Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)

by Rebecca Yarros

“Bet you wish you didn’t know what it feels like to dig out one of my knives, don’t you?” I retort.

Krovlan uprising, and he mentioned something about feathertails, but we can’t seem to find that tome.” He scratches his forehead.

Imogen can mind-wipe recent memories—”

Scared

“I think there’s way more going on along the borders than what we’re told,” I admit quietly.

My head turns so fast that it swims, and my mouth drops open as I stare at the side of Xaden’s face.

“He cares for you. That’s already hard enough for him.” I scoff. “He cares about keeping me alive. There’s a difference.” “Not for him there isn’t.”

Jack falls down the mountainside in an avalanche of rock that I know he can’t survive.

Tairn roars with the unmistakable sound of pride. “Lightning wielder.”

Finding a jar on my nightstand with a handful of spring violets?

“Keep your loyalties clear. You and Riorson both have exceptional, lethal power that any rider would be envious of. But together?” His bushy brows furrow. “You would be a formidable enemy who command could simply not afford to let exist. Do you understand what I’m saying?” His voice softens.

“Well, then start there. Ground in your power and try to feel whatever it was you were feeling.” He goes back to his notebook. “Should I get the wingleader?” Tairn flat-out laughs in my head.

There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”

But is it the same when it’s opposite

Just means you still have your humanity.”

“Liam, you know I adore you, right?” “Well, that’s nice—” “Go away.”

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” His voice lowers. “If not, I’m a fool, because you are magnificently beautiful.”

“We lost a village in the vicinity to a horde of venin two days ago. They decimated everything.”

never lied when I said I can’t live without you, Violence.”

Oh gods. Dain read my memories without my permission.

Never. Ever. Ever. Getting. My. Forgiveness. Nothing can redeem him.

You’ve saved my life and now it’s my turn. No matter what you think of me for keeping secrets, we’re friends, Violet.”

Crying

“Thank you, Liam. Thank you for being my shadow. Thank you for being my friend.” He blurs in my vision as the tears come faster. “It’s been. My honor.” Liam’s chest rattles as his lungs struggle.

Screaming sobbing crying throwing up

Liam, who never complained about being my shadow, never hesitated to help, never bragged about being the best of our year. He died protecting me. Oh gods, and I just asked him if we’d ever really been friends an hour ago.

“There is no me without you,”

But it was the third brother, who commanded the sky to surrender its greatest power, who finally vanquished his jealous sibling at a great and terrible price.

The third brother?????? As mentioned in onyx storm?????

“We have to get her to him. We ride.”

“Xaden?” a familiar voice calls out, but I can’t place it. Bodhi, maybe? One of the second years? So many strangers. And no friends. Liam is dead. “You have to save her.”

You’re all cowards. —The last words of Fen Riorson (redacted)

XADEN

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA