Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“You’d rather I die, no doubt,” I fire back, the side of my face pressed into the mat. This isn’t just painful, it’s humiliating. “And be denied the pleasure of your company?” he mocks. “I fucking hate you.” The words are past my lips before I can shut my mouth. “That doesn’t make you special.”

“You’re tiny.” He says it like an insult. “Well aware.” My eyes narrow. “So stop going for bigger moves that expose you.” He drags the tip of the dagger down his side. “A rib shot would have worked just fine.” Then he guides our hands around his back, making himself vulnerable. “Kidneys are a good fit from this angle, too.”

“Killing you wouldn’t be any trouble, Violence. It’s leaving you alive that seems to cause the majority of my trouble.”

“I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail.”

“We’re going to have to put on a show.” “Awesome.” The idea is anything but. “You will not fall. I will not allow it.” The bands around my legs extend to my hands, and I feel the pulse of invisible energy. “You will trust me.”

I turn back to the woman and clear my throat. “And Andarnaurram,” I whisper.

“They’re a mated pair, Tairn and Sgaeyl. The strongest bonded pair in centuries.”

“Did I see her outnumbered and already wounded? Did I think her bravery was as admirable as it was fucking reckless?” He turns that stare on me, and I feel the impact all the way to my toes. “And I would do it again.” I raise my chin. “Well-the-fuck-aware,” Xaden roars, losing his temper for the first time since I met him on Parapet. I pull in a quick breath, and Xaden does the same, as if he’s just as shocked by his outburst as I am. “Did I see her fight off three bigger cadets?” His glare pivots to Dain. “Because the answer to all of those is yes. But you’re asking the wrong question, Aetos. What you should be asking is if Sgaeyl saw it, too.”

“Sorrengail is the last person on the Continent I’d ever want to be chained to me. I didn’t do this.”

“There is no us,” I say,

“Each time a dragon chooses a rider, that bond is stronger than the last, which means that if you die, Violence, it sets off a chain of events that potentially ends with me dying, too.” His expression is immovable marble,

I’m tethered to Xaden Riorson.

Xaden Riorson is now in the business of keeping his mortal enemy alive.

“They’re accommodations for me. I’ve seen your memories. I’m not about to have you sticking daggers into my leg to climb up. Now let’s go.”

Liam’s wide eyes meet mine. “You’re kind of terrifying.” “Thank you.” I grin, and we get out of there, running as fast as we can.

“We can pretend I’m not here, just for the sake of the exercise.” Xaden sets his dragon on the table and leans back in his chair, draping his arm across the back of mine, a move that makes Dain grit his teeth. “Give Aetos here the position we all know he craves.”

“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.” Xaden’s expression remains bland, bored even, but his eyes heat as his gaze drops to my mouth.

“It might damn us both, but I can’t wait to feel you come around my cock.”