mom and Dad are fighting, and everyone knows it.

“I could torch him if you would like,” Tairn offers. “But you do seem attached.”

Xaden is both a jaw-dropping weapon and a frightening liability.

“A kingdom who never comes to the aid of others doesn’t deserve aid in their time of need.

“And I think I’m safe in speaking for the quorum when I say that we do not defend kingdoms who sacrifice neighboring civilians”—his head turns toward Mom, and her eyes bulge—“let alone their own children so they can hide safely behind their wards. You will not escape the suffering you’ve forced the rest of the Continent to endure.”

“When all three of your children stand against you, perhaps the time has come for self-reflection. This meeting is officially over,”

“It’s appalling to be left in the dark, isn’t it, Mom?” Mira snaps. “To feel lied to, perhaps even betrayed, by your own family no less.”

His eyes flare with something that looks like pride, and he leans into the blade.

“Gravity,” he whispers, a slow, beautiful smile curving his mouth. “The one force we can never escape,”

“If you were Melgren, what would you be doing right now?” “Shitting myself,” Ridoc answers.

“She’s onto something, and from our experience, you just roll with it,” Rhiannon finishes.

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

“Really, Violet? You couldn’t use the front door?”