Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

“You finally ready to ask me about the deal I made with your mother?”

“What’s your second signet?” His eyes widen, and the blood drains from his face as his hand falls away. For the first time, I think I’ve actually managed to shock Xaden Riorson.

“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.”

The Sage from Resson, the one who’s taken up residence in my nightmares.

I follow her line of sight, then quickly look away when the brightness of the sun stings my eyes, burning into my vision for a second and making her scales look a shiny, sky blue before I blink the spots away.

“Please forgive me.” Her golden eyes blink.

“What’s out there that I should be scared of, Xaden? What did he tell you? What did you see?” What could he know that has him this shaken? Slowly, he drags his gaze up my body, and it feels like it takes years for him to just look at me. When he finally does, I gasp, my hand tightening on his in reflex. No. That single word is all I can think, feel, scream internally as I stare up at the man I’m hopelessly in love with. “Me,” he whispers, a faint, almost indistinguishable red ring emanating from his gold-flecked onyx irises. “You should be scared of me.”

“You cannot!” Sgaeyl shrieks. “I chose you!” But Violet chose me, too. I reach.

“I love you,” I whisper, just because I can,

Welcome to our fucked-up family. Guess we’re brothers now.”