Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Why are you even here?” Dain challenges. “No offense, sir, but we weren’t exactly expecting senior leadership on this trip.” “You’re more than aware that Sgaeyl and Tairn are mated.” “Three days?” Dain fires back, leaning in. “You couldn’t make it three days?” “It has nothing to do with him,” I interrupt, setting my dragon down with a little more force than necessary. “That’s up to Tairn and Sgaeyl.” “You never considered that it was you I couldn’t stay away from?”

Oop- things are heating up

“Of course you rush to defend him.” Dain hurls a hurt glare at me. “Though how you can forget that this guy wanted to kill you six months ago is beyond me.” I blink up at him. “I cannot believe you went there.” “Good job remaining professional, Aetos.” Xaden scratches the relic on his neck I’m all but certain doesn’t actually itch. “Really shows those leadership qualities to their best advantage.”

I’m loving this

One of the riders down the table whistles low. “Do you boys just want to whip it out and measure? It would be faster.”

I’m cracking up lol

Xaden lifts a hand a few inches above the table, and shadows pour from underneath our seats, filling the room and turning it dark as midnight in a blink. My heart jumps as my sight goes black. “Relax. It’s just me.” A ghost of a touch skims my cheek.

Seeing more consistent progress with them. Round of applause

Mira’s eyes meet mine. “You have to get to safety, Violet. I love you. Don’t die. I’d hate to be an only child.” There’s no cocky grin like when she left me at Basgiath on Conscription Day.

I love the morbid only child joke they have going on

There’s so much compassion, so much understanding in his eyes, that when he lets go of my waist, I think he might just let me stay. Then his hands are on my cheeks, sliding back to cup the base of my neck as he brings his mouth to mine.

I’ve been waiting on another kiss but it just isn’t making sense to me in this context lmao. How did we even get here??

He only breaks the kiss when we’re both panting, then rests his forehead against mine. “Leave for me, Violet.”

😳😳😳😳😳😳

Xaden’s been stalling to give Tairn and Sgaeyl time to arrive. My heart sinks like a rock, pinning my feet in place. “I will hate you for this.”

Wowwwww that’s messed up Xaden

Winning the War Games isn’t about strength. It’s about cunning. To know how to strike, you have to understand where your enemies—your friends—are most vulnerable. No one stays friends forever, Mira. Eventually those closest to us become our enemies in some way, even if it’s through well-intentioned love or apathy, or if we live long enough to become their villains. —Page eighty, the Book of Brennan

A WORD

“Maybe it was when I saw Oren holding a knife to your throat,” he says. “Or maybe it was when I realized the bruises on your neck were fingerprints and wanted to kill them all over again just so I could do it slowly. 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.” My breath catches at his admission, but he just sighs, lets his head fall back against the wall. “Does it even matter when, as long as it changed between us?”

AHHHHHHHHHHHH ITS HAPPENING

It also doesn’t help that I must have slept wrong, because my knee is killing me, and the stabilizing wrap feels like it’s a million degrees.

Bet she gets her signet during war games

It’s the saddle strapped across his back that has me gawking. “I hear it’s all the fashion,” Tairn brags.

About damn time.

I rip my gaze from his and study the exquisite, intricate structure of the saddle. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Xaden.” “You’re welcome.” He turns but leans into my space, and a shiver dances down my spine when his lips brush my ear. “Consider my favor fulfilled.”

Blushes

And for the first time, there’s no fear that I’ll tumble off his back. Slowly, I unclench my hands from the pommels and a heartbeat later, my hands are above my head as we plummet toward the valley below. I’ve lived twenty years and never felt as alive as I do in this moment. Without even grounding in my Archives, power surges in my veins, crackling with a life all its own, jolting every single one of my senses to a degree that nears pain.

Suddenly I really really really wanna ride a dragon

I am infinite.

I am a sucker for infinite lines.

“Lightning wielder.”

Not sure if I’m impressed yet. We’ll have to explore this power more before I decide if the wait was worth it and if this was a satisfying payoff

The death of a cadet is an inevitable yet acceptable tragedy. This process thins the herd, leaving only the strongest riders, and as long as the cause of death does not break the Codex, any rider involved in extinguishing another’s life shall not be punished. —Major Afendra’s Guide to the Riders Quadrant (Unauthorized Edition)

You’ve made that clear enough

Jack is dead. I killed him.

Hip hip hooray. Don’t start that “I can’t believe I took a life wah wah wah” bullshit

Nausea holds me in its grip, and my mouth waters. Killed him. I killed him.

Rolling my eyes. I hope she gets over this fast cause that guys life did not mean shit to me and I don’t wanna have to sit through her grieve him.

Lightning I used to take a life.

Oh brotherrrr. Give me a break

But all I can think is that I finally have a signet, a real, true signet, and the first thing I did with it was kill a man.

Idcccccccccccccc

The one that killed Jack.

I’m bout to go insane. Give it up mama. Let it gooooooo

“I know. I know.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “And if you don’t want to use that kind of power again, you don’t have to—” “Get the fuck away from her with that nonsense.” Xaden pushes Dain’s chest and tugs me out of his arms, then grips my shoulders, turning me to face him.

Yeah Dain. What are you even talking about. What an odd thing to say…

“You don’t have to use your power, Vi,” Dain starts, his voice soft and comforting. “Stop. Fucking. Coddling. Her.” Xaden bites out every word at Dain.

I love me some Xanden

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

And the crowd goes wild

My brow furrows with an unwelcome thought. “Unless you don’t want me.” “Does this feel like I don’t want you?”

Whew my stomach just did a flip 😭😭😭😭😭

That knot of pleasure builds to a breaking point as he takes me to the floor,

Why will he not put you on the bed?????

my fingers down his spine. “A hundred and seven.” He looks away. That number makes my stomach lurch, and then my hand pauses. A hundred and seven. That’s the number Liam mentioned. “That’s how many kids under the age of majority carry the rebellion relic.” “Yeah.” I shift so I can see his face. “What happened, Xaden?”

Seems like he took a lick for all the kids so they wouldn’t have to

“The kind where I take personal responsibility for the loyalty of the hundred and seven kids the rebellion’s leaders left behind, and in return, we’re allowed to fight for our lives in the Riders Quadrant instead of being put to death like our parents.” He averts his gaze. “I chose the chance of death over the certainty.” The cruelty of the offer and the sacrifice he made to save the others hits like a physical blow. I cradle his cheek and guide his face back to mine. “So if any of them betray Navarre…” I lift my brows. “Then my life is forfeit. The scars are a reminder.”

These bitches are CRUELLLLLLLL

“Stay with me, Xaden. Don’t make me beg.” “We both know this is a bad idea.” “Then it’s our bad idea.”

Snaps in applause

He buries his face in my neck, inhaling deeply. “Don’t fall for me.”

You just HAD to ruin the moment. So corny bro just close your mouth

My Violet, By the time you find this, you’ll most likely be in the Scribe Quadrant. Remember that folklore is passed from one generation to the next to teach us about our past. If we lose it, we lose the links to our past. It only takes one desperate generation to change history—even erase it. I know you’ll make the right choice when the time comes. You have always been the best of both your mother and me. Love, Dad

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

“What do you think he was trying to tell you?” Xaden asks. “I don’t know. Every fable in this book is about how too much power corrupts, so maybe he felt someone in leadership was corrupt.” I glance up at Xaden and joke, “I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if General Melgren ripped a mask off one day and revealed he was a terrifying venin. That man has always given me the creeps.”

Girl you laughing but it just might be yo mama

“I’m just excited to see some people who aren’t riders,” Ridoc says, holding open the door so we can pass through the tunnel. “It’s getting kind of incestuous around here.” “Agreed.” Rhiannon nods.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I’m in love with Xaden.

No shit

“I don’t deserve you.” His arm curls around my hips and he tugs me closer. “But I’m going to keep you all the same.”

Omggggggg

Xaden looks anything but pleased, and his gaze locks with mine for a millisecond. “Fucking War Games.” Relief and disbelief hit me in equal measure. “You’re kidding me.” We got hauled out of bed for War Games? “Nope.”

Oh thank god. I was scared shitless lol

“The moment we’ve dreaded has arrived. The wards we’ve dedicated our lives to upholding are falling, and there has been an unprecedented, multilevel attack along our borders, putting villages under siege from drifts of gryphon riders. Mass casualties among civilians and infantry are already being reported, as are the deaths of multiple riders.” He’s laying on the melodrama pretty thick.

This is based on what’s actually happening in their nation. It’s just being presented as a game maybe to see how capable they are to the very real threat the nation is under (unbeknownst to them ofc) or maybe even to get ideas from them without having to inform them about the real threat

“Riorson, you’ll establish your headquarters for Fourth Wing at Athebyne. Wingleaders, assemble your headquarters squads at your own discretion, pulling from any and all riders within your wings. Consider this a test of leadership, as there are no limitations in a real-world scenario. You will receive the updated orders once you reach your selected outposts for this five-day exercise.” He steps back.

Ermmmm why are you sending them into danger without fully informing them of the VERY REAL THREAT they are about to face???!?!!!!!! Did I get it wrong and this is legit just a fake scenario??

I pivot, dropping my hand from Xaden’s arm, but it’s obvious by Dain’s expression that he now knows there’s something between Xaden and me—and he’s hurt. My stomach hits the ground. “Dain…” “Him?” Dain’s eyes widen and his face flushes. “You and…him?” He shakes his head. “People talk, and I thought that’s all it was, but you…” Disappointment drops his shoulders. “Don’t go, Violet. Please. He’s going to get you killed.”

Yall doing all this with an audience?? Lmao

Dain looks horrified for a second but quickly masks it. “If he’s what you choose…” He sighs. “Then I guess that has to be enough for me, doesn’t it?” “Yes.” I nod. Thank gods all this nonsense is about to be past us. He swallows hard and leans in to whisper, “I’ll miss you, Violet.” Then he pivots on his heel and heads for Cath.

Violet you so naive. Things with Dain are not gonna blow over that smooth

“Let. Me. Go,” I demand

Don’t start that corny shit. We were doing good

Free from his grip, I spin toward the field as Xaden reaches the riders. “You’re fucking early,” he says. And my heart stops.

I trust Xaden and the marked ones. Who I don’t trust is Navarre leadership. The government is lying

In his last days of interrogation, Fen Riorson lost touch with reality, railing against the kingdom of Navarre. He accused King Tauri, and all who came before him, of a conspiracy so vast, so unspeakable, that it does not bear repeating by this historian. The execution was swift and merciful for a madman who cost untold lives. —Navarre, an Unedited History by Colonel Lewis Markham

the lies you people weave

“They all carry rebellion relics,” I tell him. “Everyone in this squad besides me is the child of a separatist.”

You’re hella obtuse if you’re JUST now realizing that

“You watched me train with him!” I shove at Liam’s chest, and he stumbles backward through the grass. “You stood by and watched me fall for him!”

YOU NICKNAMED MY DAUGHTER AFTER THE LOCH NESS MONSTER!! 😡👊‼️

Was he trying to say… No. That’s impossible.

Oh bitch. You just made me release the most exasperated sigh. HURRY UP AND GET WITH THE PROGRAM

“Not yet. I’d prefer you come to your own conclusion. I chose you for your intelligence and courage, Silver One. Don’t let me down.”

Translation: better believe it bitch something something something

“Because if your best friend sees this memory, everything is lost,” he interrupts, and I gasp.

Gotta lead her to the water AND force her to drink

“Dain wouldn’t break a rule to save your life, Violet. What do you think he’d do if he had this knowledge?”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!