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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.”
am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been.
“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 think Melgren or any other general—to include her own mother—is going to let her sit on a power like this? It’s not like she can hide it, not the way she just demolished one of the practice forts.”
If Sgaeyl is right, and signets reflect who we are at our core, then I’m exactly as Xaden nicknamed me…Violence.
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
“But do not wallow in guilt, Silver One. Whatever you feel is natural. Allow yourself to feel it but then let it go. The wingleader made a valid point. With a signet like that, you are the best hope the kingdom has against the hordes of evil that seek to harm it. Rest and I will see you tomorrow. I’ll get my own saddle off.”
That my signet would be mending, and I could put all the broken things back together. But instead, I’m made to split them apart.
“So do whatever you need to get it out. You want to yell? Yell at me. You want to hit something? Hit me. I can take it.”
“I’m not sweet. Please don’t mistake any part of me for soft or kind. That will only get you hurt, and whatever you do…” He buries his face in my neck, inhaling deeply. “Don’t fall for me.”
Finding a jar on my nightstand with a handful of spring violets? My heart swells.
of my duties, I’ve found a correlation of sorts that keeps a system of checks on power. Yours seems to be your body.”
“Because Aetos will be useful to them as long as they can keep him under their control.”
“His power is also limited to touch, so more controllable.”
“Should I get the wingleader?” Tairn flat-out laughs in my head.
“Get stronger in wielding, and you’ll be able to do it, too. There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”
But I told him I would keep you safe, and that’s what I’m doing, keeping you safe.” He flashes a crooked smile. “You are a good friend, Liam Mairi.” I rest my head on his
But who takes responsibility—takes care—of him?
haven’t run from a challenge since I crossed this parapet a year ago, and I’m not about to start now.
“I’m not in a place to take care of anyone tonight.
If he leaves without saying goodbye, I’m going to track him down and kill him myself.
“Don’t turn into Dain on me.”
“Worrying about you is ninety-nine percent of what I do.” His thumb strokes the back of my hand.
It hurts to rearrange everything you think you know. Lies are comforting. Truth is painful.”
“I believe you. That doesn’t mean I trust you anymore.”
Dain is a lot of things, but he would never violate me like that, never take something I hadn’t offered. Except he tried once.
We can live as cowards or die as riders.
Their parents died to expose the truth while mine sacrificed my brother to keep this heinous secret.
“I’ve been defenseless,” I tell Xaden, lifting my chin. “And now I’m a rider. Riders fight.”
“I wasn’t asking for your approval.” If I’m going to die, I might as well be honest in my last moments.
“You’ll feel the moment when you’ll know that there’s nothing to leave. And it might break your heart, but when you feel it, you fly. Promise me you’ll fly.”
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.”
This isn’t fair. This isn’t right. Not Deigh. Not…Liam. They’re the strongest of our year. They’re the best of us.
“It’s all right, Violet,” he says, looking up at me, and I shove my goggles on top of my head so I can see him clearer.
“You have to take care of my sister.” “Liam, no.”
betrayed, but Xaden needs you. And I don’t just mean alive, Violet. He needs you. Please hear him out.”
“Thank you, Liam. Thank you for being my shadow. Thank you for being my friend.”
“It’s been. My honor.” Liam’s chest rattles as his lungs struggle.
Liam, who never complained about being my shadow, never hesitated to help, never bragged about being the best of our year. He died protecting
will bet my life on you as I have from the first day,”
Fear threatens to consume me as the venin rides at us, close enough that I can see his snarling mouth, but it’s not my terror. It’s Tairn’s.
deserve it. I’m the reason Liam is dead. I’m so weak-minded that I didn’t even realize Dain took my memories and used them against me—against Liam.
She chose me for the scars on my back and the simple fact that I am the grandson of her second rider—the one who didn’t make it through the quadrant.
would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart, and I’m keeping it.” She already owns mine, even if she doesn’t realize it.
