Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

A corner of Xaden’s mouth rises, and the pride that flashes through his expression is unmistakable.

“Bad news first.” That’s my new motto.

Home. Gods, he tastes like home.

blur of black because I can’t look away from him, can’t see past him. As complicated as our connection is, it’s also undeniably simple. He’s the horizon, and nothing exists beyond for me.

“Violence, remember it’s only the body that’s fragile. You are unbreakable.” “Unbreakable,” I repeat to myself as Professor Grady leads me away.

It releases with a snap, flaring bright outside the windows for a heartbeat before it’s swallowed by shadows that stream out to smother it. Nothing shatters. Nothing catches fire. He knows how my body reacts, knows exactly how to push me to the breaking point, and he has me covered when I explode. I love him. I love him. I love him. I’m not ready to give him the words, the power that comes with them, but I can keep them for myself, chant them like my own personal Codex, the only truth I’m certain of.

“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.”

The breath of life of the six and the one combined and set the stone ablaze in an iron flame.

“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.”