Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“He has that effect on people, especially women. They either despise him for what his father did or want to fuck him for the same reason, just depends on where we are.”

Shit. I don’t know how to feel about that. It’s more than slightly controlling, and way out of line, but also…sweet.

“But it’s not like Riorson is going to kill you.” “Right. You see, I’m still adjusting to that little change of heart.”

Holy. Fucking. Hot.

He only tolerates my existence because our dragons are mated, and here I am salivating over his half-naked body. It’s a really nice half-naked body, though.

“I am annoyingly aware of everything you do.”

What is it about Xaden that makes me tune out the rest of the world?

He’s not Xaden.

“Oh, Violence, you’re going to have to learn to shield against Tairn or his escapades with Sgaeyl will drive you mad—or into someone’s bed.”

What can I say, I like making you squirm. It’s like a sweet little slice of payback for what you’ve put me through these last couple of months.”

“Damn it. Touching you was a bad idea.” “The worst,” I agree, but my tongue skims my lower lip. He groans and my core melts at the sound. “Kissing you would be a cataclysmic mistake.”

“Fuck it.” One second he’s out of reach and the next his mouth is on mine, hot and insistent.

“Violence,” he moans, and the sound of the nickname on his lips makes me ravenous.

“I know how to handle you on top of me,” I challenge quietly. He lowers his mouth to my ear. “You won’t like what happens if you push me.”

I ignore it all as Xaden tilts one corner of that beautiful mouth and tips an imaginary hat to me, bowing his head for a heartbeat before bringing his gaze back to hold mine.

Thinking of him only jumbles me in a way that leaves me tangled in knots. I want him, but I can’t trust him, not in the ways I want to. And yet in other ways, he’s the person I trust most.

“I’m just wondering how long they can be separated.” “Turns out, about three days is their max.” Xaden steps out of the shadows.

I can’t seem to keep my eyes to myself. There’s a palpable energy in every room he enters, and it brushes over my skin like a caress each time our eyes meet. Even now, I’m aware of every breath he takes as he sits next to me midway down the table.

“Give Aetos here the position we all know he craves.” “Don’t be a dick,” I whisper. “You haven’t even seen me start to be a dick.” My head turns so fast that it swims, and my mouth drops open as I stare at the side of Xaden’s face. That was his voice…in my fucking head.

“You never considered that it was you I couldn’t stay away from?”

“Do you boys just want to whip it out and measure? It would be faster.”

“Relax. It’s just me.”

you are blowing it, because what? You’re pissed that Violet bonded his dragon’s mate?”

Maybe it was the first time I recklessly kissed you or when I realized I’m fucked because I can’t stop thinking about doing more than just kissing you.”

“Don’t do what? Tell you I can’t get you out of my head? Or speak directly into yours?”

“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.”

“Bet it would be even more awkward if I kissed you now, huh?”

piss off Dain.” The next time had better only be because we want it. “Next time, huh?” His gaze lowers to my mouth again.

I am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been. I am infinite.

“Lightning wielder.”

He lifts one hand to stroke loose tendrils of hair behind my ear, his touch surprisingly gentle.

“Stop. Fucking. Coddling. Her.” Xaden bites out every word at Dain. “She is not a child. She’s a full-grown woman. A rider. Start treating her like one and at least have the decency to give her the truth.

You are not just a weapon, Sorrengail. You are the weapon. You train this ability, own it, and you’ll have the power to defend an entire kingdom.”

I fling the dagger at the target. The satisfying sound of split wood tells me I hit true. “Fuck, that’s hotter than it should be.” He pulls in a deep breath.

“So then why are you here, Xaden?” “Because I can’t seem to stay away.”

“Come on,” he whispers. “Show me what you’ve got.” I surge up on my toes and kiss him.

“Because I only want you, Xaden.” The words breach something within him, and he gives. Finally.

my world narrows to this kiss, this minute, this man. Mine. In this moment, Xaden Riorson is mine.

“You’ll hate me in the morning. You. Don’t. Really. Want. This.” He punctuates each word with a kiss along my jaw, making his way to my ear.

“You walk into a room, and I can’t look away. I get anywhere near you, and this is what happens. Instantly hard. Fucking hell, I can barely think when you’re around.”

And it’s not taking advantage when I’m asking”—my teeth nip at his lips—“correction, begging you to make my day better.”

“Tell me to stop,” he whispers, his thumb skimming the hypersensitive skin of my inner thigh. “Don’t stop.” I’ll die if he does. “Fuck, Violet,” he groans,

“If I get my hands on you, really, honestly get my hands on you, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”

“Look at you. You’re fucking beautiful, Violet. Let go for me.”

Ironically, your bed is the only thing we didn’t wreck.”

“Don’t fall for me.”

“Violence?”

chin. “I thought you did it the first night Tairn channeled power to you, but I wasn’t sure, so I didn’t say anything.”

“Really?” I blink, thinking back, but my brain is full of a pleasant, dull hum as sleep fights to pull me under. “When?”

“The first time you kissed me.”