More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Dad wouldn’t want this!” Mira argues, color flushing up her neck. “I loved your father, but he’s dead,” Mom says, as if giving the weather report. “I doubt he wants much these days.”
Damn harsh or no heifer.
A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon
Yeah but like why Yarros !?
Once bonded, riders can’t live without their dragons, but most dragons can live just fine after us. It’s why they
I’ll come back to this
UPDATE BUT WHY DID LIAM DIE AFTER HIS DIES IN THE END
You survived Parapet. Good. Be observant the next few days, and don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself. I’ve sketched a map that shows you not only where the classrooms are but where the instructors meet, too. I know you’re nervous about challenges, but you shouldn’t be, not with that right hook of yours. The matches might seem random, but they’re not. What the instructors don’t tell you is that they decide challenges the week before, Mira. Any cadet can request a challenge, yes, but instructors will assign your matches based on weeding out the weakest. That means once the real
...more
“You learn what they teach you,” Xaden says to the first-year, his voice taking a hard edge. “Keep what you know but recite whatever they tell you to.” My brow furrows.
“Scream and you die,” he whispers, and my stomach plummets as the elbow is replaced by the sharp bite of a dagger at my throat.
Fear ripples through every cell in my body as its hot breath blows over me. “Step aside, Silver One,” a deep, gruff, definitely male voice orders. I blink. Wait. What? Did he just speak to me? “Yes. You. Move.” There’s zero room for argument in his tone, and I limp to the side, nearly stumbling over Oren’s unconscious body as Tynan breaks into a screaming run, fleeing for the trees. The black dragon’s eyes narrow to glare at Tynan and he opens his mouth wide a second before fire shoots across the field, blasting heat against the side of my face and incinerating everything in its path…including
...more
😂😂😂 I like this dragon. Yes , you. Move.
The dragon’s giant nostrils flare. “You’re bleeding. Stop it.”
“There. Better?” “It will do.” He tilts his head at me. “Your hands are bound, too. Do you bleed often?” “I try not to.” He scoffs. “Let’s go, Violet Sorrengail.” He lifts his head, and the golden dragon peeks out from under his wing. “How do you know my name?” I gawk up at him. “And to think, I’d almost forgotten just how loquacious humans are.” He sighs, the gust of his breath rattling the trees. “Get on my back.”
Oh. Shit. He’s choosing…me.
Well duh dumb bitch
“One does not live a century without
A low, frustrated grumble sounds in his chest, and then he shocks me to the core as he stretches forward, his front leg becoming a ramp. Dragons never supplicate for anyone, and yet here he is, bowing to make it easier for me to climb on. It’s steep but manageable. I don’t hesitate, crawling
“My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line.”
“But I’m not going to assume that you’ll be able to remember that once we reach the field, so Tairn will do until I inevitably have to remind you.”
He’s one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre. Professor Kaori’s lesson. What else had he said? The only unbonded black dragon hadn’t agreed to bond this year. He hadn’t even been seen in the last five years. His rider died in the Tyrrish rebellion.
“Now get in the seat and actually hold on this time, or no one is going to believe that I’ve actually chosen you,” he growls.
“You’re going to have to strengthen your legs. Didn’t you practice?” Indignation ripples up my spine. “Of course I practiced!” “There’s no need to shout. I can hear you just fine. The entire mountain can probably hear you.” Was everyone’s dragon a curmudgeon? Or just mine? My eyes widen. I have…a dragon. And not just any dragon. I have Tairneanach. “Grip harder with your knees. I can barely feel you back there.”
“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.” Not a question. An order.
“Why did you choose me?” I have to know, because as soon as we land, there are going to be questions. “Because you saved her.” Tairn’s head inclines toward the golden as we approach, and she follows after us. Our speed slows. “But…” I shake my head. “Dragons value strength and cunning and…ferocity in their riders.” None of which defines me. “Please, do tell me more about what I should value.”
“They are divided between those still in the quadrant who chose in years past and those who chose today,” Tairn tells me. “We are the seventy-first bond to enter the fields.”
“You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning.” I gulp at the compliment, brushing it off. I was trained as a scribe, not a rider. “You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength. Since you apparently need to know before we land.”
“You’ll never be alone again.” “That sounds more like a threat than a comfort,”
HE SAID WHAT HE SAID.
“You need to dismount before I rethink my selection, then tell the roll-keeper—”
There’s a sound from the slopes that reminds me of muttering…if dragons mutter. “They do and they are. Ignore it.” Again, there’s no room for argument in his tone.
Ilove tarin
The first step hurts like hell, but I pivot toward the golden one, who is tucked in tight next to Tairn, surveying me with bright eyes as she flicks her feathertail. “I’m glad you made it.” “Glad” isn’t even the right word. Thrilled, relieved, grateful. “But maybe you should fly off the next time someone suggests you save yourself, eh?” She blinks. “Maybe I was saving you.” Her voice is higher, sweeter in my mind. My lips part, and the muscles in my face go slack with shock. “Didn’t anyone tell you that you’re not supposed to speak to humans who aren’t your rider? Don’t go getting yourself in
...more
“Hey, at least I remembered,” I think back in his general direction, wondering if he’ll hear me across the field. “At least I didn’t let you fall to your death.” He sounds utterly bored, but he definitely heard me. The woman grins, shaking her head as she writes down his name. “I can’t believe he bonded. Violet, he’s a legend.” I open my mouth to agree— “Andarnaurram.” The sweet, high voice of the golden fills my mind. “Andarna for short.” I feel the blood rush from my face, and the edges of my vision sway as I pivot on my good ankle, staring back across the field at where the golden
...more
Andarnaurram,” I whisper. Her eyes fly wide. “Both dragons?” she squawks. I nod. And all hell breaks loose.
“Yep! We’re talking about you!” Andarna says as the line passes by, and she joins.
I just love her too lol
“You’ll like it,” Tairn promises. “It’s unique.”
The pain fades to a dull ache, and I glance over my shoulder. There’s a solid black…something peeking out from the vest. “I’ll like what?” “Violet!” Dain reaches me, his smile wide as he cups my face. “You kept both of them!” “I guess I did.” My lips curve. It’s all…surreal, all too much for one day.
“Holy shit. You have to see this.” “Tell the boy to move,” Tairn orders.
Suddenly, my vision isn’t mine. I’m looking at my own back through…Andarna’s eyes. A back that has a glistening black relic of a dragon mid-flight stretching from shoulder to shoulder and, in the center, the silhouette of a shimmering golden one. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper. I’m marked by their magic
That shit fye
“You have to know how I feel about you.” His thumb strokes over my cheek, his eyes searching for something, and then his mouth is on mine. His lips are soft, but the kiss is firm, and delight races up my spine. After years, Dain is finally kissing me. The thrill is gone in less than a heartbeat. There’s no heat. No energy. No sharp slice of lust. Disappointment sours the moment, but not for Dain. He’s all smiles as he pulls away. It was over in an instant. It was everything I’ve ever wanted…except… Shit. I don’t want it anymore.
bared at me, I’d back away, too. “No you wouldn’t, because you didn’t. You stayed and defended Andarna.” His voice fills my head, and I can tell from his tone there are places he’d rather be. “Only because there was a lot going on at the moment,” I respond. “Andarna isn’t coming this morning?”
“She has no need for flight lessons when she can’t bear you.” “Good point.” Though it would have been nice to see her. She’s quieter in my head, too, not as meddlesome as Tairn. “I heard that. Now pay attention.”
“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.” I snort but make the ascent, shaking my
“For your own good.” “Are you always around?” I snap back mentally. “Yes. Get used to it.” I fight the urge to growl at the intrusive, overbearing— “Still here.” “Violet?” Dain asks. “Sorry, I’m not used to Tairn butting into my thoughts.”
wingleader.” “You wouldn’t dare.” I narrow my eyes as I move forward, checking where his chest begins to rise. “And you know how much that ass annoys me.” “Annoys you?” Tairn chuckles above me, the sound like a chuffing cat. “Is that what you call it when your heart rate—” “Don’t even start with me.”
“Must have been a dull sword.” He cocks a dark eyebrow. “Unless it has something to do with why you sleep in your leather vest.” “Trust him,” Tairn demands. “It’s not that easy.” “It has to be for now.”
“You held your own and controlled your temper,” Tairn says, an immense swell of pride flooding my chest. “She’s ready,” Andarna adds with a giddy jolt of joy that makes me instantly light-headed. “She’s ready,” he agrees. … A couple of hours later, I rip my
“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.”
Only him. Here. Now. Anywhere. Whenever. I’ve never been this out of control over a single kiss. Never wanted someone the way I do him. It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time because I know that in this moment, he has the power to break me. And I’d let him.
“That whole I-die-Xaden-dies thing is really just a hypothesis, right?” I ask, unsheathing the daggers that are hardest to reach during a fight, the ones in my boots. “One I’d rather not put to the test,” Tairn growls.
“Go for the gullet,” Tairn suggests. “I don’t have the energy to block you out right now, so I’m going to need you to be quiet for a few minutes here.”
“Offense. Now. Strike first,” Tairn snaps. “Not helping!”
“Sure could use Xaden right about now.” “You’re doing great,” Andarna assures me in the happiest of tones. I swear, nothing bothers her. She’s the most fearless kid I’ve ever met, and I grew up with Mira.
“That’s up to Tairn and Sgaeyl.” “You never considered that it was you I couldn’t stay away from?”
“Get him out of my head,” I toss in Tairn’s direction. “You’ll get used to it,” Tairn responds. “Is this normal with all mated pairs and their riders?” “For some. It’s a great advantage in a battle.” “Well, it’s a pain in my ass right now.” I miss Andarna. We’re so far apart that I can barely feel her. “Then shield him out the same way you do me—or start talking back,” Tairn grumbles. “You have the power to be a pain in the ass, too. Trust me.”
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. The kiss is reckless and consuming, and I give it my all, knowing it might be the last one. His tongue licks into my mouth with an urgency I return, angling to take him deeper.
lowering his head to my level and blasting me with a chuff of steam. “There is no rule that says a dragon cannot modify their seat to serve their rider. You have worked just as hard—if not harder—than every rider in this quadrant. Just because your body is built differently than the others doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to keep your seat. It takes more than a few strips of leather and a pommel to define a rider.”
