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“Stay the hell away from Xaden Riorson.” The air rushes from my lungs. That name…
Blue dragons descend from the extraordinary Gormfaileas line. Known for their formidable size, they are the most ruthless, especially in the case of the rare Blue Daggertail, whose knifelike spikes at the tip of their tail can disembowel an enemy with one flick.
“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.”
“I told you already, the youngest Sorrengail is mine, and I’ll handle her when the time is right.”
“Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”
“He attempted to use that power to revive a fallen rider—which didn’t work, because there’s no signet capable of resurrection—and depleted himself in the process. To use a phrase you’ll become accustomed to after Threshing, he burned out and died next to that rider.” Something in my chest shifts, a feeling that I can’t explain and yet can’t shake.
“My name is Violet,” I seethe. “I think my version fits you better.”
“Don’t trust a single person who faces you on this mat,” he warns in a hiss, his breath warm against the shell of my ear, and even though we’re surrounded by people, I realize he’s quiet for a reason. This lesson is just for me.
“She could use a little less protection and a little more instruction.” Xaden stares Dain down until he nods.
Xaden would just beat the shit out of him
You want to know why you’re still alive? Because you’re the scale I currently judge myself against every night. Every day I let you live, I get to convince myself that there’s still a part of me that’s a decent person. So if you want to quit, then please, spare me the temptation and fucking quit. But if you want to do something, then do it.”
circular patch on their upper right arm with water and floating spheres means.
“I would strongly recommend you rethink your actions,” a voice—his voice—demands
from across the field to my right. My scalp prickles as each of our heads swivel in his direction. Xaden is leaning against the tree, his arms folded across his chest, and behind him, watching with narrowed golden eyes, her fangs exposed, is Sgaeyl, his terrifying navy-blue daggertail.
“My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line.”
He’s one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre.
His rider died in the Tyrrish rebellion.
“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
“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.”
Her eyes fly wide. “Both dragons?” she squawks. I nod. And all hell breaks loose.
“They’re a mated pair, Tairn and Sgaeyl. The strongest bonded pair in centuries.”
I raise my chin. “Well-the-fuck-aware,” Xaden roars, losing his temper for the first time since I met him on Parapet.
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.
Three are unbonded women—I gasp with recognition—make that two as she runs for the door and slams it on the way out. She opened the door. There’s no other explanation.
Because I want him.
“You haven’t begun to see overstepping,” he warns, his voice dropping low, sending a shiver down my spine. “Any threat against you is a threat against me, and as we’ve already established, I have more important things to do than sleep on your floor.”
“Touch me without permission, and you’ll spend the rest of your life regretting it.”
Riorson was right. You would have been wasted as a scribe.”
but it’s Xaden who fills my vision as he steps between us. The fury in his eyes is palpable, but I don’t retreat.
intricately with raised silver lines I couldn’t see from across the gym. Silver lines I instantly recognize as scars.
“Ask me nicely.” He leans closer.
“Ask me nicely, Violence,” he whispers. “Or I’m gone.”
Xaden studies me with an intensity that makes me sway toward him. “You are astonishing.” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t do that for weeks
And then he squeezes my shoulder gently before walking away.
“Everything when it comes to you.”
“Disarm me before I test that theory in front of everyone in this gym.”
“Now, earn your nickname and try your best to kill me.”
Xaden chokes.
I’m in love with Xaden.
“Gods help me, I’m only looking at you.”
“There’s only you, Violence. Is that what you needed to hear?”
“I saw Aetos kiss you after Threshing and nearly lost my shit.”
“I fucking need you, Violet. Right now. And I don’t need anyone, so I’m not quite sure how to handle this feeling, but I’m giving it my best. And if you don’t want this tonight, that’s fine, but I’m going to need you to walk out that door right now, because if you don’t, I’m going to have you naked on your back in the next two minutes.”
“Because it’s just you and me in this room, Vi, and I don’t share.”
“You have everything I have
to give.”
