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Absolute mayhem breaks out, some of the riders rushing the stage as professors battle their way toward us, but I ignore it all as Xaden tilts one corner of that beautiful mouth and tips an imaginary hat to me, bowing his head for a heartbeat before bringing his gaze back to hold mine. Satisfaction fills every ounce of my being as I smile up at him.
“And look at you! You didn’t die!” Irrational, giddy laughter bubbles up. “I didn’t die! You’re not an only child!”
Like, I could have sworn I saw a riot of dragons across the border during this attack.”
Wyvern!!
Thinking of him only jumbles me in a way that leaves me tangled in knots. I want him, but I can’t trust him, not in the ways I want to. And yet in other ways, he’s the person I trust most.
Then I’m back in the hallway where Xaden waits, his own pack slung over his shoulder. It looks considerably smaller than the one he arrived with, and I don’t want to even think about what he’s left behind in order to force me out faster.
Missing a shipment of alloy daggers.
The next day, I ask him what his favorite food is in the middle of Battle Brief, using our mental connection. Pretty sure I hear him drop something at the back of the room before he answers. “Chocolate cake. Stop being weird.” I grin.
Shit, am I flirting? Maybe. Do I care? Oddly enough…no.
“That right there is the most practical way for you to ride. It has straps across your thighs to buckle yourself in once you’re up, and theoretically, you should be able to change positions on long flights without unbuckling, since we built in a lap belt, too.” “Theoretically?” “He wasn’t amenable to me giving it a test flight.” “You can ride me when the flesh rots off my bones, wingleader.”
“Fuck, that stubborn, feisty look always makes me want to kiss you.” Xaden’s expression remains bland, bored even, but his eyes heat as his gaze drops to my mouth. “And you say this now, where people will see if you actually do.” My breath catches. “When did I ever give you the impression that I give a fuck what people think about me?” A corner of his mouth rises, and now it’s all I can concentrate on, damn him. “I only care what they think about you.”
Wrath and fury boil my blood as my eyes lock onto the figure on top of that tower. This is the last time this asshole will come after my friends or me.
Oh honey, if only that were true.
I am the sky and the power of every storm that has ever been. I am infinite.
“And thank gods for it. Zihnal must really love Liam, cheating death twice today.” But it wasn’t Liam who cheated death. It was me. And I can’t help but wonder if somewhere, on some plane of existence, Malek sits on his throne, angry that I stole a soul from his grasp. But then again, I gave him Jack’s. Of course, it might have broken mine forever.
The caress of his mouth and the strokes of his wicked tongue steal every logical thought, and my world narrows to this kiss, this minute, this man. Mine. In this moment, Xaden Riorson is mine. Or maybe I’m his. Who fucking cares as long as he keeps kissing me?
Never mind. That is how I want him to say my name from now on. Just like that.
I don’t care if it damns us. I need him. No more holding back. Not anymore.
“You’re going to be the death of me, Violet.”
Finding a jar on my nightstand with a handful of spring violets? My heart swells. I’m in so much fucking trouble.
“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.”
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“You can go. You should go. This is…” I shake my head. “I go where you go.” His hand tightens over mine.
Liam 😭😭😭😭😭
Xaden’s done more than save me. He believed me when I told him Amber led the unbondeds to my room. He had an entire arsenal of daggers crafted just for me. He designed a saddle for Tairn so I can ride into battle with my peers. He’d protected me when I needed and taught me to defend myself so I wouldn’t require protection forever. And when others are quick to stand in front of me, Xaden always stands at my side, trusting me to hold my own.
“I’m going to kill him for making you come to this,” I mutter under my breath as Dain greets the king with perfect manners. “Xaden didn’t make me come.” “What?” My gaze jumps to his. “He’d never ask this of me. Never ask it of anyone. 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 arm. “You saved my life, Violet. The least I can do is grin and bear it through a fucking party.”
“Liam will be here next year to make sure you’re not doing asinine things,” he mutters. “You’re going to love getting his letters,” I promise,
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” His voice lowers. “If not, I’m a fool, because you are magnificently beautiful.”
“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.”
“Oh gods.” “Which one are you calling out for?” he asks against my flesh. “Because it’s just you and me in this room, Vi, and I don’t share.”
I’m not going to survive this. I’m going to die right here in this bed. “Then I’m going to die with you,” he promises, kissing me. I’m so far gone, I didn’t even realize I said the words out loud, and then I remember that I don’t have to.
Because he’s inntinsic…
He swallows hard and leans in to whisper, “I’ll miss you, Violet.” Then he pivots on his heel and heads for Cath.
He knows that Athebyne is a trap and lets her go anyways. 💔
“Were we ever really friends?” I whisper at Liam, searching for the strength to yell. “We are friends, Violet, but I owe him everything,” Liam answers,
“I know what you’re thinking,”
Because he’s intinsic lol
We can live as cowards or die as riders.
“You saved every single one of us here, cousin,” Bodhi says. “And we’re thankful. Now, I’d like to do what we’ve trained for, and if it means I don’t go home, then I guess my soul will be commended to Malek. I wouldn’t mind seeing my mother anyway.”
Bohdi, stop breaking my heart!
Liam steps forward so he stands at my side. “We watched as our parents were executed because they had the courage to do the right thing. I’d like to think my death would be just as honorable.”
💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭
“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.”
😭😭😭💔💔💔
“Well, there went our air superiority,” Imogen says across from us, then shrugs. “Fuck ’em. They can die, too.”
“Any other secrets you’re keeping from me?” “Yes.” He cups my neck and leans into my space. “Stay alive, and I promise I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“Why would you risk it?” Gods, if anything happens to them… His gaze collides with mine. “That thing was going to take a chunk out of Tairn. 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.”
